This Sunday, July 7, our worship will include the reading of the Gettysburg address; this is the 150th anniversary of that important event. We’ll also include prayers for the nation, as well as national and patriotic hymns at the 10 am service. Independence Day is a holy day in our Prayer Book, and it has become our practice at All Saints’ to reflect on the spiritual aspects of July 4th on the first Sunday in July.
Then, at 11 am, we’ll dedicate the new outdoor altar and the refreshment of the Memorial Garden. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project. The Garden is an important outdoor worship and meditation space for us, as well as the place where ashes of the deceased are interred. And July 4th weekend is an important date in All Saints’ history; ground was broken for the original Church on July 4, 1905. Please be on hand for this dedication and thanksgiving for the Garden’s refreshed state.
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Helping Hands
Blood Drive, Sunday July 14 from 11 am-3 pm in the Parish Hall. Blood levels are low in the summer and we need your help! We need the help of 1 more person for 2 hours. They will welcome the donors, guide them through the process and make sure they have juice and cookies. And, of course, we need blood donors! Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex, and tell your neighbors who may be able to donate. Questions? Call Susie Harris 908 647-0067.
Food for Friends – continues to need donations of non-perishable food for the pantry. Summer months are difficult for low-income families whose children are out of school and not getting subsidized school breakfast and lunch. So “kid- friendly” items are greatly appreciated: peanut butter, jelly, whole wheat crackers, juices boxes, raisins, cans of tuna, granola bars, boxes of mac&cheese, etc. As always, bring your donations with you to Church, or leave them in the barrel in the side entrance. Thank you – you are helping to feed hungry families!
Knitting Ministry - Thank you to all who knit and crochet for the Seamen’s Church Institute. We sent off 27 hats and scarves recently. The hats and scarves are part of the Christmas-at-Sea program for merchant marines and cargo ship crews who spend six to eight months at a time at sea, away from their families, transporting the goods we buy from all over the world. Remember we also collect yarn to use in these projects—so in your travels please pick up yarn from friends/relatives or in your yard sale ventures. Deeper, masculine colors are most appreciated!! And new knitters/crocheters are always welcome; we have patterns and can provide you with yarn. ~ Janet Mansfield
Worship
Child Care is available during the 10 am service in the Nursery all through the summer. Kids are always welcome in worship, but if you or they need a break, our baby-sitters Natalie and Greer would be happy to see them.
Hand Bells – Thank you everyone who has given monies for hand bell dedications! All the bells are now spoken for, and we’ll be able to order them soon.
Music and Choirs –Looking toward the fall, we always welcome new members in our choirs. If you like to sing, we have a place for you! Adult Choir can really use some tenors and basses (but we won’t send you away if you’re an alto or soprano – we love you too!). Junior Choir is open to all kids in Grade 3 and older – boys and girls. Both choirs have one practice on Thursday and we go live on Sunday. You come to as many or all that you can. Speak to Dr. Jody for more information. And, if you play an instrument (adult or child) and would like to offer your gift in worship, please see Dr. Jody about that, also.
Wednesday Night Worship – 7 pm in the Memorial Garden (in the church is it rains). A simple, 30-minute Eucharist – great if you have to be out of town on the weekends, or just want a mid-week spiritual boost! July 10 and 17.
All God's Children: Special Needs Worship is on break until the fall. Next service is September 15 at 12 noon.
Fun & Fundraising
The Rummage Sale is Coming! September 21 (first rummage drop-off Aug. 4 in the Parish Hall). Starting putting aside your good gently-used items now – and let your neighbors and friends know, too. Please sign-up in the Narthex to help in many different ways: sorting/pricing, baking, setting up, cleaning up, food table. We welcome YOUR participation! Questions? Speak to Kimberly Celeste or Charlotte Davis.
Summer Refreshments – We need hosts for Sunday refreshments on the Parish Lawn (iced tea, lemonade, cookies, etc.). Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Questions? Speak to John McGrath.
Save the Date, October 17 – Argyle Fish & Chips
Events
Welcome Sunday Hot Dog Picnic – September 8 at 11:15 am. Start planning your salad, side dish or dessert now!
September 29 @ 11 am (following the 10 am service)! Dedication of the new Parish House Entryway! The Rev. Canon Gregory Jacobs (Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Newark) will be with us that day. We’ll also be inviting friends and neighbors to an Open House from 11 am-1 pm. Why September 29th? In 1906 on 9/29 the original church was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Lines. And then in 1956 the addition to the church was dedicated and blessed on 9/29 – so it is an important date in the life of All Saints’, as well as being the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. In addition, it is near Delano May’s birthday – and it is she in whose memory the funds for the construction were given. So all the way around, September 29 is a good day!
And save this date… October 20 – All Saints’ Community Art Show
Formation
Women’s Book Group meets July 17 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House. Our next book for discussion is The Offering, by Angela Hunt. Hope you can join us!
The Bible Challenge /Bible Study groups meet as follows:
The Bible Challenge /Bible Study groups meet as follows:
Wednesday morning at 10:15 am in the Church Narthex.
Wednesday evening (July 10 & 24) at 7:45 pm in the Rath House
Where are we now in our year-long reading schedule? Monday, July 8 is Day 148 and the readings are 1 Chronicles 25-27, Psalm 119:145-176, and Romans 10.
How does this work? We are reading three chapters of the Old Testament, a Psalm and a chapter of the New Testament every day except Sundays.
Jump in and give it a try! You don’t have to be part of a group, and you don’t have to do the whole program. Any Bible reading you do is a positive step forward.
Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
Sunday School is on summer hiatus! See you in September! As we look to the new program year in September, we need a co-teacher for the high school class. And we can always use support for the younger grades. Interested? Speak to Jackie Sullivan or Mother Vicki.
Looking Ahead: Ice Cream Social – September 6 at 7 pm. For all Sunday School kids, families and teachers!
Stewardship
Parish House Construction Update – Most of the electrical work was completed this past week. The chair lift is due to be installed the third week of July. Then the painter will come back and add a third coat to the entryway interior and paint the exterior trim. As soon as we start the paving, we will be able to install the ramp & curbing. The chair lift is due to be installed the third week of July.
Community Hospitality - All Saints’ hosts many different groups during the year. We do this as part of our mission to be a place of hospitality to our civic community, as well as a place of spiritual welcome. In the last several weeks we have hosted twenty-one A.A. meetings, five coaching sessions for a fencing tournament, two Boy Scout meetings, three Pilates classes, six sessions of math tutoring, a non-parish wedding, two Girl Scout meetings, three Tai Chi classes, and the kids who gather before and after school in our parking lot to walk to Millington School. And all of this on our summer schedule!
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The Collect for Independence Day
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this
country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the
torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and
all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our
liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen. ~ Book of Common Prayer, page 242
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+