Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost October 20, 2013 All Saints’ WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG Do you remember playing hide and seek? While another counted, you eagerly looked for the most unusual place to hide, and then breathlessly waited. God plays hide and seek by being present in every unusual place. Even though present, for our sake God remains hidden. Sometimes we sense the Spirit, and affirm God in the bread of Holy Communion, a flower, or someone’s face. Abraham thought he was greeting three strangers, but discovered God in serving them with delight (Genesis 18:1-15). We, too, discover God when serving the stranger. For instance, if the students at St. Patrick’s in Haiti were to meet us, they would think our customs very strange, and we theirs. We believe that God was most hidden and perfectly present in Jesus Christ, and because of this truth, we must serve all people, and especially the stranger. Most wondrously, because of Christ Jesus we are the hiding place of God. Knowing this, we can call out, “All-y, all-y in free.” The Weekly Recommendation: How Might You Welcome a Stranger? By Robin Denney ere is no better way to understand what Jesus meant by “welcoming the stranger,” and why, than to try it out. Below are some suggestions to mull over, for different comfort levels. Children and youth: be sure you are with your parents and check with them before trying any of these suggestions. • Make a list of groups of people who you consider strangers, outcasts, or enemies, and pray for them every day this week, that they would experience welcome and love, and that God would help you to be that welcome. • Look online for personal stories from people who are considered outcasts, or who you think of as very different from you. Personal stories remind us that we are all human, with flaws and giſts. I was moved when I saw personal stories from: Prisoners: www.BetweeneBars.org, Undocumented immigrants: www.MyImmigrantStory.com and Tea party members: “Why I joined the Tea Party” New York Times • Initiate a conversation in a shop or on the street with a person who you would not normally talk to. • Take a moment to stop and talk with a homeless person. Scripture Lessons Today Genesis 18:1-15 Psalm 15 Ephesians 2:14-22 Matthew 25:31-40 Scripture Lessons for Next Week Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 Psalm 84:1-6 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14 Delight in Welcoming the Stranger By e Rev. Rick Matters
Transcript
Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost October 20, 2013
All Saints’WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG
Do you remember playing hide and seek? While another counted, you eagerly looked for the most unusual place to hide, and then breathlessly waited. God plays hide and seek by being present in every unusual place. Even though present, for our sake God remains hidden. Sometimes we sense the Spirit, and affirm God in the bread of Holy Communion, a flower, or someone’s face.
Abraham thought he was greeting three strangers, but discovered God in serving them with delight (Genesis 18:1-15). We, too, discover God when serving the stranger. For instance, if the students at St. Patrick’s in Haiti were to meet us, they would think our customs very strange, and we theirs.
We believe that God was most hidden and perfectly present in Jesus Christ, and because of this truth, we must serve all people, and especially the stranger. Most wondrously, because of Christ Jesus we are the hiding place of God. Knowing this, we can call out, “All-y, all-y in free.”
The Weekly
Recommendation:
How Might You Welcome a Stranger?By Robin Denney
There is no better way to understand what Jesus meant by “welcoming the stranger,” and why, than to try it out. Below are some suggestions to mull over, for different comfort levels. Children and youth: be sure you are with your parents and check with them before trying any of these suggestions.• Makealistofgroupsofpeoplewhoyouconsiderstrangers,outcasts,orenemies,andprayforthemevery
day this week, that they would experience welcome and love, and that God would help you to be that welcome.
• Lookonlineforpersonalstoriesfrompeoplewhoareconsideredoutcasts,orwhoyouthinkofasverydifferent from you. Personal stories remind us that we are all human, with flaws and gifts. I was moved when I saw personal stories from: Prisoners: www.BetweenTheBars.org, Undocumented immigrants: www.MyImmigrantStory.com and Tea party members: “Why I joined the Tea Party” New York Times
Scripture Lessons for Next WeekJeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22Psalm 84:1-62 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Luke 18:9-14
Delight in Welcoming the StrangerBy The Rev. Rick Matters
All Saints’ • TheWeekly
WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG
Part of the Grand SchemeBy Greg Troxell
Our relationships, personal and within the community, are fashioned by our beliefs, convictions, preferences, and sometimes also past wounds.
In Paul’s epistle to the church in Ephesus he states that Jesus intended to reconcile humanity both to God and toward one another, ending hostility. How is this to be done but by the embrace of the Gospel and the exercise of love by all parties involved?
Just as in the days of Paul, God is using each of us, day by day, to build up the Church and the kingdom of God. By inviting others, as well as going out to meet others and share with them the joy of our faith, we can participate with God in his bigger plan. We must remember that he was sent to save (John 3:16), so that none would perish (2 Peter 3:9), and that our joy may be complete (John 15:11) as we embrace and experience the life of God - abundant and eternal (John 10:10).
Serving the Stranger WithinBy The Rev. Rick Matters
Even though we might not want to admit it, we are strangers to ourselves. Occasionally we discover with surprise things about ourselves that we did not know. For instance, I’m discovering how strong my urge is to please others, and how it gets in the way of effective relationships.
The love of Christ summons us to love ourselves, even those parts that we consider strange. Being prejudiced is one of those undesirable qualities. We are created to find comfort in the known and to be fearful of the unknown, which sometimes leadsustorejectorignorethestranger.Likeotherimmoralimpulses (lust and murder), we are not culpable for the feeling, but are responsible for our response. In trying to eliminate these feelings we might end up hating ourselves.
Lovingthestrangerwithin,Godcallsustorecognizesuchfeelings, and to accept them as part of being human. As we love the stranger within, we will find it easier to love and serve with delight the other strangers in our midst.
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Highlighted Events and MeetingsOctober 20 Episcopal School SundayOctober 20 Youth Beach PartyOctober 23 Friends of St. Benedict October 25 I-Help DinnerOctober 26 All Saints’ Fall FestivalOctober 26 Healthy Saints HikeNovember 3 All Saints’ SundayNovember2 SantaLuciaWorkPartyNovember 23 All Saints’ Fine Arts & Craft FaireNovember28 ThanksgivingDayLiturgyNovember 28 Thanksgiving Day Dinner
Please bring your 2014 pledge so that we can celebrate God’s abundance and make wise plans for another year of ministry together.
Fine Arts & Crafts Fair
Handcrafted Items Made by Local Artisans
Great Christmas Gift Ideas
Food and Beverages Available
All Saints Episcopal ChurchFall 2012
Saturday, November 17th
9 AM to 3 PMDolores and 9th in CarmelNo Admission Fee
Fine Arts & Crafts FaireSaturday, November 23, 20139:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.No Admission Fee Food and beverage available
All Saints’ Episcopal ChurchOn the corner of Dolores and Ninth in Carmel-by-the-Seawww.allsaintscarmel.org
Handcrafted itemsby local artisans
Supporting local artisans and the missions of All Saints’ Parish throughout Monterey County
All Saints’ • TheWeekly
WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG
How Strange is a Stranger?By Robin Denney
Who is this stranger we are meant to welcome? Jesus takes this concept of stranger beyond our modern understanding of “anyone we have not met,” and makes it more radical. This stranger is someone who is strange to us, someone we do not understand, someone we wouldnevertalkto,someonewhoisoftendislikedormarginalized.Undocumented immigrants, prisoners, fundamentalists, or the mentally ill, are just a few examples of the strangers we are called towelcome.AbrahamrecognizesthathisthreevisitorsareGod,and he rushes to welcome them. He makes provision for them, he treats them as special, he listens to them. We welcome the stranger whenwedoasAbrahamdid,whenwerecognizetheimageofGodin every human being, and treat them with respect and love, make provision for them, and listen to them, regardless of who they are. We do this both individually, and at a societal level by the policies our governments enact.
To the Least of TheseBy Greg Troxell
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 25:40
There is a passage in the Old Testament that preceded this message by nearly 700 years. It is recorded in Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lordrequireofyou?Toactjustlyandtolovemercyandtowalkhumbly with your God.”
For those who consider Jesus to be their savior and call themselves Christian, there is no way to miss the imperative in today’s lectionary - humble yourselves, consider the needs of others, and when you act or speak, do so with faith, hope, charity, and love as though you were addressing and serving Christ himself.
May our actions as a church reflect the faith we hold dear, the Lordwhomwe follow, and bear suchwitness to our Savior’sgoodness that others may glorify God together with us.
Thanksgiving Pies fromGizdichRanch.Make Thanksgiving preparation a little easier and support All Saints’ Day School by ordering your Apple, Olallieberry or Pumpkin pies, fresh-frozen from GizdichRanch.OrdersmustbeplacedONLINEONLYby Thursday, October 24th, and will be ready for pickup at All Saints’ Day School on Friday, November 22, at noon (after the Shakespeare performance). The price is $16.00 per pie. More information can be found on the church website at: http://www.allsaintscarmel.org/?p=5328.
All Saints’ Food PantryHelping feed those in need
Bring dry cereal, and canned goods, especially tuna, and hearty soups with pull top lids and place them in the basket as you enter the church
AnnouncementsWednesday: Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall.
Wednesday: Friends of Benedict—This month the Friends of Benedict will meet on the FOURTH Wednesday, October 23, in the library from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for study and prayer. Our aim is to integrate the wisdom of monastic life and spiritual theology into our everyday lives as Christians. We usually meet the third Wednesday of every month, and all are welcome.
Saturday: Healthy Saints hike—Join your friends on Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to noon for a hike in the beautiful SantaLuciaPreserveinCarmelValley.We’ll be hiking with a guide from the SantaLuciaConservancy,andanRSVPis essential. Contact Mother Cynthia at [email protected] if you plan to come.
Saturday: ASDS Fall Festival—Enjoy a day of fun at All Saints’ Day School’s Fall Festival, this Saturday, October 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This school fundraiser features unique shopping opportunities, delicious food, and fun activities for the whole family.
ASDS Fall Festival helpers needed—Are you famous for your delicious baked treats? The Country Kitchen needs your baked goods, both sweet and savory, with flavors that remind us of fall. Contact Teresa Niccum (229-3022)orJoLynnJohnsson(233-2033).Or perhaps you’re a crafter? The Crafter’s Nook offers scarves, hats, necklaces, earrings, and all kinds of wonderful, handcrafted items. Contact Debra West (596-8809) or Sona Pater (277-5309). Your donations help support the wonderful education offered at All Saints’ Day School.
Necrology—It’s time to submit the names of your deceased loved ones for remembrance during the Feast of All Saints/All Souls. Forms are included in Sunday bulletins and also available in the office and church.
I-HELP is opening a small apartment complex in Marina and is in need of furnishings and housewares, including bedroom and living room furniture, twin bed frames, box springs and bedding, kitchen accessories, flatware, serving ware, and appliances. To help or learn more, call Janie at 831-384-3388.
St. Nicholas day is two months away, but planning will begin soon for our annual St. Nicholas Celebration. Contact Fr. Rick if you’d like to join a team from the school and parish to help with this annual event for all ages.
Sunday handout deadline—To be included in next Sunday’s handout, your announcement must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday. Most special parish events are included in the announcements for three weeks before they occur. Contact Andrea Matters at [email protected] or 624-3090.
All Saints’Episcopal Parish
Ninth and DoloresPO Box 1296Carmel, CA 93921Phone: 831-624-3883Fax: 831-624-1459www.allsaintscarmel.org
