Book Review: The Gospel of Ruth
November 29, 2011
The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules by Carolyn Custis James
Available in the All Saints Bookstore
Reviewed by Lillie Ammann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Often, we think of Ruth as a nice romantic story with Boaz as the hero, Ruth as the heroine, and Naomi as the matchmaker. In The Gospel of Ruth, Carolyn Custis James shows that God is the hero and that this book is a powerful example of the Gospel. Though readers tend to think of Naomi as an old, complaining woman, Custis James compares her to Job. In fact, she says, Naomi lost even more than Job. Though she didn’t have the material possessions that Job did, she lost not only all her possessions but also her whole family and her support. Job still had his wife and friends (such as they were), and as a man, he was able to work to support himself. As a widow with no son, Naomi had no resources whatsoever. Even though she felt that God had turned against her, Naomi and her family had influenced Ruth so much that she had been converted and insisted on following Naomi’s God. Another thing that is generally overlooked: Ruth was childless after years of marriage, so she was considered barren. Offering herself to Boaz was very risky; if she did not produce a son, she would be reviled and possibly deserted. She took the risk for Naomi’s sake, not her own. In the end, Elimilech has an heir and God’s plan for the genealogy of the Messiah is fulfilled. Rather than God turning against Naomi, he had strengthened her for her mission in His Kingdom.
Highly recommended.
Food Pantry Donation Sunday, December 4th
November 28, 2011
Our last All Saints “Food Pantry Donation Sunday” on November 6 was a blessing for our food pantry. We collected almost 100 canned goods for those in need. Praise the Lord! Thank you to everyone who donated to support our food pantry needs.
Our next “Food Pantry Donation Sunday” will be on Sunday, December 4. Our All Saints Food Pantry is asking for donations of toilet paper. Donations can be placed in the donation bin in Ballard Hall.
For more information, contact Bill Wimp, outreach@allsaintsanglican.net.
Liturgy Lesson for the First Sunday in Advent: The Three Advents
November 27, 2011
Advent! The name conjures ancient and traditional images of candles…wreaths… and anticipation…of the coming Nativity…but, more importantly, of Christ’s Second Coming. Over the centuries, the Church has developed a specially-focused spirituality for Christians during Advent, to help them examine themselves in light of St. Matthew 24:43-45, which speaks about being ready for the Lord’s return. To this end, our seasonal Sunday liturgies and daily Scripture devotions have been designed to guide our Advent journey into a deeper experience of the mystery of Christ, with special appreciation for how He came to us—and for what purpose. Not surprisingly, then, our Fathers in the Faith have chosen Scriptures accenting three Advents: the Advent of Christ’s physical birth in Bethlehem, the Advent of Christ coming into our own lives, and the Advent of his Second Coming at the history’s end. This discipline of liturgy, daily reading, and contemplative, Spirit-led prayer in this season of anticipation calls us to a personal encounter with the living person of Jesus and His purpose for our lives, as we invoke the help and presence of the Holy Ghost. Consequently, when the Spirit edifies us through these added devotions, it will be helpful for us to think about how we should journey and grow through the season—and to ask ourselves—if the Lord were to come today, would he find us ready to meet Him? Maranatha—come quickly, Lord!
Greening of the Parish, December 18
November 25, 2011
We will be greening the parish after the 11:15 service on December 18th. Many hands are needed to decorate the parish in preparation for our magnificent Christmas Eve service.
The greening will be followed by a chili potluck. All are encouraged to bring their favorite chili recipe and/or cornbread as well as dessert.
For more information, contact Carter Dreesman at events@allsaintsanglican.net.
Liturgy Lesson for Thanksgiving: The Eucharist is The Great Thanksgiving
November 23, 2011
The Eucharist
Thanksgiving, established by the Continental Congress in the 18th century, is a day we traditionally gather to feast and remember the Lord’s mercy and blessing to us all. In the Church, we offer our thanksgiving more often. Called Holy Communion, Mass, the Lord’s Supper or Holy Eucharist (Greek: “Thanksgiving”), Anglican Christians have observed this holiday with special prayers and lessons for the Eucharist celebrated that day. Rightly, Christian thanksgiving should focus on this service—which we hold at All Saints on Thanksgiving Eve. This is a very proper observance, since the sacrament of Holy Communion was ordained, as the Catechism says, “for a continual remembrance of His death and the benefits which we receive thereby.” But it’s more than a memorial meal. St. Paul wrote, by God the Holy Ghost, in 1 Cor 10:16, that it’s actually koinonia—partnership, as at the altar of sacrifice, in the Lord’s Blood and Body. This is one of the deepest mysteries of the Gospel—imparting Jesus’ life itself to our spirits. It is also a means we confess Christ to the World, while honoring Him by “showing forth His death until He come.” And we should partake in it as often as we have opportunity, in obedience to His command, and to edify ourselves and resist sin. With good reason, the ancient Church celebrated daily—they were thankful they had survived another day—and needed as much of Christ’s nature as they could get to face the new day. Consequently, they always linked thanksgiving with Communion. Real thanksgiving, then, is given to God our Father, thanking Him for His provision and asking for more of Him…less of us.
Epistle of the Heart
November 21, 2011
Bible Reading: “ 2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. !4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.”–2 Corinthians 3:2-4
Bonus Reading: Ephesians 3
“Hey, Father!
I hear this about a zillion times a week. OK, maybe that’s a little exaggerated.
I used to immediately think of Pat O’Brien, or maybe The Quiet Man. Larger than life depictions of the ideal priest. I don’t think I have ever lived up to that, but I have served in God’s Church long enough that when someone calls that out to me, I automatically respond. Still, it honors and humbles me to hear my name associated with it. Some of our younger members even call me “dad.” Wow.
Of course, it’s not really a title; it’s a term of endearment given to the head of the fam. And, kids, “parish” means “family” in our English tongue. I love being the head of the fam. Our parish community and their affection mean a lot to me, especially when I realize it’s because of what the Lord is doing among us. And I wanted to take this opportunity, as we close in on All Saints Day, to express my gratitude for the good things He’s done in our parish life.
This is not to say I don’t have those days when I wonder if I’m doing any good. Satan is always there…trying to tell me things just aren’t working. That I’m kidding myself. But praise God for the Spirit of Truth that shows us all what’s really happening.
It really hits me how hugely thankful I am for our “kids in Christ”: Robyn, Kabrena, Jason, Ellen, Jordan, Elaine, Robin, Betsy, Dwight, Donnie, Chris, Shari, Maggie, Justin, Carolyn(s), Will, Nick, Saskia, Tracy, Melissa…and many, many more. What a family we have in the Lord. Got to spend a little time fellowshipping and hanging out with some of them today, talked recently to others, but tracking and praying for all of them. Never had kids until the Lord led us together, but sure glad to share their lives now.
I can see the Lord working across all ages and backgrounds. Classes full of eager folks the Lord allows me to teach. Worship, both liturgical and free-wheeling, that connects our people with our loving Abba. The all permeating Gospel and the Lord’s Supper that, as the head of the local fam, I serve up by His Grace. And that makes me thankful all over again.
There’s even more. Our Vestry that works to administer the parish, despite full, busy lives outside of parish business. They lead, pray, worship, and work. And our wardens are the best out there. Our awesome office staff–Gaya and Elizabeth.
Of course, I’m blessed to have Father Ed and Julie, as we all are. Great partners in this. God has been so good.
And our choir. What music. Our choirmaster, Francis, and his classical musicians are a gift from God. And completely different, but still vital to our parish worship, is the Koinonia Band–praying, working, interceding to lead worship in Spirit and Truth. In completely different ways, they both truly “bring it” in the Lord.
Dawn and our intercessory prayer ministry is tops…warring in the Heavenlies for our people, sharing their burdens, and spending countless hours in prayer for us all.
Amazing also is Bill and our outreach…growing by leaps and bounds and conveying a practical ministry of Christ to the least, lost, and unloved.
But always–and I mean ALWAYS, the absolute centerpiece of everything we do is the living Person of our wonderful Lord. HE heals. HE delivers. HE changes every heart that will yield to His gentle, but still, insistent leading. We sing a song on Sunday night: “You are awesome, God of the Ages; Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages. Alpha, Omega, You’re worthy of all praise…more than these hands we raise…we live a life of praise.”
I think that’s what I’m most thankful for. Being father for a fam that’s living a life of praise. That’s real Bounden Duty. And how could I NOT be totally grateful for no-kidding Christian family, and as deeply in my heart as any family could be…maybe deeper? Love you guys.
So yeah, hearing “Hey, father” is “music to me ears” because of what the Lord allows me to see in His house and among the family he gave me. I’m a rich man because of what He’s done…and how you, my family in Christ, respond to Him, allowing an old GI like me to help a bit. You, my parish, are our letter– our Epistle–written in our hearts, known and read by all men. And really, aren’t we all blessed like that?
Top THAT, Pat O’Brien.
Pray about it: “How am I thankful for the family God’s given me?
Liturgy Lesson for The Second Sunday Before Advent: Spiritual Workout
November 20, 2011
At one time I sat on a working committee tasked with assembling a new prayerbook. The bishop went around the room asking everyone which prayerbook we used. When I responded, “The 1928 Book of Common Prayer,” someone asked why we would not adopt a more modern language version. I responded by saying what we do in God’s house in worship is our work before Him, like working out in a gym, and that since the older language forces us to pay more attention, then, if we worship in Spirit and Truth, it will yield a more disciplined and focused result. There are huge analogies there. First, we make a considered decision to go to work out and prepare ourselves by being properly rested and dressed for the task. In the gym, we wear clothes suitable for the exercises. The same is true with what we wear to worship— except instead of sweats and t-shirts, we wear our best to reflect the spiritual exercises we do. Once we arrive at the gym, we don’t immediately rush to the equipment—we set it up for us and get stretched and warmed up. Ditto for God’s gym—we do an examen—asking the Holy Ghost to show us where we need to confess and/or forgive, and then we spend time in prayer, doing our preparation for worship—our warm-ups and stretches. In the gym, we would not do our exercises wildly, but would exercise proper form to derive the desired effect. Same in the People’s Work—aligning our bodies, souls, and spirits towards the end of rendering service to God and welcoming His Presence by the Holy Ghost into our lives, to change us from what we would be without this work into what He intends for us to be. After we finish, we leave, grateful for the workout, feeling energized and better equipped for the day. The same way when we do the liturgy, powered and guided by the Holy Ghost—the Word convicts and edifies us, and Jesus reveals and shares Himself with us in the Sacraments and prayers. And we are healthier because we work hard!
Book Review: Unplanned
November 18, 2011
Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey across the Life Line by Abby Johnson
Available in the All Saints Bookstore
Reviewed by Lillie Ammann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have followed Abby Johnson’s transformation in the news, but reading it in her own words was even more powerful. She is very open about her life and faith, seeing God’s hand in her journey from pro-choice to pro-life. I recommend that everyone who believes in the sanctity of life read Abby’s story. You will find hope that hearts can be changed by the power of prayer. Abby and her husband were denied membership in an evangelical church because she worked for Planned Parenthood; they joined an Episcopal Church only to become persona non grata there when Abby left Planned Parenthood and joined the pro-life movement. All this time, the Christian volunteers at Coalition for Life were praying for Abby and her coworkers as well as for the women who were Planned Parenthood clients and their unborn babies.
The Most Important Statement in the Bible
November 17, 2011
The most important single statement in the Bible is that Christ rose from the dead. This is the thing for which the whole Bible was written, apart from which it would mean nothing. It is what gives meaning to life, apart from which life would mean nothing. It is the basis of our hope of resurrection and eternal life.
It is comforting to know that the book that is built around this event is being proved to be a consistently historical book, making it all the more certain that this most important event of the ages is an actual fact.
~ Halley’s Bible Handbook
Thanksgiving Eve Service
November 16, 2011
The Eucharist, The Great Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Eve, November 23, 7:00 PM
Bring your family and friends to the GREAT thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, the holy feast before the feast!
Thanksgiving is not about food, family, or football. Thanksgiving is about thanking our Heavenly Father for His manifold blessings!
O MOST merciful Father, who hast blessed the labours of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits of the earth; We give thee humble and hearty thanks for this thy bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving-kindness to us, that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Thanksgiving, 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
