Abide in Me!

Welcome to the 5th Sunday of Easter.  We continue to celebrate Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection – and the Good News of the Gospel.  We have had some beautiful weather the past few weeks – Spring is here!  May the renewal happening in the trees, flowers, and gardens be reflected  in your life.  Need some extra renewal? Join us this Sunday at All Souls – love to see you!

 

Please take the time to read the articles and information in this week’s “GOOD NEWS”.  May you be blessed!  And feel free to forward this newsletter on to a family member or friend, or share it on your facebook page or twitter!

 

PS. Please note a small adjustment to the hospitality schedule below. There was a typo is last weeks schedule. This week is A-F.

This weeks readings and question of the week:

Take time to mediate on God’s word and prepare for worship this Sunday.  And as you meditate on them, consider the question of the week: Jesus is the true vine and we are the branches. What needs pruning in our life so that we can bear much fruit?

 

 

Acts 8:26-40

Psalm 22: 24-30

1 John 4: 7-21

John 15: 1-8

 


1 John 7:17-19

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. 

 

John continues to remind us of God’s perfect love for us and that because of God’s self-sacrificing love for us, we should love him and love others.    But what is love?    We “love” a lot of things today….chocolate, coffee, a favorite tv show, to travel, our new outfit, etc.  We even say we love our neighbors, but leave it at that without really understanding what that means.  Part of love is sacrifice, passion, commitment, and in God’s love – unconditional.  Should we love others yes – but maybe we should be more careful how we use that word.

Also be clear that although God’s love is unconditional, it does not mean our life will be all rainbows and unicorns.  God’s holiness still means that sin needs to be punished.  But his love of us provided a plan and way of redemption through the cross of Jesus – through the Easter story we just celebrated.  No matter how terrible your sin, God’s love is unchangeable – his love on the cross is for you and promises us future with him if we believe in him.  Let the Love of God give you peace and joy that can only come through his perfect love – then share that with others.

Future Dates to Save!

  • May 16 – Potluck
  • June 27– Opportunity House Breakfast
  • July 19 – Reading Pride – HELP NEEDED AT ALL SOULS BOOTH
  • August – Opportunity House Lunch TBD

 

WANTED: New Board of Directors Member 

With Fr. Henry being our new pastor, we now have an opening on the Board of Directors.   If you would like to be more involved in the ministry of All Souls please prayerfully consider this possibility.  The board meets once per month, provides leadership to the events of the parish, and each member fill some role based on their gifts, talents, and time.     If you are interested, please speak to any current member of the Board of Directors.

As our reflection on the reading from Acts indicates and as has been part of the tradition of ALL SOULS, everyone is a minister of this church.   We celebrate Fr. Henry becoming our new pastor this Sunday – but we all can be part of the ministry.      HOW? YOU MIGHT ASK?
 
If you have a vehicle, we can use people to be part of our new “Transportation Ministry” (see article to the left), if you like to be part of the worship service look at all the blanks on the Rota (see link to the left) and talk to Ben about how you can become involved, or maybe you would like to set up or take down the chapel on Sundayafternoons or help count and document the offering or help with Hospitality, Children’s Ministry, serve on the Board of Directors or commit to praying for others. We have something for everyone!  And if everyone helps out, we can rotate duties so you don’t have to commit to do something every Sunday.  So pray how you might become involved and then talk to any of the board members for more information.

 

How are you doing answering this  past week’s question 
of the week from the bulletin? 

 

In what concrete way this week and for whom can I imitate Jesus’ “laying down his life for his sheep?” Perhaps for someone who does not (yet) belong to the Good Shepherd’s fold.