The weekly Newsletter of
ALL SOULS ECC
A Welcoming Family of Faith!

Thanks to everyone who attended our Game Night Pot Luck last weekend. We had some amazing food, great fellowship, and a lot of fun with UNO!!! If you didn’t make this one, we hope to see you in February!

Please take the time to read the articles and information in this week’s “GOOD NEWS” including clicking on our prayer list and pray for the requests listed there.

Feel free to forward this newsletter to a family member or friend, or share it on your facebook page or twitter by using the “like” and “share” icons at the top of the page.

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:
Today’s Beatitudes are the true test of the disciple. Do the words I hear in church today remain there? How can I allow God’s grace to work in me so that I begin to live the Beatitudes?

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13
Psalm 146: 6-10
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 5:1-12a

MATTHEW 5: 1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”

A key principle of embracing this life is “blessedness.” This is a refrain that runs throughout verses 5-10: those are blessed who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are persecuted. The word “blessed” does not mean “holy,” and neither does it mean “happy” in the sense of being in a good mood. Rather, the word, “blessed” refers to a fortunate state of life. Jesus is saying that those who are poor in spirit are fortunate! It may surprise us that he speaks these words about those whose present circumstances seem so unfortunate.

SAVE THE DATES

2017 POT LUCKS & Other Socials

Please mark your calendar for these dates in 2017! Pot lucks all begin at 6:00 pm in the Pine Room (basement of Calvary).

Themes and/or activities will be announced for each month – so watch for those in the Good News! If you have ideas for activities, games, or themes for the pot lucks, please contact Wendy or any board member!

• Saturday, January 21
• Saturday, February 18
• Saturday, March TBD
• Saturday, April 8
• Saturday, May 20
• Wednesday, May 24 – (Friendly’s Family Fun Night & Fundraiser)
• Saturday, June 20
• Saturday, September 23 – ANNUAL PICNIC
• Saturday, October 21
• Sunday, November 5 – Annual Meeting & Potluck
• December 9 – Cookie Bake

  How are you doing answering this past week’s question of the week?
  How strong/bright is the light of Christ shining through my life, in my actions and my words?