The weekly Newsletter of

ALL SOULS ECC

A Welcoming Family of Faith!

Thank you to everyone who came last week to help us celebrate All Saints and All Souls Sunday. Thank you also for those who participated in the Annual Meeting last week and letting your voice be heard on several issues.

We have kicked off our Blanket/Towel campaign! So bring in your new or gently used Blankets and Towels over the next few weeks so that we can donate them to the clients of Opportunity House.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Good News – with this weeks scriptures, hymns, and other information. Feel free to share with friends and family.

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: What can I do to make myself a little more ready for the coming of the Lord?

Wisdom 6:12-16

Psalm 62: 2-8

Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

Thessalonians 4:13-18
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive,
who are left until the coming of the Lord,
will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself, with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God,
will come down from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, console one another with these words.

It appears that someone has conveyed to Paul the Thessalonians’ concern about those who have died (literally, “fallen asleep”) before the Lord’s coming (parousia) in victory. Scholars today are mainly agreed that the Thessalonians’ concern is not so much about the salvation of their loved ones as it is about community, about whether they will be eternally cut off from those they have loved, simply on account of a slip of timing.

Construing the underlying concern as one of community actually helps to bring this whole passage into focus. The vision of Christ’s triumph that Paul develops in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is one in which heaven and earth are suddenly and beautifully reconciled in an embrace (“caught up together”) that takes place in a newly opened space between heaven and earth (“in the air”) and which will never end (“and so we will be with the Lord forever”). The image gathers together Paul’s deepest beliefs about God’s reconciling purpose in Christ (see also 2 Corinthians 5:18-21),

Blanket & Towel Collection

We will be collecting blankets and towels (new or gently used) for Opportunity House clients through Thanksgiving.

As we move into the winter months and become more thoughtful and thankful that all that we have, please think of those with no home or bed and see what you are able to donate. THANK YOU.

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

What can I do to make someone feel that they belong again to the family of God’s people? Who among my beloved departed should I make a conscious effort to imitate because of their faithful lives?

Sunday November 5

Set your clocks back 1 hour before going to bed tonight (Saturday)

Sunday, November 5, 2017

ANNUAL MEETING FOLLOWING SERVICE

PINE ROOM

Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Provided

Side dishes, deserts, snacks, drinks are welcome!

Make your voice heard!

We want your feedback on Annual Picnic location, Community Outreach, and our Christmas Service Plans.

The weekly Newsletter of

ALL SOULS ECC

A Welcoming Family of Faith!

This Sunday, November 5 is ALL SAINTS Sunday. We hope you will join us if you can. After the service we will have our annual meeting. Let your voice be heard on several issues (see below).

We also kicked off our Blanket/Towel campaign! So bring in your new or gently used Blankets and Towels over the next few weeks so that we can donate them to the clients of Opportunity House.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Good News – with this weeks scriptures, hymns, and other information. Feel free to share with friends and family.

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: What can I do to make someone feel that they belong again to the family of God’s people? Who among my beloved departed should I make a conscious effort to imitate because of their faithful lives?

Wisdom 3:1-9

Psalm 24:1-6

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12a

Wisdom 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

FEAST DAY and ANNUAL MEETING – November 5

We hope you will join us on Sunday, November 5 for our annual meeting – and celebration of our Feast Day.

We remember our loved ones at 1:00 pm with our All Saints Worship Service. Following worship will be our POT LUCK and Annual Meeting. We hope you will plan to join your All Souls Family for this celebration!

VOTING ISSUES: Let your voice be heard!

• Board Members
• Christmas Eve Service times
• 2018 Parish Picnic (locations, times, etc.)
• Outreach

Blanket & Towel Collection

We will be collecting blankets and towels (new or gently used) for Opportunity House clients through Thanksgiving.

As we move into the winter months and become more thoughtful and thankful that all that we have, please think of those with no home or bed and see what you are able to donate. THANK YOU.

FALL BOARD MEETINGS ANNOUNCED –

NEW BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED

All members are welcome to attend board meetings. Meetings begin at 6:00 pm. You are welcome to observe and stay for the entire meeting (usually about 2 -3 hours), or you may just come at the beginning to share your thoughts, ideas, concerns, new ministry dreams, etc. Our Fall meetings are as follows:

• Thursday, August 17
• Wednesday, September 20
• Wednesday, October 18
• Tuesday, November 14
• Tuesday, December 12

We will be looking for two new board members for 2018 – so if your interested in learning more about what a board member does, please talk to any current board member or join us for any of these meetings.

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

Because we only love God as much as the neighbor we love the least, whom do I need to look at differently this week if I hope to look more like God?

The weekly Newsletter of

ALL SOULS ECC

A Welcoming Family of Faith!

Thank you to everyone who came out to our FALL HARVEST POT LUCK! It was a good evening to relax and be with the All Souls Family.

We also kicked off our Blanket/Towel campaign! So bring in your new or gently used Blankets and Towels over the next few weeks so that we can donate them to the clients of Opportunity House.

Our annual meeting is just around the corner on November 5. Please join us for FEAST DAY Celebration at 1:00 pm with our Annual Meeting. Let your voice be heard on several issues (see below).

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Good News – with this weeks scriptures, hymns, and other information. Feel free to share with friends and family.

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: Because we only love God as much as the neighbor we love the least, whom do I need to look at differently this week if I hope to look more like God?

Exodus 22:20-26

Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51

Thessolonians 1:5c-10

Matthew 22:34-40

Matthew 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Too often in the church, “love” is used as an excuse to take the path of least resistance instead of the path of excellence. When telling the truth would be uncomfortable, we practice equivocation and call it “love.” How frequently “love” is code for smiling at biblical illiteracy and winking at theological incompetence!

Our definition of “love” is often suspiciously easy on and for us. But this is not the definition of love that Jesus is working with in Matthew. The Jesus we see in these stories thinks that to love God with the whole self, with “all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind” (verse 37) is demanding and risky. Following the path of love leads him to jump into debates and conflicts with his whole self. Love leads Jesus into all kinds of situations that are not just uncomfortable, but dangerous. Eventually, love gets him killed.

Of course, we are none of us Jesus. For us, charity always demands humility. But there is much to learn by seeing the love of Jesus in action. The same love that inspired Jesus to eat with the outcast, reach out to the untouchable, and embrace the powerless, also drove him to confront the demonic, outmaneuver the manipulative, and correct the clueless. Jesus was no pushover and the story of his ultimate decision to relinquish power for the sake of his Father’s mysterious will is all the more fascinating against the backdrop of these accounts of his prowess in the face of his enemies. Jesus is a lot more complicated than we sometimes pretend, and the love he taught demands that we expand our whole selves for God and neighbor — striving for excellence in all we think, say, and do.

Blanket & Towel Collection

We will be collecting blankets and towels (new or gently used) for Opportunity House clients through Thanksgiving.

As we move into the winter months and become more thoughtful and thankful that all that we have, please think of those with no home or bed and see what you are able to donate. THANK YOU.

FEAST DAY and ANNUAL MEETING – November 5

We hope you will join us on Sunday, November 5 for our annual meeting – and celebration of our Feast Day.

We remember our loved ones at 1:00 pm with our All Saints Worship Service. Following worship will be our POT LUCK and Annual Meeting. We hope you will plan to join your All Souls Family for this celebration!

VOTING ISSUES: Let your voice be heard!

• Board Members
• Christmas Eve Service times
• 2018 Parish Picnic (locations, times, etc.)
• Outreach

FALL BOARD MEETINGS ANNOUNCED

NEW BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED

All members are welcome to attend board meetings. Meetings begin at 6:00 pm. You are welcome to observe and stay for the entire meeting (usually about 2 -3 hours), or you may just come at the beginning to share your thoughts, ideas, concerns, new ministry dreams, etc. Our Fall meetings are as follows:

• Thursday, August 17
• Wednesday, September 20
• Wednesday, October 18
• Tuesday, November 14
• Tuesday, December 12

We will be looking for two new board members for 2018 – so if your interested in learning more about what a board member does, please talk to any current board member or join us for any of these meetings.

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

How am I faithfully exercising faithful, responsible citizenship? Is it time for me to join or initiate a concrete outreach to identify and address specific needs in my community?

The weekly Newsletter of

ALL SOULS ECC

A Welcoming Family of Faith!

My sisters and brothers in Christ,

Our Easter journey continues tonight with Good Friday, which commemorates our Lord’s Passion and His death on the cross, the ultimate proof of His love despite human betrayal and treachery. Then we hope you can join us for Holy Saturday Vigil, beginning in stunned silence and darkness and ending in exultation that CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!

Happy and Blessed Easter!!!

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: How will I bring the reality of having met the Risen Jesus in word, Eucharist and others to those who may never have encountered the transforming power of his compassionate love?

Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Colossians 3:1-4

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him
and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
(Matthew 28: 1-6)

When Jesus rose from the dead, he conquered sin and death. Jesus’ resurrection proved that what he had taught was correct. He used his ultimate authority when he gave the Great Commission, but showed his unlimited power by promising to be with his followers forever.

Happy Easter!!!

Maunday Thursday Service – 7 pm
Good Friday Service – 7 pm
Easter Vigil, Saturday – 7 pm
Easter Sunday Service – 7 pm

Don’t forget to bring your Lenten Offering this week.

“An Evening at Stirling”

“An Evening at Stirling” has become a great way to celebrate with the LGBTQ community in supporting Reading Pride Celebration.

Mark your calendars for May 21 at 3:00 pm! Tickets and more information on the Reading Pride website.

Wednesday, May 24 – Friendly’s Family Fun Night & Fundraiser

INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OUT!

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

As I carry home the blessed palms that celebrate Jesus’ victory, how will I embrace and implement Jesus’ gentle, loving way of bringing about God’s kingdom into my corner of the world?

Thursday, April 13 – Maunday Thursday, 7:00 pm

Friday, April 14 – Good Friday, 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 15 – EASTER VIGIL, 7:00 pm

**Incarnation has invited members of All Souls to participate in the STATIONS OF THE CROSS, Friday, April 14 – 4:00 pm
Incarnation Lutheran Church, 1101 Lancaster Ave, Reading, PA

Sunday, April 16 – EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE, 1:00 pm

My sisters and brothers in Christ,

We began Holy Week, with our Palm Sunday procession this past Sunday. Let us not forget that we are a pilgrim people, making our journey of faith in this life by walking together. Please join me and your sisters and brothers of All Souls, as well as Christians throughout the world, by our walking together.

The most sacred three days of our faith, the Triduum, begins on Maundy (Latin – mandatum-mandate) Thursday, the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper and following the command/mandate to wash each other’s feet. Good Friday commemorates our Lord’s Passion and His death on the cross, the ultimate proof of His love despite human betrayal and treachery. Holy Saturday Vigil, beginning in stunned silence and darkness and ending in exultation that CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!

Do not take your journey of faith by yourself and alone. Let us all walk together!

Fr. Henry+

ALL SOULS Friendly’s Family Fun Night & Fundraiser is

MAY 24, 2017 – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Mark it on your calendar – and be sure to invite friends and family!!!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ALL SOULS IN OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS!

SEE YOU TONIGHT AT POTLUCK!

6:00 pm – PINE ROOM!

Celebrating 8 years of All Souls Ministry!

The weekly Newsletter of

ALL SOULS ECC

A Welcoming Family of Faith!

My sisters and brothers in Christ,

As we begin Holy Week, with our Palm Sunday procession, let us not forget that we are a pilgrim people, making our journey of faith in this life by walking together. Please join me and your sisters and brothers of All Souls, as well as Christians throughout the world, by our walking together. The most sacred three days of our faith, the Triduum , begins on Maundy (Latin – mandatum-mandate)Thursday, the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper and following the command/mandate to wash each other’s feet. Good Friday commemorates our Lord’s Passion and His death on the cross, the ultimate proof of His love despite human betrayal and treachery. Holy Saturday Vigil, beginning in stunned silence and darkness and ending in exultation that

CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!

Do not take your journey of faith by yourself and alone. Let us all walk together!

Fr. Henry+

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: As I carry home the blessed palms that celebrate Jesus’ victory, how will I embrace and implement Jesus’ gentle, loving way of bringing about God’s kingdom into my corner of the world?

Isaiah 50:4-7

Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Philippians 2:6-11

Matthew 26:14-27:66

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9, ESV).

The phrase hosanna in the highest appears only twice in the Bible, once in Matthew and again in Mark, during the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people were crowded around the gate watching Jesus enter the city, and they were celebrating and calling out, Mark 11:10 records the crowd saying, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (ESV). The NIV translates their shout as “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

The word hosanna comes from a Hebrew word meaning “save now” or “save us, we pray.” The first word of Psalm 118:25 is howosiah-na, translated “Save us!” and the crowd’s use of this word at the triumphal entry was significant-especially as they waved palm branches (Psalm 118 was associated with the Feast of Tabernacles). By saying “hosanna” as Jesus passed through the gates of Jerusalem and referring to David and David’s kingdom, the Jews were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. The Jews had been waiting a long time for the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant and their shouts of “hosanna in the highest” indicated the hope that their Messiah had finally come to set up God’s kingdom then and there.

Sadly, the salvation that the people of Jerusalem wanted that day was political, not spiritual. They were only interested in a temporary, worldly fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. They chose not to see the prophecies that said the Messiah would be “a man of sorrows” who would bear the griefs of His people and be crushed for their sins. His oppression and death were clearly predicted in Isaiah 53. Yes, Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for, and He accepted their shouts of “hosanna in the highest.” He was truly Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14). But the political conquest and final fulfillment of the David Covenant must await the second coming (Acts 1:11; Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:30; Titus 2:13). Before Jesus could take care of the political problems of His people, He had to take care of the sin problem.

HOLY WEEK IS ALMOST HERE!

Donations for Easter flowers accepted 4/2 and 4/9

And don’t forget to be saving your change for our Lenten Offering to be collected during Holy Week.

THIS SATURDAY!!!

April 8 – Pot Luck

“HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ALL SOULS!

Join us for our April 8 potluck as we celebrate 8 years of ministry as All Souls!

6:00 pm – Pine Room

Invite friends and family!

Tuesday, April 11th at 7:00 PM

Ms. Barbara Peronteau will be the speaker at Theology with A Twist, at the Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main Street, Kutztown. Her presentation is “A Trans Woman and Her Faith Journey”.

“An Evening at Stirling”

“An Evening at Stirling” has become a great way to celebrate with the LGBTQ community in supporting Reading Pride Celebration.

Mark your calendars for May 21 at 3:00 pm! Tickets and more information on the Reading Pride website.

Wednesday, May 24 – Friendly’s Family Fun Night & Fundraiser

INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OUT!

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

Having come this far in Lent, am I ready to die to my old ways and embrace new life?