From the Resident Priest…

Think for a moment about this month of December. For worshipers – at least those who identify with the Liturgi-cal tradition – Most of this month is what we call Advent. But Advent in the modern world is not easily understood. Nor is it fully appreciated. The word literally means coming, But what the Church anticipates (in one sense, anyway) Has already come – a long time ago. There’s little surprise for us in Christmas, Except, perhaps, in some of the packages under the tree. And even they have to be deceptively wrapped Just to keep the secret. Truth is, the real gift of Christmas is old news. So the culture of our society just wants to get on with it. Party hardy, early and often, is the motto. But there’s something we need to remember: The salvation brought by the Christ of Christmas Isn’t done yet! The boring beat of human failure continues; The necessity for forgiveness and pardon Is still as urgent as it was the day Jesus was born. And until we come to grips with that Christmas, year after year, will still mean coming, Already, to be sure, but just the same, not yet. Advent is intended to help us come to grips with it! What are the places in each of our lives That need the promises the Christ Child brings? How do we go about preparing the places to which he comes? In a way the place is in the mall, for example, And in the struggling to figure out who gets what gift, Because those are some of the places where human life re-sides. But that’s not all there is to it! The preparations need us to be asking about the very places In our hearts and lives that are lacking the fullness of God’s holy love. That Holy Love is in Jesus. It is wrapped without deception at all, and it never ceases coming. That’s the essential spirit and gift of Christmas; And it’s that for which we must ready ourselves; Just as it is that which brings the Peace on Earth And the Joy to the World about which we sing, and for which we desperately hope. The world’s Creator, chose to dwell humbly in the midst of what he’d made, Enfleshed himself in a form a little lower than the angels, And assumed the vulnerability of a helpless babe…. It is profoundly astonishing! But when its redemptive purpose is contemplated, It can mean nothing less than unbridled JOY for you and me. Christmas then, is remembering that. It brings to life the celebrative spirit we muster. It deserves the most genuine merriment we can design.

December 2016

VESTRY NOMINATIONS

Members of All Saints’, please con-sider submitting your name in nomi-nation for a three-year term on the Vestry. Three current members are rotating off the Vestry. They are Jack Barber, Ginny Orvedahl, and Liz Thiele. The congregation will elect the new members at the annu-al meeting in January 2017. If you are interested, please call Vickie.

And it insists on authentic joy. Hollow carnival will not be the day’s order. Rather, the kind of rejoicing that takes fully into ac-count The very realities that the God-child came to engage us Is all that will do. The incarnate God becomes so deeply a part of us That he takes these realities fully upon himself. And that will lead directly to rejection, treachery, Betrayal, injustice, execution, suffering, death and (Here’s the source of joy) victorious resurrection. So, just as Jesus invaded the earth, this joy literally invades the ordinary, As well as the special. Our wish is that it will continually transform your mo-ments and days, And be the same for those you love; That it will be a spark for renewal. And most of all, that you might be shocked – Shocked by Joy! Christmas Joy! Again! Gail joins me in those wishes,

Fred

We have Christmas Ornaments of

All Saints’ Church available in the parish office.

Our Bishop is Coming

On Sunday, December 4th, All Saints’ will welcome the visit of our Bishop. The Right Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Pro Tempore of the Diocese of North Carolina, will spend that day with us in our parish. At the Annual Convention of the Diocese on January 26, 2013, she was elected the first female Suffragan Bishop of this Diocese. Her Consecration was on June 15, 2013.

She was born in Texas, attended high school in Dallas. She came to Durham for undergraduate study at Duke University where she received a degree in 1979. For several years after graduation she worked as a community organizer, then earned a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Reli-gion in Berkeley, California in 1984. Following the election of The Right Rev. Michael Curry to be Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, USA, Bishop Hodges-Copple was appointed Bishop Pro Tempore of our Diocese. The election of the new Diocesan Bishop of North Carolina in March, 2017.

During her day at All Saints’, Bishop Anne will meet informally at 9:20 AM (the usual Adult Educa-tion time) in the Parish House with all who come. There she will discuss various topics and respond to questions that are offered by those present. All members of All Saints’ are urged to participate in that time. Then, at 11:00 AM she will preside at Worship. After the noon hour we’ll gather for a luncheon in the Parish House where she’ll be our honored guest. Again, all members of the church family are most cordially invited to be a part of that meal and its fellowship. And then, following lunch she will meet with the Vestry, again to discuss a range of subjects, including some glimpses of the future at All Saints’.

Some Worship Notes for December

December 4th Second Sunday of Advent

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Reception of Members, Bishop presiding

December 11th Third Sunday of Advent

8:00 AM - Holy Eucharist 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist

December 18th Fourth Sunday of Advent

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist 11:00 AM Service of Lessons and Carols

December 24th Christmas Eve

5:00 PM Festival Holy Eucharist

December 25th Christmas Day (Sunday)

10:00 AM (One Service only) Holy Eucharist

January 1st Christmas 1, Name of Jesus

10:00 AM (One Service Only) Holy Eucharist

ADULT EDUCATION

On Sundays between Services

9:30 to 10:30 A.M.

What does it mean to be an Episcopalian Christian?

In this “survey class:”

We’re looking at how the Episcopal Church started;

What its unique emphases are;

How it is both like and different from other denominations;

How it views the Bible;

What important role the Book of Common Prayer has;

How it relates to the world;

And many other things,

especially matters that arise from participants’ questions.

This is a refresher for some and new information for others.

We invite folks who are not our members

who would want to learn about us – and may be interested

in joining us.

Leadership is being provided by our “clergy crew,”

Joan Vella, Worth Jennings and Fred Eichner

AND

by all who participate as they share experiences and insights.

We sincerely hope you’ll participate!

Bible Study Continues

The current Bible Study (“The Sermon on the Mount”) has been on a break through December because of busy schedules.

It will resume on Wednesday, January 11. The meeting time and place remain the same.

Sessions are on Wednesdays, 6:30 to 7:45 PM in the Conference Room, lower level of the Office Building.

Christmas Poinsettia Sale to Support Handbell Program Expansion

As many of you know, it is a tradition at All Saints Church to adorn the altar and sanctuary with vibrantly red poinsettias during the Christmas season. When you purchase a poinsettia to help beautify our church, you will also support our Handbell Program.

The poinsettias will be sold for $15.00 each (same price as last year), and must be ordered in advance. If you would like to purchase one or more of the flowers, please complete the form and mail it, with your check to the Parish Office on or before December 15. Thank you in advance for your support of the Handbell Pro-gram and the beautification of the church. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Danita or any member of the Handbell Choir.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

POINSETTIA PURCHASE FORM

PLEASE MAIL/RETURN THIS FORM, ALONG WITH A CHECK,

TO THE PARISH OFFICE

BY DECEMBER 15

635 Hamilton Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________

Person or Persons giving the Poinsettia.

I will purchase _______________ poinsettia(s) for $15.00 each. Total Enclosed : $ ____________

Complete this section for publication in the service bulletin on Christmas Eve:

This poinsettia is given to the glory of God and in memory of, in honor of, and/or in thanksgiving for.

in memory of: _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Print the person (s) name you are remembering.

in honor of: _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Print the person (s) name you are honoring.

in thanksgiving for:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Print the person (s) name or event for which you are offering thanksgiving.

The Ushers for December

Tom Wellman and Chris Canady

December 4—2nd Sunday of Advent

8 am Chalice/Lay Reader: Joanne Parrott

8 am Lector: Ginny Orvedahl

11 am Lay Reader: Scott Barber

11 am Chalice: Gaynell Jennings

11 am Lector: Ruthie Gregory

Isaiah 11:1-10 From David’s line, a ruler bringing justice and peace. Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 May the r ighteous flour ish; let there be an abundance of peace. Romans 15:4-13 Live in harmony, welcoming one an-other. Matthew 3:1-12 A voice cr ies: Prepare the way of the Lord.

December 11—3rd Sunday of Advent

8 am Chalice/Lay Reader: Julian Gardner

8 am Lector: Jennifer Quinn

11 am Lay Reader: Scott Barber

11 am Chalice: Gaynell Jennings

11 am Lector: Scott Harris

Isaiah 35:1-10 The deser t blooms as God’s people return from exile

Psalm 146:5-10 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. James 5:7-10 Patience until the coming of the Lord. Matthew 11:2-11 The forerunner of Chr ist.

December 18— 4thSunday of Advent

8 am Chalice/Lay Reader: Joanne Parrott

8 am Lector: Ginny Orvedahl

Isaiah 7:10-16 The sign of Immanuel. Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. Romans 1:1-7 Paul’s greeting to the church at Rome

Matthew 1:18-25 A God near at hand.

11 AM Lessons and Carols

December 24—Christmas Eve

5 pm Chalice/Lay Reader: Patricia Barnes

5 pm Lector: Tom Mastroianni

Isaiah 9:2-7 Light shines: a child is born for us. Psalm 96 Let the heavens rejoice and the ear th be glad. Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared. Luke 2:1-20 The bir th of Jesus; God with us.

December 25—Christmas Day

10 am Chalice/Lay Reader: Joanne Parrott

10 am Lector: Ginny Orvedahl

Isaiah 62:6-12 God comes to restore the people. Psalm 97 Light dawns for the r ighteous, and joy for the honest of heart. Titus 3:4-7 Saved through water and the Spir it. Luke 2:[1-20 The bir th of the Messiah revealed to shepherds.

*********************

The Ushers for January

Bobby Barnes and Bill Hodge

Jan 1—Second Sunday of Advent

10 am Chalice/Lay Reader: Joanne Parrott

10 am Lector: Ginny Orvedahl

Numbers 6:22-27 The Aaronic blessing. Psalm 8 How majestic is your name in all the earth!

Galatians 4:4-7 We are no longer slaves, but chil-dren. Luke 2:15-21 The child is circumcised and named Jesus.

Scripture Readings and Server Schedule

Sunday Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 2nd Advent

8 am HE I

11 am HE II

5

6:30 pm

Vestry Mtg.

6 7 8 9 10

11 3rd Advent

8 am - HE I

11 am - HE II

12 13 14 15 16 17

18 4th Advent

8 am - HE I

11 am –Lessons and Carols

19 20 21 22 23 24

Christmas Eve

5 pm Service

25 Christmas

10 am Service

26

27 28 29

Office

Open

30

Office

Closed

31

Office Closed

ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH 635 Hamilton Street

Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Reverend C. Fred Eichner, Resident Priest

Please submit articles to Vickie Irby via email: allsaintsrr@gmail.com

Deadline for the next Messenger is

Thursday, Dec. 29 2016 Publications can be found on our

WEBSITE: www.allsaintsrr.org PARISH OFFICE: 252-537-3610

Outreach

The Outreach Committee has decided to offer two giving opportunities during the month of Decem-ber. The loose offering at the second and third Sundays in December will go to the local Boys and Girls Club. Our local chapter provides healthy and positive activities for area youth. Our congrega-tion will also have the opportunity to support the Gifts for Life program, part of Episcopal Relief and Development. The Gifts for Life program, as the name implies, provides support for impoverished families and communities throughout the world. Gifts such as $12 for a mosquito net and training, $35 for water for one person, and $80 for a goat that could provide nourishment and income for a family are examples of what one’s generosity can accomplish. Tags will be placed on a small tree in the Narthex. Please feel free to select more than one tag. Place a check or cash with the tag in the collection plate on Sunday, or take it to Vicki during the week. Checks may be made payable to All Saints’ with “gifts for life” written in the memo line. Funds will be accepted through December 31, 2016. If there is not something on the tree that appeals to one’s giving spirit, the organizations please check the organization’s website www.episcopalrelief.org/whatyoucando/gifts-for-life.

Thank you in advance for all of your support.