ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH 30 High Street, Huntsville, Ontario. P1H 1N9 Diocese of Algoma Bishop: The Venerable Anne Germond Bishop s Motto: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns'." [Isaiah 52:7] Rector The Venerable Dawn Henderson Office: Res Office Phone: FAX: Office office@allsaintshuntsville.ca Website: As Worshippers of the Living God We Hear, Proclaim and Live His Word; And in Love, Bring People to Jesus.

2 Services for March-April 05 March: 1 st Sunday in Lent 8.30 am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist Family Service 12 March: 2 nd Sunday in Lent 8.30 am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist 19 March: 3rd Sunday in Lent 8.30 am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist 26 March: 4 th Sunday in Lent healing services am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist Each Week: Regular Wednesday morning Holy Eucharist at 9.30 in the chapel 02 April: 5 th Sunday in Lent 8.30 am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist Family Service 09 April: Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion 8.30 am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist 11 April: Tuesday of Holy Week 4:00 pm Instructional Seder Supper in Lower Sutherland Hall followed by Holy Eucharist 12 April: Wednesday of Holy Week 9.30 am Holy Eucharist in the Chapel Triduum: 13 April: Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist [with washing of feet] in the Church followed by Prayer Watch at the Altar of Repose [Chapel] 14 April: Good Friday 10:00 am Good Friday liturgy with Holy Communion 15 April: [Saturday]: 8:30 pm Easter Vigil with Service of Light, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Holy Eucharist 16 April: Easter Sunday / Sunday of the Resurrection 9.30 am Holy Eucharist [note new times] am Holy Eucharist 23 April: 2 nd Sunday of Easter healing services am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist 30 April: 3 rd Sunday of Easter services according to the BCP 8.30 am Holy Eucharist am Holy Eucharist Other Services of Holy Eucharist Fairvern Tuesday 10:30 am 14 March 11 April Rogers Cove Monday 3:00 pm 27 March 24 April Muskoka Landing Tuesday 10:30 am 28 March 25 April Chartwell Muskoka Traditions Tuesday 3:00 pm 28 March 25 April

3 From the Rector... Dear Members of All Saints Parish Family, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 2 Corinthians The journey of Lent is to the very centre of our Christian faith, a journey of death and resurrection: from the cross of ashes of Ash Wednesday, accompanied by the words, Remember you are dust, and to dust shall you return, to the empty tomb of Easter morning with the joyous shout Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!. The Lenten season encourages us, with our Lord, to examine our priorities... to discern what it is that holds us and drives us, and whether those things help or hinder our living as children of God, members of the Body of Christ, and signs of His kingdom come on earth and then to leave those things behind, in a renewal of our Baptismal covenant Alexander Schmemann writes, Each year Lent and Easter are, once again, the rediscovery and the recovery by us of what we were made through our own baptismal death and resurrection. This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we hold fast, we shall also reign with Him. 2 Timothy To aid us on our journey, we are encouraged to observe a Holy Lent [BAS page 282], in a season marked by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and by reading and meditation on the Word of God. It may seem a lot, but it is a journey that is begin by taking the first step. There are daily Bible reading resources at the back of the church, and many other resources available for private study, as well as our study and discussion groups. There are also many resources available to deepen our prayer life. And of course, there are the services of the church [Please see the listings in this issue of Parish News]. I encourage each one of you to make this Lent a journey of faith and joy, as we prepare for the new beginnings that Easter and spring promise. If anyone is in Christ Jesus, that one is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5.17 The transformation of our lives is possible only through the cross and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Not only the lives of humankind, but all of the cosmos, finds redemption, restoration and re-creation in Christ Jesus. We believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5.14b-15 In the transforming power of His resurrection, let us live for Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who loves us, who died for us, and who lives that we might live.. Yours, in His love The Venerable Dawn Henderson + Rector

4 From the Wardens The wardens would like to express our gratitude to everyone who attended, assisted with, and offered prayers for our vestry meeting. We have so much to be grateful for and look forward to a new year with great anticipation. Our new entrance will offer new opportunities for fellowship and we are very excited about that. The wardens, together with Venerable Dawn have spent time prayerfully considering plans for our future and we look forward with faith and anticipation to implementing them as they will support our mission statement, as worshippers of the living God, we hear, proclaim and in love bring people to Jesus. Sincerely, The Wardens Barb Willms, Hugh Mackenzie, Sue Dixon, Patty Payne PAC The new parish advisory council has had our first meeting and we are delighted to have new members at large. We look forward to a new year with new ideas with hope for the future. As a reminder, any member of the parish is welcome to attend any of our PAC meetings; you simply need to drop Sue a line and we will make sure we have a chair for you at the table, all are welcome! Sue Dixon, PAC Chair The Will of God never takes you to where the grace of God will not protect you. Pastoral Care Pastoral Care visited several of our members to deliver smiles. These visits were very much appreciated. Pastoral Care continues to deliver Prayer Shawls, cards and flowers, and to make telephone calls and home visits, all with the prayer. And we thank everyone who helps. Love in Christ, Betty-Lou Durr, Chair Pastoral Care

5 The timbers for our accessibility project have arrived! The new Narthex [with an accessible washroom, plus meeting space] is taking shape -- stop by and see! The truck arrives! Some assembly required. First frame in place. So far spectacular!!! An intricate fit! Below: the timberframe crown & new entrance.

6 Outreach at All Saints The canisters for Loonies and Toonies for Outreach will be available after Ash Wednesday donations will be directed to the following projects: Water tablets for Haiti The Girls School in the Diocese of Tarime Solar Power Stations for clinics in Africa Watch for more information about these projects in our All Saints Newsletter and the Sunday bulletins. Your Outreach Dollars at work: In early February Betty Lou Durr received this report from her contact in Haiti with the Worker Sisters and Brothers of the Holy Spirit. Here is an excerpt from Brother Benedict s A case of water tablets means a lot to the people of Lepretre. Lepretre is a warm community. The citizens are welcoming. There is no health center. The schools are vanished by hurricane Mathew. There is not a lot of churches stand after this hurricane As all Aaitians the peasants are resilient and look for ways to survive. I was priest in charge at Lepretre but I begin to send water tablets to Lepretre because a few youth guys and girls living in Port au Prince created a committee in PAP to rush to save their locality. They knew that I had water tablets available. They contacted me. Now they are able to help the population to live in good health. Again Thanks to the whole community particularly to Betty Lou and Alexandra. Pray for me. Pray for Haiti as I pray for you all. Br Benedict, WBH Circles Update: In November, Liz Angell shared her inspiring talk about Circles, the new anti-poverty initiative in Muskoka. The Circles Huntsville group has been meeting since January. Thank you to a team of dedicated volunteers from All Saints who have prepared meals for two of the Circles meetings. Your Outreach Committee Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can! Right: Joy Stott (65th) and Beryl Frow (88th) cutting cake 29 January 2017 Far right: Joy Stott and daughter, Heather, with surprise Birthday cake celebrating her 65th Birthday

7 World Day of Prayer This year the World Day of Prayer service will be held on Wednesday 03 March :30 pm at St Andrew s Presbyterian Please watch our bulletin for details Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes Wednesday 01 March 9:30 am In the Church Prayer for Muskoka in our Time of Transition From Ven Dawn...In this time of transition, as you pray for the Transition Team and the changes that the Reorganization Proposal will bring to all of us in Muskoka, I invite you to include this prayer, composed by our Pastoral Care Team: God of Love, we thank You that, through Baptism, we are made members of the Body of Christ, and that You call us to be Your Church in the world. We thank You for the Anglican community and for the diversity within our Diocese and within our Deanery of Muskoka. In this time of transition, as we face the challenges, the pain and the opportunities that change presents, we ask for Your guidance, strength, compassion, courage, comfort, the unity of spirit and the bond of peace. Grant Your wisdom and grace throughout the process that all things may be done to Your honour and glory. and the building up of Your Church, now and for generations to come. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. AMEN Mondays at 7:00 pm Everyone is welcome. This is my story; this is your story; this is the greatest story ever told: This is God s Story. The Story is a DVD study which looks at the important episodes in the Bible s grand narrative. Get the big picture. Max Lucado and Randy Frazee are great very easy to listen to, very easy to understand. [a participant]

8 SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER Menu: Pancakes with sausages topped with Maple Syrup followed by ice cream and fruit Date: Tues. Feb. 28th Time: 5-7 p.m. Place: Lower Sutherland Hall Cost: Adults $8 Families $25. Children under 10 years $5 Shirley Spiers being presented with a very large 'starry' card during Family Service 05 Feb 17 from the Sunday School children thanking her for all she has done for Sunday School, and continues to do in the planning for Family Services. 'You are a STAR' ALL SAINTS MEN S BREAKFAST SATURDAY All Saints Parish Hall (3 rd Saturday every month Sept April) 15 April 2017 [last One for This Season] 8:00 am Coffee 8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am Speaker 10:00 am Departure James Blackman of Tapial Homes Earth Homes All for $5 Any canned goods or supplies for our FOOD BANK you can also bring along would be most appreciated. INVITE A BUDDY! - Just call Doug Millikin or cell or dmillikin033@gmail.com by 11 April, to ensure food. Come for FOOD FACTS FUN FELLOWSHIP

9 Palm Sunday Sunday of the Passion Holy Eucharist with the Liturgy of the Palms Sunday 09 April 8:30 am & 10:00 am Tuesday in Holy Week Seder Supper The night before the crucifixion, our Lord gathered with His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the feast of Passover. This is The Last Supper. There, Jesus transformed the bread of affliction into the bread of life, and the cup of thanksgiving into the cup of salvation. The Seder became our Eucharist with our Lord s words, Do this in remembrance of me. Everyone is invited. Tuesday 11 April 4:00 pm Seder Wednesday in Holy Week Holy Eucharist in the Chapel Tuesday 12 April 9:30 am Maundy Thursday After supper with His friends, took off His robe and washed the disciples feet and said, A new commandment I give you that you love one another as I have loved you. Service of Holy Eucharist with washing of feet in the Church All-night Prayer at the Altar of Repose in the Chapel Thursday 13 April 7:00 pm Good Friday Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon his face. The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails. The son of a Virgin is pierced with a spear. We venerate Thy Passion O Christ. Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection. Friday 14 April 10:00 am Come and See...The Great Vigil of Easter The Great Vigil of Easter vividly and dramatically portrays all that was, is, and shall be in the drama of our redemption. Outside, in the darkness, we light the new fire of Easter. Then, as a body, we carry the new light of Easter into the darkened Church. There, we hear the words of the story of the Exodus and we celebrate our redemption from darkness to light through the waters of baptism as we renew our baptismal vows. Saturday 15 April 8:30 pm Easter Sunday The Lord Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Our joy is this that He who was crucified, dead and buried is now alive forever more, our risen and reigning Lord! We celebrate His triumph! Sunday 16 April 9:30 am & 11:00 am

10 Several members of All Saints gathered around the big screen TV in Lower Sutherland Hall on Saturday 11 February to watch the live -stream of the consecration of Anne Germond as 11th Bishop of Algoma. Thanks to Marjorie for helping us live-stream. Prayer is a mighty thing. You know it as well as I do. But often it's not until our world starts to crumble and we are at a lost and are so down that it finally dawns on us to ask for help from up on high. A power so greater than us! When we just can't stand any more we finally realize we need to kneel. When did God become our last resort, instead of our first defense? When did we decide we'd only pray once we'd run out of options instead of making prayer a foundation of our daily lives? Living a life filled with prayer can strengthen us beyond our abilities, and give us an understanding beyond our comprehension. Prayer with God infuses us with hope, courage, joy and love and lights the way for us to create a life worth loving, sharing and caring, despite the challenges we may face. So give prayer a daily try... and do not delay. Bottom line, if you only pray when you're in trouble, Bless your heart... you're in trouble. Author Unknown Submitted by Joy Stott

11 A MESSAGE FROM SOCIAL ACTION & FAMILY LIFE [ACW] did you know? ACW NEWSLETTER - All women 18 years or older within our Parishes are members of the Anglican Church Women. We would like everyone to receive the ACW newsletter. You can receive the newsletter FREE online. If you wish please register online at: algomaacw@gmail.com. For mailings of 4 printed copies the cost is $12 per year. Send cheques made out to Algoma Newsletter to: Sharon Corston, Communication Chair, 165 Clarkson St. North Thunder Bay, ON P7A 6G1 If you have articles, poems, information about your Family Life, in your Parish, please submit them to Sharon, or the Algoma ACW newsletter. Please remember to lay flat all milk bags. If you have multiplies, please count them and place them flat in a plastic shopping bag, marked with the count on the outer bag. (Please this would be a big help to me, as we receive hundreds of lovely folded bags, that we have to unfold and count.) I was informed that in 2017 we will not accept soup or other Campbell labels without the notation of fundraiser printed on the label. For the time being we haven't heard officially from Campbell's on this, so please continue to collect as before. Postal Stamps - please do NOT TRIM. Include the top part of the whole envelope. Used pill bottles have to be washed, labels removed, and over 6 " tall. Vitamin bottles are good. Unused Greeting cards can be collected. Thank you so very much! Blessings for 2017, Joy Stott, Social Action and Family Life And remember The ACW Annual is 31 May 01 June 2017 Registration information On the Diocesan Website [under Ministries ACW] All Saints Annual Vestry Meeting, 05 February Thank you to all who prayed, organized, prepared, reported and attended!

12 THE PRIMATE S WORLD RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT FUND THE SOLAR SUITCASE At the Namahaca Health Centre in Mozambique, nurse Latia Virgilio delivers babies- lots of babies. About two-thirds of these infants arrive at night, and Namahaca lacks a reliable source of electricity. Latia and her colleagues often make these nocturnal deliveries with flashlights or cell phones clamped in their mouths so their hands will be free to assist with the birth. The Primate s Fund is responding to the needs of Latia and her colleagues in health clinics across Mozambique in partnership with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and We Care Solar, to ensure babies are born safely THE SOLAR SUITCASE, developed to this end, by an obstetrician/gynecologist and her husband, a solar energy educator, is a self-contained, portable power unit for lights and other devices that can be easily installed and maintained in remote locations like the clinic where Latia works. It is literally a power station in a dust-and waterproof case. A solar panel included in the kit is installed on the roof in an area that receives plenty of sunlight, and connected inside to the wall-mounted case containing the battery. Three hours of sunlight provides enough power to run two lights throughout the night, and the units can also be used for other needs, such as recharging batteries, cell phones, and laptops. Each suitcase comes with a hand-held Doppler fetal heart monitor and a headlamp for additional light. Solar Suitcase 12-volt batteries last three to five years before needing to be replaced. An unexpected and happy outcome occurred while We Care Solar pediatrician Dr/ Brad Holden was overseeing the Mozambican crew installing a solar suitcase. When a baby was born asphyxiated with weak vital signs, Dr. Holden used his medical skills and an ambu-bag to resuscitate the baby boy, saving his life. The quick intervention by Dr. Holden was so appreciated by the baby s mother and grandmother that they named the baby Brad in his honour. Noting that local nurses did not have much experience in the use of an ambu-bag, Dr. Holden decided to take the time to train all the nurses in its proper use in every clinic where a solar suitcase was being installed. Through this SOLAR SUITCASE and TRAINING initiative (OF THE MATERNAL, NEWBORN and CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM) Global Affairs Canada provides a 6:1 match for all PWRDF contributions. This means that a gift of $150 becomes $1000. Joy Lewis Skating fun during the 03 February Fun Friday: [From upper left, clockwise] Emily & Bette; lunch by the pool after the skate; sisters, Kiera-Anne & Kristin; Nathan takes a break in the dressing room; Nathan drops playing with the skating assist and goes off to power skate & chase his sisters.

13 Parish News: the deadline for our next issue is Friday 21 April The next issue will cover May June 2017 Please note that articles and pictures should be about our life and ministry here at All Saints. Articles may.doc.docx.txt or.wpd. Pictures should be sent individually in.jpg format for best quality; Pdf s may be included; however, the reproduction quality for pdf s is not excellent. Please submit to aspn@allsaintshuntsville.ca. The due date for articles is generally the Friday nine days before the last Sunday of the month [so that we have time to prepare and print the newsletter before the end of the month]. With thanks. We very much welcome advertising and sponsorship; please contact our Office for information: office@allsaintshuntsville.ca And now a word from our Sponsor 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 NRSV Jesus and the Children: A photo of one of our All Saints windows which will be used to create Missed you at Church School cards. Parish News is one of the many ways we communicate with our parishioners: in it we give thanks for events of the previous months, and look forward to the days ahead. Thank you to Ven Dawn Henderson, Darla McMeeken & Joy Stott for photos in this month s Parish News! And to Cathie Matthews who facilitates every month. Parish News is available on our website: [under the Newsletter tab]. Would you consider sponsoring an issue, or part of an issue, of Parish News? Your sponsorship might be as a thanksgiving, or as a memorial, or just because... Each month, we distribute 120 copies of Parish News at an approximately cost of $150. A full-colour version of Parish News is also available through our website:

14 Church School The season of Lent begins with... Ash Wednesday on March 1st please join us! Our tradition is to look at and prepare for the season of Lent. It is a time of prayer, reflection, caring and sharing. Our focus thus far has been on teaching the children to pray, to read their Bible and to reflect on their way of life of caring and sharing with, family, friends, and spreading God's Word and Love. With that theme in mind, although we do not offer offering envelopes for the children; instead we do encourage the children and youth to consider contributing their change to the world bank sitting on our Church School altar. We donate this money to help a child or children. MARCH 5th - FAMILY SERVICE - Youth leading the worship, joyful music, a story with our Parish Poet. MARCH 12th - 1st Sunday in Lent - regular classes MARCH 19th - 2nd Sunday in Lent - regular classes MARCH 26th - 3rd Sunday in Lent - regular classes The season of Easter comes... it is an important season to learn about, Jesus' love for us and His followers. Learning about the Last Supper helps younger children to understand the Eucharist. Please have your children join in the Journey Through Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, where the children dressed in costume participate in the blessing of the Palms; distribute the palms to the parish members during the first hymn. Return to Church School, to retell/act with props; the story of Jesus' Journey into Jerusalem; Last Supper; Garden of Gethsemane; Peter by the fire; the Cross; and the Empty Tomb. Many of the services during Holy Week, Monday thru to Sunday will give your child a greater understanding of the Easter Story. APRIL 2ND - 4th Sunday in Lent - FAMILY SERVICE - Youth leading the worship, joyful music, a story with our Parish Poet APRIL 9th - PALM SUNDAY - Blessing of the Palms; Journey with Jesus Through Holy Week APRIL 13th - Maundy Thursday activities & supper, a meaningful service for parents & children. Sleepover in hall for youth, thru to... APRIL 14th - Good Friday Service -- parents are asked to attend with your children APRIL 15th - Easter Vigil -- candlelight evening service. APRIL 16th - EASTER SUNDAY - Journey with Jesus retold - Godly Play/Egg Stories After Service EGG HUNT APRIL 23rd - 2nd Sunday of Easter - regular classes APRIL 30th - 3rd Sunday of Easter - regular classes OTHER NOTES: + * New JAG schedule, it is out. For copies check your & Church school. + Please check the Family Service section on the JAG schedule. + Look at the Y.E.S. News for coming events! Shirley Spiers & Joy Stott, Church School All Saints Church School Join us for singing, stories, activities, crafts, and fun with friends.

15 Y.E.S. YOUTH GROUP REPORT & ACTIVITIES February 03rd was another P.A. Day, Fun Friday! We had a good turnout, beginning with a pancake breakfast in the Church School Room; travelling to the Summit Centre in the morning for Skating! Lots of talent, from "powerhouse" Nathan; to the gliding, graceful, girls Lia, Kirsten, Emily, Kristen, Mikalyla, Hayden, and Shannon! Check out the pictures! We ate our lunches, by the pool area. Then we toured the halls. We saw many parishioners names from All Saints` featured on the many walls, and art work in the Centre! The youth were so amazed and inspired of who were mentioned there! After wards, we travelled to the Huntsville Library, had free time in the children`s section, then Amber, amazed us with gadgets, I`m not familiar with, but the youth were! Computer Tech robotics, ipad apps, 3-D artwork (I liked), etc. Snack of cookies and juice and Lots of sharing, and fellowship! Thank you to Shannon, Darla, and Bette for helping supervise, and with transportation! UPCOMING EVENTS: MARCH 10TH - P.A. DAY - FUN FRIDAY - held in Sutherland Hall 8:30-4:00 p.m. TENTATIVE DATE. This is the start of the March Break. We may have a low attendance so I may have to move it to another day during March. You will be notified by . Possibly a Saturday. APRIL 13TH - MAUNDY THURSDAY - activities for ALL CHILDREN & the Parents in the hall 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. supper incl. *info to come* 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service for families: washing of the feet, stripping of the Altar. 8:30 p.m. Night Vigil in the Chapel for youth, right after service 9:00 p.m. Sleepover in the Hall for youth 6+. Fri. morning breakfast before service. APRIL 14TH - GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE 10 a.m. - parents are asked to join us for the Church Service. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact me. Please let me know if you are coming March 10th. Joy Stott, Y.E.S. of All Saints` Youth Coordinator Thank you - YOUTH, Dawn, Darla, Bette, Tina, Gunnar, Gail, and any others I may have omitted, who sold West side Fish and Chip gift certificates as our Y.E.S. Group fundraiser for our Youth Ministries! We were able to raise $260 through your efforts. We have stopped selling the gift certificates, and we thank Westside for the opportunity to fundraise with them. Thank you to all who have supported us with this fundraiser by purchasing certificates, your support was truly appreciated! Perhaps we may be able to come up with another idea to fundraise this year. One idea,... a one day car wash in the Spring? All the youth, younger and older, are setting an example for others to see,... their love of God so shines through them, within their families, within their church family, within the community, and within... their desire to beam! ~ Let your light so shine so that others may see your good works, and glorify Your Father in Heaven.

16 Y.E.S. Youth Report 2016 (part of Annual Report) The Young Enthusiastic Saints of All Saints' 2016 are in their 8th year! Wow! fun, exciting, energy, growing personal greatness, through learning experiences! Thank you - YOUTH, Dawn, Darla, Bette, Tina, Gunnar, Gail, and any others I may have omitted, who sold West side Fish and Chip gift certificates as our Y.E.S. Group fundraiser for our Youth Ministries! We were able to raise $260 through your efforts. We have stopped selling the gift certificates, and we thank Westside for the opportunity to fundraise with them. Thank you to all who have supported us with this fundraiser by purchasing certificates, your support was truly appreciated! Perhaps we may be able to come up with another idea to fundraise this year. One idea,... a one day car wash in the Spring? All the youth, younger and older, are setting an example for others to see,... their love of God so shines through them, within their families, within their church family, within the community, and within... their desire to beam! ~ Let your light so shine so that others may see your good works, and glorify Your Father in Heaven. Joy Stott, Y.E.S. of All Saints` Coordinator Above: Emily lighting the Advent Wreath. Below: all the Younger Saints in our Christmas Tableau; Emily (Angel) and Hayden (Mary); Mary hearing from the angel Gabriel that she will have God's child; the Angel coming to Joseph in a dream.

17 From of the Fun Friday activities at the Public Library on 03 February: our youth worked on Lego robotics construction. Upper right: Lia controls the ball with a tablet programme. Right: Nathan concentrates; Amber with the children. Lower right: Emily, Hayden, Nathan & Bette in the Lego Construction Area. Lower left: Kiera & Mikayla creating with extruded 'string'. Above: Hayden works diligently. Above left: Joy & Kristin making coat pin of skates.

18 Matthew 13:1-9, JESUS PARABLES: The Sower this is the one who hears the word and understands it [Matthew 13:23] One of the stories which Jesus told is called the Parable of the Sower. Three of the writers of the Gospels [Matthew, Mark, & Luke] record this parable. Jesus had become quite famous lots of people came out to listen to this young teacher, and everyone was amazed at His words. In the parable, a farmer goes into his fields to sow seed. In the days before modern farm equipment, farmers carried the seeds of plants such as wheat or barley, in a sack; as they walked up and down in their fields, they threw some seed out on the ground. Their hope and prayer was that the seed would sprout and a good crop of grain would grow. which was packed hard, some among the rocks, and others right in weeds and thorns! The people listening to Jesus would have shaken their heads or laughed out loud at a farmer who didn t know that all the seed had to fall on good soil. Jesus told the people that much of the seed was eaten up by birds, or dried up because there was no soil, or curled up because the weeds choked it. But the seed that fell on the good soil grew up into a huge harvest! Later in the day, Jesus disciples asked Him to explain this parable because they had found it hard to understand. Jesus said that God is like a farmer who spreads the seeds everywhere. Jesus said the seed in this story was like the word of God. God spreads His words to everyone. The question was, would the people listen and do what it says? If they did, they would be like the seed that grew on good soil producing great results! A real farmer would be very careful about where he threw or planted the seed he might have used oxen to first dig up good soil and prepare the ground. He would be sure to spread the seed only on this prepared ground. But the sower that Jesus spoke about threw the seed everywhere: some on the good soil, some on a pathway S K T T Z J S K U G Y K G T E Y I E Q Q H H Q O Z E N Y Y R W O R D K J I O H I I B D K E I D A R H L D S R N Z T G X H Q V V Z K Y F N E D H E G Y W A S G J Y A L T M M G A V S Y V I C H R M S R Q N A C J D R F Q M M R I A P E B W H C E E R R E N L J K T F W G E D E V J R T J S D O G T T O R S W E V W Z D I S X I U H Q S O Z J D N R A J Z E S J Q E K I X Q R I C W Y K D E D I B W L D Q B N S U S E J T D P U T Y J U G O P Y H V T P A R A B L E T BIRDS EVERYWHERE FARMER GOD GOOD JESUS LISTENING MATTHEW PARABLE SEED SOIL SOWER TEACHER WEEDS WORD Colouring:

19 Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-25; Luke 8:4-18 JESUS PARABLES: A Sower Went Out to Sow 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. [Matthew 13:8] The parable of the sower is recorded in all three of the Synoptic Gospels [Matthew, Mark & Luke]. In Gospel of Matthew, It comes at a turning point. The Jewish authorities are growing increasingly hostile to Jesus; and so, whereas, Jesus has been teaching openly in the synagogue up to this point, He turns more and more to telling parables. Parables are open to some interpretation and thus afford Jesus a certain latitude. The parables of Matthew 13 are parables of the Kingdom. The Good News [Gospel] is that, with the advent of Jesus, the Kingdom of God is breaking in. On the surface, the parable seems simple enough: a farmer goes out to sow seed, by hand, of course. He spreads the seed liberally, and some of it ends up on hard-packed pathways, some of it on rocks, some of it in amongst the weeds. The seed on the pathway is eaten by birds; the seed on the rock sprouts but quickly dries up for lack of moisture; the seed in the thorns is choked by the weeds. But that which falls on good soil yields an incredible crop, a harvest beyond all reasonable expectation. And when Jesus reaches that point in the story, He rather abruptly stops. Now the contemporary audience might have been left either scratching their heads or laughing out loud. What one-manoperation kind of farmer is careless with seed? Seed is expensive and hard to come by. Jesus audience would not have been surprised that the seed planted anywhere except in good soil, would have been eaten by birds or dried by drought or choked by thorns this farmer was either wasteful or careless, or both. A careful farmer thoroughly tills the soil, diligently prepares the ground, and then carefully sows only where a crop is all but guaranteed. But not this farmer! Sowing on hard-pack, rocks and thorns? Who would? There are parables in the Old Testament; one of the more famous is found in Isaiah 5, The Song of the Vineyard. God portrays Israel as the vineyard and Himself as the vinedresser. In the Isaiah parable, God laments that although He had planted, watered, tended the vineyard it produced not good grapes but only wild ones, good for nothing. God warned that disaster would come upon Israel for not bearing good fruit. Jesus audience would immediately have heard [and perhaps, smarted at] a connection to Isaiah 5 as Jesus tells this parable about a sower. The contemporary audience might also have been more than a little disappointed and perplexed. The expectation of the day was that the when Messiah came he would come as a conquering hero and that God s reign would result in the decisive and immediate end of foreign, pagan rule. This parable seems to indicate the coming of the Kingdom will be more like a gradually ripening harvest although it s final size is well beyond normal expectations. Jesus explains the parable to His disciples: the seed is like the word of the Kingdom. The sower spreads the seed far and wide. Jesus makes it clear that the area in which the seed is sown affects the results: The hearer of the word who does not understand it is like the seed thrown on a pathway the evil one easily snatches away the word. Others accept the word with joy but have no root, no depth, no endurance to live out of the word when tough times come. Still others hear the word but let worries and the attractiveness of the surrounding culture choke the word. So, is this parable about one s receptiveness to the word of God? Only partly. As is the case with other parables, the focus is on God. God, like the seemingly careless farmer, is extravagant in His spreading His word, His Good News to everyone, everywhere not only to those who are worthy or learned or rich or... God, with loving grace and complete abandon, offers His word, His Kingdom to all. And to those who accept, God generates a yield far beyond anything human effort could earn 30, 60 or 100 fold. With God, is great abundance. The Jewish members of Jesus audience would have immediately recognized this theme: their scriptures record over and over--it is God who creates the world with great abundance and variety; it is God who is able to supply food for 2 million Hebrews in the desert for 40 years; it is God who blesses and gives the increase. It is this same lavish abundance that is evident in God s sending Jesus: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16] Extravagant love. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. [John 10:10] God s word will accomplish what He wills. Isaiah 55: 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Jesus challenges His listeners to ask what kind of soil they might be. The Kingdom of God is at hand and God will have a plenteous crop. We can be indifferent, or refuse to be part of God s great mission; or we can be good soil recognizing that God working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. God gives the increase and the miracle is that we are invited to participate.

20 Rector s Report [January 2017] Services: Sunday Eucharist: 01 January Epiphany Sunday; 08 January Baptism of our Lord -10am Family Service [APP: Epiphany: Gift of Love]; 15 January - 2 nd after Epiphany; 22 January- 3 RD after Epiphany - healing services; 28 January 4 TH after Epiphany services from the BCP regular weekly Wednesday morning Eucharist, additional scheduled monthly Eucharist services: Fairvern [10 January]; Rogers Cove [23 January]; Muskoka Landing [24 January]; Chartwell Muskoka Traditions [24 January]; Parish Stats for the month of January: 12 private communions [home or hospital] 1 funeral 28 January Shirley Madeline Launchbury During the month of January: meetings: Corporation [10, 24 Jan], PAC [21 Jan], Family Service Planning [24 Jan] 01 January - hosted, at my home, a New Year s Gathering - thank you to those who helped 06 January hosted, at my home, Epiphany luncheon for the Huntsville Pastors 08 January - led Prayer and Praise Hymn Sing at Chartwell Muskoka Traditions 19 January - volunteered at Table Soup Kitchen 21 January - Men s breakfast [speaker: Gordon Duncan speaking on the Muskoka Concert Band s contribution to the Muskoka Community] 28 January live-streamed Diocesan teaching webinar Great Themes of the Bible, in Lower Sutherland Hall 30 January began The Story evening DVD Study in Lower Sutherland Hall as Archdeacon: 03 January hosted, at my home, Deanery Clericus Epiphany luncheon 13, 20, 27 January meetings with Deanery Clergy 29 January chaired Annual Vestry Meeting, St John Ravenscliffe 30 January meeting with warden Christ Church Port Sydney in preparation for their vestry meeting On-going: morning Bible Study following the Alpha Course regular on-going pastoral & administrative work continues including home and hospital visiting [when informed of members of the parish in hospital who wish a visit], marriage and baptism preparation Please remember to contact Ven. Dawn when you are aware that anyone [including you!] is in hospital, in distress, or in need of a priest. New Government Privacy Laws prevent the Hospital and other agencies from relaying such information. Thank you.

21 Please support the businesses that support All Saints Church. If you have a business and would like your card displayed in the Parish News, Please contact the office at Painting - Drywall - Yard Work & Clean-up General Maintenance and Repairs Fair Rates - Excellent Service & Workmanship Contact: Ken Niemi (cell) or Dana Porter or, you can catch us around the Church!

22

23