The Weekly 09/01/13

All Saints’

The Weekly WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 1, 2013

God’s Extraordinary Hospitality in Honoring Others

By The Rev. Rick Matters

Fifty years ago, our nation’s dream of liberty and justice for all was articulated afresh by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jesus set that same dream in motion with the parable we hear today.

All Christians bear this dream on behalf of nations, neighborhoods, and individuals. Today’s parable teaches us how to honor others by placing them first. The cross demonstrates vividly and definitively that God takes the lowest place in order to honor all people.

God’s dream is true reality, while our economy of privilege and violence is a nightmare that keeps us awake in the middle of a seemingly endless night. We tremble in the darkness when Syria gasses its own citizens, and we shiver with the prospect of America risking more Syrian lives as a punishment. In contrast, Jesus dwells in bombed-out

homes and in refugee camps. Jesus invites us to live God’s dream by sitting in the back of the bus, and by recognizing that the true place of honor is always next to another human being.

Scripture Lessons Today Proverbs 25:6-7 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14

Scripture Lessons for Next Week Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33

Recommendation:

In Conversation with God

By Greg Troxell

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence This book is a is a collection of letters and of certain conversations compiled by a disciple of Brother Lawrence, who was a Carmelite monk and head cook in his monastery’s kitchens. Brother Lawrence gained an international reputation as a mystic and spiritual counselor. His words of advice to his friends and disciples are an inspiration to people in all walks of life.

I first read the book in 1990 while aiming to deconstruct my tendency to rush about while I aimed to achieve great accomplishments. The transformation is still underway.

I am still learning to be; to know God more deeply; to appreciate others more dearly; and live in the sacrament of the present moment.

All Saints’ • The Weekly

The Performance of our Lives

Highlighted Events and Meetings

We discover how much God honors us through the life and teaching of Jesus. In today’s parable (Luke 14:1, 7-15), Jesus places others above himself by taking the lowliest seat. The early Church celebrated God’s way of love in a hymn, the text of which you will find in Philippians 2:6-11.

September 1 September 2 September 7 September 7 September 17 September 20 September 20-21 September 24

By The Rev. Rick Matters

We might imagine the Holy Spirit sitting invisibly in the wings while humans act under the stage’s bright lights. The Spirit cheers people on as they give generously of themselves. The Spirit prompts them, prays for them (Romans 8:26-27), and rejoices when they take a bow. As Christians, our job is to join the Holy Spirit in the wings, cheering, praying, longing, and assisting others to be honored. As we honor others, we discover with delight our own true worthiness.

Expressions of Love

By Greg Troxell

In today’s passage from Hebrews we read, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers.” In the Gospel reading Jesus himself takes the role of a servant. These passages help us to remember that humility, service and appreciation of others is godliness.

Repeatedly we are commended in scriptures to consider the needs of others, and this means much more than give it some thought. It is to honor them, rather than exalt ourselves. In a marriage this principle may prompt one spouse to take on the dirty work or come home and cook a delightful meal. Among friends it may be to drive them to the store or the doctor’s office when feeling ill. Among the elderly it may be to listen to their stories or help them with the yard work. The children among us, may take delight in weeding a garden, or taking out the trash.

Servanthood is an expression of love, and love honors others, with respect, intimate sharing, and service.

WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG

Youth group noon-2pm every Sunday Labor Day - Church office is closed Dennis Sharp Memorial Service Healthy Saints Hike at Elkhorn Slough.

All Saints’ Singers Rehearsal season begins Movie night at All Saints’ Youth overnight “Boardwalk Beach Blitz” Healthy Saints Hike at Andrew Molera State Beach September 27-29 Diocesan Youth Camping trip, Big Sur September 27-29 Festival of Christian Spirituality October 1 Diocesan Training for Eucharistic Visitors October 6 Confirmation classes begin Read more news online at: www.allsaintscarmel.org Join us on Facebook, Twitter and GooglePlus

All Saints’ • The Weekly

Respecting the Dignity of Every Human Being

By Robin Denney

The fifth promise we make at baptism is to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being,” (Baptismal Covenant, BCP 305). A challenge we have as Christians is not just to serve others, but to honor them. It is possible to serve others without entering into relationship with them, without getting their permission, without acknowledging their own dignity and power, but we are called by Jesus to something more. We are called to humbly give others the honor rather than ourselves. We are called to serve regardless of our feelings about whether or not the other person is deserving of our service, and whether or not they have any inclination or ability to thank us or reward us. This kind of service is not confined to events like feeding the homeless. This kind of service can spring from us throughout our daily lives: in the workplace, in community organizations we are involved with, and even our involvement with the political process: choosing leaders, town hall meetings, and voting on propositions. By honoring others, we reflect God’s extraordinary hospitality to the world.

Dennis Sharp Memorial Service September 7, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church

Like Good and Faithful Servants

By The Rev. Rick Matters

Jesus’ parable prompts us to ask about places of honor in the church. For instance, the altar is a place of honor, but no one sits at the altar, and most of us stand or kneel in front of it. Vestments are worn by those located around the altar in order to direct attention away from themselves, and to symbolize servanthood.

Then again, we might think of the glass doors as the place of honor. The archangels in the windows sound a special welcome to all who enter. By welcoming others with honor, we take the position Jesus teaches.

When welcoming others, especially visitors, we identify All Saints’ community as the place of honor. When serving the Body of Christ in this way, we take the lowliest seat. Now comes the challenge: as members of All Saints’ we represent this community of honor wherever we go. It’s as if we carry the bishop’s chair, and seat with dignity all whom we meet, like good and faithful servants.

WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG

Announcements Today: Evensong will be offered at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: The book club meets for dinner at Abalonetti’s in Monterey at 6:00 p.m. Next Tuesday the book discussion will be held at Remy Ryan’s house at 6:00 p.m. Contact Kathy Nielsen at knielsen68@gmail.com.

Wednesday: Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall.

Saturday: Healthy Saints hike at Elkhorn Slough from 9:30 to 1:00. Admission is $4; no dogs are allowed. Carpool from either Santa Lucia Mission (8:30) or All Saints’ (9:00). The following hike will be on Tuesday, September 24, from 9:00 to noon at Andrew Molera State Beach. Contact Mother Cynthia at thevicarofbigsur@gmail. com to attend either hike.

Ministry of hospitality—You’re invited to open your home to a participant at the September 27–29 Festival of Christian Spirituality. All meals will be provided at the festival. Contact Father Rick or the parish office.

All Saints’ Episcopal Parish Ninth and Dolores PO Box 1296 Carmel, CA 93921 Phone: 831-624-3883 Fax: 831-624-1459 www.allsaintscarmel.org

The All Saints’ Singers, our parish choir for children, is open without audition to students in grades two through six. They sing at the 10:30 service on the second Sunday of each month from October to May (except January). Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. at the church, and begin September 17. Contact Dr. Samra at drtsamra@gmail.com.

Help “raise the barn”—Beginning September 16–20 and continuing for several weeks, we will build a multipurpose shed at Santa Lucia Mission, Big Sur. Helpers are needed to do carpentry and to donate, prepare, and/or serve lunch and snacks. Please contact Mother Cynthia (520-260-5158 or cms614@me.com).

Youth Santa Cruz Boardwalk Blitz— September 20 at 5:30 p.m. to September 21 at 5:00 p.m. (time flexible). Overnight camping on the boardwalk, Christian speakers, bands, and activities for grades 6-12. The cost is $80, the registration deadline is September 10. Contact Robin Denney at redenney@gmail.com or 805-835-8538.

Create an emergency plan for you and your family by attending a free emergency preparedness presentation by the American Red Cross, co-sponsored by Sustainable Carmel and All Saints’ Church. Join us in Seccombe Hall on September 24 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. For more information, call 624-6921.

Festival of Christian Spirituality: Special Offer for All Saints’—We encourage you to participate in the festival, September 27–29, at the reasonable rate of $175. However, you may also make a minimum donation of $35 and participate in all sessions while providing your own meals. Registration forms may be found in the church or office.

Using Search — Are you looking for something on our website? Don’t forget to try the search function! Visit www. allsaintscarmel.org and enter a key word/ phrase (like “lector” or “ice cream Sunday”) in the box in the top right corner, then click “search.”