Fall Festival Today
October 31, 2009
Join us for the All Saints Fall Festival today, Saturday, October 31, 11 AM - 5 PM.
Enjoy fun, food, and fellowship plus the opportunity to make a contribution and enjoy the day with fellow parishioners.
Liturgy Lesson for All Saints Day: Halloween
October 30, 2009
You’ve probably heard it: should Christians celebrate Halloween? Taken from the Old English term for Hallowmas Eve, it has its roots in Samhain, the Celtic New Year, celebrated on November 1, and a significant time for divination. The Church, “seizing the land” from our Adversary, replaced the pagan Samhain with the celebration of “All Hallows”—a term for “All Holy.” The word “Holy” rendered in Latin is Sanctus (set aside or reserved), from which we derive our word saint, hence the derivation of the term “All Saints” for this festival. The Eucharist, then, rightly honored “All Saints,” and was originally called Hallowmas (mass for all the saints). During this period of 8 days of prayer, called an octave, we tenderly celebrate the lives and our connection, through the Communion of Saints, to all Christians, living with God or on Earth, by remembering their names in the Lord’s courts, especially during Holy Communion. The main difference between Samhain and All Saints Day is that Samhain recognized and feared the evil spirits, whereas All Saints celebrated life lived eternally before God without fear. Our Anglican fathers were wise in their selection of Scripture emphasizing this difference—exemplified by our Gospel today, in St. Matthew 5—describing our rewards as people set aside for God. Should a Christian be part of Halloween? We can read St. Matthew 5:13, where Jesus calls us “Salt of the Earth” and ask ourselves honestly if taking part in the ancient pagan tradition trumpets “All Saints” to the World around us—or not.
Be a Witness for Christ on October 31 by Linda Snow
October 26, 2009
For the past several years I have left something on my front porch for neighborhood children that witnesses to the love of Jesus.
Some ideas:
- Attach scripture, such as “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8 JESUS LOVES YOU!”, on colored paper (preferably not orange) to candy or bubble gum. Large bold type is good.
- Christian stickers are a favorite
- Christian Book Marks—homemade ones or find them at your favorite Christian Book Store
- Colored pencils—attach scripture: “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart, God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 &
“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
Liturgy Lesson for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity: Candles in Worship
October 23, 2009
I once talked with someone who told me they thought most of the tools we use in worship were inventions of men and not reflected in Scripture! Actually, with 21 centuries to research and grow our worship tradition, there is ample Holy Writ to underpin nearly every furnishing, vestment, ceremonial action, and liturgy we use. For example, the candles—sometimes called lights—we use in every liturgical service symbolize the Divine Presence and the Gospel’s spiritual enlightenment. The two groups of candles on the Holy Table during Communion signify the two natures of Christ—human and Divine. His words “I am the Light of the World” (ref St. John 8:12; St. Matt 4:16; St. Luke 2:32) also amplify why we use candles to honor His ministry—and ours. They were first used by early Christians for illumination, as they were forced to meet secretly under cover of darkness to elude persecution. We retain them, even in our electrified age, to remind us of those days, making our parishes bright and beautiful and driving away darkness—just as the Gospel does in our lives. There is other authority for their use, of course, found in Ex 25:31, 40:25; Levit 24:2 and II Chron 13:11. In addition to the assurance of Scriptural basis for their use, as we light the candles for our service, we can consider praying this devotion to the Lord: may God the Holy Ghost make the fire of the Gospel burn brightly front and center in our lives, as it does on the altar during worship.
Christians and Halloween
October 22, 2009
Bible Reading: 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.– Ephesians 5:6-12
Bonus Readings: Deut. 18:10-12; Romans 14; Philippians 2:12
About this time of year I get the same question: “Should Christians observe Halloween?” Scripture, of course, has no direct reference to Halloween, so resolving the debate can be a challenge. How should Christians approach Halloween, and is there a Biblical way to observe this secular holiday?
The dilemma over Halloween may fall under the category of a Romans 14 issue, or a “disputable matter”—lacking clear, specific direction from the Bible. Ultimately, since each of us, as Philippians 2:12 teaches, must work out our own salvation with “fear and trembling,” we, as Christians must decide for ourselves and follow our own convictions regarding how we respond to Halloween, as God leads us by His Spirit and Word.
Christian perspectives on this secular holiday are strongly divided. Some feel complete freedom to observe it, others run and hide from it, many boycott or ignore it, a number commemorate it through more positive and imaginative observances or Christian alternatives to Halloween, such as Bible-focused Harvest Parties or Youth Group Pumpkin Sales, while still others choose to take advantage of Halloween’s evangelistic opportunities, handing out Christian candy and tracts declaring Christ’s victory and salvation.
Christian concerns about many of today’s popular celebrations associated with Halloween relates to the day’s pagan roots, stemming from the ancient Celtic festival, Samhain. This harvest festival of the Druids ushered in the New Year, beginning on the evening of October 31, with the lighting of bonfires (“bone-fires”, since they were used to consume pagan sacrifices of animals and humans) and other offerings of sacrifices to demonic deities. As the Druids danced around the fires, they celebrated the ending of the summer season and the beginning of the season of darkness. They also believed that at this time of year the invisible gates between the natural world and the spirit world would open, allowing free movement between the two worlds. They used the time to obtain the favor of their gods and to get spiritual enlightenment from sources outside our Heavenly Father. Seeking spiritual insights or power from other than God can result in His judgment, as documented in 1 Sam 28.
During the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved All Saints Day to November 1, officially making October 31 “All Hallows Eve,” as a way of claiming the celebration for Christians. Pope Gregory IV broadened the feast to include the entire Church. Problem was, some of the pagan practices associated with the season persisted and have been mixed into modern celebrations of Halloween. This can present a kind of spiritual duplicity for Christians and can open doors for our Enemy to afflict us, even when done with innocent intent.
So after discovering this, what is a reasonable conclusion? As Christians, you and I are placed in this world to be the flavor of Christ and His light in a world of darkness. There is no lasting benefit to ignore a holiday that exists around us, but it also does harm to celebrate Halloween as it has originated and grown over the centuries.
My suggestion?
- Christians should be teaching their children (age appropriately) that:
- °There is a spiritual world filled with goodness from God and evil from Satan (Eph. 2:1-10);
- Life in Christ means power over darkness (I John 4:4); and
- We, as Christians have a responsibility to ensure we are not part of ungodly practices, or even the appearance of them.
- Our choice here can affect our own lives and those around us, who depend on us to be Salt and Light—the taste and image of Jesus to them
- We have to examine how we celebrate the holiday. If it promotes the ungodly pursuits of our pagan ancestors, I strongly recommend we find other means to enjoy ourselves that evening.
- Avoiding any Occultic practices like séances, spiritualist readings, tarot cards, or Ouija boards
- Also reject the “dark side” of the holiday—the fixation on death, vampires, whatever does not reflect the character of Christ
- To counter the evil influence of Halloween, we need to join together and celebrate the reality of the heroic efforts of Christian saints over the evil. Many leaders in the past—and present—have fulfilled our mandate of destroying the works of the devil through their sacrificial commitment to Christ and His Kingdom.
- Our parish festival celebrates that—with the fall festival one day, and our All Saints worship the next.
- Rather than “hide” in the face of evil, we should unabashedly and boldly create an alternative that is positive and uplifting, that celebrates good over evil and the triumph of God over Satan.
- We can provide an environment that also makes room for heaps of fun while using the day as a teachable moment to celebrate God’s protection, provision, and purpose for our lives.
Contemplative Prayer: “Holy Spirit, show me if I’m Salt and Light in every aspect of my life—work, family, and fun.”
Pray about it: “There are supernatural or occult powers and forces at work in the world—forces that do not come from God but are actually opposed to Him.”—the Rev Billy Graham, evangelist
All love in the Beloved,
Chip+
A Prayer for Our Clergy during Clergy Appreciation Month submitted by Linda Snow
October 20, 2009
Heavenly Father,
Look with favor on your beloved shepherds
++Bob
+Martyn, +David
Chip+ and Ed+
May they be strengthened by
Your Holy Spirit
and filled with the fullness of
Your love and grace and power.
Protect them from all evil.
Shield them from the cares and
temptations of this world,
and so align them with Your Word,
Your will and Your wisdom
that Your purpose for their lives and
ministries will be fulfilled.
Bless our clergy and their families with
health, prosperity, joy and peace,
and grant them their heart’s desire.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Fall Festival October 31
October 19, 2009
Plan to enjoy fun, food, and fellowship at the All Saints Fall Festival.
Saturday, October 31, 11 AM - 5 PM.
You can take white elephants for the rummage sale to the office during normal business hours (Wednesday – Saturday, 10AM– 5PM). This is an opportunity to clean out some space and get rid of things you no longer need or want—things that someone else would love to have. Delivering your rummage sale items early will give volunteers time to get the sale organized in advance.
And speaking of volunteers, contact Carter Dreesman, events@allsaintsanglican.net, to volunteer to help.
Liturgy Lesson for St. Luke the Evangelist: Holy Oils
October 17, 2009
Today, we commemorate St. Luke the Evangelist, who is also a physician and associated with hospitals and even the Order of St. Luke, a successful ecumenical healing ministry, which uses Faith, prayer, and the Scripture to heal—a clearly Scriptural practice. However, St. Luke was also an evangelist, tasked with carrying the good news to the World and making disciples. Inside our parish, we have a church furnishing that parallels his ministry—the aumbry. Variously written ambry or aumbrye, the term is derived from the French armarium, meaning cupboard, applied originally to the sacristy where the holy vessels were stored. In All Saints, it is a small wooden cupboard, mounted on the wall, between the credence table and altar used to store holy oils—symbolic of the Spirit—intended to sweeten, to strengthen, to render supple. Cited in Hebrews 1:9 and St. James 5:14, we employ these for ancient ministerial and liturgical purposes: Sancta Chrisma, or Oil of Chrism—for baptisms (sweetening); Olea Sancta—Oil of Catechumens, used for confirmation (strengthening); and Oleum Infirmatum, or Oil of the Sick, used for Holy Unction (making supple). The Church employs them, then, in parallel to St. Luke’s skills, to save, bring into communion, and minister healing—the roles of the evangelist and the physician. The triple ministry of the oils also reflects our Lord’s instructions to us—to go, make disciples, and baptize them, bringing them to eternal life and the communion of the Church—under the anointing of the Holy Ghost!
Have You Signed up For Alpha?
October 15, 2009
Alpha, a chance to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed and friendly environment, will kick-off with a dinner at 6 PM on December 8th.
The course begins January 5, 2010 and runs for ten weeks with an all-day get-away in the middle. Each session begins with dinner, followed by a presentation and small group discussions.
Review the Alpha schedule, contact alpha@allsaintsanglican.net for more information, or watch the video below to hear from Alpha participants.
Book Review from Betsy Lowe
October 12, 2009
Dream or Destiny by All Saints’ parishioner Lillie Ammann is available in the All Saints Bookstore.
Parishioner Betsy Lowe wrote this about the romantic mystery novel:
Lillie’s close attention to the mental state of her well-developed characters adds a pleasing depth to Dream or Destiny. David and Marilee’s romance is tastefully developed and seamlessly integrated with a gripping plotline.
Shop in the All Saints store to find Christian books and other reading material will fit our Christian values. All Saints will earn a small commission on every purchase made through the store.
Share your favorite reads. Send your own book reviews and recommendations to webmaster@allsaintsanglican.net to be posted here.
