There is a constant temptation to reduce Christianity to morality, both in and outside the Church. In our culture it takes a variety of forms of expression. “What does it matter as long as I’m a good person?” “I don’t need to go to church.” “I’m spiritual, not religious.” “Isn’t it all about loving my neighbor anyway?” And so on. You add to the list.

Saint Paul actually addresses this attitude in the Letter to the Romans. He tells us that it is not obedience to the Law that justifies us, that is, morality, but faith in the God “who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” In other words, we must be centered in God the Creator and not the creature in order to be Christian. The God who gives life to the

dead through the resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ gives us every good thing in this life and the promise of eternal life. Our center is indeed faith in Him. It is this faith that teaches us that there is no possibility of being a good person without the grace of God, whether one acknowledges rightly through worship the source of that goodness or not. It is this faith in Him that is the beginning and the end of all authentic religion and spirituality, if it is centered in the Creator and not the creature. And loving one’s neighbor, as sure as every good deed, issues from the good God Who is Goodness Itself and without Whom nothing would be or be good. As the doxology says, to Him be the glory now, always and forever

Scripture lessons for todayGenesis 12:1-4aRomans 4:1-5, 13-17John 3:1-17 Psalm 121

Scripture lessons for next weekExodus 17:1-7Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42Psalm 95

God At the Center–By Bill Reed

The Second Sunday of Lent — March 16, 2014

All Saints’WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORGThe Weekly

AnnouncementsWednesday: Join us for Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall as we explore Jesus’ life in a chronological study of the Gospels.

Wednesday: The friends of St. Benedict will meet this Wednesday, March 19, in the library from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for study and prayer. Our aim is to integrate the wisdom of monastic life and spiritual theology into our everyday lives as Christians. We meet the third Wednesday of every month, and all are welcome.

Wednesday: Our annual Lenten soup suppers continue with dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by Lenten presentations by Bishop Mary, Canon Jesus Reyes, Ed Fincke, Canon Brian Nordwick, Frank Graham, and others. Dust off your tastiest soup recipe, sign up for a slot on the roster of cooks, and enjoy this Lenten opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth.

Ukrainian egg decorating—Now that Lent is here, our annual pysanky classes are just around the corner. New and returning egg-makers are welcome, and no special artistic skill is necessary. The free classes will be offered on Thursday, March 20 (9:00 a.m. to noon); Friday, March 21 (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.); and Saturday, March 22 (9:00 a.m. to noon). To register, contact Andrea Matters at 624-3090 or andreamatters@gmail.com. Healthy Saints Hike: Saturday, March 29—Join us from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Middledorf Preserve (reached by traveling through Santa Lucia Preserve, off San Carlos Road in Carmel Valley). We will walk to the cabin at Middledorf, where there are tables and restrooms. From the cabin, hikers can continue on an optional one-mile nature walk with naturalist

Kirsten Stember before returning to the tables for a picnic lunch. There is a limit to participants, so sign up early. We will meet at All Saints’ at 8:45 a.m. to carpool. Please e-mail Mother Cynthia at cms614@me.com, to sign up or ask questions.

Farewell potluck for Greg Troxell—All Saints’ will hold a potluck lunch on March 30 following the 10:30 service. Come to say thank you and farewell to our former administrator, Greg Troxell. Everyone is asked to bring a savory dish to share; dessert will be provided.

Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: An Episcopal gathering to challenge the epidemic of violence will take place in Oklahoma City April 9–11, 2014. Would you be interested in attending? A partial scholarship is available; contact the church office. More information is available at http://epiok.org/reclaiming-the-gospel-info.

Boxes for Lenten giving are available by the front doors and side windows of the church. These gifts of gratitude will be collected at Easter and given to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) for relief in South Sudan, and to St. Patricks’ School, Haiti.

Building security—All parishioners are asked to take responsibility for building security and energy savings by making sure that doors are locked and lights turned off after events.

Office volunteers—We are in significant need of office volunteers, especially on Tuesday afternoon. Please contact the office or Wanda Green (831-295-8397) if you are interested in assisting for a few hours per week.

New staff and new e-mail addresses—For print, web, and advertising needs, please send e-mail to communications@allsaintscarmel.org. For all business administration needs, use admin@allsaintscarmel.org.

Sunday handout deadline—To be included in next Sunday’s handout, your announcement must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday. Most special parish events are included in the announcements for three weeks before they occur. Contact Andrea Matters at andreamatters@gmail.com or 624-3090.

Highlighted Events and MeetingsMarch 18 Carmel Library Lecture

Series

March 18 All Saints’ Singers Rehearsal

March 18 Finance Committee Meeting

March 19 Lenten Soup Supper

March 20, 21, 22 Egg Decoration

March 22 Memorial Service for Fran Ward

March 22 Aria Concert

All Saints’ ParishDisciples Glorifying Christ and Serving Others