“It is by God’s grace that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly around God’s word and sacrament

in this world.” p. 28

Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 5, English Edition, Augsburg Fortress Press, 1996

In restoring Lazarus’s life, Jesus re-established God’s judgment, for God is the source of right judgment, as well as of life. We might be uncomfortable thinking about Jesus as our judge. Does God condemn? Are the fires of hell real?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ makes clear that the judgment of God derives from love. He judges us as children, and as his followers or disciples. Jesus also calls on us to embrace the reality of God’s judgment leading to true life. In doing so, we judge ourselves rightly. In God’s love, fear is banished. We step out of the tomb and are released from the burial cloths that constrict God’s life-giving judgment.

Free like Lazarus, we can then judge others from the perspective of our new life in Christ. This loving judgment of others leads the way for healthy relationships, but also is the instrument to banish racial and economic prejudice. The Gospel version of prejudice is that God has pre-judged us, and we judge others with the same grace by which we are judged.

Scripture lessons for todayEzekiel 37:1-14 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Psalm 130

Scripture lessons for next weekMatthew 21:1-11 Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11Matthew 27-11-54 Psalm 31:9-16

Bonhoeffer, Life Together –By Fr. Rick Matters

The Fifth Sunday of Lent — April 6, 2014

All Saints’WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORGThe Weekly

AnnouncementsToday: Evensong, a traditional Anglican service of music, prayer, and reflection, will be offered at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Our final Lenten soup supper will begin with dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by a presentation by Ed Fincke. Don’t miss this opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth.

Friday and Saturday: All Saints’ will be the venue for Piano Institute 2014, with Seymour Lipkin from the Juilliard School, and two UC alumni, Suzanne Macahilig and Chuck Fuery, featured in recitals, master classes, round-table discussions, and more. Sessions are free, though donations are accepted. Full details are available on the bulletin board outside Grant Hall. The Watch— For many Christians, keeping watch before the Blessed Sacrament is a treasured Holy Week devotion. The Watch begins after the 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday service, and lasts until the beginning of the noon Good Friday service. A sign-up sheet is available in the back of the church.

Easter memorial donations are now being gathered. You’ll find the donation forms in the back of the church and in the office. The deadline for inclusion in the Easter bulletins is Tuesday, April 15.

Boxes for Lenten giving are still 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.

Leaflets outlining our Holy Week and Easter services are now available in the church and the office. Take a few to share with friends and co-workers! Details are also available online at www.allsaintscarmel.org.

Would you like to help host the Easter Feast, our traditional Lent-busting potluck after the Easter Vigil? Contact Stephanie in the office.

Copies of last week’s sermon by Father Rick may be found in the back of the church.

Small Bites for Big Hunger, our annual outreach fundraiser, is coming up soon on Friday, May 2. Mark your calendar and buy your tickets!

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.

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 MeetingsApril 7-12 Easter Food Boxes in

Seccombe Hall

April 7 Podesses Book Group

Outreach Commission Meeting

April 8 All Saints’ Singers Rehearsal

Building and Grounds Committe Meeting

April 9 Lenten Soup Supper

April 11, 12 Piano Institute Piano Recitals

April 12 Choir Rehearsal

All Saints’ ParishDisciples Glorifying Christ and Serving Others