|
Dear saints,
Have you noticed that as we preach our way through the Nicene Creed in the 10 am service, the Gospel of Luke has been giving us one heavy-hitting passage after another — from the parable of the Good Samaritan to the story of Mary and Martha to this week’s passage where Jesus teaches the disciples to pray? It’s as if God knows that we need extra resources “for the facing of this hour ... for the living of these days” (to quote a line from last week’s Hymn Sing).
About six months ago Pope Francis highlighted the centrality of the parable of the Good Samaritan when he urged Christians to “meditate constantly” on it, in a letter rebuking Vice President JD Vance’s attempt to reconcile the administration’s “American First” vision with Christian ethics. He argued that compassionate love by definition crosses boundaries. Then, last week, the lectionary had us read the familiar Mary and Martha story, reminding us that a life of faith requires both action (the kind that Andy wrote about last week in his beautiful description of the Threads Uniform Giveaway) and contemplation, Mary listening intently to Jesus as she sits at his feet. And now this week, we hear Jesus’s invitation — indeed his command — to pray persistently, to ask God for the things we need and for the needs of the world.
In this Sunday’s text, the disciples see Jesus go off by himself to pray alone, and after he finished, one of his disciples says to him, “Lord, we don’t know how to pray like that. Teach us.” I love how honest and vulnerable the request is and how straightforward the disciple is in making it. I imagine many, if not all, of us can relate to this disciple. Perhaps we are unsure about or uncomfortable with personal prayer, because we’ve never really been taught. Sure, as Episcopalians, we know how to do corporate prayer, including the prayer in this week’s Gospel reading that Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, “the Lord’s Prayer” as we’ve come to call it. Sure, we show up at church on Sundays and reverently pray the prayers written for us in the Book of Common Prayer.
But, in my experience, we don’t often talk about personal prayer, at least not in the basic ways we may long for. In our Episcopal context, we may hear about fancy sounding methods like “centering prayer” or “lectio divina,” but our basic questions or concerns are rarely acknowledged or addressed. I’ve been thinking about this as I plan adult formation offerings this program year — a School of the Spirit Wednesday evening course on personal prayer; an invitation to read Jesuit priest, James Martin’s outstanding book, Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, as our Lenten “One Parish One Book” read; and a rolling invitation to join a Rule of Life small group that supports each other as we grow into people of both prayer and action.
The prayer that Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, the Lord’s Prayer, is fundamentally a prayer of petition — a prayer that asks God for things — and the scenario Jesus describes afterwards, about asking a friend for bread at midnight, is also about petitionary prayer. Jesus follows that teaching scenario up with direct language that commands us to petition God: “Ask and it will be given to you, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.”
In Learning to Pray, James Martin observes that many of us are uncomfortable with personal petitionary prayer. Perhaps it seems childish (because it’s the way we prayed as children); perhaps it seems selfish (asking for our own needs, even if we also ask for the needs of others); or perhaps we’ve been told we should praise God instead or thank God for what we already have. But as Martin says, “Christian prayer has always been essentially petitionary.” It is encouraged in the Old Testament, promoted by Jesus, practiced by Jesus, and enacted in the early church.
The good news of the Gospel is always good news for our personal and collective lives. Jesus’s invitation to be honest about our desires and needs is good news because it invites us into a personal relationship with God. If Christian faith is fundamentally about our relationship with God, then prayer is conscious conversation with God, with Jesus, who later says to these same disciples, “You are no longer my students but my friends.” Personal prayer is the way we deepen our friendship with God each day and over the course of our lives.
And Jesus’s invitation to pray for the life of the world — for the needs of others — is good news for us collectively as a society. When Jesus tells us to pray, “Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,” he is teaching us that prayer itself is a power that helps bring about God’s reign. The 20th century theologian Walter Wink put it this way, “History belongs to the intercessors.” Our prayers have impact. And so, ever since Advent, I have prayed Mary’s prayer — that the powerful would fall from their thrones and the lowly would be lifted up.
Taken together, these passages in the Gospel of Luke — the Good Samaritan, the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus teaching the disciples how to pray — remind me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s insight about the vocation of Christians in times of crisis: “We can be Christian today in only two ways,” he says, “through prayer and the doing of justice.” Our Christian faith “must be born anew out of that prayer and action.”
Peace,
Jenny +
| | |
The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, July 27
**SUMMER SCHEDULE**
Updated Weekly Service Times
- 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I (Traditional language, no music)
- 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (Contemporary language, choral music, livestream, nursery available)
- 5:00 p.m. The Welcome Table (Contemporary language, music)
| | WORSHIP ONLINE: Please worship with us online! Our 10:00 a.m. service will be available live at allsaintsatlanta.org/live and on youtube.com/@AllSaintsATL. Recordings will no longer be available on Facebook, but will still be immediately available on our YouTube channel. | |
PARKING: Overflow parking is available at the Bank of America—please enter on North Ave. Get a validation ticket upon entry. Please request an additional validation ticket from an usher in the church narthex upon arrival or exit. Use both validation tickets upon exiting the Bank of America parking deck to park free of charge. The lot at The Varsity is under new management and is no longer available for parking. Ticketing and towing are being enforced. On Sundays, street parking is free.
NURSERY: Our nursery remains open for children, ages birth through Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
| ATTENTION: Beware of Email Scammers! Please remain vigilant against email scammers pretending to be Simon or another member of the clergy or staff, including those who might appear to use a legitimate All Saints’ email address. We will never ask you to buy gift cards, send us money individually, or fulfill any task for us on a personal basis. If you have any suspicion about an email you receive from someone who looks like they could be from All Saints’, please call or text the staff member in question to double check. | | |
Backpack Buddies
Return Filled Bags By August 3
Thank you for the overwhelming response to our Backpack Buddies drive for former refugee children. All tags have now been claimed. All filled backpacks must be returned by August 3 and can be dropped off in the collection bins in the Ellis Hall Foyer.
| | |
Register NOW! Annual Parish Retreat at Kanuga Conference Center
Friday, October 3 - Sunday, October 5, 2025, Hendersonville, N.C.
Save the Date to join the All Saints’ Parish for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Registration is now open! Register here. Contact Marcia Mayfield, mmayfield@allsaintsatlanta.org, for more information.
| | |
Join the Summer Choir!
Sundays through August 17, 8:45 a.m., Church
Have you always wanted to sing in the All Saints’ Choir but time or experience has kept you away? Now is the time to give it a try! The Summer Choir meets at 8:45 a.m. each Sunday to learn an accessible anthem which is then sung at the 10:00 a.m. service. No previous experience as a singer is necessary. Feel free to commit to singing one or many weeks; all we ask is that you let Director of Music Scott Lamlein know you’re coming: slamlein@allsaintsatlanta.org Let’s praise God together in our song!
| | |
Stump the Organist
Sundays through August 17, 9:50 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Church
Our summer prelude begins at 9:50 a.m. in the summer. Come request your favorite hymns, as played by our Director of Music, Scott Lamlein and our Associate Director of Music, Justin Maxey.
| | |
Jesus on the Front Page
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., Parish Hall 307
In this weekly Sunday morning discussion of a current news story, participants reflect on how we are called to live as faithful people. In a nonpartisan reflection, we explore how we might be called to pray differently, think differently or act differently in our private and public lives. We ask where God might be found in this story and learn to name our lament as well as our hope. Email Clark Lemons (clemons@emory.edu) if you have questions!
| | |
The Welcome Table: Sunday Evening Worship Service and Dinner
Sundays at 5:00 p.m., In the Chapel and Ellis Hall
Before your busy week begins, the Welcome Table is a place to join with others and find rest and refreshment. Come to the Welcome Table: a service with contemplative music, singing, communion and prayer (together and in ways that speak to us individually). A community dinner for all participants follows the service.
| | |
Here, you are welcome. Here, you are accepted. Here, you are valued. Here, you have a place to be and a part to play.
Join us and make your offering to All Saints' at allsaintsatlanta.org/give or leave a check or cash in the plate. Thank you so much!
| | |
All Saints' offers easy ways to pay your pledge or to make a gift:
Give online: allsaintsatlanta.org/give
Mail a check: to All Saints’ Church, 634 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308
Text to Give: text AllSaintsAtlanta to 73256
Put a check or cash into the offering plate during the services, gift stocks or securities
| | Have You Moved Recently? Let the church know your new address and contact information! To update these details, contact our Membership Coordinator, Betsey Gibbs, at bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org. | | |
Join the Mighty, Mighty Chorus!
Sign up today!
We’re excited to launch The All Saints’ Chorale—a brand-new ensemble led by Justin Maxey. All are welcome, and there’s no Sunday commitment required! Click this link to sign up and be part of something joyful and inspiring: bit.ly/AllSaintsChorale
| | |
Sacred Ground DIalogue Circles Forming Now, Begin in October
Zoom Information Session, August 13, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wondering what you can do in these turbulent times? Join Sacred Ground, a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. This nonpartisan, 11-session curriculum, developed by the national Episcopal Church offers an opportunity to explore our history while bonding with a confidential small group. Homework consists of videos and reading. Circles meet for two hours (on Zoom or in person, to be determined) every two weeks for six months. New participants, as well as alums wishing to take a deeper dive with a new group, will benefit from this opportunity. Contact Ann Stuart Pearce at sacredground@allsaintsatlanta.org with questions or to receive the Zoom link for the August Info Session.
| | |
Education for Ministry (EfM) Groups Forming Now
Where are you in your “Faith Journey”? If your answer is “I’m not sure,” then EfM is waiting for you! The Education for Ministry (EfM) program is a four-year program sponsored by the theology school at the University of the South (Sewanee). Not only do we cover the Bible and other church documents, but then we discuss how to use that knowledge to better your daily life. All Saints’ has more than 400 EfM graduates, including another new grad, Kevin Lyman. If you are interested in learning more about the program and possibly joining a group, please contact Steve Hines: jobguru@aol.com.
| | |
Mark your calendar!
Wednesday Night Supper will return from summer break on August 20th.
| | |
Summer Break!
Nursery/Little Saints: Birth-Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 1st floor of the Pritchett Center - Remains open for the Summer
Our children’s and youth programs take a break for summer, as do our children’s and youth choirs. All other children’s and youth programs will return in August.
| | |
Children's and Youth Choirs Fall Start Dates
Youth Choir (Grades 7-12) Kick-Off: Sunday, August 10, 2025
More details coming soon!
Regular Rehearsal Schedule (Sundays starting September 7):
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Youth Handbells
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsals
Children’s Choirs Begin: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Regular Rehearsal Schedule (Wednesdays starting August 20)
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cherub Choir (PK-K, must be 4 by Sept. 1st)
4:35 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. Primary Choir (Grades 1-2)
5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Junior Choir (Grades 3-6)
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Junior Handbells (Grades 4-6)
Junior Choir (Grades 3-6) Retreat: Service & Sing Day
Saturday August 23, 2025, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2nd Floor of Pritchett
Join us for a morning of donuts, singing, and service as we kick off the 2025–2026 program year!
Be sure to register for our Children's and Youth Choirs 2025-2026 Program Year
using the link, https://bit.ly/ChildrensYouth.
For more information, contact Emily Rebecca Halbert at ehalbert@allsaintsatlanta.org. We can’t wait to make music with you again soon!
| | |
Young Adult Fellowship Online!
Are you in your 20s or 30s and interested in fellowship, discipleship and service? Reach out to Piper Shifflett at youngadults@allsaintsatlanta.org to receive our monthly newsletter, get added to the WhatsApp group chat and find out what events we have coming up!
| | SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | | |
Bring and Share a Meal with Covenant Community Residents
Mondays, 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m., Tate Hall
What better way to get to know the residents at Covenant Community than breaking bread together? Sign up for a Monday Insight Dinner, where parishioners bring and share a meal with approximately 15 men. Most residents arrive after detoxification to live in Covenant Community for six to nine months, building a new life without addiction, while learning new life skills to enable their success. Sign up here or contact Arjun Srinivasan at arj6950@gmail.com.
| |
Summer Volunteer Opportunities at MAC
Spend your summer with MAC! We are looking for volunteers to help throughout the summer months. MAC is a great place for high school students who would like to help serve the community or need any volunteer/service hours. Please reach out to savanna@midtownassistancecenter.org to sign up.
| | |
Threads Welcomes Families for Shopping
Threads welcomes families for in-store shopping Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Interested in volunteering? Contact Marcia Mayfield. Threads needs you!
Threads is having a great summer but we still need your help! Threads is in need of the following:
Boys shorts - size 10, 12, 14, and 16
Boys summer pants - size 12, 14 and 16
You may purchase items via the Threads Amazon Wishlist here: bit.ly/ASECThreadsWishlist
| | |
Faith & Justice Collective
The Faith & Justice Collective news team is taking a vacation for the month of July. If you would like to read previous copies of the newsletter, please click this link. Look for the next issue on August 1st.
| | |
-
Novel Theology >> Meets one Wednesday a month on Zoom from 7:00-8:00 p.m.. Click the link above to learn more and register.
| | | |
Share Your Photos! Share Your Expertise!
Did you know that you can submit photographs of All Saints’ events to share with the Communications Team? If you want to make a habit of it, join the Photography Guild! Contact Kathy Powell at communications@allsaintsatlanta.org.
| | |
Connect with us on Realm!
Learn more >> Don't forget to join Realm, our new platform for online giving, directory, and event registration.
Questions? Please contact Betsey Gibbs at bgibbs@allsaintsatlanta.org.
| | | | | |
