All Hallows Eve Fun

[Rev. Edward Engelbrecht]

Had our labyrinth again this year for neighborhood families. Theme was Life, Death, and Eternal Life. Good turn out despite nagging rain. We didn't host this last year because of Covid restrictions. Had our own version of Trunk or Treat in 2020 (also in the rain). Talked with several families I had not seen in a while. Started a discussion of Baptism with a young man who did not know what Baptism was. Tossing spoonfuls of Christianity against the shovelfuls of secular culture.

[J. Thomas Shelley]

Had our labyrinth again this year for neighborhood families. Theme was Life, Death, and Eternal Life. Good turn out despite nagging rain. We didn't host this last year because of Covid restrictions. Had our own version of Trunk or Treat in 2020 (also in the rain). Talked with several families I had not seen in a while. Started a discussion of Baptism with a young man who did not know what Baptism was. Tossing spoonfuls of Christianity against the shovelfuls of secular culture.

The time that we could presume that most people understood basic Christian concepts and even limited liturgical vocabulary passed decades ago.

My wife retired from public school music education in 2019 after 38 years, in a district where even at the close of her career it was possible to "get away with" singing Christmas carols with the students in December.

At the start of her career most students knew at least the first verse of the most popular carols.  Some knew more.

By the end of her career a slim majority of the students knew ONLY the first verse of Silent Night.

Nothing more.

Blessings upon your evangelism!

[Rev. Edward Engelbrecht]

Below is the information about the labyrinth that we shared with folks. Almost everyone who visited it were not members of Emmanuel so this was a substantial outreach event.

What You Saw in the Labyrinth
Twists and Turns. A labyrinth is a maze that represents the twists and turns in life. Although life is confusing, God will guide us through. The Bible teaches, God’s “word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Bells. When someone dies, churches may toll bells for each year of that person’s life, calling the community to prayer.
End of Life. When someone is dying the family may call the pastor to say prayers with them and to give the dying person Holy Communion. The Bible teaches, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).
R.I.P. Some churches have a cemetery or a burial place beneath them, known as a “crypt.” Many Christian graves have “R.I.P.” on them (“Rest in Peace”), which means those who die in Christ have peace until God raises them from the dead at the end of time. The Bible teaches, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Punishment/Bliss. Sometimes people fear that they must go to hell if they are bad but might go to heaven if they are good enough. They live in fear that they will never be good enough. The Bible teaches, “God is a righteous judge” (Psalm 7:11).
Repentance and Reformation of Life. The Bible teaches no one is good enough to go to heaven. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and are baptized shall be saved. If you are not baptized, come back to Emmanuel church and learn about Baptism on Sunday. The Bible teaches, “When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4–5).

[J. Thomas Shelley]

Just received today:

St John’s Sunday Church School –Saints Festival–Oct 31, 2021

From: "St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church" <orthodoxyorkedu@outlook.com>
Date: 10/29/2021 5:06 PM
Subject: Saints' Festival Oct. 31

This Sunday is our annual Saints' Festival. As in years' past, students will dress up as a saint of their choice and prepare a fact to share with the congregation. Please rehearse this with your child and practice voice projection, enunciation and not speaking too fast. Please be aware to limit the information to be shared, as it really adds up across all participants and can become a long presentation very quickly.

As per usual, students should don their costumes after they have received communion and wait in the SCS wing until everyone is ready. Please advise your children to be very quiet in this process as church will still be ongoing at that point in time.A few of the teachers and I will escort the children upfront to the stage so they can share their facts.

If your student wants to dress up and come with us as a group, but doesn't want to talk, you can give them a piece of paper with their saint name on it, and I will announce that for you.

Saint Festival participation is geared toward Joy club ages (preschool-grade 5), and we will be rehearsing a song to sing for Bishop Thomas' visit, as well as have an activity for them in lieu of class. Middle and high school students will have regular classes.

Thank youand have a great weekend! See you on Sunday, God-willing.

In Christ,Rebekah YergoSCS Director