May 28, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The Gospel reading for the Sundays after Pentecost each week presents a different aspect of the teachings of Jesus. The reading from the Hebrew Scriptures focuses on the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The second reading is a selection from the epistles of Paul.
THEME FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The theme of this Sunday's reading is putting our faith into action. Jesus tells us that it is not enough to say, "I am a Christian" or "I believe in Christ." Rather, Jesus teaches that we must do the will of God, which is to love our neighbor as ourselves. In the Collect, we pray: "O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The reading from Genesis presents the story of Noah. Noah put his faith into action and built an ark and was saved from a great flood. "Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families." (Genesis 6: 9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19)
Psalm 46 is a prayer to place our trust in God: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea. Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult ... Be still, then, and know that I am God."
In the epistle to the Romans, Paul affirms that faith saves Gentiles as well as Jews: "I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, 'The one who is righteous will live by faith' ... Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith." (Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28, 29-31)
The Gospel passage from Matthew stresses that faith is expressed in action: "Jesus said, 'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven ... Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell — and great was its fall!" (Matthew 7:21-29)
In worship our faith is put on a solid foundation and we are empowered to love God and our neighbor. I invite you to join us for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am, and Sunday at 6 pm.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, May 31-June 1, 2008
Saturday, May 31, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, June 1, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, June 1, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
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EVENTS at All Saints Parish
- For a schedule of worship services, please click here.
- For information about the Faith Formation Discussion Group that will meet on May 28, please click here.
- For information about the "I believe" course on the Apostles' Creed and Baptism taught by the Rev. Christine Visminas on Sundays beginning June 15, please click here.
- For information on the All Saints auction on May 31 at 5:30 pm, please click here.
- To see the current issue of Saints Alive, our newsletter, please click here.
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings.
For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints web site: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
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