July 2, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July, we are reminded of the gift of freedom and our dignity as children of God. We pray that we may use our freedom responsibly to advance the dignity of our brothers and sisters and to bring peace and justice to our world.
THEME FOR THE EIGHT SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Jesus teaches that we may bring our struggles and worries to him and that he will give us strength to cope with the difficulties of life: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." In the Collect, we pray: "O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; 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 is the story of Isaac and Rebekah: "And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, 'Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?' The servant said, 'It is my master.' So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death." (Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67)
Psalm 45 tells about the love of a princess and a king; mystics have interpreted this story as an allegory of the soul's spiritual relationship with God: "All glorious is the princess as she enters; her gown is cloth-of-gold. In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; after her the bridesmaids follow in procession. With joy and gladness they are brought, and enter into the palace of the king."
In his epistle to the Romans Paul ponders the difficulty of following through on good intentions: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate ... I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:15-25a)
The Gospel reading from Matthew shows the compassion of Jesus for those who struggle with problems of illness, unemployment, a troubled relationship, or family strife. Jesus invites us to joined in spirit to him, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30)
Christians believe that the Risen Christ is in our midst to heal and strengthen us. We connect with the Compassionate Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Please join us at 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 Services for the Eight Sunday after Pentecost, July 5-6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: Ms. Rebecca Taylor
Sunday, July 6, at 10:30 am - Preacher: Ms. Rebecca Taylor
Sunday, July 6, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: Ms. Rebecca Taylor
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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 meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, 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 about the Beacon Street Fellowship, the 20s and 30s group that meets at All Saints Parish, 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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