September 17, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Formation in faith is a life-long experience and opportunity. All Saints has outstanding programs of faith formation for adults of all ages and for children. Please click here to download information about the many adult learning opportunities at our parish. Please click on the links below for more information on what is happening at All Saints and please join us for worship this weekend.

THEME FOR THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

God is a good and generous God who gives us numerous invitations to grow in love. Some people hear this invitation at an early age, others at mid-life, and others at the end of their days. Jesus teaches us to be alert to God's invitation whenever it comes to us. In the Collect, we pray: "Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; 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 Exodus tells the story of God feeding the Israelites in the wilderness. "In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, 'It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.'" (Exodus 16:2-15)

Psalm 105 calls the Israelites to remember and give thanks for God's kindness in the wilderness: "Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders and the judgments of his mouth, O offspring of Abraham his servant, O children of Jacob his chosen. He led out his people with silver and gold; in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled ... He spread out a cloud for a covering and a fire to give light in the night season. They asked, and quails appeared, and he satisfied them with bread from heaven. He opened the rock, and water flowed, so the river ran in the dry places."

The reading from Philippians is Paul's affirmation of faith in Christ: "For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again." (Philippians 1:21-30)

The Gospel passage from Matthew is Jesus' parable of "the landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:1-16)

Some of the people at our Sunday worship are life-long members of All Saints Parish; others are worshipping with us for the first time. Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran, God invites you to be nourished by the holy word and the banquet of life. You are welcome at Christ's table. You are invited into his fellowship. Please join us for worship this Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am, and Sunday at 6 pm.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

EVENTS at All Saints Parish

HOMECOMING: A Celebration of Story and Song A Celtic Mini-retreat on the 10th Anniversary of Celtic Spirituality at All Saints. Saturday, September 20th at 3:00 p.m. Click here for more information.

• For a schedule of worship services, please click here.
• For information about our excellent Church School from pre-school to grade 12, click here.
• Click here to download information about the many adult learning opportunities at All Saints Parish.
• For information about the Women's Book Group, please click here.
• For information about the Men's Group, please click here.
• For information about the Beacon Street Fellowship for those in their 20s and 30s, please click here.
• To see the current issue of Saints Alive, our newsletter, please click here.

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