December 30, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The holy season of Christmastide is a special time to reflect of the multitude of God's blessings. During these twelve days of Christmas, we ponder the mystery of God's love in human form in the birth of the Christ child.
THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
The Gospel tells the story of the flight to Egypt of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child to avoid the murderous intentions of King Herod. God's protection was proclaimed centuries earlier by the prophet Jeremiah. In the Collect we pray: "O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The reading from Jeremiah contains God's promise to protect the remnant of Israel: "See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel ... I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. (Jeremiah 31:7-14)
Psalm 84 is a song of the pilgrims on their way to the Temple: "How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are they who dwell in your house! they will always be praising you. Happy are the people whose strength is in you! whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way ... For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked."
The reading from Ephesians uses the metaphor of "adoption" to describe the Christian's relationship with God: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a)
The Gospel passage from Matthew recounts the flight of the holy family to Egypt: After the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." (Matthew 2:13-15,19-23)
Please join us for worship this weekend: Saturday at 5:00 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am and 6 pm.
Prayerful wishes in this holy season,
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Sincerely,
David A. Killian |
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worship services for
The Second Sunday after Christmas
January 3-4, 2009
Saturday, January 3 at 5:00 pm - Sermon: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, January 4, at 10:30 am - Sermon: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, January 4, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Events at All Saints Parish
Remembering John O'Donohue - Celtic Mini-Retreat Saturday, January 3, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. John O'Donohue, poet, mystic, author of Anam Cara and other books, and inspired teacher of thousands in Ireland and around the world, passed away on January 3, 2008. John was a good friend of the Celtic community at All Saint, having given three lectures here in recent years. This retreat marks the first anniversary of his death and will be a time to honor John's memory with readings from his work, recordings of his poems, and music. No fee. Please click here for more information.
3 Kings Party: Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with food, fellowship and fun. Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 5:00-7:00 pm. Cost: $5 per person or $20 per family. For reservations, contact Becky Taylor: reled@allsaintsbrookline.org or 617-738-1810 ext. 104.
Men's Group will meet next Sunday, January 10, 2009 at 8:00 am to discuss Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney. Click here for more information or email Peter Stringham.
Please click here for the booklet "Your Kingdom Come" with information on our parish's involvement with the MDGs.
Click here for information about stewardship giving and the "Celebrate - Give Thanks" brochure.
web resources
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.
For a Schedule of Worship services, please click here.
For information about our Church School for pre-school to grade 12, click here.
For information about Adult learning opportunities, 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.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
We want your feedback!
Please tell us :
Please let Barbara know at office@allsaintsbrookline.org. THANK YOU!
All Saints Parish • 1773 Beacon Street • Brookline, MA 02445 • 617-738-1810
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, 
There is no Story from Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry this week. She will be back with a story next week.