February 4, 2009
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This weekend at the Saturday 5:00 pm and Sunday 10:30 am services, we will give thanks for the ministry of the past seven years of the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling at All Saints Parish. We will congratulate Leslie on her appointment as Priest in Charge of St. Bartholomew's Church in Cambridge and wish her well in her new ministry. Leslie will be the preacher at both of these services.
THEME FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
In Sunday's Gospel Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law. The Gospel says, "He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up." Jesus wishes to take us by the hand and lift us from our troubles and anxieties. Jesus wants to lift us up from whatever holds us down and prevents us from living life to the full. In the Collect we pray: "Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The reading from Isaiah teaches that God gives strength to those in need: "He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:21-31)
Psalm 147 praises the goodness of God: "Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! how pleasant it is to honor him with praise! ... He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds ... The LORD lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God upon the harp."
In the reading from the first epistle to the Corinthians Paul identifies with people to open their minds to the good news: "To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:16-23)
In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus cures Simon-Peter's mother-in-law: "He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons." Healing is at the heart of Jesus' ministry. The risen Christ continues his healing ministry through men and women who bring care and comfort to those in need. Christ is made present through the love and compassion we show one another. (Mark 1:29-39)
Please join us for worship this Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am as we offer prayers of healing for all in need.
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Sincerely,
David A. Killian |
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For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, 
For Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, worship services for
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 7-8, 2009
Saturday, February 7 at 5:00 pm - Sermon: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, February 8, at 10:30 am - Sermon: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Events at All Saints Parish
A series of award-winning films related to the Millennium Development Goals will be shown in the coming weeks. Click here for more information about the Renewal series plus a schedule.
Men's Group will meet next Saturday, February 7 at 8:00 am to discuss Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney. Click here for more information or email Peter Stringham.
Women's Reading Group will meet next on Saturday, February 14 at 8:00 am to discuss The History of God by Karen Armstrong. For more information email Anne Harrington at anneharringtontechwriter@yahoo.com.
Journeys in Faith meets on Mondays at 7:00 pm. Click here for more information.
Forty Plus Fridays discussion on "hopes during the financial crisis" on Friday, February 13, at 7:30 pm. All are welcome.
"Falling in Love with Love: Devotional Tools for the Contemplative Journey," retreat on centering prayer, Saturday, February 14, 2:00 - 4:45 pm, led by Ethel Fraga. Click here for more information.
Valentine's Day Concert, Saturday, February 14 at 7:00 pm: Soprano Jessica Cooper and Pianist Scott Nicholas perform love songs from all over the world. Click here for more information.
website 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.
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