March 3, 2009
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
We have begun the solemn season Lent. During these forty days we will fast, pray, and practice works of love and compassion in the sprit of Christ. The purpose of these practices is to heighten our sense of the presence of God in our lives. As part of your Lenten prayer, we invite you to join us for the Taizé Holy Eucharist each Wednesday at 6:15 pm.
THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
During Lent, we become more aware of God's love and mercy. With this awareness we respond with love and mercy toward those who have offended us. In the Collect we pray: "O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The reading from Genesis is the account of God's covenant with Abraham: "The LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.' Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, 'As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.'" (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16)
Psalm 22 is a song of praise for God's goodness: "Praise the LORD, you that fear him; stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel; all you of Jacob's line, give glory. For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them; but when they cry to him he hears them."
The reading from Romans contains Paul's reflection on the importance of faith in the transmittal of God's covenant: "For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us ...)" (Romans 4:13-25)
In the Gospel from Mark Jesus teaches that we must be transformed by turning away from anything that hinders serving God and neighbor: "He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, 'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?'" (Mark 8:31-38)
During the forty days of Lent we will walk with Christ, learn from his example, and strive to grow into his likeness. All are welcome to worship with us Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am.
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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 thus Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, worship services for
The Second Sunday in Lent
March 7-8, 2009
Saturday, March 7, at 5:00 pm — Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 8, at 10:30 am — Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian
Events at All Saints Parish
Click here for information and schedule of the series of award-winning films related to the Millennium Development Goals that will be shown in the coming weeks.
Taizé Holy Eucharist will be offered on the Wednesdays of Lent March 4 - April 8 at 6:15 pm. For more information, please click here.
Men's Group will meet next Saturday, March 7 at 8:00 am to discuss Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. For more information click here or email Peter Stringham.
The film Constantine's Sword will be shown on Sunday, March 8, at 7:00 pm. Click here for more information.
Forty Plus Fridays discussion on Friday, March 13, at 7:30 pm. All are welcome.
Women's Reading Group will meet next on Saturday, March 14 at 9:00 am to discuss Christ of the Celts by J. Philip Newell. 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.
St. Patrick: The Person and the Myth. Celtic spirituality mini-retreat led by Dylan Dalton on Saturday, March 14, 3:00-4:30 pm. Click here for more information.
Author and columnist James Carroll will read from his new book, Practicing Catholic, on Sunday, March 29 at 7:00 pm. 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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