March 25, 2009
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
We are coming to the end of the Lenten season. This is the last Sunday before Palm Sunday, when we will commemorate the momentous events of the Jesus last days. Throughout Holy Week we will celebrate special worship services that invite us to walk with Christ and enter into his loving spirit. For the schedule of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter services, please click here.
THEME FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Today's readings focus on transformation. In the reading from Jeremiah we hear God's promise for a new covenant. In the Gospel reading, Jesus calls his disciples to die to their old selves in order to rise to new life in him. In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The reading from Jeremiah promises a new covenant: "The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt — a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
Psalm 51 is a penitential psalm which begs God's forgiveness: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses. Wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight ... Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed."
The reading from Hebrews affirms the high priesthood of Jesus according to the pattern of the Hebrew priest Melchizedek, mentioned Genesis 14:17-20: "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:5-10)
The reading from John contains Jesus' discourse on death leading to transformation in his resurrection: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also ... And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:20-33)
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 this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, worship services for
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 28-29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, at 5:00 pm — Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 29, at 10:30 am — Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian
Events at All Saints Parish
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.
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.
Centering Prayer Retreat on the theme of Holy Week on Saturday, April 4, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. For information, please click here or email Martha Bullock at msbullock1@aol.com.
Men's Group will meet next Saturday, April 4 at 8:00 am to discuss Dreams from My Father by Barack O'Bama. For more information click here or email Peter Stringham at peter.stringham@gmail.com.
Women's Reading Group will meet next on Saturday, March 28 at 9:00 am to discuss Christ of the Celts by J. Philip Newell. For more information email Anne Harrington at anneharringtontechwriter@yahoo.com.
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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