January 5, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Happy New Year!

Please join us for the 3 Kings party as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday, January 6, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Come for dinner, caroling, a 3 Kings cake, crowns & costumes, and procession of the Magi to the crèche. The Taizé Holy Eucharist follows at 7:00 pm. Cost: $5 per person or $25 per family. For reservations, contact Becky Taylor, reled@allsaintsbrookline.org or 617-738-1810 Ext. 104. For more information, please click here.

This winter, Laurie Rofinot, Philip Major, and I are leading Journeys in Faith, the popular course for adults who wish to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church. We will meet on Mondays, January 25 to March 29, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. For more information, please click here.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

The reading from Isaiah talks about the people of Israel passing through the waters of the Red Sea and being called by name as God's blessed people. The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River occasions the proclamation of God's blessing of him as the Beloved Son of God. "Thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you ... Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you." (Isaiah 43:1-7)

Psalm 29 compares the Word of God to a mighty thunderstorm: "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is upon the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon ... The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare. And in the temple of the LORD all are crying, 'Glory!' The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore. The LORD shall give strength to his people; the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace."

The reading from Acts describes the converts at Samaria receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit: "When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:14-17)

The reading from the Gospel of Luke is related to the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, which is celebrated on this first Sunday after the Epiphany: "Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'" (Luke 3:15-17,21-22)

Please join us for the Holy Eucharist on Saturday at 5:00 pm and on Sunday at 10:30 am. This Sunday at 10:30 am we also will celebrate Holy Baptism.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

Worship Services for

The First Sunday after the Epiphany, January 9-10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, at 5:00 pm: Preacher -- The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, January 10, at 10:30 am: Preacher - The Rev. David A. Killian

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