June 21, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. On the Sundays after Pentecost this summer and fall, our liturgical readings will explore Hebrew prophets. You are invited to a Bible Study of the prophets Elijah and Elisha on Sundays at 9:15 am. For more information about the Bible Study, please click here. For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) reading. Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The reading from the Second Book of Kings describes the prophet Elijah's passage to heaven in a chariot of fire:

As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. (2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14)

Psalm 77 is a prayer for protection: I will cry aloud to God; I will cry aloud, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire; I refused to be comforted. I will remember the works of the LORD, and call to mind your wonders of old time. I will meditate on all your acts and ponder your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy; who is so great a god as our God? You are the God who works wonders and have declared your power among the peoples. By your strength you have redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.

The reading from Galatians expresses Paul's teaching on love: For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another ... By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:1,13-25)

The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus' teaching to leave all to follow him: As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:51-62)

Please join us for the Holy Eucharist on Saturday at 5:00 pm and on Sunday at 10:30 am. Prayers for Healing with the Laying on of Hands are offered at the Sunday service.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

Worship Services for

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, June 26-27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, June 27, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian

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