April 25, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The season of Eastertide invites us to live in the joyful spirit of Christ's Resurrection for 50 days between Easter and the Day of Pentecost. We sing glad Alleluias at all of our worship services. We rejoice in the signs of new life around us. The Paschal Candle, lighted from the new fire and carried in procession at the Easter Vigil service, shines brightly during this Eastertide season.
THEME FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
This Sunday is sometimes called "Good Shepherd Sunday" since the Gospel contains references to Jesus' description of himself as the shepherd who cares for the sheep of his fold. The Collect addresses this theme directly: "O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
In the reading from the Book of Numbers, Moses asks God to appoint a shepherd to guide the people of Israel: "Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint someone over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep without a shepherd."
Psalm 100 also echoes the shepherd theme: "Know this: The LORD himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture."
The reading from Acts gives a famous sermon by Paul in Antioch in Pisidia: "You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. My brothers, you descendants of Abraham's family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. . . . And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you.'"
The Gospel from John is Jesus' description of himself as the shepherd who cares for the sheep: "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."
I invite you to worship with us this weekend. This Sunday will be a special time for me as I celebrate the fortieth anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. These past four decades I have tried to follow the example of the Good Shepherd and to care for the congregations that God has entrusted to me. I am grateful for the privilege and honor of serving God's people these many years.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 28-29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, at 5:00 pm: Preacher and Celebrant: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, April 29, at 10:30 am: Celebrant: The Rev. David A. Killian;
Preacher:The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, April 29, at 6:00 pm: Preacher and Celebrant: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
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Weekend and Mid-Week Worship Schedule
For the schedule of worship services for Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, please click here.
Not Your Father's St. Patrick's Day ... On Friday, March 16 at 8:00 pm, please join us for a special St. Patrick's event with Kevin O'Hara and Aine Minogue. Please click here for more information
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here.
For a note on the Music at the Sunday 10:30 am service, from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters, click here.
For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.
For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Episcopal Evening' service from Assistant Rector, the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, click here.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints website: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
Many thanks to June Santosa, design, Barbara Bembery, distribution, and the contributors above who produce the All Saints Weekly each week.
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