November 12, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
We are coming to the end of our liturgical year. The readings for these final Sundays of the season after Pentecost focus on themes of death, judgment, resurrection and new life. As the days grow darker, we are invited to ponder the eternal realities and to place our trust in God whom we know loves us. In our spiritual life we are supported by one another in prayer. Please join us for worship at the Celtic Holy Eucharist Saturday at 5:00 pm, the 10:30 am Worship Service with Choir and Prayers for Healing, and the Sunday Evening Contemplative Holy Eucharist at 6:00 pm.
THEME FOR THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Today's readings affirm God's promise of everlasting life. In the Collect, we pray: "Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The first reading from Malachi speaks of a Book of Rembrance "of those who revered the LORD and thought on his name. They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him."
Psalm 98 calls on all creation to sing God's praises on the day of judgment: "Sing to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the voice of song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout with joy before the King, the LORD. Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, the lands and those who dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands, and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to judge the earth. In righteousness shall he judge the world and the peoples with equity."
The reading from 2 Thessalonians is an injunction from Paul to those who believed that the end of the world was coming soon and they no longer needed to work. Paul tells his followers "to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. . . . Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right."
In the Gospel from Luke, disciples ask Jesus how they will know that the end of the world is near. Jesus answers, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them." Jesus cautions that some "will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."
In the first generation of the Church, many Christians thought that world would end in their lifetimes. Paul corrects this belief and instructs Christians not to be idle, but to continue to work. Jesus teaches that even he does not know the day or hour of the end of the world (Matthew 24:36). Therefore, we are to resist predictions of the end and instead live each day fully engaged in life's challenges, placing our trust in the Lord who gives us strength to face disappointments, discouragement, illness, and death itself. Christ has triumphed over all in his resurrection and we live in this hope.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, November 17-18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, November 18, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, November 18, at 6:00 pm: Preacher: 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.
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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