December 13, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Advent brings us the hopeful message that God is present to give us strength and healing. As God inspired prophets like Isaiah and John the Baptist, God inspires women and men today to work for peace on earth and justice for the poor.
THEME FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The third Sunday of Advent is sometimes called "Gaudete" or "Rejoice" Sunday, because we rejoice to draw closer to the feast of Christmas. The readings focus on God's promise to bring healing, peace, and freedom to those who are oppressed. In the Collect, we pray: "Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen."
In Isaiah, we hear God's promise: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water ... A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people ... the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
Psalm 146 reminds us that God will give "justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down. The LORD loves the righteous; the LORD cares for the stranger; he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked."
The Epistle of James counsels us to be patient as we wait for the coming of the Christ. "The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged.'
In the reading from Matthew, Jesus describes his mission in the words of Isaiah: "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
The Advent readings remind us that God loves the poor and God calls us to lift their burdens. God's mercy and healing are shown through our caring deeds.
Please join us for worship at the Celtic Holy Eucharist Saturday at 5:00 pm, the Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing Sunday at 10:30 am, and the Sunday Evening Contemplative Holy Eucharist at 6:00 pm.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for the Third Sunday of Advent, December 15-16, 2007
Saturday, December 15, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, December 16, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, December 16, 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. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings.
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 'Sunday Evening' Holy Eucharist 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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