December 18, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The Advent season draws to a close as we light the fourth candle in the Advent wreath this Sunday and prepare for the imminent celebration of the birth of the Christ child.
THEME FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The Gospel reading from Matthew focuses on Joseph who becomes the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. Like Joseph, we are called to be upright and clear in conscience. In the Collect, we pray: "Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The reading from Isaiah promises God's salvation through a child born of a maiden: "Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." Psalm 80 implores God to bring salvation to the people: "Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved."
The reading from Romans highlights the birth of Jesus "who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ."
Matthew's Gospel focuses on the role of Joseph in the Nativity story: "When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,' which means, 'God is with us.' When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus."
We invite you to join us for Christmas Eve services on December 24 at 3:40 pm and 10:30 pm as we celebrate the birth of Christ with great solemnity and beauty.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22-23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: Ms. Jennifer Leider
Sunday, December 23, at 10:30 am: Preacher: Ms. Jennifer Leider
Sunday, December 23, at 6:00 pm: Preacher: Ms. Jennifer Leider
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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.
Music articles will resume after the New Year.
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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