May 12, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Welcome to our regular readers of the All Saints Weekly and to those who are joining us for the first time. Please confirm that your email address is correct by using the verification box above. The All Saints Weekly presents the Scripture readings for the coming Sunday as a way of helping you enter more fully into worship. Please note that when you click below to access the Lectionary Page for the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm you have a choice between BCP and RCL; please click on RCL.

THEME FOR TRINITY SUNDAY

This Sunday we will celebrate the first Sunday after Pentecost, also called Trinity Sunday. The readings lead us to reflect on the Triune nature of the one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the Collect we pray: "Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The reading from Genesis highlights God's power as the Loving Creator who brings all beings into existence. Told in beautifully poetic imagery, the Genesis account emphasizes that God creates without any intermediaries. God speaks the activating word and it happens. After each act of creation, God saw that what was created was good. On the sixth day, "God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." On the seventh day, God rested, giving us an example of the necessity to devote one day each week to rest, prayer, and worship. "God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation." (Genesis 1:1-2:4a)

Psalm 8, which was carried by the first astronauts who set foot on the moon, is a magnificent song of praise for the glory of God's creation: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, what is man that you should be mindful of him? the son of man that you should seek him out? You have made him but little lower than the angels; you adorn him with glory and honor. You give him mastery over the works of your hands; you put all things under his feet."

The reading from the second letter to the Corinthians is a triune blessing from the apostle Paul: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." (2 Corinthians 13:11-13)

The Gospel reading from Matthew is sometimes called the "Great Commission" because it contains the mandate that Jesus gives to his followers to carry his values and teachings to the world. This mandate contains the Trinitarian blessing for baptism that is observed by the Christian Church to this day: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20)

Holy Baptism will be celebrated at All Saints Parish on Sunday, June 22, at 10:30 a.m. Please contact me at rectord@allsaintsbrookline.org to make a reservation for baptism. And I invite you to join us for the celebration of the Eucharist Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am, and Sunday at 6 pm.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

* * * * *

Worship Services for the Trinity Sunday, May 17-18, 2008
Saturday, May 17, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, May 18, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, May 18, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

* * * * *

EVENTS at All Saints Parish

• For a schedule of worship services, please click here.
• For information about the Faith Formation Discussion Group that will meet on May 28, please click here.
• For information about the "I believe" course on the Apostles' Creed and Baptism taught by the Rev. Christine Visminas on Sundays beginning June 15, please click here.
• For information on the All Saints auction on May 31 at 5:30 pm, please click here.
• To see the current issue of Saints Alive, our newsletter, 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 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 Contemplative 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 web site: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.

We want your feedback!

Please tell us :

• if you find All Saints Weekly a helpful spiritual resource
• if you have trouble seeing this email or opening the links
• or if you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter.

Please let Barbara know at office@allsaintsbrookline.org. THANK YOU!