May 20, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The All Saints Weekly presents the Scripture readings for the coming Sunday as a help to 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 THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The Sundays after Pentecost comprise the longest liturgical season of the Church year, extending from the Day of Pentecost until the first Sunday of Advent. Each of these Sundays presents a different aspect of Christ's teachings. The theme of this Sunday's readings is trust in God. In the Collect, we pray: "Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The prophet Isaiah invites us to trust in God's goodness and compassion, which is like the love of a mother for her child: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:8-16a)

Psalm 131 also presents the image of a child trusting in her mother's love: "I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother's breast; my soul is quieted within me. O Israel, wait upon the LORD, from this time forth for evermore."

The reading from the first epistle to the Corinthians urges us to be trustworthy and rely on God's judgment: "It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God." (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus urges his followers to trust in God: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:24-34)

In worship we express our trust in God's goodness and we receive strength to live without worry or fear. 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

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Worship Services for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, May 24-25, 2008
Saturday, May 24, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, May 25, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, May 25, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

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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.

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