June 23, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Christians believe that we contact the Living Christ in each decision of each day. When we act humanely and compassionately, we connect with the Living Christ within that moves us to do good. The simple act of giving a cup of water to a thirsty person takes on eternal significance, as Jesus teaches in this Sunday's Gospel passage.
THEME FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Jesus teaches that everything we do is filled with significance. Each act has the potential of extending the love of God in our world. Each day is filled with huge potential to relieve suffering and bring joy to another. In the Collect, we pray: "Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The first reading from Genesis tells the story of Abraham's "sacrifice" of Isaac. Scripture scholars emphasize that the story teaches God's abhorrence for human sacrifice since it is God who stops Abraham from harming his son. "Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.' And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son." (Genesis 22:1-14)
Psalm 13 is a prayer of trust in the face of distress: "How long shall I have perplexity in my mind, and grief in my heart, day after day? how long shall my enemy triumph over me? Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death ... But I put my trust in your mercy; my heart is joyful because of your saving help."
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul speaks of the freedom of those who chose to unite themselves with Christ: "But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:12-23)
In the Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus teaches the power of our choices, whether they be as lofty as welcoming a prophet or as simple as giving a thirsty person a cup of water: "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." (Matthew 10:40-42)
In our worship we receive strength for each day as we connect with the Word and Sacrament of the Living Christ. Please join us at the Holy Eucharist Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am, and Sunday at 6 pm.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
* * * * *
Worship for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, June 28-29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Kim Hardy
Sunday, June 29, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. Kim Hardy
Sunday, June 29, 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 meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, 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.
- 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!