April 14, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

For many Christians, the season of Eastertide is the most joyous season of the year. The fifty days from Easter to the feast of Pentecost are punctuated by singing glad Alleluias that celebrate Christ's resurrection victory over death. It is a time when we give thanks for Christ's victory in our lives over the forces of defeat, discouragement and despair.

THEME FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Christians believe that Jesus is a manifestation of God's presence in the world. When we look at the loving actions of Jesus we see a human example of how God loves us. When we listen to the teaching of Jesus we hear God's teaching about human worth and purpose. As John's Gospel tells us this Sunday, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works."

In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The reading from Acts is the account of the first Christian martyr, Stephen: "Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he died." (Acts 7:55-60)

Psalm 31 is the prayer of the person who trusts in the Lord: "In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me ... Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O LORD, O God of truth."

The reading from the first letter of Peter is affirmation of God's power to bring good out of evil: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner' ... You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:2-10)

The Gospel of John teaches that Jesus is the human embodiment of God's presence. "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do ..." (John 14:1-14)

God shows us how to be fully human in the person of Jesus. Jesus is our model of how to live an authentic human life. When we say that we are Christians, it means that we are committed to replicating the loving qualities of Jesus in our lives. In our worship, we celebrate our connection to the risen Christ and receive strength to be Christ's hands and feet in the world.

Sincerely,

Rector

David A. Killian
Rector

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Worship Services for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 19-20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: Ms. Jennifer Leide
Sunday, April 20, at 10:30 am - Preacher: Ms. Jennifer Leider
Sunday, April 20, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: Ms. Jennifer Leider

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EVENTS at All Saints Parish

For a schedule of worship services, please click here.

For information about the workshop (at 2:00 pm) and concert (at 7:00 pm) with internationally acclaimed musician and composer John Bell on Friday, April 18, click here. Tickets are available at the door for the workshop and concert.

For information on the Spirituality and Justice Award that will be presented to Dr. Paul Farmer on April 27 at 10:30 am, please click here. Click here to read the article on Dr. Farmer by Bella English in the April 13 Boston Globe. All are invited to meet with Dr. Farmer at 9:00 am on April 27 as well as after the 10:30 am service.

Please join us at a gathering on April 27 at 4:00 pm to meet with Dr. Yang Jianli, who was a political prisoner in China for five years and was freed last year as a result of the efforts and support of many government leaders and private citizens. Please click here for an invitation to this fundraising event to support the 500-mile Walk for Freedom of Dr. Yang which will commence on May 4.

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.

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.

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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All Saints Parish • 1773 Beacon Street • Brookline, MA 02445 • 617-738-1810