August 19, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

In the first generation of the Christian Church, the tiny band of disciples were considered another sect within Judaism, vying with Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and others as the most authentic version of of the ancient religion of the Israelites. The Jews who followed Jesus were assaulted by many challenges, including ridicule, persecution, and the threat of death. How comforting it must have been for them to reflect on the promise of Jesus in today's Gospel, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."

THEME FOR THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Christians persecuted in the world today are still sustained by the promise of Jesus to strengthen them against all assaults. Unfortunately, Christians at times have persecuted others in the name of Jesus, a severe distortion of his teaching. Can Jesus help the Church to overcome the "gates of Hades" that infiltrate within its own ranks? Yes, Jesus continues to guide the Church, helping it overcome its mistakes so that it might authentically reflect Christ's values in the world. When the Church is aligned with the true teaching of Jesus, it is a powerful force of liberating love.

In the Collect, we pray: "Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The reading from Exodus is the story of Moses, born of a Hebrew mother, but raised by Pharaoh's daughter: The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him, "This must be one of the Hebrews' children," she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?" Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Yes." So the girl went and called the child's mother. Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, "because," she said, "I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 1:8-2:10)

Psalm 124 is a prayer of trust in God's protection: "If the LORD had not been on our side, when enemies rose up against us; then would they have swallowed us up alive in their fierce anger toward us; then would the waters have overwhelmed us and the torrent gone over us; then would the raging waters have gone right over us. Blessed be the LORD! he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth."

The reading from Romans is an appeal from Paul for Christians to live differently from the predominant culture: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God." Christians should strive to be Christ's Body in the world: "So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another." (Romans 12:1-8)

The Gospel from Matthew contains Jesus' promise to Peter that he will protect his followers through the ages: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-20)

The risen Christ guides the Church still, protecting it from threats without and within. When we gather for the Holy Eucharist, we come into the presence of the living Christ who renews us for the struggles of each day. Please join us for worship this 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 15th Sunday after Pentecost, August 23-24, 2008
Saturday, August 23, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: Mr. Thomas Nutt-Powell
Sunday, August 24, at 10:30 am - Preacher: Mr. Thomas Nutt-Powell
Sunday, August 24, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie Sterling

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EVENTS at All Saints Parish

Welcome Back!

On Sunday, September 7, the All Saints Choir returns for the 10:30 am service and we resume our fall schedule of activities. Schola, our outstanding children's choir, meets at 9:30 am. Two adult faith formation groups, Centering Prayer and Gospel Reflection, meet at 9:15 am. Please join us for the Parish Picnic at 11:45 am and the "Ministry Information Tables" that will be set up at the picnic.

Click here for information about our excellent Church School for pre-school to grade 12. Click here to download information about the many adult learning opportunities at All Saints Parish

• For a schedule of worship services, please click here.
• For information about the Men's Group that meets on September 20, please click here.
• For information about the Beacon Street Fellowship and their website and blog for those in their 20s and 30s, please click here.
• To see the current issue of Saints Alive, our newsletter, please click here.

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