October 17, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This Sunday All Saints Parish joins with congregations around the country in celebrating "Children's Sabbath." This annual observance is a time for people of all faiths to remember the children in our midst and to pledge them our protection, guidance, and support. In the Collect for Children's Sabbath, we pray: "Loving God, through Christ born a poor baby to parents in a strange land, you showed us your care for those who are poor, excluded, and in harm's way. Send us this day to your beloved children who suffer need, hate, and harm, that we might be agents of your justice, love, and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen." For more information about Children's Sabbath, please click here.

THEME FOR THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Today's Gospel raises the issue of serving earthly rulers and serving God. Being faithful to God's teachings may compel a person to change unjust laws and policies. For example, in the nineteenth century, those who sought to abolish slavery were motivated by their religious beliefs. Today, those who wish to safeguard children and improve the education of children also are inspired by religious teachings -- as evidenced in this weekend's obervance of children's sabbath. In the Collect, we pray: "Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession 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 reminds us that God is mysterious and beyond human comprehension: God said, "You cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen." (Exodus 33:12-23)

Psalm 99 praises the works of God for the people of Israel: "O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and fall down before his footstool; he is the Holy One. Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them. O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds."

The epistle reading is Paul's warm greeting to the Thessalonians: "We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia." (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

The reading from Matthew contains Jesus' admonition to serve the legitimate interests of the state, but even more to be faithful to God: The enemies of Jesus ask him, "Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:15-22)

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

EVENTS at All Saints Parish

• For a schedule of worship services, please click here.
• For information about our excellent Church School from pre-school to grade 12, click here.
• Click here to download information about the many adult learning opportunities at All Saints Parish.
• For information about Explorations in Faith that begins on October 1st, please click here.
• For information about the Women's Book Group, please click here.
• For information about the Men's Group, please click here.
• For information about the Beacon Street Fellowship for those in their 20s and 30s, please click here.
• To see the current issue of Saints Alive, our newsletter, please click here.
• Please click here for the booklet "Your Kingdom Come" with information on our parish's involvement with the MDGs.

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