October 29, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of All Saints and the 114th anniversary of the founding of All Saints Parish. The Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts will be the celebrant and preacher at the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist on Sunday and will speak at a luncheon after the service. All are welcome. Those who are new to our parish are invited to meet with Bishop Shaw at 9:00 am.

THEME FOR THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS

All Saints Day is a joyous occasion when we celebrate God's victory over sin, suffering and death. The promise of God's triumph over adversity is proclaimed in the reading from Revelation where we hear the comforting words: "They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." In the Gospel Jesus asserts this same hope: the poor in spirit will gain the kingdom of heaven, those who mourn will be comforted, the meek will inherit the earth, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, the merciful will receive mercy, and the pure in heart will see God.

In the Collect, we pray: "Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen."

The reading from Revelation presents a beautiful vision of "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!' And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,singing, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.' For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them." (Revelation 7:9-17)

Psalm 34 is the prayer of the afflicted person who has been saved: "I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me out of all my terror. Look upon him and be radiant, and let not your faces be ashamed. I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me and saved me from all my troubles. The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him, and he will deliver them."

The reading from the first epistle of John emphasizes the tenderness of God's love: "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God;and that is what we are." (1 John 3:1-3)

In the Gospel reading from Matthew, called the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches that God is with the poor and the suffering:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:1-12)

In worship we encounter the living Christ who revives our hope in God's power to triumph over every struggle and difficulty. 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

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) reading. For Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, click here.

worship services for

The Feast of All Saints
November 1-2, 2008
Saturday, November 1, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Chritian Brocato
Sunday, November 2, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE
Sunday, November 2, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

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