January 15, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The season of Epiphany (from the Greek word for "appearance" or "manifestation") celebrates the many ways that Christ manifests the love of God. This Sunday Jesus manifests God's love by calling disciples to bring the message of love to a world in need of healing.

THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus calls Philip to be a disciple. This call is extended to all of us to follow his example and be "light in the midst of darkness." This weekend we honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who heard the call to follow Christ as a minister of the Gospel and civil rights leader. Dr. King brought light to the darkness of oppression and racial segregation. In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

In the reading from 1 Samuel we hear how Samuel received a call to follow the Lord: Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread ... Then the LORD called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!" and ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. The LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:1-20)

Psalm 139 speaks about God's deep knowledge of those who are called: "LORD, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O LORD, know it altogether ... For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well."

In the epistle to 1 Corinthians, Paul exhorts Christians to praise God by their chaste behavior: " Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)

The Gospel passage from John is the account of the call of a disciple: Jesus found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Christians through the centuries have experienced a personal call from Christ to become disciples. This call comes in a variety of ways, most often as an inclination to want to serve God and the human community. We are each called to bring light to situations of darkness and oppression. (John 1:43-51)

Please join us for worship this weekend: Saturday at 5:00 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am and 6:00 pm. All are welcome!

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 Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 17-18, 2009
Saturday, January 17 at 5:00 pm - Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, January 18, at 10:30 am - Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, January 18, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

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