January 22, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We join with our fellow citizens and people all over the world praying for President Barack Obama who was innaugurated yesterday, his family, and his administration. In the Collect for the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority, we pray: "O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen." (Book of Common Prayer, page 820)

THEME FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus calls the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be his disciples. The Gospel records that they left their nets immediately and followed him. Each of us is called to follow Christ in a spirit of love and service. In the Collect we pray: "Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

In the reading from the Book of Jonah, Jonah preaches repentance to the people of Nineveh: "And he cried out, 'Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!' And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth." (Jonah 3:1-5, 10)

Psalm 62 expresses our trust in God: "For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly, my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken. In God is my safety and my honor; God is my strong rock and my refuge. Put your trust in him always, O people, pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge."

In the epistle to the Corinthians Paul calls attention to the transient quality of life: "The appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus calls fishermen to become his disciples and "fish for people": "As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him." (Mark 1:14-20)

Please join us for worship this weekend: Saturday at 5:00 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am and 6:00 pm. At the 10:30 am service we will celebrate the "Journey to Adulthood" of two younger members of our parish. At the 6:00 pm service and a reception following the service we will give thanks for the ministry of the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, pianists, and liturgical assistants as we mark the ending of this service.

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 Third Sunday after the Epiphany
January 24-25, 2009
Saturday, January 24 at 5:00 pm - Sermon: Mr. David Pfarrer
Sunday, January 25, at 10:30 am - Sermon: Ms Rebecca Taylor
Sunday, January 25, 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