January 28, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This Sunday after the 10:30 am service, the congregation will gather for the 115th annual meeting of All Saints Parish. We will hear reports on the state of the parish, elect officers and delegates, and celebrate the many ways that God has blessed our ministries in the past year. All are welcome.

THEME FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

In Sunday's Gospel Jesus heals a man whose life was disordered by an unclean spirit. While we don't experience "unclean spirits" today the way that people did in Jesus' time, we do experience corruption, disorder, and disjointedness. Many today experience profound disquiet and anxiety because of the global economic crisis. Like the people of ancient times, we need healing and reassurance. In the Collect we pray: "Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In the reading from Deuteronomy, God raises up Moses to speak in God's name: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable." (Deuteronomy 18:15-20)

Psalm 111 is a prayer of praise for God's goodness: "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the deeds of the LORD! they are studied by all who delight in them. His work is full of majesty and splendor, and his righteousness endures for ever. He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and full of compassion."

The reading from Corinthians is an exhortation to avoid leading others into sin: "But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed." (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus cures a man whose life was disordered by an unclean spirit. Jesus restores the man to wholeness and the Gospel records, "They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, 'What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.' At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee." (Mark 1:21-28)

Please join us for worship on Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am, as we offer praise and thanksgiving to the Giver of all good gifts.

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 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
January 31-February 1, 2009
Saturday, January 31 at 5:00 pm - Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, February 1, at 10:30 am - Sermon: The Rev. David A. Killian

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