April 16, 2009
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Glad Alleluias reverberate in hymns and songs this week as we celebrate the season known as Eastertide. For more information about Eastertide, please click here.
THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
With the experience of celebrating Easter still fresh in our minds, the Sundays after Easter explore further dimensions of the Easter story. Today's Gospel focuses on the fear which gripped the disciples until Jesus gave them the gift of his peace. Christ's peace (Hebrew word "shalom") filled their hearts and gave them courage to do Christ's work in the world. In the Collect we pray: "Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; 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 Acts shows the generosity of the early Christian community in response to Christ's resurrection spirit. It seems that the early Christians practiced a type of "spiritual communism" that was non-violent and non-coercive (in distinction to Marxist communism): "Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need." (Acts 4:32-35)
Psalm 133 expresses the loving spirit of the followers of God: "Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity! It is like fine oil upon the head that runs down upon the beard, Upon the beard of Aaron, and runs down upon the collar of his robe. It is like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the hills of Zion."
The reading from the first epistle of John describes the joy of the followers of Christ: "The life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." (1 John 1:1-2:2)
The Gospel from John shows Jesus bestowing his gift of peace (shalom) to the disciples. When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. (John 20:19-31)
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! All are welcome to worship with us Saturdays at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 10:30 am.
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Sincerely,
David A. Killian |
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For the 
For worship services for
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 18-19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, at 5:00 pm — Preacher: Ms. Christina Ray
Sunday, April 19, at 10:30 am — Preacher: Ms. Christina Ray
Events at All Saints Parish
All are invited to New Member Sunday April 26. During the 10:30 am service, we will welcome those who wish to become members of our parish. For information, please contact the rector or Susan Cleaver at scleaver@bu.edu.
Taizé Holy Eucharist is now offered every Wednesday at 6:15 pm. For more information, please click here.
Men's Group will meet next Saturday, April 18 at 8:00 am to discuss Dreams from My Father by Barack O'Bama. For more information click here or email Peter Stringham at peter.stringham@gmail.com.
Women's Reading Group will meet on Saturday, April 25 at 9:00 am to discuss Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today by Joan Chittister, OSB. For more information email Anne Harrington at anneharringtontechwriter@yahoo.com.
Celtic Mini-Retreat on Eco-Spirituality on Saturday, April 18 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, led by Christina Ray. No fee. Click here for more information.
"Cloud of Unknowing" group to discuss the 14th-century classic and enter into centering prayer, Wednesdays April 22, May 6, 20, and 27 at 7:00 pm. Click here for more details.
website resources
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints web site: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
For a Schedule of Worship services, please click here.
For information about our Church School for pre-school to grade 12, click here.
For information about Adult learning opportunities, 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.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
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