April 28, 2009
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This is an exciting time in the life of our parish. On Monday, May 4, you are invited to a dinner and meeting to discuss ways that All Saints Parish can make a larger impact in our community. We will be focusing on communications, welcoming, and adult faith formation. Please click here for the letter of invitation from our wardens, Sue LeClaire and Roberta Schnoor.
On Sunday, May 17, at the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist, we will present the All Saints Spirituality and Justice Award to Marian Wright Edelman, Founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund, the most influential advocate for children in our country. Mrs. Edelman will be the preacher at this service. For information about the May 17 event, please click here.
THEME FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
This Sunday is called "Good Shepherd Sunday" because the Gospel presents the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In the Collect we pray: "O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and John are arrested for teaching about Jesus and the resurrection. Peter proclaims that "Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:5-12)
Psalm 23 was chosen because it contains imagery of God as our shepherd: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
The reading from the first epistle of John reinforces the Gospel theme of the shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep: "We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action ... And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. (1 John 3:16-24)
The reading from the Gospel of John is this beautiful teaching of Jesus: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away — and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:11-18)
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
You are invited to worship with us Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am.
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Sincerely,
David A. Killian |
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For the 
For worship services for
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 2-3, 2009
Saturday, May 2, at 5:00 pm — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, May 3, at 10:30 am — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Events at All Saints Parish
Building the Blessed Community at All Saints Parish. Dinner and brain-storming discussion about how to grow our ministries of communication, welcome, and adult spiritual formation. Monday, May 4, 2009 from 6:30 to 9 PM at All Saints Parish (Dining Room). If you haven't already done so, please RSVP by clicking here (at Evite.com).
Taizé Holy Eucharist is offered every Wednesday at 6:15 pm. For more information, please click here.
Men's Group will meet next Saturday, May 2 at 8:00 am to discuss Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama For more information click here or email Peter Stringham at peter.stringham@gmail.com.
Women's Reading Group will meet on Saturday, May 9 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 click here or email Anne Harrington at anneharringtontechwriter@yahoo.com.
"Cloud of Unknowing" group to discuss the 14th-century classic and enter into centering prayer, Wednesdays May 6, 20, and 27 at 7:00 pm. Click here for more details.
web site 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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