September 10, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

On Sunday, September 13, the choir returns for the 10:30 am service and we resume our fall schedule of activities. Please join us for the Parish Picnic at 11:45 am. We hope that you will participate in the many engaging programs of faith formation for all ages and all stages of your spiritual journey. For more information, please consult the listing of events below and our web site: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.

The Mission & Outreach Committee invites you to a Mission Fair on Sunday, September 27th. Come and learn about the different ways we are making a difference and find out how you can get involved. Whether it's helping to combat poverty, or giving local families a helping hand, All Saints Parish is at work in our community, country and world. There will be display tables, games and activities, and a BBQ lunch. The Fair will start immediately following the 10:30 am service. The Fair is a way to learn how the time, talents and treasure of the All Saints community are being put to work. If you have any questions or would like to help out with the Fair, contact Erica at etopolski@nbnet.nb.ca. For more information on the different programs go to the Outreach section of our website.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The reading from Proverbs urges us to seek the gift of wisdom: "Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 'How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?'" (Proverbs 1:20-33)

Psalm 19 finds wisdom in God's creation: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to another. Although they have no words or language, and their voices are not heard, their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world ... The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent."

The epistle of James urges Christians to reflect on the power of one's words: "Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh." (James 3:1-12)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches the wisdom of suffering for a worthy cause: "Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.' He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, 'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?'" (Mark 8:27-38)

Please join us for the Holy Eucharist this Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

Worship Services for

The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
September 12-13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, at 5:00 pm — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, September 13, at 10:30 am — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian

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