September 24, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This Sunday, September 27, the Mission & Outreach Committee invites you to a Mission Fair after the 10:30 am service. 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 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.

Explorations in Faith will meet on six Mondays, September 28 - November 9, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. "Explorations" is an introductory course for those who want to take a fresh look at Christianity; who are unsure of their beliefs or are alienated from the faith of their childhood; who are new to All Saints; who wish to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church. For more information, please click here.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The reading from Esther recounts Queen Esther's intercession with King Ahasuerus to save the people of Israel from destruction at the hands of Haman: "The king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, 'What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.' Then Queen Esther answered, 'If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me – that is my petition – and the lives of my people – that is my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king.' Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, 'Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?' Esther said, 'A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!' Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, 'Look, the very gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, stands at Haman's house, fifty cubits high.' And the king said, 'Hang him on that.' So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai."(Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22)

Psalm 124 is prayer of thanks for God's rescue of the people from their enemies: "We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth."

The reading from James urges people to put their trust in God: "Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-20)

In the reading from the Gospel of Mark Jesus teaches the disciples to respect the good work that is performed by those who are not members of one's own group or religion: "No one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward." (Mark 9:38-50)

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 Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
September 26-27, 2009
Saturday, September 26, at 5:00 pm — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, September 27, at 10:30 am — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian

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