September 30, 2009
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This Sunday we will begin our stewardship season, when we will reflect on the abundance of God's gifts and our participation in the work of sharing God's love with others. At our worship service, we will have the opportunity to meet someone we do not know and to talk about "What brought me to All Saints Parish." These conversations will continue as we share refreshments after the service. For more information, please click here to see the attractive brochure created by the Stewardship Committee.
The Sunday Evening Bible Series led by Marianne and David Evett begins this Sunday at 6:00 pm and will meet on five Sundays, October 4-November 8, to study the stories of Job, Ruth, and Esther. For more information, please click here.
On Sunday, October 11, we will have our annual blessing of animals during the 10:30 am service. You are invited to bring your pet to church! Yes, you can bring your cat, dog, bird, rabbit, snake or fish with you to church on October 11. Pets will be blessed individually after the liturgy. If you choose not to bring your pet, you may bring a photo or stuffed animal to be blessed. Special pet-friendly treats will be available after the service. Please make sure your pets are either on leash, in carrier, or properly contained. The blessing is offered in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, who is revered by Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus because of his love of creatures and reverence for all creation. The guest preacher on October 11 will be the Rev. Rich Kunz, Executive Director of the El Hogar Orphanage in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
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.
In the Collect, we pray: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor,
Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, click here.
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The reading from Job addresses one of the most profound and disturbing questions of human existence, namely, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" This question has challenged philosophers and theologians throughout history. The Sunday Evening Bible series led by Marianne and David Evett will reflect on the book of Job and the lessons that it teaches us today; please click here for more information. In today's reading, the story begins. Job, a just man, is afflicted with "loathsome sores ... from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." Job's wife confronts him: "'Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.' But he said to her, 'You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
Psalm 26 is the prayer of a just person who is tried by suffering: "Give judgment for me, O LORD,
for I have lived with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and my mind. For your love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you. I have not sat with the worthless, nor do I consort with the deceitful."
The reading from Hebrews talks about the suffering that Jesus endured as the prophet of God: "It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father." (Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12)
In the Gospel passage from Mark, Jesus uses the example of a child to explain how we should put our trust in God: "People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.' And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10:2-16)
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 Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
October 3-4, 2009
Saturday, October 3, at 5:00 pm — Preacher: The Stewardship Committee
Sunday, October 4, at 10:30 am — Preacher: The Stewardship Committee
Events at All Saints Parish
Taizé Holy Eucharist is offered Wednesdays at 6:15 pm. For more information, please click here.
Explorations in Faith meets 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.
The Men's Group will meet on Saturday, October 3 at 8:00 a.m. to discuss Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, chapters 12-19, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. For more information, please click here or contact Peter Stringham at peter.stringham@gmail.com or the Rector at rectord@allsaintsbrookline.org.
The Women's Book Group will meet next on Saturday, October 3, at 9:00 a.m. to discuss The
Language of God, by Francis Collins, Chapters 1-5. All are welcome. For information, please contact Anne Harrington at anneharringtontechwriter@yahoo.com.
For the Adult Faith Formation booklet with the schedule of activities, courses and retreats for 2009-2010, please click here.
Web 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.
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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