February 17, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Lent begins today on Ash Wednesday, February 17. Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes will be celebrated on February 17 at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm. All are welcome.

This Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, we lift up the Mission and Outreach ministries of our parish. The preacher at the 10:30 am service will be the Rev. Elizabeth Steinhauser, Director of the B-Safe Program at St. Stephen's Church in the South End. We will bless the teenagers in our parish who work with homeless people at the Common Cathedral and City Reach. We will distribute Mission and Outreach booklets and continue our discussion with the congregation after the service over refreshments at the back of the church.

Thank you to all who contributed to provide medical care, food, water, clothing, and shelter to the people of the Haiti. If you wish to make a donation online, please click on Partners in Health, Episcopal Relief and Development, Oxfam America and the Sisters of St. Margaret.

We invite you to join us for the Wednesday evening program of worship, discussion of "Lost & Found: Forgiveness and the Prodigal Son" and a shared meal that begins on February 24. For information, please click here.

Philip Major is leading a bible study entitled "Paul's Not-Quite-First Letter to the Corinthians" on Sunday, February 21 at 9:15 am. All are welcome.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

The reading from Deuteronomy recalls the sojourn of the Israelites in the desert and their joyful thanksgiving for God's protection and bounty: "'The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me.' You shall set it down before the LORD your God and bow down before the LORD your God. Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house." (Deuteronomy 26:1-11)

Psalm 91 expresses the trust of the Israelites in the protection of God: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the LORD, 'You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust.' Because you have made the LORD your refuge, and the Most High your habitation, there shall no evil happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

The reading from Romans expresses Paul's belief that all humanity has been called into one covenant with God: "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" (Romans 10:8b-13)

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of the temptation of Jesus: "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.' Jesus answered him, 'It is written, "One does not live by bread alone."' Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, 'To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.' Jesus answered him, 'It is written,"Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him." Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you," and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, 'It is said, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."' When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time." (Luke 4:1-13)

This week we begin the holy season of Lent. It is a time for us to draw closer to God in prayer, acts of self-discipline and service of others. Please join us for the Holy Eucharist on Saturday at 5:00 pm and on Sunday at 10:30 am.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

Worship Services for

The First Sunday in Lent, February 20-21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, at 5:00 pm: Preacher - Mr. David Pfarrer
Sunday, February 21, at 10:30 am: Preacher - The Rev. Elizabeth Steinhauser

We want your feedback!

Please tell us :

• if you find All Saints Weekly a helpful spiritual resource
• if you have trouble seeing this email or opening the links
• or if you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter.

Please let Barbara know at office@allsaintsbrookline.org. THANK YOU!