April 21, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

During this Easter season we have been reflecting that the mission of All Saints Parish expresses the spirit of the disciples of Jesus after his resurrection. Our parish, like the first generation of Christians, has experienced the risen Christ in our lives and we are attempting to live as Easter people.

The Mission of All Saints Parish is to be a Community — searching to know and accept God's purpose for us, uplifted by worship together, sustained by a sense of Christ being in our midst, and inspired by the Holy Spirit to become more than we are, here and in the world.

Thank you to all who have had your photographs taken for our Parish Photo Directory. There are only three days remaining to have your photo taken: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 22-24. Please call Olan Mills at 1-800-866-2263 to schedule an appointment to have your photograph taken for the directory.

All Saints Parish is co-sponsoring "Midrash, Music and Monks: Learning the Psalms with Christians in the Holy Land," with Rabbi David Lazar on Sunday, May 2, at 7:30 pm at Temple Beth Zion, 1566 Beacon Street in Brookline.

David Lazar holds a BA in Biblical studies from the Hebrew University and an MA and Rabbinical ordination from the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Fee: $10 (seniors and students: $7). To download a flyer, please click here. For information, please contact Rabbi Claudia Kreiman at ravclaudia@tbzbrookline.org or 617-566-2277.

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR tHE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of Tabitha: "Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, 'Please come to us without delay.' So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, 'Tabitha, get up.' Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive." (Acts 9:36-43)

Psalm 23, perhaps the most famous psalm in the Bible, is chosen for this Sunday, Good Shepherd Sunday, because of its description of God as the shepherd who cares for the flock: "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. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

The reading from the Book of Revelation talks about the Lamb (Jesus) who also is the Shepherd: "Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, 'Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?' I said to him, 'Sir, you are the one that knows.' Then he said to me, 'These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'" (Revelation 7:9-17)

In the Gospel from John, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and gives them eternal life: "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one." (John 10:22-30)

Christ, the Good Shepherd, is sacramentally present in our worship to nourish us with the bread of life. 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 Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 24-25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Laurie Rofinot
Sunday, April 25, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. Laurie Rofinot

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