June 3, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the Second Sunday after Pentecost. The first reading during this season will explore Hebrew prophets. You are invited to a Bible Study of the prophets Elijah and Elisha on Sundays at 9:15 am, beginning on June 13. For more information about the Bible Study, please click here.

The 13th Annual All Saints Spirituality and Justice Award will be presented to the Rev. Dr. Deborah Little Wyman at the Holy Eucharist on Sunday, June 6, at 10:30 am. Dr. Wyman will be the preacher. The award will be presented to Dr. Wyman in recognition of her deep spiritual faith manifested in her founding of Ecclesia Ministries and Common Cathedral, and her pioneering work with the homeless of Boston and other cities. All are invited.

Dr. Wyman founded Ecclesia Ministries and Common Cathedral, an outdoor church for the homeless in Boston, fifteen years ago. She has worked with homeless people, ministers, outreach and mental health workers, and others in the United States, Brazil, and the United Kingdom to create a spiritual community outdoors. She is the founder of Ecclesia Mission Affiliates, a network of some 100 street ministries in cities around the country that is inspired and supported by Common Cathedral.

A Celtic Mini-Retreat on the "Spirit of Iona" will be presented by Mark Burrows, Ute Molitor, David Killian, AnneMarie Ellis on Saturday, June 5, 2010, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. They will share slides, stories, and remembrances of their visits to the holy isle of Iona, a site of pilgrimage since Columba and his companions established a monastery and center of spirituality there in 563. Following the mini-retreat, all are invited to the Celtic Holy Eucharist at 5:00 p.m. The preacher will be the Rev. Dr. Mark Burrows. A potluck appetizer social hour will follow at 6:00 p.m. All are invited. No fee, but free will donations are accepted. To download a flyer, please click here.

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The reading from the First Book of Kings is an account of the prophet Elijah's ministry in Zarephath: "When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, 'Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.' As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, 'Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.' But she said, 'As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.' Elijah said to her, 'Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth.' She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah." (1 Kings 17:8-16-24)

Psalm 146 praises the mercy and justice of God: "Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them. When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish. Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! whose hope is in the LORD their God; Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous; the LORD cares for the stranger; he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked."

The reading from Galatians is Paul's autobiographical account of his conversion: "You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, 'The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.' And they glorified God because of me." (Galatians 1:11-24)

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of the healing of the son of the widow of Nain: "Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, 'Young man, I say to you, rise!' The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has risen among us!' and "God has looked favorably on his people!' This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country." (Luke 7:11-17)

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 Second Sunday after Pentecost, June 5-6, 2010
Saturday, June 5, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Mark Burrows
Sunday, June 6, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Deborah Little Wyman

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