June 9, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the Third Sunday after Pentecost. On the Sundays after Pentecost this summer and fall, our liturgical readings 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.

Last Sunday, we presented the 13th Annual All Saints Spirituality and Justice Award to the Rev. Dr. Deborah Little Wyman. 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.

To read the sermon she gave at the Holy Eucharist last Sunday, please click here.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The reading from the First Book of Kings recounts an encounter of the prophet Elijah with King Ahab:

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Go, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead." As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab set out to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. You shall say to him, "Thus says the LORD: Have you killed, and also taken possession?" You shall say to him, "Thus says the LORD: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your blood." Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you. Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, I will bring disaster on you." (1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a)

Psalm 5 is a prayer of thankfulness for God's mercy: "But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness, because of those who lie in wait for me; make your way straight before me."

The reading from Galatians is Paul's confession of faith: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing." (Galatians 2:15-21)

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus and who was forgiven her sins: One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him – that she is a sinner." Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:36-8:3)

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 Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 12-13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: Ms. Rebecca Taylor
Sunday, June 13, at 10:30 am: Preacher: Ms. Rebecca Taylor

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