November 27, 2006
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This weekend we begin the First Sunday of Advent and a new liturgical year. When you come to Church on Sunday, you will notice that the color for this season is violet -- which will be displayed in the altar and pulpit hangings, the veil that covers the chalice, and the vestments worn by the clergy. Violet is a symbol of preparation and hope. During Advent we seek time amidst all the distractions of the secular Christmas season to make room for the birth of Christ in the world. Our hope is that the coming of Christ will change people's hearts and bring peace to the world.
THEME FOR THE WEEK:
The focus of the weekend of December 2-3 is the "coming of Christ." The Church is aware of three "comings" of Christ -- past, present, and future. Past:Christ born two thousand years ago in a stable in Bethlehem. Present: Christ born in the hearts of his followers today. Future: Christ come again in glory.
The past and future comings are referenced in the Collect: "Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead."
The reading from Zechariah 14:4-9 speaks of the hope that the people of Israel had that "the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there shall not be either cold or frost. And there shall be continuous day (it is known to the LORD), not day and not night, for at evening time there shall be light. On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea; it shall continue in summer as in winter. And the LORD will become king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one and his name one." Psalm 50 continues this theme of the coming of the Lord: "Our God will come and will not keep silence."
The epistle, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, has the future coming of Christ in view as it concludes with a prayer that Christ may "so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
The Gospel, Luke 21:25-31, is an apocalyptic vision of the end of the world when Christ will come again in glory: "People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory." The passage ends with an admonition that we can take to heart today: "Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
The first generation of Christians believed that Christ would return in their lifetimes. After 2,000 years, Christians have learned the wisdom of the Scripture passage that we "do not know the day or hour" of the coming of Christ. Therefore, we focus our attention on the receiving Christ into our hearts in the present time. Like the early Christians, we live in hope that Christ will teach, encourage, and transform us into loving people who make a difference in the world.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Prayer and Scripture for the weekend of December 2-3, 2006
The First Sunday of Advent
Sermon:
At the Saturday, December 2nd service at 5:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
At the Sunday, December 3rd service at 10:30 am: The David A. Killian
At the Sunday, December 3rd service at 6:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
An Invitation:
You are invited to come to the Advent Wreath making at 11:45 am on Sunday, December 3. Greens, candles, holders and prayers for the four weeks of Advent will be supplied. Donation for supplies of $20 will be accepted. (If you have a holder from last year, donation is $10.) An Advent wreath is lovely way to enter into this holy season whether you live alone or are a member of a family. For more information and to register, please contact Becky Taylor at 617-738-1810, ext 104 or reled@allsaintsbrookline.org
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here.
For an explanation of the Church's liturgical year, click here.
For a note on the Music at the Sunday 10:30 am service, from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters, click here.
For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.
For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Episcopal Evening' service from Assistant Rector, the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, click here.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints website: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
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