January 2, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As we begin a new year, we ask God's forgiveness for the many ways that we as individuals have fallen short of our calling to be God's children. We ask God's forgiveness also for the numerous wars, conflicts, and injustices of the previous year. As we start a new year, we pray that leaders of the world may make decisions that truly benefit their people and that the nations of the world may learn to solve their conflicts peacefully.
The Christian calendar celebrates the season of Christmastide and the twelve days of Christmas during which we pray for the spiritual reign of the Prince of Peace. January 6 is the great feast of Epiphany which celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the world. The first Sunday after the Epiphany, January 7, focuses on the Baptism of Jesus, which marks the beginning of his public ministry. On January 7 during the 10:30 am service we will celebrate the sacrament of holy baptism at All Saints Parish.
THEME FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY:
The Collect sets the theme for the day: "Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen."
The first reading from Isaiah speaks on the mission of God's servant and prophet, which is manifested in ;Jesus' baptism: "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations."
Psalm 89 is a beautiful poem of love expressed by God's servant: "Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness. For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens." The psalm closes with God's promise:"I will make him my firstborn and higher than the kings of the earth. I will keep my love for him for ever, and my covenant will stand firm for him."
In the second reading from Acts Peter proclaims the radical equality of all of God's children established in baptism: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."
The Gospel from Luke is an account of the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River: "Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'"
The baptism of Jesus, and the baptism of all of us, is a powerful expression of God's love. Baptism is the primordial sacrament that expresses our identity as God's children and our responsibility to share the good news of God's mercy and goodness with the world.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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The Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, and the First Sunday after the Epiphany, January 7, 2007
Sermon:
Saturday, January 6, at 5:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, January 7, at 10:30 am: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, January 7, at pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
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For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, 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 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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