February 20, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday, February 21. I invite you to enter into this holy season by partipating in the service of Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm. As part of your spiritual practice during Lent, please join us for the Holy Eucharist every Wednesday at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm.
THEME FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Lent is a season that Christians enter into a discipline or "basic training" to strengthen our ability to live the Christian life. We redirect our thoughts to God and ask God's help to resist temptations that would take us away from union with God. In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The reading from Deuteronomy recounts the time when the Israelites entered the Promised Land and gave thanks to God for their deliverance and liberation: "We cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me."
Psalm 91 expresses the faith of the follower of God's way in the face of danger: "You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day; of the plague that stalks in the darkness, nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day. . . . For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
The reading from Paul's epistle to the Romans affirms that the love of God extends to Gentiles as well as to Jews: "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'"
The Gospel passage from Luke tells of three temptations of Jesus: to turn stones into loaves of bread, to worship the devil, and to throw himself from the pinnacle of the temple. In one of the temptations, the devil quotes Psalm 91: "He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you," and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone." The temptations are attempts to turn Jesus into a charlatan wonder-worker and temporal potentate. Jesus will not be diverted from his ministry as a non-violent prophet and he resists each of these temptations.
Jesus was tempted as we are. We draw strength from his example. In our moments of weakness, we too can turn to God and know that God will answer our prayer.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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The First Sunday in Lent, February 24-25, 2007
Sermon:
Saturday, February 24, at 5:00 pm: Dr. Christian Brocato
Sunday, February 25, at 10:30 am: Dr. Christian Brocato
Sunday, February 25, at 6:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
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Please join us for the Global Awareness Series, Sundays at 9:00-10:15 am in the Guild Room.
On Sunday, February 25, the topic is Nicaragua. Peter and Jean Stringham will report on their visits to Brookline's sister city of Quezalguaque, Nicaragua, and the Mission Trip of All Saints Youth to Quezalguaque in June 23-30. They will be joined by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's, Youth, and Family Ministries and the youth who will be taking this mission trip. Coffee, juice and bagels will be served. All are welcome!
Not Your Father's St. Patrick's Day ... On Friday, March 16 at 8:00 pm, please join us for a special St. Patrick's event with Kevin O'Hara and Aine Minogue. Please click here for more information
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 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.
Many thanks to June Santosa, design, Mary Downes, distribution, and the contributors above who produce the All Saints Weekly each week.
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