February 26, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
We have begun the holy season of Lent, a powerful time of spiritual renewal as we realign our thoughts and behavior with the values of Christ. Each week of Lent is a time to bring a section of our life into union with the teaching of Christ. As part of your spiritual practice, please join us for the Holy Eucharist every Wednesday at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm.
THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
The mercy and compassion of God are highlighted in the prayers and readings for this Sunday. In the Collect, we pray: "Almighty God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
In the reading from Genesis, God's compassion is extended to Abraham and Sarah who are childless and who desire an heir. God hears their prayer and tells them: "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then God said to Abraham: "So shall your descendants be." And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness."
In Psalm 27, the psalmist expresses trust in God's presence and protection: "Though an army should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid; And though war should rise up against me, yet will I put my trust in him. One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life; To behold the fair beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock. . . . Though my father and my mother forsake me the LORD will sustain me."
In the epistle to the Philippians, Paul challenges Christians to rise above the practices and standards of the world: "Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus compares his compassion for the people to a mother hen: "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
God loves us more than we love ourselves. God desires what is best for us. God wants to forgive, renew and transform us. During Lent, we pray for the openness to hear this message and the willingness to respond.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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The Second Sunday in Lent, March 3-4, 2007
Sermon:
Saturday, March 3, at 5:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, March 4, at 10:30 am: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, March 4, at 6:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
* * *
Please join us for the Global Awareness Series, Sundays at 9:00-10:15 am in the Guild Room.
March 4 - South Africa
Laura Vennard and Tom Mahony will report on their recent trip to South Africa. They will report on "life after apartheid" in the cities of Durban and Cape Town, the townships, and game reserves. They will share observations about church, culture, education, health, and various "wonders" and "surprises" which they encountered in Africa's richest and most powerful country. 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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