March 20, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This year as part of our Lenten observance we are invited to set aside twenty-four hours for a personal "Sabbath day." Many of you have told me that you have either completed your twenty-four hour Sabbath period or were planning to do so in the coming week. This "Sabbath day" is something you do on your own on a Saturday, Sunday or another day of your choosing. It is a day to avoid shopping, work, and the usual "running around" with which we fill our days; it is a day to read a spiritual book, meditate, and take walks outside -- whatever it is that may draw you closer to God and refresh your spirit. In addition to your personal Sabbath day, you are invited to our "community Sabbath day" this weekend, which will run from the Saturday, March 24 Celtic Holy Eucharist at 5 pm to the Sunday, March 25 Episcopal Evening Eucharist at 6 pm. Please join us for this opportunity to experience God in community.
THEME FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
In this last Sunday before Palm Sunday, there is a promise that God will restore what was destroyed, redeem what was lost, repair what was broken, heal what was wounded, forgive what was transgressed, and make new what was old.
The Collect of the Day acknowledges God's power to bring order, joy, and peace out of sin, chaos, and corruption: "Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The reading from Isaiah praises God's power to bring renewal and abundance: "Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Psalm 126 offers hope to the people of Israel and anyone who has experienced misfortune and defeat: "When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy ... Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses of the Negev. Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves."
In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul contrasts his sufferings and setbacks with the fullness he has received in Christ: "I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him ... "
The Gospel passage from Luke is "the parable of the wicked tenants." The tenants misuse the vineyard, beat the owner's servants and kill the owner's son. On first hearing, it is a parable of loss, defeat, and failure. However, God has the power to turn things around. "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." Jesus is that rejected stone who was unjustly accused and cruelly put to death. However, God raises Jesus from the dead and makes him the cornerstone of the world's salvation.
God restores the fortunes of those who lost everything, brings victory out of defeat, hope out of despair, new life out of death. This is the comforting message of the fifth Sunday in Lent.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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The Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 24-25, 2007
Sermon:
Saturday, March 24, at 5:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 25, at 10:30 am: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 25, at 6:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
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Community Sabbath Day March 24-25
For the schedule of events on the All Saints Community Sabbath Day March 24-25, please click here.
For information on keeping the Sabbath, click here.
Please join us for the final program in the Global Awareness Series this Sunday, 9:00-10:15 am in the Guild Room.
On Sunday, March 25, the topic is Tanzania. The Rev. Ted Gaiser, Coordinator of Diocesan Mission Goals, and the Rev. Maggie Geller, Coordinator of the Diocesan AIDS in Africa Task Force, will speak about the Mission Leadership Program of the diocese and their upcoming trip to Tanzania with Bishop Cederholm in August.
Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Schedule
For the schedule of worship services for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter, please click here.
Not Your Father's St. Patrick's Day ... rescheduled for Friday, April 27 at 8:00 pm. Please join us for the special St. Patrick's event (postponed from March 16 because of inclement weather) 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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