May 1, 2007

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The 50 days of the season of Eastertide, from Easter Day to the Day of Pentecost, are seen as a privileged time to reflect on the central teachings of Jesus and to put those teachings into practice.

THEME FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

The heart of Jesus' life and teaching is love. Jesus is the embodiment of divine love. In Jesus we see God's love in action. The Gospel for this Sunday highlights the centrality of Jesus' teaching to love one another as he loves us. Love is the way that the world will identify the followers of Christ.

In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

In the reading from Leviticus we hear God's command to love one's neighbor: "I am the LORD. You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Psalm 145 praises the God of love: "The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is loving to everyone and his compassion is over all his works."

In the reading from Acts, Paul expands God's covenant with the Israelites to include Gentiles. "When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region."

The Gospel from John is Jesus teaching to his disciples at the Last Supper: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The followers of Jesus followed his example of unconditional love. People said about the early Church, "See how those Christians love one another." Love is the standard by which we will be known as Christ's followers -- by the way we love one another.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

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Worship Services for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 5-6, 2007

Saturday, May 5, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: Dr. Christian Brocato
Sunday, May 6, at 10:30 am: Preacher: Dr. Christian Brocato
Sunday, May 6, at 6:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

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Weekend and Mid-Week Worship Schedule

For the schedule of worship services for Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, please click here.

Bishop Shaw visits All Saints on Saturday, May 12 at 6:00 pm ...for Choral Evensong and Fundraising Reception and Dinner. 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, Barbara Bembery, distribution, and the contributors above who produce the All Saints Weekly each week.

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