October 30, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Happy All Saints Sunday!
All Saints Parish was founded on November 1, 1894. This weekend we celebrate the 113th anniversary of our parish. Please join us for the Solemn Festal Holy Eucharist Sunday at 10:30 am, for the Celtic Holy Eucharist Saturday at 5:00 pm and the 'Sunday Evening' Contemplative Holy Eucharist at 6:00 pm. We invite you for these special celebrations of the "birthday" of our parish at our weekend worship services and the gala receptions which will follow.
THEME FOR ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
The Feast of All Saints is a time to remember all who walk in the way of the Lord, especially those not officially canonized as "saints." The readings highlight the many humble and unknown people who are great in God's eyes. These "unsung heroes" deserve honor because of their great love, service and courage.
In the Collect, we pray: "Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen."
The first reading from Ecclesiasticus invites us to remember those who have served the Lord through the centuries: "Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations ... Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise. But of others there is no memory; they have perished as though they had never existed; they have become as though they had never been born, they and their children after them. But these also were godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten."
Psalm 149 is a song of praise: "Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song; sing God's praise in the congregation of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise God's Name in the dance; let them sing praise to God with timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes pleasure in his people and adorns the poor with victory."
The reading from Revelation expresses in metaphorical language a vision of the faithful who have been called to heavenly glory, "one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel" and "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands." The Book of Revelation offers special comfort and peace to those who were persecuted for their faith: "They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
The Gospel from Matthew is the famous passage called the Beatitudes. Jesus describes those who will be truly happy and blessed by God: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ... those who mourn, for they will be comforted ... the meek, for they will inherit the earth .. .those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled ... the merciful, for they will receive mercy ... the pure in heart, for they will see God ... the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God ... those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ... you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Jesus teaches that the saints do not always receive glory and recognition in their lifetimes, but God knows their faithfulness and God will give them comfort, peace, and happiness in the life to come.
Please join us this weekend as we give thanks for all the saints and remember our beloved dead in the Book of Remembrance and in our hearts and prayers.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for All Saints Sunday, November 3-4, 2007
Saturday, November 3, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, November 4, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, November 4, 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.
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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