November 26, 2007

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Advent is a season of anticipation and hope. This Sunday we hear the hopeful message of Isaiah foretelling the coming of the Messiah who will bring peace to the earth. The Messiah will bring God's salvation to Jew and Gentile alike and justice to the poor.

THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The Gospel passage highlights the role of John the Baptist as herald of the coming of Christ. In the Collect, we pray: "Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

The reading from Isaiah foretells the appearance of the Messiah: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth." And then Isaiah speaks those words which have given hope through the centuries to all who yearn for peace: "The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den."

Psalm 72 calls rulers to bring justice to the oppressed: "Give the King your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the King's Son; that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice... He shall defend the needy among the people; he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor."

For Paul, writing to the Romans, the words of Isaiah give hope to the Gentiles: "'The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.' May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

In Matthew's Gospel John the Baptist heralds the coming of the Messiah: "This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, 'The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"

John the Baptist calls us to make straight the paths in our lives -- by focusing on the things that are truly important, such as love of God and love of neighbor. This holy season calls us to enlarge our notion of family and reach out to the poor and the oppressed.

We invite you to join us for worship at the Celtic Holy Eucharist Saturday at 5:00 pm, the Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing Sunday at 10:30 am, and the Sunday Evening Contemplative Holy Eucharist at 6:00 pm.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

* * * * *

Worship Services for the Second Sunday of Advent, December 8-9, 2007

Saturday, December 8, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: Mr. David Pfarrer
Sunday, December 9, at 10:30 am: Preacher: Ms. Olivia Woodford
Sunday, December 9, at 6:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

* * * * *

Dramatization of the Gospel by Olivia Woodford December 9 at 10:30 am

This Sunday we are invited to experience the Gospel story in a new way when Olivia Woodford will present "Faith and Hope: A Mother's Story," a one-woman play in two parts. The first part will occur in place of the sermon; the second will follow immediately after the the final hymn. Her portrayal of Mary's cousin Elizabeth and her mother Anna brings to life events leading up to the birth of the Christ child. All are welcome!

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. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings.

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 'Sunday Evening' Holy Eucharist 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.

We want your feedback!

Please tell us :

• if you find All Saints Weekly a helpful spiritual resource
• if you have trouble seeing this email or opening the links
• or if you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter.

Please let Barbara know at office@allsaintsbrookline.org. THANK YOU!