January 3, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The twelve days of Christmas and the season of Christmastide conclude with the glorious Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. For many Eastern Christian churches, the Epiphany or Manifestation of Jesus has greater importance than Christmas. We celebrate the manifestation of the enfant Christ to the three Magi this Sunday. Subsequent Sundays will highlight Christ's manifestation in various acts of his ministry.
THEME FOR THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
The birth of Christ proclaimed to the shepherds now is manifested to the Gentiles, revealing God's intention to bring salvation to everyone. In the Collect, we pray: "O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; 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 foretells God's salvation for all people: "Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn ... A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD."
Psalm 72 proclaims the universality of God's salvation: "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts. All kings shall bow down before him, and all the nations do him service. For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper. He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy. He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight."
The epistle to the Ephesians echoes Paul's message of God's salvation extended to the Gentiles: "In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ... Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things."
The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the wise men from the East who bring gifts to the Christ child: " ... and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road."
We rejoice in the good news of the birth of Christ 2,000 years ago and we pray that Christ may be born anew in our lives this holy season. We give thanks that the salvation and goodness of God is extended to all nations. We pray that we may offer our lives in faithful service as our gift of gratitude for the mercy that has been shown us.
Please join us for our worship services this weekend: 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
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for the Feast of the Epiphany, January 5-6, 2008
Saturday, January 5, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, January 6, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, January 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.
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.
Music note from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters and Story from Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry will resume next week.
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.
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