January 8, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The season of Epiphany leads us to contemplate the many manifestations of God's salvation in Jesus Christ. This Sunday our attention goes to the Baptism of Jesus, which marks the beginning of his public ministry.
THEME FOR THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
At the Sunday 10:30 am Holy Eucharist we will celebrate Holy Baptism. The congregation will be invited to renew our baptismal covenant, which is the charter or mission statement of our faith. We will promise to continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers; persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord; proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ; seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves; strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
In the Collect, we pray: "Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen."
The reading from Isaiah identifies the messenger of God's salvation: "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations ... I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness."
Psalm 29 expresses the power of God in the imagery of great thunderstorm: "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is upon the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon; He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare ... The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore. The LORD shall give strength to his people; the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace."
In the reading from Acts, Peter teaches the inclusivity of God's love: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all ... All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
The Gospel passage from Matthew tells of the baptism of Jesus: "Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' But Jesus answered him, 'Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.'"
The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of his public ministry. This Sunday we will mark the public ministry of two members of our parish. At the 10:30 am service the Rev. Christian Brocato will preside at his first Holy Eucharist as an Episcopal priest. At the 6:00 pm service, the Rev. Jonathan Eden will preside at his first Holy Eucharist. All are invited to these special services.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, January 12-13, 2008
Saturday, January 12, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: Ms. Tina Rathbone
Sunday, January 13, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, January 13, 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.
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.
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