February 19, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The season of Lent is a special time with many complex dimensions, but the heart of Lent is the personal invitation to encounter Christ. If we do nothing else this Lent, let us listen for the ways that Christ is calling us to heal memories, to forgive those who have wounded us, and to grow in our life of faith.
THEME FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
In today's Gospel, the Samaritan woman meets Jesus at the well and discovers that he can satisfy her spiritual thirst and heal her spirit. This worldly-wise woman rediscovers her inner worth and dignity. She is so touched by her meeting with Jesus that she rushes to share the good news with everyone in her village. In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The reading from Exodus tells of a time when the people of Israel camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." The Lord said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." (Exodus 17:1-7)
Psalm 95 is a song of praise to God: "Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
The reading from Paul's letter to the Romans emphasizes God love before we even ask for forgiveness: "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:1-11)
The Gospel passage from John tells the wonderful story of the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at Jacob's well. "A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?' (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)" Jesus speaks to her of the "living water" of eternal life. She comes to believe and through her many Samaritans also were drawn to Christ. (John 4:5-42)
This week, please consider how Christ engages you personally in your life of faith. Christ loves you as he loved the Samaritan woman. Christ invites to you to a personal relationship which will give meaning and depth to your life .
Please join us for our midweek Holy Eucharist Wednesdays at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm. For information about our special Scripture course on the Sundays of Lent, click here. For information on the Lenten Meditation Retreat on Saturday, March 1, click here. For information on the Spirituality and Justice Award that will be presented to Dr. Paul Farmer on April 27 at 10:30 am, please click here.
I invite you to join us for our weekend worship services: 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
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Worship Services for the Third Sunday in Lent, February 23-24, 2008
Saturday, February 23, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, February 24, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, February 24, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
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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 will resume next week.
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 Contemplative 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 web site: 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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