April 8, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
We continue our celebration of Christ's Resurrection in the season known as Eastertide, the fifty days from Easter to the feast of Pentecost. The Scripture readings lead us to reflect on how the risen Christ is in our midst as one who teaches and cares for us.
THEME FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday since the Gospel portrays Jesus as the shepherd who cares for the sheep, and, in this Sunday's Gospel, as the gate through which the sheep enter the sheepfold. The image of shepherd was very familiar to the people of Israel, as we hear in today's psalm. In the Collect, we pray: "O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The reading from Acts is a beautiful description of the shared life of the early Christian community: "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people." (Acts 2:42-47)
Psalm 23, perhaps the most famous psalm, proclaims: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
The reading from the first letter of Peter also picks up on the shepherd theme: "For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls." (1 Peter 2:19-25)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is both shepherd and the gate through which the sheep enter the sheepfold. "The sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." And then Jesus shifts the image: "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:1-10)
We believe that Christ continues to care for his peole as a loving shepherd cares for and protects the sheep. Like the early Christian community we can draw near to Christ with our needs and concerns and know that he hears our prayer. In our worship, the risen Christ, our Good Shepherd, gathers us together and feeds us with the bread of life.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
* * * * *
Worship Services for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 12-13, 2008
Saturday, April 12, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, April 13, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, April 13, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
* * * * *
EVENTS at All Saints Parish
For a schedule of worship services, please click here. For information about the workshop and concert with internationally acclaimed musician and composer John Bell on April 18, click here. For information on the Spirituality and Justice Award that will be presented to Dr. Paul Farmer on April 27, please click here.
Please join us at a gathering to meet with Dr. Yang Jianli, who was a political prisoner in China and was freed last year as a result of the efforts and support of many politicians and private citizens. Please click here for an invitation to this fundraising event to support the 500-mile Walk for Freedom of All Saints Parishioner Dr. Yang Jianli.
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 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.
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!