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This Week’s Newsletter
May 6, 2024 (Rogation Monday)
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Message from the Rector
May 6, 2024 (Rogation Monday)
Jesus said, ”As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:9-12
This week’s gospel is about love. That is probably not a startling revelation to you. The gospel lesson is full of the words of Jesus regarding love: “Abide in my love.” “Abide in the father’s love.” “Love one another as I have loved you.” “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” “I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” We are called into loving relationships all the time: the people we like, the people we don’t like, our friends, our enemies, people we agree with, people with whom we disagree. Everyone!
Nearly 500 years ago, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury and author of the first Book of Common Prayer, wrote a book of homilies. On the subject of Christian love and charity he wrote this:
“Charity is to love God with all our heart, all our life, and all our powers and strength. With all our heart, that is to say, that our heart’s mind and study be set to believe his Word, to trust in him, and to love him above all other things that we love best in heaven or in earth…This is the first and principal part of charity, but it is not the whole, for charity is also to love every one, good and evil, friend and foe, and whatsoever cause be given to the contrary, yet nevertheless to bear good will and heart unto every one, to use ourselves well unto them as well in words and countenance and all our outward acts and deeds. For so Christ himself taught, and so also he performed in deed…Christ taught that every man is bound to love God above all things, and to love every man, friend and foe. Thus likewise did he behave himself, exhorting his adversaries, rebuking his adversaries, and when he could not amend them, he prayed for them. First, he loved God his Father above all things…When they gave him evil words, he gave none evil again; when they did strike him, he did not smite again. And when he suffered death, he did not slay them nor threaten them, but prayed for them.”
We have been commanded by Jesus himself to love one another as he loved us. Pure love. Sheer love. Love for the sake of loving. Love despite feeling or being unloved by other people. That’s what makes our lives as Christians challenging, different from the world’s expectations, but if we heed the words of Jesus and abide in him, the loving part, the ability to go ahead loving is possible, attainable, and doable.
St. Peter preached the message of Jesus Christ, a message of love and inclusion. When the world wants to be unloving, when it wants to “throw shade” as it were, we have to be there to be the voice of God through Christ in the world. We cannot tolerate words of bigotry and hate toward others. We cannot tolerate the actions against our sisters and brothers who risked their lives and livelihood and left their motherlands to make a better life for themselves in this one. We cannot tolerate inequalities between women and men in so many aspects of our society. We cannot tolerate differential treatment of people because of the color of our skin or our country of origin or that of our ancestors. We cannot tolerate the inhumane violence launched by terrorist groups or one nation against another through war and terrorism. We mustn’t tolerate the ways that the world wants to offer a message of exclusion, inequity, and hatred. Jesus commanded all of us to love one another, so we must be the voice of Christ in the world.
Finally, we must love God’s creation by heeding one of the first commandments of God to humankind at the time of creation: to have dominion over and care for the earth. To do so is an extension of loving our neighbor because we all live on this beautiful blue planet. The Church’s liturgical cycle designates the beginning of this week, the 6th Week of Easter, as Rogationtide, which begins three days of prayer for the earth and the environment. On Rogation Sunday, it is the church’s tradition to “beat the bounds of the parish.” (Unfortunately, because it was raining, we had to do the procession indoors.) Over the next three rogation days, the Church will pray for fruitful seasons (Monday), for commerce and industry (Tuesday), and for the stewardship of creation (Wednesday). Please include these prayers in your private prayers this week; they can be found on pp. 207-8 of the Book of Common Prayer.
“Love one another as I have loved you,” said Jesus Christ. That is his commandment to us. When we abide in him, we will have the fortitude to love even when it seems hard to love. When we can be the beacon of God’s love in the face of those who want to be unloving, our efforts won’t go to waste. We may not always see the results right away, but we will bear the delicious fruit that Jesus spoke about at the end of today’s short gospel lesson. We will bear fruit that will last.
Click here to read Fr. Whitmire’s full sermon.
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Reflections on This Week’s Lectionary | |
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Collect for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee in all things and above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Acts 10:44-48 (Click to read the passage)
- When was the last time someone entered your in-group unasked and uninvited? How did you feel about it? Is it a good or a bad thing if that has not happened in a long time or just happened recently?
- Is the concept of love challenging insider and outsider boundaries? Is faith?
Psalm 98 (Click to read the psalm)
- When did you last want to sing a song of joy or otherwise express joy wholeheartedly? Do you allow yourself to do so?
- Is that overflowing joy the psalm so eloquently refers to connected to being fully human, fully the image of God for you?
- When you are feeling overflowing joy, is that connected to the concept of love? Does it have a connection to faithfulness or a promise that was fulfilled?
1 John 5:1-6 (Click to read the passage)
- Do the commandments help you to stay within love or do you perceive them as a hindrance? Do you perceive the commandments as opposed to your freedom or do they set you free, as the gospel promises? Why would it be either one?
- How would conquering the world by giving attention to what really matters look like?
John 15:9-17 (Click to read the passage)
- When you hear the new commandment that you love one another as Christ has loved you, does it feel like a burden or does it set you free?
- Have you ever thought about the new command-ment, not as a demand but rather as a permission to love, permission to show compassion and warm regard when others might not understand it or society opposes it?
- When thinking about emotions as directing attention, where during the day are you spending and directing your attention? Are there activities that are disrupting your attention? Which of the things you spend your attention on feed you, make love overflow? Which ones detract?
The Episcopal Church: Bible Study - Easter 6B - May 5, 2024
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Events this Week
(Easter 6)
Live streams can be viewed at the times indicated below
and anytime thereafter.
Wednesday, May 8
(Rogation Wednesday)
No Mass this Week
Friday, May 10
(Friday in the Octave of the Ascension)
9:30 AM - Morning Prayer
Click here to view on Facebook Live.
Saturday, May 11
12:15 PM - Senior Lunch Program
Sunday, May 12
(The Solemnity of the Ascension)
8:00 AM - Said Mass & Regina Cæli
9:30 AM - La Misa en Español y Regina Cæli
11:00 AM - Procession, Solemn High Mass, Regina Cæli
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May Senior Lunch
Saturday, May 11, 2024
12:15 PM
Lower Parish Hall
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Due to some technical problems with the camera and issues with the quality of our live streams, the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry have decided to suspend our Sunday live streams temporarily. We recognize how important offering our masses online is to those who cannot attend in person and as a means of evangelism in the modern age. However, we are committed to providing our viewers with the most worshipful experience. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes to many. We encourage those who are able to attend our Sunday masses in person. Weekday masses will continue to be streamed on Facebook Live. | |
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Youth & Young Adult Sunday
Sunday, May 19
Pentecost
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The Third Sunday of every month will be designated as Youth & Young Adult Sunday. We encourage as many as possible to come. A fun and fellowship hour with food and games will take place after the 11 AM Mass in the Upper Parish Hall.
In celebration of Pentecost, there will be a special pop-up breakfast or luncheon following each Mass. Donation: $10 (8 & 9:30), $20 (11:00) per adult. Youth will be free.
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We will be participating in these annual community events.
Please support our church.
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2024 Calendar of
Combined Masses
On the following Sundays,
one bilingual mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM.
July 28 (“Mass on the Grass”)
October 6 (“Mass on the Grass”; Blessing of the Animals)
November 3 (All Saints Sunday & Titular Feast)
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Pray the Rosary
Join the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham
in praying for those on our parish prayer lists, for your own needs, and for the world.
| Download the parish prayer lists below. | | |
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As a church family, we pray for each other and our needs, and share in celebrating our joys. Please pray for those on our parish prayer lists. You may click on the links below to download the lists.
Weekly Prayer List
Those with immediate concerns.
Monthly Prayer List
Those who request our prayers long-term.
List of those who have died recently
Pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
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Note: The Weekly Prayer List can get extremely lengthy if names stay on for a long time. If you see the name of someone whom you know that has recovered or died, please notify Ms. Marion Brown or Fr. Whitmire, so that we may give thanks or condolences and remove them off the list. Persons with ongoing concerns can be moved to the Monthly List. | |
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Please take note of the envelopes contained in the boxes. In addition to the pledge envelopes, there are envelopes for contributions for various holy days and special occasions, as well as envelopes to help the parish with certain operating expenses (e.g., heating fuel & maintenance). These envelopes are not intended for your regular pledge, but rather for an extra contribution of any amount. The first envelope in the box says, “Initial Offering.” This contribution helps defray the cost for providing the envelopes (around $450 per year). Please put in a few dollars.
Three ways to give:
Bring your contributions with you to Church.
Mail in your envelopes.
Give online.
Pledges received in April
(envelopes + online)
$10,700
Pledges and other contributions to All Saints can be made online. Contributions go to the General Operating Fund can be made through the church management website (called OnRealm) or by using the “Donate” page on the church website. Donations to General Operations will take you directly to the donation window. Select from the pull-down menu (e.g. Envelope Pledges, Ascension, Birthday Gift, Improvement & Maintenance), then select the amount and frequency. Contributions may be made by e-check (preferred) or by credit/debit card, and are automatically credited to your church record within one or two business days.
You may also use the “Donate” page to make contri-butions for worship items, flowers, and mass dedications. This is a two-step process. First fill out the form indicating what you are donating, the event you are commemorating, and when you would like an acknowledgement of the donation to appear in the bulletin. You must click submit first, and that information will be sent to the church office. After you submit, you will be redirected to a donation window where you can make your payment. If you didn't sign in already, there is a link in the top-right corner so you can do so.
Click here to be redirected to the Donate page.
Click here to be directed to OnRealm to sign in, or register and create a password. If you have any questions or trouble signing in, please send us an e-mail or call the church for assistance.
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Give Thanks to God and Celebrate Life!
At All Saints we love celebrating birthdays. After each Mass, we bless anyone who is celebrating their birthday or anniversary. There are several ways you can give thanks to God for blessing you with another year of life or marriage by making a gift for flowers, bread and wine, altar candles, or candles for the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. You can even have a mass dedicated in your honor!
Another way you should thank God for your birthday is by making a birthday donation; there is a special envelope in your pledge boxes for a birthday gift and a gift can be made online. But how much should you give?
Beginning in January, we are starting a new All Saints tradition of thanking God for every year of life by giving one dollar ($1) for every year as your birthday gift. In other words, if you’re turning 2, give $2; if you’re tuning 21, give $21; if you’re turning 65, give $65. Get the idea?
The great thing is that everyone in the church can participate--kids and adults! Everyone has a birthday!!!
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“Rogation” comes from the Latin rogare, which means “to ask,” and Rogation Days are the four days preceding the Feast of the Ascension during which we seek to ask God’s mercy, appease his anger, avert his chastisements manifest through natural disasters, and ask for his blessings, particularly with regard to farming, gardening, and other agricultural pursuits. They are set aside to remind us how radically dependent we are upon Mother Earth, and how prayer can help protect us from nature’s often cruel ways. It is quite easy, especially for us modern city folk, to sentimentalize nature and to forget how powerful, even savage, she can be. Time is often spent focusing only on her lovelier aspects---the beauty of snow, the smell of cedar, the glories of flowers; but in an instant, the veneer of civilization we’ve built to keep nature under control so we can enjoy her without suffering at her hand can be swept away.
Recalling this truth, beseeching God and His Saints to protect us from disaster, and doing penance are what Rogation Days are about. Pope St. Leo III---the Pope who crowned Charlemagne on Christmas Day of 800---introduced these days of penance into Rome in 816, the year of his death, after which they became standard throughout the Latin Church. The liturgy for the Rogation Days, during which the priest is vested in violet, begins with Psalm 44:26, “Arise, and help us, and deliver us, for thy mercy’s sake.” -- which is followed by the Litany of the Saints. During the Litany a procession is formed, which is traditionally around the boundaries of the parish, giving to the procession the moniker of “beating the bounds.” The Rogation Days are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week.
We should observe these days with special devotion, asking God to bless our homes and our families, and offering thanksgiving for the many material benefits he has rendered unto us. It is particularly appropriate to pray the Litany each day after Morning Prayer.
Source unkown.
A Prayer for Fruitful Seasons
O Gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness; We beseech thee of thine infinite goodness to hear us, who now make our prayers and supplications unto thee. Remember not our sins, but thy promises of mercy. Vouchsafe to bless the lands and multiply the harvests of the world. Let thy breath go forth that it may renew the face of the earth. Show thy loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and so fill us with good things that the poor and needy may give thanks unto thy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
--Book of Common Prayer, 1928
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LIVING OUT OUR MISSION
Articles, photos, and videos about
how All Saints is living out its mission.
The mission of All Saints Church is to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord by our participation in the Eucharist, our fellowship in oneness and diversity, by respect for each other, and through outreach into the community.
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May Crowning and Rogation Procession
Sunday, May 5
Due to inclement weather, we had to do our Rogation Procession indoors, but it was still glorious!
| Click on the video above to see the crowning of Our Lady of Walsingham. |
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If you have an interesting story, photo, or video that features an example of living out All Saints' mission, please e-mail it to Fr. Whitmire by 6 PM on Sunday.
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Click the image to download the flyer. | |
Click the image above to download the flyer. |
Click the image above to download the schedule. |
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All Saints Episcopal Church
85-45 96th Street
Woodhaven, New York 11421-1727
(718) 849-2352
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