Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of thy people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calleth us each by name, and follow where he doth lead; who, with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Acts 4:5-12 (Click to read the passage)

This passage finds Peter and John having been arrested for teaching the Gospel to crowds of people. When they’re brought in front of the powers-that-be, rather than denying what they were doing or keeping silent, Peter doubles down and reaffirms that the healing and teaching they were doing was, in fact, in the name of Jesus Christ. When the chips were down, Peter chose not to lie to avoid trouble. Instead, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” he tells the truth, even while knowing that it could have dire consequences.

It’s exceptionally difficult to maintain a commitment to the truth when your personal safety and well-being are at risk. And yet, this is the call that the disciples knew they must answer. They take a big risk to continue preaching the Gospel, even and especially after seeing how the authorities tortured and killed Jesus. Their courage and commitment speak to the significance and depth of their belief in the Gospel, as well as their charge to continue to teach others about Jesus even in the face of personal danger.

• What examples from history can you think of where an individual or group refused to compromise on telling the truth? What were the consequences? Was it worth it?
• What are your most deeply held beliefs? Where do they come from, and how do they influence your life?

Psalm 23 (KJV) (Click to read the psalm)

This psalm is one of the most well-known pieces of Scripture in the entire Biblical canon. It is often memorized and recited to provide comfort, reassurance, and hope in difficult situations. Like many people, I often get nervous while flying. During takeoff, I find myself often whispering this psalm to myself under my breath as a way to provide comfort and remind myself that God is present even in frightening or dangerous situations.

Here, the psalmist proclaims God’s faithfulness and steadfastness. God never leaves us alone to fend for ourselves, nor forgets us when we need guidance, reassurance, or help. When we are in the midst of trouble, these truths can feel far away. The words of the psalm, however, help us to remain strong in our faith even during those times of uncertainty and fear.

• Are there certain prayers or words from Scripture that bring you comfort?
• What have been some of the “valley[s] of the shadow of death” that you’ve walked through in your life? Were you able to feel God’s presence during those times?

1 John 4:7-21 (Click to read the passage)

Most of us have probably heard the expression, “It’s not enough to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.” This sums up this passage well, as it reminds us that living the Gospel demands not just saying the right things, but also taking action for truth and justice. Following God’s commandments isn’t something we do to earn God’s love – that, after all, is a gift freely given to us. Instead, it’s a way of demonstrating the love that we have received and the desire to act with integrity in the world, loving others and doing what is right.

• Is love an action, a feeling, or something else? How do you know when you are seeing someone act out of love?
• What does it mean to lay down one’s life for another? How might you be being called to live out this commandment in your own life?

John 10:11-18 (Click to read the passage)

The Good Shepherd is one of the most enduring and powerful images of Christ, and a metaphor that helps us to understand the ways in which God loves us. In this passage, Jesus makes the distinction between a hired hand who abandons the sheep when times get tough, and a shepherd who never gives up on protecting his flock, even when it requires him to lay down his own life.

It is a powerful thing to know that we are loved so deeply and relentlessly, as Jesus describes to his followers here in this passage. Although difficulties and dangers are part of living a human life, Jesus assures us that ultimately, we have the protection of his self-sacrificial love which will never leave us out in the cold.

• What would you do if you knew you were protected and could not fail?
• What metaphors for Christ’s love do you find most powerful? What do you picture when you hear “the Good Shepherd?”

The Episcopal Church: Bible Study - Easter 4B - April 21, 2024

This Week at All Saints

Events this Week

(Easter 4)



Live streams can be viewed at the times indicated below

and anytime thereafter.

Wednesday, April 24

(Easter Feria)

7:00 PM - Low Mass

Click here to view on Facebook Live.

Friday, April 26

(Easter Feria)

9:30 AM - Low Mass

Click here to view on Facebook Live.

Saturday, April 27

(Easter Feria)

4:00 PM - 150^th Anniversary Celebration

at Church of the Resurrection, Richmond Hill

(see & download the flyer at the end of the newsletter)

Sunday, April 28

(Fifth Sunday of Easter)

8:00 AM - Said Mass

9:30 AM - La Misa en Español

11:00 AM - High Mass

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.

Youth & Young Adult Sunday

We had 15 or so kids, youth, and young adults on Sunday!

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.

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)

Pray the Rosary

Download the parish prayer lists below.

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.

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!!!

Saints of the Week

St. George, Martyr

April 23

It is uncertain when Saint George was born and historians continue to debate to this day. However, his death date is estimated to be April 23, 303.

The first piece of evidence of George’s existence appeared within the works of the Bollandists Daniel Papebroch, Jean Bolland, and Godfrey Henschen’s Bibliotheca Hagiographica Graeca. George was one of several names listed in the historical text, and Pope Gelasius claimed George was one of the saints “whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose actions are known only to God.”

George was born to a Gerontios and Polychronia, a Roman officer and a Greek native of Lydda. Both were Christians from noble families of the Anici and George, Georgios in the original Greek, was raised to follow their faith. When George was old enough, he was welcomed into Diocletian’s army. By his late 20’s, George became a Tribunus and served as an imperial guard for the Emperor at Nicomedia.

On February 24, 303, Diocletian, who hated Christians, announced that every Christian the army passed would be arrested and every other soldier should offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods. George refused to abide by the order and told Diocletian, who was angry but greatly valued his friendship with George’s father. When George announced his beliefs before his peers, Diocletian was unable to keep the news to himself. In an effort to save George, Diocletian attempted to convert him to believe in the Roman gods, offered him land, money and slaves in exchange for offering a sacrifice to the Roman gods, and made several other offers that George refused. Finally, after exhausting all other options, Diocletian ordered George’s execution. In preparation for his death, George gave his money to the poor and was sent for several torture sessions. He was lacerated on a wheel of swords and required resuscitation three times, but still George did not turn from God.

On April 23, 303, George was decapitated before Nicomedia’s outer wall. His body was sent to Lydda for burial, and other Christians went to honor George as a martyr.

The Legend of St. George & the Dragon

There are several stories about George fighting dragons, but in the Western version, a dragon or crocodile made its nest at a spring that provided water to Silene, believed to be modern-day Cyrene in Libya. The people were unable to collect water and so attempted to remove the dragon from its nest on several occasions. It would temporarily leave its nest when they offered it a sheep each day, until the sheep disappeared and the people were distraught. This was when they decided that a maiden would be just as effective as sending a sheep. The townspeople chose the victim by drawing straws. This continued until one day the princess’ straw was drawn. The monarch begged for her to be spared but the people would not have it. She was offered to the dragon, but before she could be devoured, George appeared. He faced the dragon, protected himself with the sign of the Cross, and slayed the dragon. After saving the town, the citizens abandoned their paganism and were all converted to Christianity.

St. George is venerated in the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran Churches, as well as in Islam and the Druze faith His feast day is April 23, but among Eastern Orthodox churches who use the “old” (Julian) calendar, it is May 6. In art, he is depicted clothed as a crusader in plate armor called ‘mail,’ often bearing a lance tipped by a cross, riding a white horse, and slaying a dragon. In the Greek East and Latin West he is shown with St George’s Cross emblazoned on his armor, shield, or banner. He is the patron saint of England, agricultural workers, farmers, field workers, soldiers, archers, armorers, equestrians, cavalry, saddle makers, chivalry, peacekeeping missions, skin diseases, lepers and leprosy, syphilis, sheep, shepherds, and scouting.

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=280

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George

St. Mark the Evangelist

April 25

Much of what we know about St. Mark, the author of the Second Gospel, comes largely from the New Testament and early Christian traditions. Mark the Evangelist is believed to be the ‘John Mark’ referred to in the Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early Church found in the Canon of the New Testament.

He was the son of Mary of Jerusalem (Acts 12:12) whose home became a meeting place for the apostles. He is also the cousin of St. Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), a Levite and a Cypriot.

Mark joined St. Paul and St. Barnabas on their first missionary journey to Antioch in AD 44. When the group reached Cyprus, Christian tradition holds that Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem, possibly because he was missing his home (Acts 13:13). This incident may have caused Paul to question whether Mark could be a reliable missionary. This created a disagree-ment between Paul and Barnabas and led Paul to refuse Mark’s accompaniment on their second journey to the churches of Cilicia and the rest of Asia Minor. However, it can be assumed the troubles between Paul and Mark did not last long, because when Paul was first imprisoned, Mark, who was at the time in Rome with plans of visiting Asia Minor, visited him as one of his trusted companions (Colossians 4:10).

Mark’s hopes to visit Asia Minor were most likely carried out, because during Paul’s second captivity and just before his martyrdom, Paul wrote to Timothy at Ephesus advising him to “take Mark and bring him with you [to Rome], for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). If Mark returned to Rome at this time, he was probably there when Paul was martyred.

According to Christian tradition, Mark also held a close relationship with St. Peter, who referred to Mark has ‘his son’ in his letter addressed to a number of churches in Asia Minor (1 Peter 5:13). Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus and Papias all indicate that Mark was an interpreter for Peter. Although Papias states Mark had not personally heard the Lord speak firsthand and, like Luke, Mark was not one of the twelve apostles, some believe Mark was likely speaking of himself when he wrote the description of Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane. “Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked” (Mark 14:51-52).

St. Mark lived for years in Alexandria, where he died as a martyr while being dragged through the streets. Mark’s Gospel was probably written between AD 60 and 70, and was based upon the teachings of St. Peter. It is believed Mark provided both Luke and Matthew with basic sources for their Gospel’s. He was probably the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt and the founder of the Church of Alexandria, although he is not mentioned in connection to the city by either Clement of Alexandria nor by Origen. In 828, relics of St. Mark were stolen from Alexandria and taken to Venice, Italy. There they are enshrined in a beautiful cathedral dedicated to the saint.

St. Mark is venerated in all Christian traditions. His symbol is a winged lion. This is believed to be derived from his description of St. John the Baptist, as “a voice of one crying out in the desert” (Mark 1:3). The wings come from Ezekiel’s vision of four winged creatures as the evangelists. He is often depicted in art as writing or holding his Gospel. He is sometimes shown as a bishop on a throne or as a man helping Venetian sailors.

St. Mark is the patron saint of Egypt, the Coptic Church, the City of Venice, and barristers. His feast day is celebrated on April 25 or May 8, among “old calendar” Orthodox Christians.



https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=305

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_the_Evangelist

Church of the Resurrection, Richmond Hill

150th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, April 27

4 PM

Click the image below to download the flyer.