Sunday 28th November, 2010 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Sentence
Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths Isaiah 2:3
Collect
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which Your Son Jesus Christ came among us in great humility, that on the last day, when He shall come again in His glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal: through Him Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever Amen
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 2: 1 – 5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me: “Let us go to the house of the Lord”
And now our feet are standing: within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city: where the pilgrims gather in unity.
There the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: as He commanded Israel, to give thanks to the Name of the Lord
There are set thrones of judgement: the thrones of the house of David.
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may those who love you prosper.
Peace be within your walls: and prosperity in your palaces.
For the sake of my kindred and companions: I will pray that peace be with you
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God: I will seek for your good.
Epistle Romans 13: 9 – 14
The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbour as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
GOSPEL Matthew 24: 36 – 44
Jesus said, “About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
NOTES ON THE READINGS .........
Before we quite get there:
This Sunday marks the beginning of a new Church Year, and a new Advent. This Season is preparation for Christmas as Lent is for Easter, and all the readings will offer both a sense of urgency, as well as a clear sense of direction, not just for faith but for life.
The focus of that direction is the Lord of course, but in a rather wider sense than is generally perceived by most of us Christians. The pattern pointed to and lived out by Jesus – as Servant King – is the clear pattern of reconciliation, forgiveness and love for all humans. It needs to be seen that the Faith, Hebrew and Christian, is actually rooted firmly in the ‘now,’ and offers serious solutions to the ‘human dilemma’ of tensions and hatreds.
So, please see that this is not some sort of unique and different faith that excludes all others; rather it is something so effective and emphasised for the entire world to see. Whilst it could be said that much of the clarity of this Faith was perhaps not as clear and visible in Old Testament times as later, it is all there in seed and potential. Why has this not been underlined by Christians ... and all others interested in coping with the human dilemma? I have more than a sneaky suspicion that the answer to that lies in the very human dilemma that this Faith sets out to resolve! Evil is never so dangerous as when it poses as the opposite.
Old Testament
If you think that Isaiah was having himself on when he wrote all this, then I would ask you to think again. In fact I ask you to take a deep breath and ponder the Old Testament Faith most Christians tend to be cynical about. The reality is, and always has been, that if and when old Israel (or ‘new’ Church) took their faith seriously, then all that Isaiah looked for was in line for completion. I kid you not. (Paul may well have sounded off about the incapacity of the Mosaic Law to change anything much, but there is another clear and powerful side to Hebrew Faith.)
That Faith, as with Christianity, was designed to bring about reconciliation and peace. And it still is. Here and now. So the prophet was not ‘off with the fairies,’ but dealing with Biblical realities. From Genesis on, those ancient worthies perceived the point and purpose of the Faith in precisely this direction, and when we do, a whole new ball-game opens up in front of me, and you, and the entire world. Irrelevant this Faith IS NOT!
Psalm
As a choirboy back in the ‘40s and ‘50s, and we sang this Psalm in Church, I found it difficult even to consider the possibility of being glad when they said to me ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Actually, even at my call to the priesthood, my great fear was the expectation of sheer and utter boredom. I kid you not yet again! And it took quite a few years for me to get past such a view. I am not all that good at being religious, preferring to be fair dinkum and honest.
However, life is quite a learning curve, and it must be many decades now since my discovery that boredom was never part of the equation, and that the Faith continues to make the greatest sense and offers (to my knowledge) the only positive hope for peace and life in a world gone more than slightly mad. The reason for the author’s rejoicing was that remarkable rarity in early Biblical times, peace, justice (consider the outcome of ‘judgement, not in terms of punishment but in terms of balance of truth,) and responsibility. OK, some of those words are not there, but the realities are. Think about it.
Epistle
If you had not caught sight of it so far, now look again. OK, this is New Testament, but it all stands on the shoulders of the Old, and while you might see ‘commandments,’ do stop and realize this as ‘direction and purpose.’ Love is the fulfilling of the Law. And you cannot gainsay that, now can you?
GOSPEL
Even this Gospel has its word to say about the likely outcome of human refusal to act with justice and fairness. Here is no end of the world scenario, but the result of human greed, lack of integrity and self-obsession. Pardon the shot, but are you aware that those who talk about ‘rapture’ in response to this passage have their facts rather upside down. Those taken are not the blessed but their opposites. The Flood swept the naughty ones away, it was the Ark that saved the righteous from raging torrents. There is a great deal to be commented on here, but unless I stop now it may well go on for many paragraphs.
Obviously, the main impact of Jesus’ words was to warn His hearers that such times are critical and demand action and decision. Any time of crisis provides that challenge, and the real threat to the Church – of any age let alone our own! – is only our complacency and apathy. There is nothing wrong with the Faith; our problem is with our understanding and commitment to it.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
You may well have heard the story before: of a Primary School RI Class of a number of years ago. The subject was the Ten Commandments and the Year 7 kids were not impressed with any idea of rules and regulations. Mind you, they were mad keen on sports. Football, netball, basketball, cricket.
So I wondered out aloud with them how it would be to play tennis on a football ground, using no rules whatever, no umpires, no limits. They looked at me quite oddly as if I had gone mad, signing to each other that they were sure I was! So I asked them the reason for their reactions. ‘How could anyone have a game out of that?’ they asked. ‘Nothing would be fair, and no one could keep a score or anything.’ So as we pondered the stupid situation, they began to see that no rules, no boundaries, no umpires meant not only no fairness, but also no shape to any game. All would be chaos. All would be chaos. It was a steep learning curve for those kids, who had decided that no rules was the way to go until they began to ponder the almost immediate outcome of such a course of action.
It may be some surprise to you, but in all my study of faith and faiths, I have yet to find any religion that developed along the lines that Judaism did. Certainly other cultures had their laws and even the Ten Commandments had precedent in the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi. But law and religion tended to be rather separate issues, and justice and truth and integrity were certainly not normally part of any religious scene. Except in Israel. In fact, the Hebrew faith developed some remarkably just and fair ways of operating. Those who are still very critical of religious superstition may have a case in rather early Old Testament views, but the passage of time brought some great maturity. Even the early minor prophets had some powerful things to say about unfairness and rapacity, about abuse of wealth and privilege, and about the even-then increasing gap between rich and poor. Read Amos, for instance, and take on board his very caustic response to the profound unfairnesses of his own day – and his clear recognition that such actions and attitudes as reflected by people around him not only displeased God, but were very likely (and did!) bring about the collapse of the nation from within.
I have noted elsewhere, often enough, that we who grew up with the Biblical repetition of ‘righteousness’ had it drummed into us that this meant keeping oneself ‘pure.’ That inverted view of the meaning of the word led to all manner of priggishness – little removed from Pharisaism. That was a singularly unpretty path to travel, and far from the Biblical reality. Righteousness = not priggishness but justice. justice. In Biblical terms, justice has nothing to do with retribution and punishment, but rather taking all the related issues into account in understanding people’s reasons for acting in certain ways. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The outcome of travelling that road is far more likely to produce acceptance and understanding; and it reduces any resort to violence as almost impossible.
Now that great antagonist of the Mosaic Law, the Apostle Paul, clearly understood that, as he wrote that passage to the Romans. Paul, also, would have been very aware of the general human fear of chaos, brought very near if ever the fearful tribes from the far north east ever invaded; Genghis Khan and his ilk were a huge threat to anyone’s security. And in this passage Paul saw the value of caring and loving and truth and integrity. Love, he said, is the fulfilling of the Law.
Time and again, when people in Church have felt led to pray for peace, I have asked them to see that there can never be peace until their is first justice. There can never be reconciliation until there is justice. And there can never be reconciliation until there is forgiveness. And none of those directions can be followed unless and until I am so affected by such needs as to bend all my will and effort to head in such a way. It calls for utter honesty, it calls for utter commitment, and it calls for following my Lord and yours wherever that may take us.
And that is where the Advent bit shows up loud and clear. Advent is the annual reminder of the Lord Who comes to us: has come in the Incarnation; does come to us in the vicissitudes of ordinary life – if we are aware of His presence in crises. And will come again as guarantor of all that is true and worthy and genuine.
In other words, Advent is our reminder to keep our eyes open to His visitation, almost always in the guise of someone else, unremarkable but valuable.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Newsletter
SUNDAY 28th November, 2010
First Sunday of Advent
Our Celebrant and preacher today is Warren Huffa
WELCOME to Holy Innocents—we hope you enjoy this time of prayer as we reflect on Scripture together and celebrate the Eucharist. We invite you to join us for breakfast after the 8am service, or morning tea after the 10am service. Children joining us today may join in the Sunday School at the 10am service - which meets during School term times.
COLLECT FOR THE DAY Advent 1 Year A
Faithful God, whose promises stand unshaken through all generations: renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert watching for the glorious return of Jesus Christ, our Judge and Saviour, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
From the Ron Blog—Epistle for today
You may well have heard the story before of a Primary School Scripture Class a number of years ago. The subject was the Ten Commandments and the Year 7 kids—like many of their parents—were not impressed with any idea of rules and regulations. Mind you, they were mad keen on sports. Football, netball, basketball, cricket. So I wondered out aloud with them how it would be to play tennis on a football ground, using no rules whatever, no umpires, no limits. They looked at me as if I had gone mad, signing to each other that they were sure I was! So I asked them the reason for their reactions. ‘How could anyone have a game out of that?’ they asked. ‘Nothing would be fair, and no one could keep a score or anything.’ So as we pondered the stupid situation, they began to see that no rules, no boundaries, no umpires meant not only no fairness, but also no shape to any game. All would be chaos.
In all my study of faith, faiths and no faith, I have yet to find any religion or ism that developed along the lines that Judaism did. Certainly other cultures had their laws and even the Ten Commandments had its precedent in the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi. But law and religion tended to be rather separate issues, and justice and truth and integrity were certainly not normally part of any religious scene except in Israel. In fact, the Hebrew faith developed remarkably just and fair ways of operating. They didn’t always stick with it, mind.
Those who are very critical of religious ‘superstition’ may have a case in very early Old Testament, but the passage of time brought some greater maturity. Even the early Minor Prophets had some powerful things to say about unfairness and rapacity, about abuse of wealth and privilege, and about the even-then increasing gap between rich and poor. Read Amos, for instance, and take on board his very caustic response to the profound injustices of his own day’ Add to that his clear recognition that such actions and attitudes as reflected by people around him not only displeased God, but were very likely (and did!) bring about the collapse of the nation from within. So religion and politics don’t mix? Bah! Humbug!
There can never be peace until there is first justice. There can never be reconciliation until there is justice. And there can never be reconciliation until there is forgiveness. And none of those directions can be followed unless and until I am so affected by such needs as to bend all my will and effort to head in such a way. It calls for utter honesty, utter commitment, and for following my Lord and yours wherever that may take us.
***************************************************************************************
TODAY’S READINGS
Isaiah 2: 1—5 and Romans 13: 9—14 read by Eric D
GOSPEL Matthew 24: 36—44
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Ben Luks
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Barbara Radbone and Peter Little, the Swaby family—and for the future of Blackwood & District Community Hospital which is in great jeopardy. Avis Thomas, mother of Neil, passed away on Monday—please remember all that familyl.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Harper Huffa, Marcia Wilkins, Joyce Arnold and Danny Kormaat
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – Marilyn and Peter Little
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY – SecondSunday of Advent
Readings Isaiah 11: 1 –10 and Romans 15: 4—13
GOSPEL Matthew 24: 36—44
Refer Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
This Week Ron Keynes or Araki Family
Next Week Trevor Tregenza or Ron Keynes
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Iris D Intercessor Sue D-T
Sunday after Reader John Forster Intercessor Max A
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Jan Tregenza Brass Margaret Carruthers Cleaning Susan Lee
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road
Coromandel Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Traditional Communion
7.00pm Eucharist and Meditation to follow
COMING EVENTS
It’s that time of year again to represent your church and declare to the community what Christmas is all about. Take part in the Blackwood Pageant at the front of the parade representing all the churches in the area. Assemble in Gulfview Road between five to five thirty near Hungry Jacks on 3rd December." Ross Hill-Brown
Friday December 3 St John's Year 6 party in hall 5pm-7pm.
Baptism on 12th December. Emily Rose Prunty and Lucy Rose Plummer
This is a special day as the service will also honour the children in the Sunday School. After Church there is a picnic for the children at Apex Park - and all are invited to be there: simply let Robyn Keynes (8298 7160) or Liz Anstey know. (7127 8724)
Marriage Saturday 18th December is the day for Sarah Morecroft and Chris Raymond to be married, and we wish them all the best for their future.
HELPLINE
Part of being a Christian community is the support offered to each other in times of need. We offer short-term delivery of food where needed, local transport, phone calls, visits and other types of assistance. Call Christie Hodgson on 8370 3260 or Caroline Sweet on 8278 3058
ART EXHIBITION AND SALE.
Christie Hodgson is holding her Water-colour Exhibition at her home, 2/3 Chapman St., Blackwood, from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Members of Holy Innocents’ are eligible for a 10% discount!
Sunday School
In the New Year, volunteers will be called for to assist with Junior Sunday School —please see Robyn Keynes if you can help
Samaritans Purse - Shoe Boxes
Thank you to everyone who filled a shoe box and gave donations. We sent 23 Shoe Boxes and 4 Donations. These will be gratefully received by the children around Christmas time Thanking you Marlene Dixon.
Pray for Sudan
For four decades Sudan has been plagued by civil war. In 2005 a peace agreement was signed which allowed for a referendum to be held in Southern Sudan (a mainly Christian area) to find out whether the people want to separate from the rest of the country and establish a new nation. Southern Sudan is one of the world’s poorest areas. It is widely expected that the Christian south will secede from the mainly Muslim north. This historic vote will occur on 9 January 2011. Whatever the result of the vote, it seems that there is the potential for violence before, during and after the referendum.
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net or 8298 7160 by Tuesday nights, please
First Sunday of Advent
Our Celebrant and preacher today is Warren Huffa
WELCOME to Holy Innocents—we hope you enjoy this time of prayer as we reflect on Scripture together and celebrate the Eucharist. We invite you to join us for breakfast after the 8am service, or morning tea after the 10am service. Children joining us today may join in the Sunday School at the 10am service - which meets during School term times.
COLLECT FOR THE DAY Advent 1 Year A
Faithful God, whose promises stand unshaken through all generations: renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert watching for the glorious return of Jesus Christ, our Judge and Saviour, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
From the Ron Blog—Epistle for today
You may well have heard the story before of a Primary School Scripture Class a number of years ago. The subject was the Ten Commandments and the Year 7 kids—like many of their parents—were not impressed with any idea of rules and regulations. Mind you, they were mad keen on sports. Football, netball, basketball, cricket. So I wondered out aloud with them how it would be to play tennis on a football ground, using no rules whatever, no umpires, no limits. They looked at me as if I had gone mad, signing to each other that they were sure I was! So I asked them the reason for their reactions. ‘How could anyone have a game out of that?’ they asked. ‘Nothing would be fair, and no one could keep a score or anything.’ So as we pondered the stupid situation, they began to see that no rules, no boundaries, no umpires meant not only no fairness, but also no shape to any game. All would be chaos.
In all my study of faith, faiths and no faith, I have yet to find any religion or ism that developed along the lines that Judaism did. Certainly other cultures had their laws and even the Ten Commandments had its precedent in the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi. But law and religion tended to be rather separate issues, and justice and truth and integrity were certainly not normally part of any religious scene except in Israel. In fact, the Hebrew faith developed remarkably just and fair ways of operating. They didn’t always stick with it, mind.
Those who are very critical of religious ‘superstition’ may have a case in very early Old Testament, but the passage of time brought some greater maturity. Even the early Minor Prophets had some powerful things to say about unfairness and rapacity, about abuse of wealth and privilege, and about the even-then increasing gap between rich and poor. Read Amos, for instance, and take on board his very caustic response to the profound injustices of his own day’ Add to that his clear recognition that such actions and attitudes as reflected by people around him not only displeased God, but were very likely (and did!) bring about the collapse of the nation from within. So religion and politics don’t mix? Bah! Humbug!
There can never be peace until there is first justice. There can never be reconciliation until there is justice. And there can never be reconciliation until there is forgiveness. And none of those directions can be followed unless and until I am so affected by such needs as to bend all my will and effort to head in such a way. It calls for utter honesty, utter commitment, and for following my Lord and yours wherever that may take us.
***************************************************************************************
TODAY’S READINGS
Isaiah 2: 1—5 and Romans 13: 9—14 read by Eric D
GOSPEL Matthew 24: 36—44
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Ben Luks
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Barbara Radbone and Peter Little, the Swaby family—and for the future of Blackwood & District Community Hospital which is in great jeopardy. Avis Thomas, mother of Neil, passed away on Monday—please remember all that familyl.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Harper Huffa, Marcia Wilkins, Joyce Arnold and Danny Kormaat
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – Marilyn and Peter Little
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY – SecondSunday of Advent
Readings Isaiah 11: 1 –10 and Romans 15: 4—13
GOSPEL Matthew 24: 36—44
Refer Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
This Week Ron Keynes or Araki Family
Next Week Trevor Tregenza or Ron Keynes
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Iris D Intercessor Sue D-T
Sunday after Reader John Forster Intercessor Max A
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Jan Tregenza Brass Margaret Carruthers Cleaning Susan Lee
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road
Coromandel Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Traditional Communion
7.00pm Eucharist and Meditation to follow
COMING EVENTS
It’s that time of year again to represent your church and declare to the community what Christmas is all about. Take part in the Blackwood Pageant at the front of the parade representing all the churches in the area. Assemble in Gulfview Road between five to five thirty near Hungry Jacks on 3rd December." Ross Hill-Brown
Friday December 3 St John's Year 6 party in hall 5pm-7pm.
Baptism on 12th December. Emily Rose Prunty and Lucy Rose Plummer
This is a special day as the service will also honour the children in the Sunday School. After Church there is a picnic for the children at Apex Park - and all are invited to be there: simply let Robyn Keynes (8298 7160) or Liz Anstey know. (7127 8724)
Marriage Saturday 18th December is the day for Sarah Morecroft and Chris Raymond to be married, and we wish them all the best for their future.
HELPLINE
Part of being a Christian community is the support offered to each other in times of need. We offer short-term delivery of food where needed, local transport, phone calls, visits and other types of assistance. Call Christie Hodgson on 8370 3260 or Caroline Sweet on 8278 3058
ART EXHIBITION AND SALE.
Christie Hodgson is holding her Water-colour Exhibition at her home, 2/3 Chapman St., Blackwood, from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Members of Holy Innocents’ are eligible for a 10% discount!
Sunday School
In the New Year, volunteers will be called for to assist with Junior Sunday School —please see Robyn Keynes if you can help
Samaritans Purse - Shoe Boxes
Thank you to everyone who filled a shoe box and gave donations. We sent 23 Shoe Boxes and 4 Donations. These will be gratefully received by the children around Christmas time Thanking you Marlene Dixon.
Pray for Sudan
For four decades Sudan has been plagued by civil war. In 2005 a peace agreement was signed which allowed for a referendum to be held in Southern Sudan (a mainly Christian area) to find out whether the people want to separate from the rest of the country and establish a new nation. Southern Sudan is one of the world’s poorest areas. It is widely expected that the Christian south will secede from the mainly Muslim north. This historic vote will occur on 9 January 2011. Whatever the result of the vote, it seems that there is the potential for violence before, during and after the referendum.
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net or 8298 7160 by Tuesday nights, please
Saturday, November 20, 2010
RonBlog
Sunday 21st November, 2010 Sunday next before Advent
Christ the King
Sentence
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud O daughter of Jerusalem. Lo, your King comes to you, triumphant and victorious is He, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
Collect
Stir up, we pray, O Lord, the wills of Your faithful people, that they plenteously bringing forth the fruits of good works may by You be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Eternal God, You exalted Jesus Christ to rule over all things, and have made us instruments of His kingdom; by Your Spirit empower us to love the unloved, and to minister to all in need, then at the last, bring us to Your eternal realm where we may be welcomed into Your everlasting joy and may worship and adore You for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever Amen
Old Testament Lesson Jeremiah 23: 1 – 6
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord, Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."
FOR THE PSALM Song of Zechariah
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: Who has come to His people and set them free
The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour: born of the house of His servant David
Through the holy prophets, God promised of old: to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us
To show mercy to our forebears: and to remember His holy covenant
This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies
Free to worship Him without fear: holy and righteous before Him, all the days of our life
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways
To give His people knowledge of salvation: by the forgiveness of their sins
In the tender compassion of our God: the dawn from on high shall break upon us
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Epistle Colossians 1: 11 - 20
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him.
He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
GOSPEL Luke 23: 33 – 43
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!"
The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
NOTES ON THE READINGS
A few comments before we start may be of some help. If you are wondering at the apparent disconnection between today’s readings, it may be of use to ponder the title for the day. Christ the King.
It is obvious that these days require almost a re-translation of ‘King’ anyhow, even whilst wondering why we retain such an obsolete title. The real problem, in Jesus’ day as well as ours, lies in the perception of what makes a King and what is the role. Humans would point to power and control! And that is where our Lord would part company. David was the icon of king, and he began as shepherd, and that view has never left the Biblical outlook. SHEPHERD. And if you were wondering, John in Revelation makes it quite clear that Jesus’ Kingship is expressed most fully and completely when He is on the Cross. Here is Shepherd-King par excellence. Neither priest nor prophet nor king of any sort is of any value to other than himself or herself unless he/she is patterned on Christ. Don’t get all religious and gooey about this! The only way to rule is a servant. Like Jesus. And that applies in any realm of human activity, for believers or for unbelievers. Ponder that if you would please.
Old Testament Lesson
So now it is clear why this ‘shepherd passage’ is set for today. The great tragedy of Israel is that whilst it was well set up to operate in the line of servant-hood, it rarely reached the ideal because humans are not all that aligned to altruism. If I am in charge, then it is not long before I am likely to turn that into control. (How many control-freak clergy -- or lay people! – do you know?) Israel was little different. Yet the prophet was quite clear that things needed to change and to that he pointed.
Whilst it seems that most of the attention of Christian readers of such passages is to recognize the focus on Jesus and His ministry, it is important to note that the servant-hood of Israel had always been the prophets’ focus. That is saying, in effect, that Jesus ministry of reconciliation (vertical and horizontal) is the Christians’ ministry as it was for our Lord.
For the Psalm
Here is another of the canticles that we used to sing in the choir many decades ago in my home Church. Even then both the music and the words conveyed the confidence its authors held in the God Who wrought great things for them --- and us. That confidence stemmed from generations, centuries, millennia of history of the God Who gathered His people together and supported them. That support continued in spite of rugged disobedience and failure: thank heaven!
Epistle
And the Epistle carries through the challenge to continue to be the People of God in spite of failure and contrary pressure. But there is more in this than that: as it was something I missed in my early years I thought it wise to underline it all here.
Look at what St. Paul writes concerning Jesus. It is staggering stuff, and concerns every human on the planet if it is true. Most Christians see Jesus as their Saviour, and that He certainly is. But still these days many people miss the impact of the Lord part of the equation. And what it all means. GO back over those words again and ponder, please. ‘He has rescued us from the power of darkness is no vague business but something totally significant. Darkness is not knowing where you are going and what life is all about. Now you know. Look at the stunning statements continuing to be made about Jesus here, in terms of creation (and that also means point and purpose.) In Him all things hold together is another way of saying that if Jesus is rejected, then all that is left is nonsense. No point, no purpose, no direction. And that applies not just to Christians but to all humans.
This is not some sort of exclusivist statement: it is actually getting across the message that all we have been commenting on over the years is that Jesus, Lord, is guarantor of those important if less tangible aspects of life will outlast everything else. Justice and truth and integrity; compassion and love and caring. Self-giving not getting. So that wherever you encounter such aspects of life you can be certain that the Lord of all is there even before you. You can also be certain that, regardless of the events of any given time in history, evil and sin and death will be overcome. In fact, in Biblical terms, evil is overcome when it is shown up for what it is. When it is visible, incarnated.
It is remarkably powerful stuff, and in a way it is not proven! It is spread out before you as an offer, a direction to take, a path to follow. As I have often said, I follow Christ because He is the only One I have found Who makes such sense in life and about life. If there is no resurrection I must follow Him still, because nowhere else have I encountered such truth and reality.
GOSPEL
Show me anyone anywhere else where forgiveness of perpetrators is so readily offered in spite of the heinous injustice and damage caused to a person. The Cross is the symbol of reconciliation, both vertical (between God and us) and horizontal (between us and others.) And the process and the manner of operation is exactly the same. (Give a yell for more information if that is too brief a statement for you to follow.)
I remember when I first read the statement that hit me between the eyes, that John in his Revelation shows that the Kingship of Jesus is most evident when He was on the Cross. That was no blithe statement, but one of fact. Here most clearly is seen the nature of His Kingship: the total giving of Himself for others, out of profound love for them. Some Kings used to make propaganda sorts of statements along such lines, but their actions and attitudes were totally distant from any such reality. SO when we talk ‘King’ we really do need to convey precisely the nature of that Kingdom and Kingship.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
It may seem a little strange to you, but if ever you wondered why the early Apostles saw the need to write the various books that later made up the New Testament, there were two basic reasons. The first was to provide wider information about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and also of His teaching which is a significant part of the Gospel.
As time went by, and the expected Parousia did not appear, several other matters came to the attention of the Apostles, including the need to provide clear and clearer teaching about Who Christ is. In fact one of the greatest misunderstandings of those post-Biblical times was the threat of false teaching from all manner of ordinary and weird and wonderful sects and other groups. Of these probably the Gnostics were the most dangerous. (It has to be said that much of the distortion of Christian Faith of that period stemmed from those people. John’s Gospel, and its prologue in particular, was written to combat such nonsense.)
Less well know is the fact that Revelation was written, not to warn people of the end of the world, but to challenge the Church of the time to understand the breadth of the Faith far more clearly so that they could combat the rising perception that the Caesar was rather more obviously Lord than Jesus. You may well know that Roman citizens were expected (no it was demanded of them) to vow their allegiance to Caesar in one of the multitudes of temples in order to retain their status. Their vow consisted of two words, in Latin – Caesar Lord. And that ran contrary to the short Christian creed that Christ is Lord: As Roman power increased, that Christian creed looked less and less tenable.
Hence the writing of the Apocalypse. In very traditional Jewish style, John’s stunning book provides all the evidence necessary to provide people with solid grounds for understanding not only that Jesus is Lord or King, but also the clear and remarkable nature of that Kingship. In those days the concept of kingship was a powerful one, and all the evidence was there as people were confronted with the irresistible power of empire. The King’s word was law, and in his hands lay all power of life and death. No one could gainsay the King. And that had been the case over thousands of years in numbers of empires stretching back further than people’s memories.
But there was none of that sort of power and prestige in Jesus’ little pretend kingdom, so where does the truth lie? John’s well-thought out book drew constant and powerful contrasts between the ‘kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of our Christ.’ And the contrast is really devastating. It is a contrast between force, demand, propaganda and control .... and love and compassion and truth. And two fascinating areas of the difference are illustrated. The first is the fatal disparity between the two and the demand of the first to destroy the second; and the second area has to do with the relative effectiveness of the latter. You do not need any proof to realize that force and war corrects no issue but only aggravates existing ones and produces new areas of conflict. And you may well have first-hand experience of how the slower-working method of the real Kingdom has far more lasting and peaceful outcomes for good for everyone involved.
It may well be hard for modern readers to espy all that is being said in this most remarkable book, but one certainly needs to be aware of the development of concepts and ideas over many hundreds of years. One of the big hurdles for old Jewish thinkers was the focus of King David and Messiahship, a hurdle that seems not to have been looked at up to Jesus’ own time. That view was triumphalist and powerful, leaving Israel with the expectation that God would solve all problems and issues by His powerful Messiah, whoever that should be. Even John the Baptist’s expectation was one of power and correction and punishment, and you will recall John’s dismay that Jesus was not fulfilling his expectations at all!
But read the prophets, especially Isaiah and his series of cameos on the Servant of the Lord, and Jeremiah and Ezekiel who looked for a shepherd’s shepherd, still somewhat Davidic but radically different. And look to see your own expectation of who it might be who could solve this world’s ills, and whether you expect them to use force and power, military or whatever, or whether you see a rather more effective way. And then go on to see that it is not just the Servant of the Lord who is to deal with issues, but also you who are His followers. I am where the trouble starts; small wonder then that the Lord of Hosts sees the necessity of a human response to the human problem.
Incarnation and sacrifice. This is why GB Caird iterated often that the Kingship of Jesus is visible most strongly when He was on the Cross. Self-giving (as opposed to self-obsession.) Refusing to retaliate to human evil because that would multiply the evil, not reduce it. Absorbing all the hate and fear and anger rather than retaliating. Here is what looks like weakness being the very opposite of weakness, but only to those who see and understand what He was doing. Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it lives alone.
Thank God that, in Jesus of Nazareth you have a King worthy of the name, not just for Himself but for all humanity who understands and follows and puts their trust in Him
Christ the King
Sentence
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud O daughter of Jerusalem. Lo, your King comes to you, triumphant and victorious is He, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
Collect
Stir up, we pray, O Lord, the wills of Your faithful people, that they plenteously bringing forth the fruits of good works may by You be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Eternal God, You exalted Jesus Christ to rule over all things, and have made us instruments of His kingdom; by Your Spirit empower us to love the unloved, and to minister to all in need, then at the last, bring us to Your eternal realm where we may be welcomed into Your everlasting joy and may worship and adore You for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever Amen
Old Testament Lesson Jeremiah 23: 1 – 6
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord, Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."
FOR THE PSALM Song of Zechariah
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: Who has come to His people and set them free
The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour: born of the house of His servant David
Through the holy prophets, God promised of old: to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us
To show mercy to our forebears: and to remember His holy covenant
This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies
Free to worship Him without fear: holy and righteous before Him, all the days of our life
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways
To give His people knowledge of salvation: by the forgiveness of their sins
In the tender compassion of our God: the dawn from on high shall break upon us
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Epistle Colossians 1: 11 - 20
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him.
He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
GOSPEL Luke 23: 33 – 43
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!"
The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
NOTES ON THE READINGS
A few comments before we start may be of some help. If you are wondering at the apparent disconnection between today’s readings, it may be of use to ponder the title for the day. Christ the King.
It is obvious that these days require almost a re-translation of ‘King’ anyhow, even whilst wondering why we retain such an obsolete title. The real problem, in Jesus’ day as well as ours, lies in the perception of what makes a King and what is the role. Humans would point to power and control! And that is where our Lord would part company. David was the icon of king, and he began as shepherd, and that view has never left the Biblical outlook. SHEPHERD. And if you were wondering, John in Revelation makes it quite clear that Jesus’ Kingship is expressed most fully and completely when He is on the Cross. Here is Shepherd-King par excellence. Neither priest nor prophet nor king of any sort is of any value to other than himself or herself unless he/she is patterned on Christ. Don’t get all religious and gooey about this! The only way to rule is a servant. Like Jesus. And that applies in any realm of human activity, for believers or for unbelievers. Ponder that if you would please.
Old Testament Lesson
So now it is clear why this ‘shepherd passage’ is set for today. The great tragedy of Israel is that whilst it was well set up to operate in the line of servant-hood, it rarely reached the ideal because humans are not all that aligned to altruism. If I am in charge, then it is not long before I am likely to turn that into control. (How many control-freak clergy -- or lay people! – do you know?) Israel was little different. Yet the prophet was quite clear that things needed to change and to that he pointed.
Whilst it seems that most of the attention of Christian readers of such passages is to recognize the focus on Jesus and His ministry, it is important to note that the servant-hood of Israel had always been the prophets’ focus. That is saying, in effect, that Jesus ministry of reconciliation (vertical and horizontal) is the Christians’ ministry as it was for our Lord.
For the Psalm
Here is another of the canticles that we used to sing in the choir many decades ago in my home Church. Even then both the music and the words conveyed the confidence its authors held in the God Who wrought great things for them --- and us. That confidence stemmed from generations, centuries, millennia of history of the God Who gathered His people together and supported them. That support continued in spite of rugged disobedience and failure: thank heaven!
Epistle
And the Epistle carries through the challenge to continue to be the People of God in spite of failure and contrary pressure. But there is more in this than that: as it was something I missed in my early years I thought it wise to underline it all here.
Look at what St. Paul writes concerning Jesus. It is staggering stuff, and concerns every human on the planet if it is true. Most Christians see Jesus as their Saviour, and that He certainly is. But still these days many people miss the impact of the Lord part of the equation. And what it all means. GO back over those words again and ponder, please. ‘He has rescued us from the power of darkness is no vague business but something totally significant. Darkness is not knowing where you are going and what life is all about. Now you know. Look at the stunning statements continuing to be made about Jesus here, in terms of creation (and that also means point and purpose.) In Him all things hold together is another way of saying that if Jesus is rejected, then all that is left is nonsense. No point, no purpose, no direction. And that applies not just to Christians but to all humans.
This is not some sort of exclusivist statement: it is actually getting across the message that all we have been commenting on over the years is that Jesus, Lord, is guarantor of those important if less tangible aspects of life will outlast everything else. Justice and truth and integrity; compassion and love and caring. Self-giving not getting. So that wherever you encounter such aspects of life you can be certain that the Lord of all is there even before you. You can also be certain that, regardless of the events of any given time in history, evil and sin and death will be overcome. In fact, in Biblical terms, evil is overcome when it is shown up for what it is. When it is visible, incarnated.
It is remarkably powerful stuff, and in a way it is not proven! It is spread out before you as an offer, a direction to take, a path to follow. As I have often said, I follow Christ because He is the only One I have found Who makes such sense in life and about life. If there is no resurrection I must follow Him still, because nowhere else have I encountered such truth and reality.
GOSPEL
Show me anyone anywhere else where forgiveness of perpetrators is so readily offered in spite of the heinous injustice and damage caused to a person. The Cross is the symbol of reconciliation, both vertical (between God and us) and horizontal (between us and others.) And the process and the manner of operation is exactly the same. (Give a yell for more information if that is too brief a statement for you to follow.)
I remember when I first read the statement that hit me between the eyes, that John in his Revelation shows that the Kingship of Jesus is most evident when He was on the Cross. That was no blithe statement, but one of fact. Here most clearly is seen the nature of His Kingship: the total giving of Himself for others, out of profound love for them. Some Kings used to make propaganda sorts of statements along such lines, but their actions and attitudes were totally distant from any such reality. SO when we talk ‘King’ we really do need to convey precisely the nature of that Kingdom and Kingship.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
It may seem a little strange to you, but if ever you wondered why the early Apostles saw the need to write the various books that later made up the New Testament, there were two basic reasons. The first was to provide wider information about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and also of His teaching which is a significant part of the Gospel.
As time went by, and the expected Parousia did not appear, several other matters came to the attention of the Apostles, including the need to provide clear and clearer teaching about Who Christ is. In fact one of the greatest misunderstandings of those post-Biblical times was the threat of false teaching from all manner of ordinary and weird and wonderful sects and other groups. Of these probably the Gnostics were the most dangerous. (It has to be said that much of the distortion of Christian Faith of that period stemmed from those people. John’s Gospel, and its prologue in particular, was written to combat such nonsense.)
Less well know is the fact that Revelation was written, not to warn people of the end of the world, but to challenge the Church of the time to understand the breadth of the Faith far more clearly so that they could combat the rising perception that the Caesar was rather more obviously Lord than Jesus. You may well know that Roman citizens were expected (no it was demanded of them) to vow their allegiance to Caesar in one of the multitudes of temples in order to retain their status. Their vow consisted of two words, in Latin – Caesar Lord. And that ran contrary to the short Christian creed that Christ is Lord: As Roman power increased, that Christian creed looked less and less tenable.
Hence the writing of the Apocalypse. In very traditional Jewish style, John’s stunning book provides all the evidence necessary to provide people with solid grounds for understanding not only that Jesus is Lord or King, but also the clear and remarkable nature of that Kingship. In those days the concept of kingship was a powerful one, and all the evidence was there as people were confronted with the irresistible power of empire. The King’s word was law, and in his hands lay all power of life and death. No one could gainsay the King. And that had been the case over thousands of years in numbers of empires stretching back further than people’s memories.
But there was none of that sort of power and prestige in Jesus’ little pretend kingdom, so where does the truth lie? John’s well-thought out book drew constant and powerful contrasts between the ‘kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of our Christ.’ And the contrast is really devastating. It is a contrast between force, demand, propaganda and control .... and love and compassion and truth. And two fascinating areas of the difference are illustrated. The first is the fatal disparity between the two and the demand of the first to destroy the second; and the second area has to do with the relative effectiveness of the latter. You do not need any proof to realize that force and war corrects no issue but only aggravates existing ones and produces new areas of conflict. And you may well have first-hand experience of how the slower-working method of the real Kingdom has far more lasting and peaceful outcomes for good for everyone involved.
It may well be hard for modern readers to espy all that is being said in this most remarkable book, but one certainly needs to be aware of the development of concepts and ideas over many hundreds of years. One of the big hurdles for old Jewish thinkers was the focus of King David and Messiahship, a hurdle that seems not to have been looked at up to Jesus’ own time. That view was triumphalist and powerful, leaving Israel with the expectation that God would solve all problems and issues by His powerful Messiah, whoever that should be. Even John the Baptist’s expectation was one of power and correction and punishment, and you will recall John’s dismay that Jesus was not fulfilling his expectations at all!
But read the prophets, especially Isaiah and his series of cameos on the Servant of the Lord, and Jeremiah and Ezekiel who looked for a shepherd’s shepherd, still somewhat Davidic but radically different. And look to see your own expectation of who it might be who could solve this world’s ills, and whether you expect them to use force and power, military or whatever, or whether you see a rather more effective way. And then go on to see that it is not just the Servant of the Lord who is to deal with issues, but also you who are His followers. I am where the trouble starts; small wonder then that the Lord of Hosts sees the necessity of a human response to the human problem.
Incarnation and sacrifice. This is why GB Caird iterated often that the Kingship of Jesus is visible most strongly when He was on the Cross. Self-giving (as opposed to self-obsession.) Refusing to retaliate to human evil because that would multiply the evil, not reduce it. Absorbing all the hate and fear and anger rather than retaliating. Here is what looks like weakness being the very opposite of weakness, but only to those who see and understand what He was doing. Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it lives alone.
Thank God that, in Jesus of Nazareth you have a King worthy of the name, not just for Himself but for all humanity who understands and follows and puts their trust in Him
Saturday, November 13, 2010
RonBlog
Sunday 14th November, 2010 Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sentence
May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace, at all times and in all ways 2 Thess 3:16
Collect
Almighty God, Whose purpose none can make void; give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, knowing that Your Kingdom shall come, and Your will be done to Your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 65: 17 - 25
See, I am creating new heavens and a new earth! The past will no more be remembered nor will it ever come to mind. Rejoice and be for ever filled with delight at what I create; for I am creating Jerusalem as a delight and her people as a joy; I shall take delight in Jerusalem and rejoice in my people; the sound of weeping, the cry of distress will be heard in her no more.
No child there will ever again die in infancy, no old man fail to live out his span of life. He who dies at a hundred is just a youth, and if he does not attain a hundred he is thought accursed! My people will build houses and live in them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit; they will not build for others to live in or plant for others to eat. They will be as long-lived as a tree, and my chosen ones will enjoy the fruit of their labour. They will not toil to no purpose or raise children for misfortune, because they and their issue after them are a race blessed by the Lord. Even before they call to me, I shall answer, and while they are still speaking I shall respond.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and as for the serpent, its food will be dust. Neither hurt nor harm will be done in all my holy mountain, says the Lord.
For the Psalm Song of Isaiah
Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust and not be afraid
For the Lord is my strength and my song: and has become my salvation
With joy will you draw water: from the wells of salvation
On that day you will say: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name
Make known His deeds among the nations: proclaim that His name is exalted
Sing God’s praises, Who has triumphed gloriously: let this song be known in all the world
Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion: for great in Your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Epistle 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 – 13
These are our instructions to you, friends, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: hold aloof from every Christian who falls into idle habits, and disregards the tradition you received from us. You yourselves know how you ought to follow our example: you never saw us idling; we did not accept free hospitality from anyone; night and day in toil and drudgery we worked for a living, rather than be a burden to any of you-- not because we do not have the right to maintenance, but to set an example for you to follow. Already during our stay with you we laid down this rule: anyone who will not work shall not eat. We mention this because we hear that some of you are idling their time away, minding everybody's business but their own. We instruct and urge such people in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down to work and earn a living. My friends, you must never tire of doing right.
Gospel Luke 21: 5 - 19
Some people were talking about the temple and the beauty of its fine stones and ornaments. Jesus said, "These things you are gazing at--the time will come when not one stone will be left upon another; they will all be thrown down.” "Teacher,” they asked, "when will that be? What will be the sign that these things are about to happen?” He said, "Take care that you are not misled. For many will come claiming my name and saying, "I am he," and, "The time has come." Do not follow them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections, do not panic. These things are bound to happen first; but the end does not follow at once.” Then he added, "Nation will go to war against nation, kingdom against kingdom; there will be severe earthquakes, famines and plagues in many places, and in the sky terrors and great portents. But before all this happens they will seize you and persecute you. You will be handed over to synagogues and put in prison; you will be haled before kings and governors for your allegiance to me. This will be your opportunity to testify. So resolve not to prepare your defence beforehand, because I myself will give you such words and wisdom as no opponent can resist or refute. Even your parents and brothers, your relations and friends, will betray you. Some of you will be put to death; and everyone will hate you for your allegiance to me. But not a hair of your head will be lost. By standing firm you will win yourselves life.”
NOTES ON THE READINGS. …..
As I mention year after year, as you see reference to the Second Coming or the apocalyptic passages of the Gospels you can rest assured that Advent draweth nigh! And so it is – just a couple of weeks away. So be prepared.
Old Testament
Is there or is there not quite something of a gulf between Isaiah’s stunning picture, and life’s realities! That is not a question as much as a statement. Nor is this some sort of failed hope, nor lost chance. Two things need to be said as we consider this passage.
The first is that Isaiah was writing for his own people of his own time. This highly picturesque image of what may be called the New Jerusalem of the late 6th Century BC was an imaginative cast at what might possibly be if and when the People of God respond to God and life in a real and true manner. Now, please, - this is not literal, this is figurative, imaginative. Life was designed to be far less damaging and stressful than we experience it.
The second is nearer to where we are: the goal of life, God’s goal for humans, is not some sort of final whimper that opens into a void. Whatever the circumstances, and Isaiah had some horrifying ones in his own day and age, God still leads His people as they attempt to show, to others, something of what life is meant to be by Him Who created it in hope. That wolf and lamb bit, I repeat, is not literal: you know people who are wolves, and others who are lambs. This image expresses the hope for reconciliation even between people that far apart.
For the Psalm
There are those who see ‘religion’ as something like whistling in the wind! A nothing going nowhere, or at best an attempt to escape reality, which is too harsh. Both the Hebrew and the Christian faiths are far more virile and real than that.
Basically, Judaism is the faith that has grown and deepened quite simply on the basis of Israel’s long experience of JHWH among them. It is faith based on real-life experience. It is, if you like, faith based on the encountered nature of God. There is a solid foundation to it all. And here the song of Isaiah expresses that. Never loose sight of that fact.
Epistle
If you think it is difficult coping with Christians, wayward and otherwise in this day and age, do stop and take some thought for poor old Paul. There are always people ready to misunderstand, take the blessings and advantages of faith, and make an absolute mess of it all. Even Paul had that problem.
One of the dangers, then, of preaching Parousia was that some people would decide to sit on their proverbials and wait for the day to come. No point working if Jesus is about to appear out of the clouds. Lazy sods. Paul’s directive is quite clear: no work = no tucker. Get off your proverbial and be part of the community. In other words, do not get the story wrong. Mind you, Paul was rather more gentle with the Thessalonians than I suspect I would have been.
Gospel
Once again, people are far more interested in spine-tingling end-of- the-world stuff than facing the realities. Notice how Jesus diverted attention away from doom and gloom to the very realities people wished to avoid. They wanted the Day of the Lord stuff, convinced that Messiah would solve all problems without any effort on their part. That’s what messiahs are for, are they not? Well, no!!!!!!! Read again this fascinating Gospel, noting first that here is no ‘end of the world’ scenario, but the challenge to remain true to the Faith in spite of all pressure to the opposite.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
Surely I have told the story before, of the ructions that followed on the release of the first draft of liturgical reform in the early 1960s. Not only was the dropping of ‘Thee’ and ‘Thou’ met with unmitigated horror, but the changes to the Lord’s Prayer were met with explosive response. How dare anyone translate ‘give us this day our daily bread’ and turn it into ‘give us today our bread for tomorrow?’ Worse still was the response to ‘save us from the time of trial!’ Most people seemed to prefer the somewhat odd ‘lead us not into temptation,’ as if God would be party to such an action.
However, the reality is that the original Greek in the New Testament requires (and always DID) those apparently unpopular words. Who knows who watered it all down in the previous translation. Save us from the time of trial. Phew.
It is not until the People of God stop to realize that the reason for the existence of Israel was to be a light to the nations, a nation of priests, (Exodus 19: 3ff.) A priest cannot be a priest unless there are people to whom he or she priests. Israel’s calling, reiterating the Abrahamic call, was to the rest of the world, their world, there and then. Israel was to be outward looking, evangelistic if you dare, an icon for anyone looking for meaning, value and purpose in life. That was Israel’s calling, and remains the Church’s calling. And that was to be expressed – almost invariably – to a world that considered that faith once delivered to be a lot of hogwash.
So can you catch sight of the rather wonderful description that Isaiah offered in today’s OT lesson? God’s longing is for His People to offer the world population a vision of what life is meant to be like. So it is no escapism here, but the offering of an enormous challenge to people to see where lies the solution of all their bad issues. However, as most Christians are seeing now, it is a matter of trying to push wind uphill, and answer all manner of opposition and derision.
There is nothing at all new about this – read your history, and in particular, read your Bible. So this ‘save us from the time of trial’ is a prayer that we are not caught up in such crises of history and faith as to have our loyalty and faith tested and questioned. It is a serious matter. And it will always be so. Our time in history, with its enormous challenges to Church and Faith are nothing new. We are actually emerging from a remarkable time in history when such challenges were rare and somewhat ineffective.
Now you can see clearly why Jesus, when the question arose for the Twelve, diverted their attention from any ‘end of the world’ scenario to the not-quite-but-almost immediate present. ‘You will see all sorts of pressure to renege, you will have all manner of pressure to waver, and you will have all sorts of idiots wanting to lead you down all manner of unproductive garden paths.’
This pressure to relinquish the Faith comes in all manner of guises. Simple questions about the Faith are likely, and issues that some Christians see differently are others. Sadly many of the issues raised will seem unanswerable by Christians unprepared or unaware of the realities.
My email inbox tends to get overloaded by people who have – sadly indeed – responded to these threats of agnostics and atheists by getting back behind what seem to them to be impenetrable walls. That retreat is into fundamentalism. It appears the safest path for far too many, ‘But the Bible says’ is no answer to those antagonists, especially when the proffered argument from Scripture betrays little more than evidence of a misunderstanding of what Scripture says. It does not even begin to meet the challenges that are offered, and make not the slightest sense to those antagonists. Retreat into some dark and hopefully safe past does nothing for either side of the debate.
I recall reading of the kerfuffle caused by Darwin’s theories over 150 years ago. It still amazes me to find people of today hiding behind a refusal to face possible issues. Those Bishops of old were reported as saying that they preferred to Biblical view to the concept of being related to monkeys. Then I read Griffith Thomas’ commentary on Genesis, written around 1904, getting people to stop and realize that truth is truth wherever it comes from and to begin to understand the Creation Stories the way that most Jews had always done. There is no huge chasm between science and religion. But olde worlde Christians need to come to terms with life’s realities. It is a matter of understanding God through experiences of life, rather than limiting Him to what are after all only man-made doctrines, tenets and theories.
Perhaps the most fundamental means whereby the Christian needs face contemporary society with the value and purpose of the Faith is to underline and point to the various aspects of life that are least evident in today’s world. If we can get past the tunnel vision of olde worlde faith, we should be able to see that the reason Israel was to be a light to nations, is because for the fist time in history, the Faith was seen to focus on human relationship issues of justice, truth, integrity, love and compassion. I continue to punch this drum, in spite of its apparent unpopularity even among Christians. Stop and see how often Scripture itself, Jesus Himself, pointed in this direction, and while we need to face the fact that the crucifixion of Jesus had a great deal to do with the refusal of His contemporaries to want to know, both He and we can offer the world what it needs, if not wants.
Save us from the time of trial has to do with the almost certainty that in our own day and age the struggle will not be about faith and unfaith, but about truth and untruth; justice and injustice, self-giving and selfishness.
Sentence
May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace, at all times and in all ways 2 Thess 3:16
Collect
Almighty God, Whose purpose none can make void; give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, knowing that Your Kingdom shall come, and Your will be done to Your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 65: 17 - 25
See, I am creating new heavens and a new earth! The past will no more be remembered nor will it ever come to mind. Rejoice and be for ever filled with delight at what I create; for I am creating Jerusalem as a delight and her people as a joy; I shall take delight in Jerusalem and rejoice in my people; the sound of weeping, the cry of distress will be heard in her no more.
No child there will ever again die in infancy, no old man fail to live out his span of life. He who dies at a hundred is just a youth, and if he does not attain a hundred he is thought accursed! My people will build houses and live in them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit; they will not build for others to live in or plant for others to eat. They will be as long-lived as a tree, and my chosen ones will enjoy the fruit of their labour. They will not toil to no purpose or raise children for misfortune, because they and their issue after them are a race blessed by the Lord. Even before they call to me, I shall answer, and while they are still speaking I shall respond.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and as for the serpent, its food will be dust. Neither hurt nor harm will be done in all my holy mountain, says the Lord.
For the Psalm Song of Isaiah
Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust and not be afraid
For the Lord is my strength and my song: and has become my salvation
With joy will you draw water: from the wells of salvation
On that day you will say: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name
Make known His deeds among the nations: proclaim that His name is exalted
Sing God’s praises, Who has triumphed gloriously: let this song be known in all the world
Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion: for great in Your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Epistle 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 – 13
These are our instructions to you, friends, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: hold aloof from every Christian who falls into idle habits, and disregards the tradition you received from us. You yourselves know how you ought to follow our example: you never saw us idling; we did not accept free hospitality from anyone; night and day in toil and drudgery we worked for a living, rather than be a burden to any of you-- not because we do not have the right to maintenance, but to set an example for you to follow. Already during our stay with you we laid down this rule: anyone who will not work shall not eat. We mention this because we hear that some of you are idling their time away, minding everybody's business but their own. We instruct and urge such people in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down to work and earn a living. My friends, you must never tire of doing right.
Gospel Luke 21: 5 - 19
Some people were talking about the temple and the beauty of its fine stones and ornaments. Jesus said, "These things you are gazing at--the time will come when not one stone will be left upon another; they will all be thrown down.” "Teacher,” they asked, "when will that be? What will be the sign that these things are about to happen?” He said, "Take care that you are not misled. For many will come claiming my name and saying, "I am he," and, "The time has come." Do not follow them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections, do not panic. These things are bound to happen first; but the end does not follow at once.” Then he added, "Nation will go to war against nation, kingdom against kingdom; there will be severe earthquakes, famines and plagues in many places, and in the sky terrors and great portents. But before all this happens they will seize you and persecute you. You will be handed over to synagogues and put in prison; you will be haled before kings and governors for your allegiance to me. This will be your opportunity to testify. So resolve not to prepare your defence beforehand, because I myself will give you such words and wisdom as no opponent can resist or refute. Even your parents and brothers, your relations and friends, will betray you. Some of you will be put to death; and everyone will hate you for your allegiance to me. But not a hair of your head will be lost. By standing firm you will win yourselves life.”
NOTES ON THE READINGS. …..
As I mention year after year, as you see reference to the Second Coming or the apocalyptic passages of the Gospels you can rest assured that Advent draweth nigh! And so it is – just a couple of weeks away. So be prepared.
Old Testament
Is there or is there not quite something of a gulf between Isaiah’s stunning picture, and life’s realities! That is not a question as much as a statement. Nor is this some sort of failed hope, nor lost chance. Two things need to be said as we consider this passage.
The first is that Isaiah was writing for his own people of his own time. This highly picturesque image of what may be called the New Jerusalem of the late 6th Century BC was an imaginative cast at what might possibly be if and when the People of God respond to God and life in a real and true manner. Now, please, - this is not literal, this is figurative, imaginative. Life was designed to be far less damaging and stressful than we experience it.
The second is nearer to where we are: the goal of life, God’s goal for humans, is not some sort of final whimper that opens into a void. Whatever the circumstances, and Isaiah had some horrifying ones in his own day and age, God still leads His people as they attempt to show, to others, something of what life is meant to be by Him Who created it in hope. That wolf and lamb bit, I repeat, is not literal: you know people who are wolves, and others who are lambs. This image expresses the hope for reconciliation even between people that far apart.
For the Psalm
There are those who see ‘religion’ as something like whistling in the wind! A nothing going nowhere, or at best an attempt to escape reality, which is too harsh. Both the Hebrew and the Christian faiths are far more virile and real than that.
Basically, Judaism is the faith that has grown and deepened quite simply on the basis of Israel’s long experience of JHWH among them. It is faith based on real-life experience. It is, if you like, faith based on the encountered nature of God. There is a solid foundation to it all. And here the song of Isaiah expresses that. Never loose sight of that fact.
Epistle
If you think it is difficult coping with Christians, wayward and otherwise in this day and age, do stop and take some thought for poor old Paul. There are always people ready to misunderstand, take the blessings and advantages of faith, and make an absolute mess of it all. Even Paul had that problem.
One of the dangers, then, of preaching Parousia was that some people would decide to sit on their proverbials and wait for the day to come. No point working if Jesus is about to appear out of the clouds. Lazy sods. Paul’s directive is quite clear: no work = no tucker. Get off your proverbial and be part of the community. In other words, do not get the story wrong. Mind you, Paul was rather more gentle with the Thessalonians than I suspect I would have been.
Gospel
Once again, people are far more interested in spine-tingling end-of- the-world stuff than facing the realities. Notice how Jesus diverted attention away from doom and gloom to the very realities people wished to avoid. They wanted the Day of the Lord stuff, convinced that Messiah would solve all problems without any effort on their part. That’s what messiahs are for, are they not? Well, no!!!!!!! Read again this fascinating Gospel, noting first that here is no ‘end of the world’ scenario, but the challenge to remain true to the Faith in spite of all pressure to the opposite.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
Surely I have told the story before, of the ructions that followed on the release of the first draft of liturgical reform in the early 1960s. Not only was the dropping of ‘Thee’ and ‘Thou’ met with unmitigated horror, but the changes to the Lord’s Prayer were met with explosive response. How dare anyone translate ‘give us this day our daily bread’ and turn it into ‘give us today our bread for tomorrow?’ Worse still was the response to ‘save us from the time of trial!’ Most people seemed to prefer the somewhat odd ‘lead us not into temptation,’ as if God would be party to such an action.
However, the reality is that the original Greek in the New Testament requires (and always DID) those apparently unpopular words. Who knows who watered it all down in the previous translation. Save us from the time of trial. Phew.
It is not until the People of God stop to realize that the reason for the existence of Israel was to be a light to the nations, a nation of priests, (Exodus 19: 3ff.) A priest cannot be a priest unless there are people to whom he or she priests. Israel’s calling, reiterating the Abrahamic call, was to the rest of the world, their world, there and then. Israel was to be outward looking, evangelistic if you dare, an icon for anyone looking for meaning, value and purpose in life. That was Israel’s calling, and remains the Church’s calling. And that was to be expressed – almost invariably – to a world that considered that faith once delivered to be a lot of hogwash.
So can you catch sight of the rather wonderful description that Isaiah offered in today’s OT lesson? God’s longing is for His People to offer the world population a vision of what life is meant to be like. So it is no escapism here, but the offering of an enormous challenge to people to see where lies the solution of all their bad issues. However, as most Christians are seeing now, it is a matter of trying to push wind uphill, and answer all manner of opposition and derision.
There is nothing at all new about this – read your history, and in particular, read your Bible. So this ‘save us from the time of trial’ is a prayer that we are not caught up in such crises of history and faith as to have our loyalty and faith tested and questioned. It is a serious matter. And it will always be so. Our time in history, with its enormous challenges to Church and Faith are nothing new. We are actually emerging from a remarkable time in history when such challenges were rare and somewhat ineffective.
Now you can see clearly why Jesus, when the question arose for the Twelve, diverted their attention from any ‘end of the world’ scenario to the not-quite-but-almost immediate present. ‘You will see all sorts of pressure to renege, you will have all manner of pressure to waver, and you will have all sorts of idiots wanting to lead you down all manner of unproductive garden paths.’
This pressure to relinquish the Faith comes in all manner of guises. Simple questions about the Faith are likely, and issues that some Christians see differently are others. Sadly many of the issues raised will seem unanswerable by Christians unprepared or unaware of the realities.
My email inbox tends to get overloaded by people who have – sadly indeed – responded to these threats of agnostics and atheists by getting back behind what seem to them to be impenetrable walls. That retreat is into fundamentalism. It appears the safest path for far too many, ‘But the Bible says’ is no answer to those antagonists, especially when the proffered argument from Scripture betrays little more than evidence of a misunderstanding of what Scripture says. It does not even begin to meet the challenges that are offered, and make not the slightest sense to those antagonists. Retreat into some dark and hopefully safe past does nothing for either side of the debate.
I recall reading of the kerfuffle caused by Darwin’s theories over 150 years ago. It still amazes me to find people of today hiding behind a refusal to face possible issues. Those Bishops of old were reported as saying that they preferred to Biblical view to the concept of being related to monkeys. Then I read Griffith Thomas’ commentary on Genesis, written around 1904, getting people to stop and realize that truth is truth wherever it comes from and to begin to understand the Creation Stories the way that most Jews had always done. There is no huge chasm between science and religion. But olde worlde Christians need to come to terms with life’s realities. It is a matter of understanding God through experiences of life, rather than limiting Him to what are after all only man-made doctrines, tenets and theories.
Perhaps the most fundamental means whereby the Christian needs face contemporary society with the value and purpose of the Faith is to underline and point to the various aspects of life that are least evident in today’s world. If we can get past the tunnel vision of olde worlde faith, we should be able to see that the reason Israel was to be a light to nations, is because for the fist time in history, the Faith was seen to focus on human relationship issues of justice, truth, integrity, love and compassion. I continue to punch this drum, in spite of its apparent unpopularity even among Christians. Stop and see how often Scripture itself, Jesus Himself, pointed in this direction, and while we need to face the fact that the crucifixion of Jesus had a great deal to do with the refusal of His contemporaries to want to know, both He and we can offer the world what it needs, if not wants.
Save us from the time of trial has to do with the almost certainty that in our own day and age the struggle will not be about faith and unfaith, but about truth and untruth; justice and injustice, self-giving and selfishness.
Friday, November 5, 2010
RonBlog
Sunday 7th November, 2010 Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Sentence
‘I am the resurrection and the life’ says the Lord. ‘Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.’ John 11: 25 – 26
Collect (a)
Blessed Lord, Who has caused all holy scripture to be written for our learning; grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Your holy word we may embrace and ever hold fact the blessed hope of everlasting life which You have given us in our Saviour, Jesus Christ Amen
Collect (b)
God of all the living, in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, You have given us the promise of life which death itself cannot destroy; in the strength of this unshakeable promise, give us a new heart to live, even now, as Your new creation. We ask this through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
Old Testament Lesson Haggai 1: 15b – 2:9
On the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, “Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.”
For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendour, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendour of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.
Psalm 98
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvellous things;
His right hand and his holy arm: they have got Him the victory
The Lord has made known His salvation: He has revealed His just deliverance in the sight of the nations
He has remembered His mercy and faithfulness towards the house of Israel: and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth: break into singing and make melody.
Make melody to the Lord upon the harp: upon the harp and with sounds of praise
With trumpets and with horns: cry out in triumph before the Lord the King
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it: the good earth and those who live upon it
Let the rivers clap their hands: and let the mountains ring out together before the Lord
For He comes to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Epistle 2 Thessalonians 2: 1 – 5 & 13 – 17
As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?
*****************************************************
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
GOSPEL Luke 20: 27 – 40
Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her."
Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." Then some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." They no longer dared to ask him another question.
NOTES ON THE READINGS ................
Old Testament
Put yourself in the shoes of this relatively unknown prophet: returned from exile in Babylon, with the enormous task of rebuilding Jerusalem, the Temple and in fact the entire country and community. It would have been one thing to have received the promise of return from Babylon; it must have been exhausting merely to think about all that lay ahead of them in the rebuilding. As a previous Bishop of mine once said to me, “Ron, any fool can start something; it takes rather more to bring the idea to fruition.”
I would be rude enough to ask you to see that there may well have been something in the way of what we would call spin or propaganda in the expectation of great wealth and treasure. The real point of Haggai’s words were to encourage people to take the long view, and persist faithfully until the job was done. That is the sort of challenge that shows of what stuff people are really made!
Psalm
This Psalm is one which has been familiar to me since my youth as a choir boy – 60 and more years ago. Behind this psalm lies the author’s certainty that God is ever there and reliable, encouraging His people to move forward and get on with the job. In fact, it has always been Israel’s great contribution to the understanding of God that their perception and understanding of Him stemmed not from some theory, but from harsh and fiery experience in life’s harsh realities.
Epistle
I mentioned earlier that this couple of letters to Thessalonian Christians came early in the Apostle’s life, and much of his thoughts about the Second Coming and Judgement underwent quite something in the way of modification. (Read the verses omitted in this passage, to get that message.) In fact, it is strange to report that these Thessalonians reacted somewhat oddly in response to the news of the Parousia. Some decided to sit back and wait for it, doing no work and requiring to be supported by others. Paul’s reaction to that was short and simple. No work = no eating! I guess Paul needed only to refer to the OT situation to get his readers to realize that they had quite a role in front of them still.
GOSPEL
It may be a little obscure for some, but even this passage about Sadducees and resurrection has to do with the same subject. It seems to me that what Jesus was really saying to His antagonists was ‘join the real world and get on with it!’ To argue as did they from an hypothetical position to undermine a situation which was incredible to them was a foolish attempt for them to make. I could never understand how so many people still argue from a ridiculous angle to disprove something about which they understand rather little. Still, it goes on does it not!
NOTES FOR A SERMON
If ever you were asked to choose a phrase that comes to you in a familiar way from the Scriptures, I wonder what it might be. One that I find is a constant, and an encouraging one at that is variously translated, but most commonly known as ‘Fear not!’ It comes from the pens of the prophets, and from the lips of our Lord. It is reiterated in Epistles, and even turns up in Revelation. Fear not.
Fear not. And here it is in one of the most difficult and even fearful situations in which Israel found itself, on the return from the Exile. (I read, quite recently, a book by a British war correspondent who was in Iraq in 1991, and he told of the long dry flat highway between Amman, Jordan and Baghdad. He travelled it several times by motor vehicle.) The Jews would have had to walk it – both ways! Mind you, there would not have been too many who did both ways, for there was a gap of 70 years between one and the other.)
‘Fear not’ says the prophet, although if you read from Ezra and Nehemiah, a rather ghastly picture is painted, of those resisting the efforts of the newly arrived. Anyhow, how hard is it to rebuild from ruins that have been open to the elements for decades? Fear not? How could you not be otherwise?
The answer is not all that tangible. The answer is that God is with you, and while that may urge along a few, surely there were sceptics enough to put off the rest. On the other hand, there was that remarkable fact that several of the prophets, Isaiah amongst them, who expressed his certainty not only the a Return was on the way, but even more surprising, the Cyrus, threat to everyone around, would be the Lord’s messiah (and that is the word Isaiah used, pardon me,) and instrument, “even though he knows Me not!” It must have been stirring times, as well as providing a stunning platform for the faithful, regardless of the opposition facing them.
That strikes me as hugely significant, even in our own day and age. Our God is not one to be defeated by anything, if it comes to that, and His remarkable precedent has been set time and time again in the ordinary normal course of Israel’s history. Actual history, pardon me, not some sort of ephemeral myth.
Ponder this, if you will. If ever you look closely at the history of the Christian Church, surely you are left wondering how the hell the Church survived. There is so much rubbish and discord, and total disregard for Gospel and people in so many times and places and events. By all the canons of life and history, the Church should have died on the vine centuries, even millennia ago. But here it is still, in spite of all the garbage and disloyalty and apostasy. And the only reason for that, surely, is the God is behind it all somewhere. Even after the collapse of Soviet Russia, the Church emerged, mainly because the underground Christians remained faithful in spite of enormous contrary pressure.
So wherever you are living, under whatever circumstance or threat, this word comes to you from the King of the Kingdom: Fear not. And get on with the job.
Sentence
‘I am the resurrection and the life’ says the Lord. ‘Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.’ John 11: 25 – 26
Collect (a)
Blessed Lord, Who has caused all holy scripture to be written for our learning; grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Your holy word we may embrace and ever hold fact the blessed hope of everlasting life which You have given us in our Saviour, Jesus Christ Amen
Collect (b)
God of all the living, in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, You have given us the promise of life which death itself cannot destroy; in the strength of this unshakeable promise, give us a new heart to live, even now, as Your new creation. We ask this through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
Old Testament Lesson Haggai 1: 15b – 2:9
On the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, “Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.”
For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendour, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendour of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.
Psalm 98
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvellous things;
His right hand and his holy arm: they have got Him the victory
The Lord has made known His salvation: He has revealed His just deliverance in the sight of the nations
He has remembered His mercy and faithfulness towards the house of Israel: and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth: break into singing and make melody.
Make melody to the Lord upon the harp: upon the harp and with sounds of praise
With trumpets and with horns: cry out in triumph before the Lord the King
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it: the good earth and those who live upon it
Let the rivers clap their hands: and let the mountains ring out together before the Lord
For He comes to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Epistle 2 Thessalonians 2: 1 – 5 & 13 – 17
As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?
*****************************************************
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
GOSPEL Luke 20: 27 – 40
Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her."
Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." Then some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." They no longer dared to ask him another question.
NOTES ON THE READINGS ................
Old Testament
Put yourself in the shoes of this relatively unknown prophet: returned from exile in Babylon, with the enormous task of rebuilding Jerusalem, the Temple and in fact the entire country and community. It would have been one thing to have received the promise of return from Babylon; it must have been exhausting merely to think about all that lay ahead of them in the rebuilding. As a previous Bishop of mine once said to me, “Ron, any fool can start something; it takes rather more to bring the idea to fruition.”
I would be rude enough to ask you to see that there may well have been something in the way of what we would call spin or propaganda in the expectation of great wealth and treasure. The real point of Haggai’s words were to encourage people to take the long view, and persist faithfully until the job was done. That is the sort of challenge that shows of what stuff people are really made!
Psalm
This Psalm is one which has been familiar to me since my youth as a choir boy – 60 and more years ago. Behind this psalm lies the author’s certainty that God is ever there and reliable, encouraging His people to move forward and get on with the job. In fact, it has always been Israel’s great contribution to the understanding of God that their perception and understanding of Him stemmed not from some theory, but from harsh and fiery experience in life’s harsh realities.
Epistle
I mentioned earlier that this couple of letters to Thessalonian Christians came early in the Apostle’s life, and much of his thoughts about the Second Coming and Judgement underwent quite something in the way of modification. (Read the verses omitted in this passage, to get that message.) In fact, it is strange to report that these Thessalonians reacted somewhat oddly in response to the news of the Parousia. Some decided to sit back and wait for it, doing no work and requiring to be supported by others. Paul’s reaction to that was short and simple. No work = no eating! I guess Paul needed only to refer to the OT situation to get his readers to realize that they had quite a role in front of them still.
GOSPEL
It may be a little obscure for some, but even this passage about Sadducees and resurrection has to do with the same subject. It seems to me that what Jesus was really saying to His antagonists was ‘join the real world and get on with it!’ To argue as did they from an hypothetical position to undermine a situation which was incredible to them was a foolish attempt for them to make. I could never understand how so many people still argue from a ridiculous angle to disprove something about which they understand rather little. Still, it goes on does it not!
NOTES FOR A SERMON
If ever you were asked to choose a phrase that comes to you in a familiar way from the Scriptures, I wonder what it might be. One that I find is a constant, and an encouraging one at that is variously translated, but most commonly known as ‘Fear not!’ It comes from the pens of the prophets, and from the lips of our Lord. It is reiterated in Epistles, and even turns up in Revelation. Fear not.
Fear not. And here it is in one of the most difficult and even fearful situations in which Israel found itself, on the return from the Exile. (I read, quite recently, a book by a British war correspondent who was in Iraq in 1991, and he told of the long dry flat highway between Amman, Jordan and Baghdad. He travelled it several times by motor vehicle.) The Jews would have had to walk it – both ways! Mind you, there would not have been too many who did both ways, for there was a gap of 70 years between one and the other.)
‘Fear not’ says the prophet, although if you read from Ezra and Nehemiah, a rather ghastly picture is painted, of those resisting the efforts of the newly arrived. Anyhow, how hard is it to rebuild from ruins that have been open to the elements for decades? Fear not? How could you not be otherwise?
The answer is not all that tangible. The answer is that God is with you, and while that may urge along a few, surely there were sceptics enough to put off the rest. On the other hand, there was that remarkable fact that several of the prophets, Isaiah amongst them, who expressed his certainty not only the a Return was on the way, but even more surprising, the Cyrus, threat to everyone around, would be the Lord’s messiah (and that is the word Isaiah used, pardon me,) and instrument, “even though he knows Me not!” It must have been stirring times, as well as providing a stunning platform for the faithful, regardless of the opposition facing them.
That strikes me as hugely significant, even in our own day and age. Our God is not one to be defeated by anything, if it comes to that, and His remarkable precedent has been set time and time again in the ordinary normal course of Israel’s history. Actual history, pardon me, not some sort of ephemeral myth.
Ponder this, if you will. If ever you look closely at the history of the Christian Church, surely you are left wondering how the hell the Church survived. There is so much rubbish and discord, and total disregard for Gospel and people in so many times and places and events. By all the canons of life and history, the Church should have died on the vine centuries, even millennia ago. But here it is still, in spite of all the garbage and disloyalty and apostasy. And the only reason for that, surely, is the God is behind it all somewhere. Even after the collapse of Soviet Russia, the Church emerged, mainly because the underground Christians remained faithful in spite of enormous contrary pressure.
So wherever you are living, under whatever circumstance or threat, this word comes to you from the King of the Kingdom: Fear not. And get on with the job.
Newsletter
SUNDAY 7th November, 2010
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Our Celebrant and preacher today is Rev’d Dr. Warren Huffa
WELCOME
Please join us for breakfast in the hall after the 8am service or for morning tea after the 10am service. At 10am you will find all the service and hymns projected onto the sanctuary walls. There is Sunday School at the 10 am service as usual during Term time.
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
Blessed Lord, You have caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Your holy word we may embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life, which You have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
From the Ron Blog
‘Fear not’ says that obscure prophet in today’s reading, although if you read from Ezra and Nehemiah, a rather ghastly picture is painted, of those resisting the efforts of the newly returned exiles. Anyhow, how hard is it to rebuild from ruins that have been open to the elements for decades? Fear not? How could you not be otherwise?
The answer is not all that tangible. The answer is that God is with you, and while that may urge along a few, surely there were sceptics enough to put off the rest. On the other hand, there was that remarkable fact that several of the prophets, Isaiah amongst them, who expressed his certainty not only the a Return home was on the way, but even more surprising, that Cyrus, threat to everyone around, would be the Lord’s messiah (and that is the word Isaiah used, pardon me,) and instrument, “even though he knows Me not!” It must have been stirring times, as well as providing a stunning platform for the faithful, regardless of the opposition facing them.
That strikes me as hugely significant, even in our own day and age. Our God is not one to be defeated by anything, if it comes to that, and His remarkable precedent has been set time and time again in the ordinary normal course of Israel’s history. Actual history, pardon me, not some sort of ephemeral myth.
Ponder this, if you will. If ever you look closely at the history of the Christian Church, surely you are left wondering how the hell the Church survived. There is so much rubbish and discord, and total disregard for Gospel and people in so many times and places and events. By all the canons of life and history, the Church should have died on the vine centuries, even millennia ago. But here it is still, in spite of all the garbage. The only reason for that, surely, is that God is behind it all somewhere. So wherever you are living, under whatever circumstance or threat, this word comes to you from the King of the Kingdom: Fear not. And get on with the job.
TODAY’S READINGS
Haggai 1:15b—2:9 and 2 Thess. 2: 1—5 & 13—17 read by Clare B
GOSPEL Luke 20: 27—40
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Marg P
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Barbara Radbone and Peter Little.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Iris Downes, Jim Scrivens
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY –
YEAR’S MIND: Jane Matthew (1996). Mary Barrow (1992) Valerie Loftes (2004)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY – 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings Isaiah 65:17—25 & 2 Thess. 3: 6—15
GOSPEL Luke 21: 5—19
Refer Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
This Week Don Caddy or Craig Deane
Next Week Barb Capon or Ron Keynes (away)
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader David C Intercessor Max A
Sunday after Reader Vanessa D Intercessor Don B
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Iris Downes Brass Caroline and Sid Sweet Cleaning Susan Lee
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandel Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Traditional Communion
7.00m Meditation 7.30pm Study Group
COMING EVENTS
12th November Another Danny Hodgson Swing at Sunset evening of jazz. 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Adults $10; Children free. Sparkling wine, fruit juice or coffee refreshments ($2 donation)
Friday, Nov 19 St John's Strings concert
Saturday, Nov 20 private booking of hall and outside area 12pm - 5pm.
Sunday 21st Nov. Barbecue Lunch after Service
And Question Time at 7.30pm
Friday December 3 St John's Year 6 party in hall 5pm-7pm.
St. John’s College will be using the Hall for exams—details on the foyer board
Baptism on 12th December. Emily Rose Prunty and Lucy Rose Plummer
HELPLINE
Part of being a Christian community is the support offered to each other in times of need. We offer short-term delivery of food where needed, local transport, phone calls, visits and other types of assistance. Call Christie Hodgson on 8370 3260 or Caroline Sweet on 8278 3058
Clare Bruce reports that the Senior Sunday School raised $118 for the ABM Ethiopia Library Appeal on the stall after Church late in October. Isn’t that something!!!
ABM Christmas Cards
Joan Durdin has a few packs of ABM Christmas cards at reduced prices. The packs are on the bench in the foyer, with a box for payments. There are also current order forms on which you can place your own order, and forward to ABM with your payment. .
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net or 8298 7160 by Tuesday nights, please
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Our Celebrant and preacher today is Rev’d Dr. Warren Huffa
WELCOME
Please join us for breakfast in the hall after the 8am service or for morning tea after the 10am service. At 10am you will find all the service and hymns projected onto the sanctuary walls. There is Sunday School at the 10 am service as usual during Term time.
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
Blessed Lord, You have caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Your holy word we may embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life, which You have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
From the Ron Blog
‘Fear not’ says that obscure prophet in today’s reading, although if you read from Ezra and Nehemiah, a rather ghastly picture is painted, of those resisting the efforts of the newly returned exiles. Anyhow, how hard is it to rebuild from ruins that have been open to the elements for decades? Fear not? How could you not be otherwise?
The answer is not all that tangible. The answer is that God is with you, and while that may urge along a few, surely there were sceptics enough to put off the rest. On the other hand, there was that remarkable fact that several of the prophets, Isaiah amongst them, who expressed his certainty not only the a Return home was on the way, but even more surprising, that Cyrus, threat to everyone around, would be the Lord’s messiah (and that is the word Isaiah used, pardon me,) and instrument, “even though he knows Me not!” It must have been stirring times, as well as providing a stunning platform for the faithful, regardless of the opposition facing them.
That strikes me as hugely significant, even in our own day and age. Our God is not one to be defeated by anything, if it comes to that, and His remarkable precedent has been set time and time again in the ordinary normal course of Israel’s history. Actual history, pardon me, not some sort of ephemeral myth.
Ponder this, if you will. If ever you look closely at the history of the Christian Church, surely you are left wondering how the hell the Church survived. There is so much rubbish and discord, and total disregard for Gospel and people in so many times and places and events. By all the canons of life and history, the Church should have died on the vine centuries, even millennia ago. But here it is still, in spite of all the garbage. The only reason for that, surely, is that God is behind it all somewhere. So wherever you are living, under whatever circumstance or threat, this word comes to you from the King of the Kingdom: Fear not. And get on with the job.
TODAY’S READINGS
Haggai 1:15b—2:9 and 2 Thess. 2: 1—5 & 13—17 read by Clare B
GOSPEL Luke 20: 27—40
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Marg P
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Barbara Radbone and Peter Little.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Iris Downes, Jim Scrivens
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY –
YEAR’S MIND: Jane Matthew (1996). Mary Barrow (1992) Valerie Loftes (2004)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY – 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings Isaiah 65:17—25 & 2 Thess. 3: 6—15
GOSPEL Luke 21: 5—19
Refer Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
This Week Don Caddy or Craig Deane
Next Week Barb Capon or Ron Keynes (away)
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader David C Intercessor Max A
Sunday after Reader Vanessa D Intercessor Don B
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Iris Downes Brass Caroline and Sid Sweet Cleaning Susan Lee
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandel Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Traditional Communion
7.00m Meditation 7.30pm Study Group
COMING EVENTS
12th November Another Danny Hodgson Swing at Sunset evening of jazz. 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Adults $10; Children free. Sparkling wine, fruit juice or coffee refreshments ($2 donation)
Friday, Nov 19 St John's Strings concert
Saturday, Nov 20 private booking of hall and outside area 12pm - 5pm.
Sunday 21st Nov. Barbecue Lunch after Service
And Question Time at 7.30pm
Friday December 3 St John's Year 6 party in hall 5pm-7pm.
St. John’s College will be using the Hall for exams—details on the foyer board
Baptism on 12th December. Emily Rose Prunty and Lucy Rose Plummer
HELPLINE
Part of being a Christian community is the support offered to each other in times of need. We offer short-term delivery of food where needed, local transport, phone calls, visits and other types of assistance. Call Christie Hodgson on 8370 3260 or Caroline Sweet on 8278 3058
Clare Bruce reports that the Senior Sunday School raised $118 for the ABM Ethiopia Library Appeal on the stall after Church late in October. Isn’t that something!!!
ABM Christmas Cards
Joan Durdin has a few packs of ABM Christmas cards at reduced prices. The packs are on the bench in the foyer, with a box for payments. There are also current order forms on which you can place your own order, and forward to ABM with your payment. .
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net or 8298 7160 by Tuesday nights, please
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