Newsletter

Sunday after Christmas
26th December, 2010
Our Celebrant and preacher today is Warren Huffa
Welcome to Oliver and his family,
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. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. (Last Sunday saw problems with this process—hopefully all will be well.
COLLECT FOR FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Almighty God, Who wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature; in Your mercy bring us to share the divine life of Jesus Christ, Who came to share our human life and Who now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen
…...
RONBLOG Sunday after Christmas - A bounce off the Gospel
I can only hope that the person of whom I speak never reads this, but .......
We have a rather lovely 21 year-old grand-daughter for whom life has not been all that happy. Her mother was involved in a ghastly motor accident when she was still a child, and she grew up finding it hard to make friends, except for people who either were no great help or were actually a great disadvantage to her. As she matured towards adulthood, she was in a couple of relationships that turned out to be very manipulative, and when the last one broke down, it left her feeling very low, her self-esteem shattered. It was an awful time for her, and even for us it was terri-ble enough. How does anyone get alongside a person who, quite sure she knew it all, seemed impervious to offers of support.
The point of mentioning this story lies in the outcome: like phoenix from the ashes, this young lady is emerging with great strength, wonderful poise, and great determination. One can look back and wonder, that if she had not gone through the trials and tribulations, she would not be half the person she is becoming.
I have more than a sneaky suspicion that this may be sufficient to set off any number of sermons. What is the most surprising for the Christian – surely- is that whilst one may suspect that if God is God then He can be quite distant from ordinary human struggles. And yet the whole matter of the Incarnation makes it quite clear that God works in more realistic ways than observing foolish humanity from a great height.
We have a Saviour Who knows what it is like to be you, and never stands in distant judgement of you but stands alongside of you right through it all , in the fond hope that, like our grand-daughter, you will ‘use the vale of misery as a well!
.
***************************************************************************************
TODAY’S READINGS
Isaiah 63: 7—9 and Hebrews 2: 10—18 read by Arndrae L
Gospel Matthew 2: 13—23
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Warren
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family and Eddie Barber—
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY –
YEAR’S MIND—
PREPARATION FOR the Second Sunday after Christmas—Epiphany
Isaiah 60: 1—6 and Ephesians 3: 1—12
Gospel Matthew 2: 1 –12
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Araki family or Cynthia Macintosh
Next Sunday Trevor Tregenza
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Sunday after Reader Arndrae Intercessor Warren
Next Sunday Reader Marg P Intercessor Ben L
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Sue D-T Brass Rosemary Conlon
Cleaning Susan L
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE and BIBLE STUDY in recess until February 2010
THURSDAY 9.30am Traditional Communion—please check
Evening gatherings in recess until February
Christmas Bowl Appeal
Christmas is a time to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Envelopes are available in Church over Christmas for you to support this very worthwhile annual appeal by the NCCA (National Council of Churches, Australia). Donation envelopes can be placed in the collection plate
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 Marlene Dixon on 8278 8568 or Iris Downes on 8278 3260
Vanessa Daughtry will be collecting simple games, puzzles and books etc. for refugee children from Bellevue Heights New Arrivals Programme ,The children seem to love school which provides them with a safe learning environment, friends and fun. When at home there is little to do but watch TV; as parents have few re-sources, and have been traumatized by their previous experiences.
Our contributions will give the children something to do over the long school break. The local Messenger ran an article about government cuts to the bus ser-vices that bring the children to school from a wide catchment. Without this service many kids attendance, and future education would be affected. Worse than the bus situation is the proposed cut to TRIF (targeted refugee intervention funding). This has been a State govt. initiative but will possibly not continue after the end of 2012
Robyn Keynes thanks all who have collected bottles, cans and cartons - we have raised over $100 for our Children’s Ministry. Great work!
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net or 8298 7160 by Tuesday late afternoon please