Newsletter

Sunday 2nd January, 2011 - Epiphany
Our Celebrant at 10 am today is Fr. Ron and preacher is Stephen Daughtry

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

COLLECT FOR EPIPHANY
Eternal God, Who by a star led Magi to the worship of Your Son; guide the nations of the earth by Your light, that the whole world may see Your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
TODAY’S READINGS Isaiah 60: 1—6 and Ephesians 3: 1—12 read by Marg
GOSPEL Matthew 2: 1—12
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Ben L
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Eddie Barber and Chris Contro
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – Joyce and Bob Arnold, Stuart and Mary Vandepeer
YEAR’S MIND—Reta Shiach (1996)

PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY - Epiphany II—Baptism of Jesus
Isaiah 42: 1—9 and Acts 10: 34—43
Gospel Matthew 3: 13—17
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/

POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Trevor Tregenza
Next Sunday Don Caddy or Jill Hilbig
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Hal S-C Intercessor Wendy M
Sunday after Reader Jane S Intercessor Don B
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Christie Hodgson Brass Barb Capon Cleaning Group 5

REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE and BIBLE STUDY in recess until February 2010
THURSDAY All events on Thursdays in recess til further notice

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

Christmas Bowl Appeal
Christmas is a time to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Envelopes are available in Church over Christmas/New Year 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

Robyn Keynes thanks all who have collected bottles, cans and cartons - we have raised over $100 for our Children’s Ministry. Great work!

Yvonne thanks all who participated in the Anglicare Raffle: $207 was raised and the winner was Anne Roller. Thanks again.

Flinders Medical Centre helpers meet at the Hospital at 10.00am next Sunday 9th
Next Sunday is our turn to visit the wards and take patients to the Chapel service. Anyone who would like to help is very welcome
Other dates for 2011 are
10th April 10th July and 9th October


From the Ron Blog—Epiphany

If by any stray chance the story related in today’s Gospel didn’t actually happen, it certainly should have. It is an odd little cameo with some unanswered questions, but as a statement of policy, it is spot–on. My great sadness, for very many years, is that this Season of the Epiphany is hidden away in our Australian culture by the January holidays, and the importance of the issues are overlooked almost completely.

I have mentioned my fight with the Apostle Paul, who seemed to think that the inclusion of the Gentiles was a great secret hidden away until after the Resurrection. That is surely just the old Jewish propaganda — that only the people of Israel were ever the intended recipients of the interest and largesse of God. However the Old Testament points very clearly and indisputably in the other direction. From the call of Abraham on, the goal of this then-budding new faith was focussed on all humans on the planet. And that is the point of Epiphany.

This is an evangelistic faith, by which I mean it is one that is for ever looking to offer better alternatives to any human being who will listen and respond. It is always offer, never demand, and all humans are free to accept or reject. And what is perhaps the greatest surprise to anyone looking at this faith for the first time, it has far less to do with ‘religion,’ and far, far more to do with operating with justice, truth, integrity, love and compassion. One need only to read through all of the remarkable books of the OT prophets to see quite clearly where the emphasis lies.

That lovely story of the Magi is so evocative and even somewhat startling in the context of what was apparently the Jewish orthodoxy of the day. I remember as a young person being quite shocked to realize that ‘magi’ meant magician; worse, it has to do with those who practice the magic arts. The occult, bejasus. What is more, as the tale unfolds it became quite obvious that those people from a foreign culture and persuasion seemed far more aware of the realities of Jesus than the most religious of Jews. Mind you, old Herod saw the threat, although he did not understand a skerrick of it.

Gold, frankincense and myrrh. King and God and sacrifice, as the carol has it. But the nature of that King, and God and sacrifice bear rather closer attention than is often given. (I often ask people, as we recite the Eucharist each Sunday, to understand that the ‘power and wisdom and honour and glory’ are never to be understood in normal human terms. Mind you, such ‘translations’ are necessary with a lot of the language of liturgy, as it is true of the Biblical language also.)

Anna Kelly wishes to thank those who helped with the flower arrangements for Christmas, especially Christie, Iris, Audrey and Graham. The results were remarkable and lovely.

S-O-S
Iris Downes asks if anyone has seen a dark green dish with fluted edging , about 12” round, last seen at the Church Barbeque in November. She would love to hear from anyone who might know where it is.

Are you interested?
Ron Keynes is wondering about starting a Bible Study Group (at Seacliff Park possibly) and asking if there are people interested in such a project.

Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday late afternoon please