Newsletter

Sunday 6th February, 2011 - Epiphany V
Our Celebrant and preacher 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. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School continues today!

COLLECT FOR EPIPHANY V
Faithful God, You have appointed us Your witnesses, to be a light that shines in the world: let us not hide the bright hope You have given us, but tell everyone Your love, revealed in Jesus Christ the Lord, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
TODAY’S READINGS Deuteronomy 10: 12—22 and 1 Cor.3: 1—9 read by Mary V
GOSPEL Matthew 5: 21—27

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Max A
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Chris Contro— and Yvonne Myers operating under great difficulty
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Kim Eve Barber, Sue Jones
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – Neal and Sharon Barber
YEAR’S MIND—Betty Tickle (2002), Michael Bingham (2005), Gordon Hannaford (1994) Shirley Burdett (2003), Alice Mary Moore (2010) and Alfred Barber (2003)

PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY - Epiphany VI
Readings Deuteronomy 10: 12 – 22 and 1 Corinthians 3: 1 – 9
GOSPEL Matthew 5: 21 - 27
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/

POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Craig Deane or Don Caddy
Next Sunday Jill Hilbig or Araki Family

READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Max A Intercessor Warren
Sunday after Reader Araki family Intercessor Ben L

SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Iris Downes Brass Yvonne Caddy
Cleaning Group 3

REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE and BIBLE STUDY in recess until February 2010 Mothers’ Union meets at 2.00pm on 17th February
THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist

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

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Mark your diaries, each and everyone, with particular reference to
(a) Twilight Progressive Tea on Saturday 12th February—starting at the Rectory at 6.00pm, then Barryne where Greg will cook the main course, and dessert at our Hall. A list is up in the porch for indication of your attendance. Cost is $10.00 per person
(b) Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday—8th March and a Passover Meal on 21st April, Maundy Thursday. Mary V will have more detail closer to the time.
(c) Sanctuary Guild members are advised of a special meeting between services at 9.00am on Sunday 13th February. Please take note and be there.

From the Ron Blog—from today’s readings

I once knew a lady who had great difficulty reading the Epistle in Church if that day’s reading happened to be from St. Paul. She was a single lady of British background, and Land Army involvement here during the war. Sadly, her views of the Apostle were somewhat jaundiced, and we would discuss the issues often. However, she was not to be convinced and retained her bias. She was sure that Paul was a misogynist.
This passage is one that may well have widened her vision a little, not in Marjorie’s field, but in this confession of his own perception of his inability and lack of skills. None of us is perfect either in capacities or abilities; we each must operate within the boundaries of our talents and skills.
But there was also a twin issue: and that had to do with the perceptions of those on the receiving end.
Jews seek signs, Greeks seek wisdom, you will recall this as being part of the readings a short time ago. And there was a world of difference between Jewish and Greek understanding of ‘wisdom.’ For Jews, it was a practical issue; for Greeks, it was rather more theoretical. Jewish ‘wisdom’ could be described as nous, common sense - something which lay within the common experience of people. Not so common today!!!
For Greeks, their love of debate and discussion, preferably without reaching any clear conclusion, meant that wisdom was simply an exercise in their own mental agility. Paul’s address on the Areopagus in Athens underlined that issue rather well.
So here Paul is making it quite clear that the ‘wisdom of God’ is not something out of touch with reality, but is rather more so than any theorising can ever be. This is not some sort of statement that God’s wisdom never makes sense to ordinary people.
(I recall being appalled, some years ago, at a banner installed in one of the charismatic congregations where we lived. The banner read ‘Reason and logic are the enemies of faith.’ That is one of the scariest things I have even found in such groups – and no chance was offered to discuss the issue. I was relieved to find that the pastor of that group left the ministry some short time afterwards.)


********************************************
Everyone is asked to note that Cynthia Macintosh works for the Parish and is at the Church Office on Thursdays each week—and keeps her eyes open most other times too.

The following request has come from the Diocese of Bendigo. Please help if you can. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible
National Flood Relief Official Appeal of
Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
Help the Church respond to the needs of those affected by devastating floods across the nation Cheques to: National Flood Relief Appeal PO Box 2 Bendigo, VIC 3552 or Electronic Transfer Bendigo Bank BSB: 633-000 Account Number: 123712028 Reference: 639 (your surname)

Sunday Feb 13th Flood relief concert at Blackwood Church of Christ featuring the Supreme Mamas
One of our very own CPS workers, Nina Corlett-McDonald along with Hahndorf CPS worker Verity Riessen and Liz Young from Happy Valley Church of Christ make up this awesome trio singing the classics from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s girl groups. All money raised will go toward supporting the flood relief. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for child, $20 for families. BYO drinks and nibbles, fair-trade tea, coffee and hot chocolate available from the Koinonia cafe. Concert Sunday afternoon from 2-4pm.

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