Newsletter

Saturday 15th January, 2012
Second Sunday after Epiphany

WELCOME to Holy Innocents—we hope you enjoy this time of prayer as we reflect on Scripture together and celebrate the Eucharist. Breakfast is available in the Hall after the 8 am service and morning tea after the 10 am. All are welcome.

Collect for Epiphany II
Eternal God, Whose Son, Jesus Christ, is now exalted as Lord of all, and pours out His gifts upon the Church: grant it that unity which only Your Spirit can give, keep us in the bond of peace, and bring all creation to worship before your throne; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

TODAY’S READINGS Epiphany II
Readings 1 Sam. 3: 1—10 and 1 Corinthians 6: 12—20 read by Family Araki
GOSPEL John 1: 43—51
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Ben L
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Peter Little, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, the Swaby family , Olive Marston, Blake Vause. Ivanka Cosic, Jim (fighting cancer;) Eddie Barber (getting better) and Bryan Baker. Michelle, Jake and Gail also

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tom Araki, Hal Shaw-Calverly (96!) William Keville
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Anthony & Alysia Kelly, John & Anna Kelly
YEAR’S MIND— Rene Upton (1996) Jim Fitter (2004)

PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Epiphany III
Readings Jonah 3: 1-10 and 1 Corinthians 7: 29—31
GOSPEL Mark 1: 14—20

REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE in recess
BIBLE STUDY in recess
THURSDAY no Thursday morning services till February
SINGING GROUP Meets after the 10am service each Sunday. All singers welcome.
MOTHERS’ UNION programme in recess until next year

The Parish Hall is booked for 21st January. Spies tell us that this is Barbara Radbone’s 90th birthday celebrations. Congrats, Barbara

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, and other types of assistance. Call Iris Downes on 8278 3260 and Marlene Dixon on 8278 8568..

POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Next Sunday Jill Hilbig or Barb Capon
Sunday after Joy Campbell or Craig Deane

READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Clare B Intercessor Sue D-T
Sunday after Reader David C Intercessor Mary V

SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Marilyn Little Brass Sid & Caroline Sweet
Cleaning Group 3

RONBLOG .... On Today’s Readings (apologies for mixup on printed Newsletter)
It is interesting to compare and contrast in today’s lessons: between Samuel as a youngster and Nathanael as an adult. Both were searchers, and both responded to a reality presented to them. There is nothing fancy about either character and yet both were involved in really useful and helpful ministries at various times in Hebrew history. The real point at issue is that neither was chosen because of being an important personage. One does not see any such emphasis in Biblical history.
And that strikes me as being what today’s readings are getting across. Although such a proposition is not a real issue in Australia of today, it used to be very much the case that it would be only important people whom God would call to minister and serve in His kingdom. Most of the rest of us felt totally inadequate or ill-prepared by life. Sunday School lessons, in my time at least, seemed always to underline the great faith and enormous purity of saints of old, and disciples and Apostles. Reality was always somewhat different. In fact, (again in my experience, which is all I can go by!) those who were all too often go-getters and ladder-climbers seemed to appear and demand positions of authority and go on to make messes monumental – because they operated from the very false base.
Spend some time looking at such a contrast, even if through Biblical stories. The perceived requirements of high spirituality and piety are rarely evident in the lives of the go-getters. This does not apply only to Biblical stories but is rather more evident in ordinary history and leadership. So what does that say to us?
The answer is a bit of a shock in a way. Is God calling you to some ministry or service for which you feel inadequate? Then that just may be the very attribute that will be required of you for the task. I kid you not. (For instance, I could never understand why God called me to priesthood, when one of my great mates was far more spiritual, far more holy and far more religious than me.) We started off together, but he never continued. Not towards ordination anyhow. He remained a faithful Christian all his life. But God chose to put up with me, as did many people from quite a few parishes over a large number of years. Goodness me!
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Junior Sunday School Notes
IF we have enough children of the 5—7 age group to start this year, we will be talking about Jesus as we find Him in Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels. There will be a couple of parables and then of course Easter will complete the term. If that happens, Sunday School will resume the day before Public Schools go back.
ALSO, a note of encouragement for support given to the Children’s Ministry: funds raise by recycling bottles etc. has more than doubled last year—over $250! Thanks all!

Special Note: Someone who donated a suit for St. Mary Mags did not realize that a pair of gold cufflinks were attached to the shirt. The items can be recovered via Cynthia Macintosh or Kate Jennings provided the initials on the links can be identified.
While on the subject of St. Mary Magdalene's, a note of great thanks has come from people there for the all the donations of food etc., given recently. There is a request that any donations of clothing need to be clean and not needing darning please. Dirty clothing provides little more than a pointless nuisance.

Mary V is looking at rekindling the Australia Day barbecue after Church on Sunday 29th January. What she is hoping for is someone who will undertake to do the bbq and would be glad of response from willing people. Mary can be contacted on 8227 2838.