RonBlog

Sunday 27th May, 2012 Pentecost Sunday Sentence A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you, says the Lord God; I will put My Spirit within you and you shall live. Ezekiel 36:26 Collect Almighty God, You sent Your Spirit to be the life and light of Your Church; open our hearts to the riches of Your grace, so that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love, joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen First Lesson Acts 2: 1 – 21 When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' Psalm 104:26 – 36 Lord, how various are all your works: in wisdom you have made them all, and the earth is full of your creatures. There is the wide, immeasurable sea: there move living things without number, great and small. There go the ships to and fro: and there is that Leviathan whom you formed to sport in the deep These all look to you: to give them their food in due season When you give it to them, they gather it: when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are troubled: when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit they are created: and you renew the face of the earth May the glory of the Lord endure for ever: may the Lord rejoice in all his works. If he look upon the earth, it shall tremble: if he but touch the mountains, they shall smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will praise my God while I have any being May my meditation be pleasing to Him: for my joy shall be in the Lord May sinners perish from the earth, let the wicked be no more: bless the Lord o my soul, O praise the Lord Epistle Romans 8: 22 – 27 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. GOSPEL John 15: 26-27 & 16:4b – 15 Jesus said "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. *************************************** But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. © New Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. All rights reserved NOTES ON THE READINGS Pentecost and its readings (of which there are alternatives if you read your Lectionary) are really very full on, as the saying goes these days. One could almost fill a book on comments about the readings, and part of me would like to do that. However I will attempt to be as brief and yet as pithy as possible. First Lesson For most Christians, this is a well-known and often studied part of Scripture. However, it remains so that much of the real point and purpose of the tale is lost on moderns. This story has nothing to do with speaking in tongues (glossolalia to some) but about the reversal, if you will, of the damage ‘done’ at the Tower of Babel. That is why the emphasis is upon the reference to the various languages spoken by the various people from around the Mediterranean. Ordinary, currently used languages. And the point of that is simple and Biblical - the emphasis is on restoration of fellowship together, reconciliation. Do not miss that point, as well as seeing that the issue being dealt with are present and immediate. That is much of the point of the entire Bible and the Christ event in particular. Notice how the response of some outsiders was to denigrate and deride? You will notice how often that tactic is employed by people who do not want to see the reality and are determined to avoid it. (They did it with Jesus; that crown of thorns etc., was not torture but derision!) The real and huge difference for people at Pentecost was that, heretofore supposedly, the Spirit of God was available only to people in position of leadership: prophets, holy people, kings and such like. But the OTY prophets were aware that the Spirit was available to all who would listen. Read Isaiah and Ezekiel carefully (Ezekiel 37 is an alternative reading for this morning) and see how they understood God to be working. Psalm And even the Psalmist was aware of the activity of the Spirit of God in this rather lovely and wide-ranging psalm. Keep you eyes open and see how often the old Jewish writers discovered God as they simply observed life around them. God is visible in the very ordinary aspects of life and of living ... and history. Epistle Even dear old Paul has his eyes open in that remarkably Jewish manner. He was aware, as are we surely, that life and creation itself is in struggle to move towards a more fulfilling future. And the Spirit of God is with each one of us as we struggle to see where we are heading, and faithfully hoping, sometimes when all hope seems lost. GOSPEL If any of you ever wonder whether God is around or not, spend some time pondering this most remarkable of passages. Jesus was preparing His ragtag disciples for when He would be with them no longer. Rather than get them looking to one or other of the Eleven, Jesus pointed them to their own awareness of what is right and true and valuable. It may come as some surprise to people like old me who was taught way back that the Holy Spirit was available only to those ‘born again.’ That furphy needs solid demolition, for the reality is quite otherwise. How many people (even of no professed faith) are profoundly aware of where truth and justice lie? In other words, you may well find that God has been at work with the most surprising of people long before you encounter them! And rejoice in that, for heaven’s sake. May I spend a bit of space talking about this part of the Gospel: And when (the Spirit) comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. I have often found people confused about what John meant when he wrote this and what Jesus meant when He spoke these words. Let’s look at them one at a time. Before we get quite there, stop and remember that ‘righteousness’ = justice. It is not ‘being good;’ it is being just, true, honest. This is all about correct assessment of the realities, if you like to put it that way. about sin, because they do not believe in Me – The sin of those who rejected Jesus was the failure to see where truth lay, or even the refusal to head in that direction because of their own rejection of truth. How often do you find people following the lie because they consider that path more beneficial to THEM. about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer. If there is one huge thing that was established by the Cross and resurrection of Jesus is that it all proved Him to be right and true, and His executioners as being totally in the wrong. about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. One of the surprising things that I discovered many many moons ago was this: like the passage above, Jesus was proved right and evil proved wrong. The ‘ruler of this world,’ the great deceiver who always has a human face pardon me, will jump up and down about being right, but that activity may well make the opposite so very clear. In Biblical terms, evil is destroyed simply when the light hits it, so to speak. When I can see evil, I can defeat it because now I see it for what it is. Mind you, I have to choose to defeat it, so the responsibility lies with me. NOTES FOR A SERMON It has long struck me as ironic (even blasphemic!) that this life-giving faith so open to real life and truth, should so often be reduced to an almost death-dealing credo that can only divide people into categories that have little or no bearing on the facts. It was only yesterday (25.3.11) that I had a discussion with a post-Catholic charismatic whose view of anyone who held any ‘doctrine’ different to his as ‘satanic!’ His mind was so rigidly closed to any light or life that I found myself grateful not to have retained such a narrow and distorted view of life and of the Faith. One needs no great and vast knowledge of Scripture to realize that neither Old nor New Testament demands such a bitter and introverted perception of God. From Abraham on the promise was of blessing to the whole world, and not to some sort of religious minority. Sure, there is often the concept that lots of people will refuse to head in the direction to where truth points, but that was not stating that truth itself is narrow. It is through long and constant study of the Scriptures that I have long been pointed in the direction of understanding that – for instance – the Spirit of God did not commence life, so to speak, at the first Christian Pentecost. One need only start at Genesis 1 to see the first reference to the Third Person of the Trinity. And one need only read the OT prophets to see how often they understood the Spirit to be at work in all manner of people. Just tomorrow I will be preaching about the Woman of Samaria, in which incident in John 4 it is clear that even that lady of the night was keenly aware both of her own search for truth and of the imperative to head that way. And she was a Samaritan! One of the important issues that I will raise is to point people to the stunning ending to that tale. Whereas the woman in question was prepared to head for the well for water in the heat of the day, avoiding any human contact – especially male! – the nett result for that entire town was the resolution of the problems facing it, the acceptance of the woman in question, and the closing off of any future possibility of returning to a split and divided community. This is so very clearly the work of the Spirit. It is today’s Gospel that, for me at least, the fact is underlined in red, so to speak, that the real issue for all humans is to be open to truth, justice and equity, and that all humans have the encouragement of the Holy Spirit to head in such a beneficial if somewhat risky path. For heaven’s sake, the entire Biblical Faith is about reconciliation and peace, none of which can come about unless the total and utter truth of situations can be faced, dealt with and resolved.

Newsletter

Sunday 27th May, 2012 PENTECOST 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 with another celebratory cake! Sunday School is back in action again ……... Collect For Pentecost Almighty God, You sent Your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of Your Church: open our hearts to the riches of Your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love, joy, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Today’s Readings - Pentecost read by Iris D Readings Acts 2: 1—11 & Romans 8: 22—27 GOSPEL John 15: 26—27 & 16: 4b-15 r Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/ PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Max A We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Peter Little, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, the Swaby family , Lynda Knight, Dianne Cordes. Ivanka Cosic, Jim (fighting cancer;) Michelle and Jack,. Hazel Looney, Tommy Ferguson, Judith Manning, Barb Capon, (home by the time you read this!) little premature baby Hayley Haig …... HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Neal Barber, Neil Thomas HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - Ray and Marcia Wilkins YEAR’S MIND— Gwenyth Rounsevell PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY - TRINITY SUNDAY Readings Isaiah 6: 1—8 & Romans 8: 12—17 GOSPEL John 3: 1—17 REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North BIBLE STUDY 10am Wednesdays at Pressley’s THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist 5.45pm Evening Prayer with Wendy and Sue SINGING GROUP Meets after the 10am service each Sunday. All singers welcome MOTHERS’ UNION - meets third Thursdays each month at 2.00pm Walking Church First Saturday of each month at 4.00pm at Belair National Park gates near railway station bridge. Each Friday morning, coffee and tea will be served in the Parish Hall from 8.30am to 11.30am so please come along and bring a friend or neighbour for a relaxing chat among friends. Only $2.00 for your tea or coffee and biscuit. Many thanks to all involved in last Saturday’s Flea Market. It was a huge effort which, at recent report, raised around $3,300. Sadly, an enormous amount of items given remained unsold, and chilly weather on the day would not have helped. Stephen chaired an excellent meeting after Church last Sunday, designed to clarify roles and responsibilities among those who do lots of things for the Church, often behind the scenes. Thanks, Stephen, and to all involved—it was a fruitful and valuable exercise. One of the outcomes was to ask people on rosters to let roster-makers know if they will not be available for their roles. 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 Stephanie Lloyd 8278 4260 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814 REMINDER RETIRING COLLECTION FOR "BEACON" - TODAY Beacon is an Emergency Relief Service initiative of the Mitcham Hills Inter-Church Council and provides local people with Food Aid and Budget Advice and links people with specialist community services POWERPOINT ROSTER – Next Sunday Jill Hilbig or Ron Keynes Sunday after Joy Campbell or Craig Deane READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER Next Sunday Reader John F Intercessor Vanessa D Sunday after Reader Arndrae L Intercessor Ben L SANCTUARY ROSTER Next week Flowers Jan Tregenza Brass Yvonne Caddy Cleaning Group 3 Mark your diary please ...... (a) St John's drama production in hall afternoon and evening of May 31 and June 1 (b) St John's Exams 17-20 July and 29/10-14/11 May is BCA box opening month. Please top up your boxes and leave them in the foyer early in May. If you would like to join the group who support BCA in this way, pick up a 'clean' box from the foyer. (David Hall) A couple of things coming out of the last Interchurch Council meeting 1. Mitcham Hills Interchurch Council will be taking part in the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations by putting on a Old Fashioned Picnic on 7th October. It is hoped all Council churches will take part. An organizing committee has been set up and needs cross representation from all Council churches. Anyone who would like to represent Holy Innocents should get in touch with Mark Riessen through the Church of Christ office on 8278 8666 2. Also as part of the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations there will a Men’s Choir Concert on 21st July at the Baptist Church, Coromandel Parade. There will be a gold coin collection to cover expenses. RONBLOG Pentecost For most Christians, Acts 2 is a well-known and often studied part of Scripture. However, much of the real point and purpose of the tale is lost on moderns. This story has nothing to do with speaking in tongues (glossolalia to some) but about the reversal, if you will, of the damage ‘done’ at the Tower of Babel. That is why the emphasis is upon the reference to the various languages spoken by the various people from around the Mediterranean. Ordinary, then currently used languages. And the point of that is simple and Biblical - the emphasis of Pentecost is on restoration of fellowship together, reconciliation. Do not miss that point, as well as seeing that the issues being dealt with are present and immediate. That is much of the point of the entire Bible!. Your Faith is a response to so much that makes life intolerable for many. Then, notice how the response of some outsiders that day was to denigrate and deride? So very often. that tactic is employed by people who do not want to see reality and are determined to avoid it. (They did it with Jesus; that crown of thorns etc., was not torture but derision!) The real and huge difference for people at Pentecost was that up to that point, the Spirit of God was seen as available only to people in position of leadership: prophets, holy people, kings and such like. But even the OT prophets were aware that the Spirit was available to all who would respond. Read Isaiah and Ezekiel carefully (Ezekiel 37 is an alternative reading for this morning) and see how they understood God to be working. If you are game, keep your ears open and hear how often so-called unbelievers these days are aware of and do their best to follow truth and real justice ..... And they are on our side, so to speak. ***************************************************************************** From Conrad …...HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, (1098 – 17 September 1179), also known as Sibyl of the Rhine, was a German writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, Benedictine abbess, visionary, and polymath. Elected a magistra by her fellow nuns in 1136, she founded the monasteries of Rupertsberg in 1150 and Eibingen in 1165. One of her works as a composer, the Ordo Virtutum, is an early example of liturgical drama and arguably the oldest surviving morality play. She wrote theological, botanical and medicinal texts, as well as letters, liturgical songs, and poems, while supervising brilliant miniature Illuminations. Much of her music is still sung and appreciated to this day. On 10 May 2012, Pope Benedict XVI extended the liturgical cult of St. Hildegard to the universal Church, in a process known as "equivalent canonization". It is somewhat ironic as she would almost certainly have been in the forefront of the fight for recognition of women’s place, even to ordination, if it had been remotely possible in those days. PATRONAL FESTIVAL EVENSONG SERVICE ST PETER’S CATHEDRAL SUNDAY, 17 JUNE 2011 PREACHER: The Rev’d Dr Matthew Anstey 6:00PM Cheese and Wine - Cynthia Poulton Hall 7:00PM Evensong (robing from 6.40) Please let us know if you are coming. RSVP by 12 JUNE 2012 (admin@sbtc.org.au). Now located at 1 Susan Street, Hindmarsh. An offering will be collected for the work of the College Please join us for this celebration in the life of the College and hear about the proposal for the new site from the architects, Walter Brooke Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….

RonBlog

Sunday 20th May, 2012 Seventh Sunday of Easter Sentence Jesus prayed, ‘Holy Father, protect them in Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one as we are one.’ John 17: 11 Collect Almighty God, Your blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that He might fill all things; mercifully give us faith to trust that, as He promised, He abides with us on earth until the end of time, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen First Lesson Acts 1: 15 – 17 & 21 – 26 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus-- for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. Psalm 1 Blessed are they who have not walked in the counsel of the ungodly: nor followed the way of sinners, nor taken their seat among the scornful But their delight is in the law of the Lord: and on that law they will ponder day and night They are like trees planted beside streams of water: that yield their fruit in due season Their leaves also shall not wither: and look, whatever they do, it shall prosper As for the ungodly, it is not so with them: they are like the chaff which the wind scatters Therefore the ungodly shall not stand up at the judgement: nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous For the Lord cares for the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish Epistle 1 John 5: 9 – 13 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. GOSPEL John 17: 6 – 19 Jesus said "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. © New Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. All rights reserved NOTES ON THE READINGS First Lesson You are quite welcome to dispute what follows, but I came to this conclusion very many years ago. In your experience, what do you find that people (especially leaders) do when they are not at all sure what to do? Answer? They call a meeting and have a vote. The holier ones will find some Biblical precedent and act upon it. And here you have it. The Eleven were bewildered in more than one way, and stumbled around trying to find out what to do. Instead of waiting, as Jesus indicated clearly enough, they had to find something, anything to fill in the hiatus. If you still think that I am naughty, then when or where do you hear of Matthias after this event? Now all I suggest is that it may well have been better to have done nothing that to attempt to fill a void ....... Psalm Psalms like this tend to have propagated the idea for us that to be Christian calls for us all to be squeaky clean and to focus on being righteous. (Well, my childhood and youth was filled with injunctions to be like that. I wonder if yours was similar.) May I take a word from the Gospel, truth, and ask you to see that what the psalmist is calling for, in himself and others, is to exercise the capacity to be honest, open and to act with integrity – for that is the only way that relationships at any level can work to the mutual benefit of all. As I have mentioned often enough – righteousness = justice. A little bit of that goes a very long way does it not? Epistle Dear old John must have been a most wonderful mentor and senior statesman for the Church of his day. So much of what he wrote is expressed so simply and yet so profoundly. And if you read between the lines, truth is what he underlines, points to, and looks for in his contemporaries. Our world is moving away from truth so rapidly it takes your breath away. My counsel is to stay close to truth, and refuse to wander. GOSPEL This is part of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer as He moved towards the Cross and later the Ascension. It is a passionate and powerful prayer for those He was about to leave behind, because that was such an enormous risk for the Gospel. We humans are not all that crash-hot at catching sight of, understanding, and then remaining true to the Faith. History of the past two millennia prove that to be so; and Israel before that was rather less able to follow the path. His prayer for our protection remains enormously important, but do not let –the word glorify lead you up any garden paths. You glorify God when you manage to reflect His characteristics. And with all due respects, that does not tend to be all that often does it! (Statement, not question!) NOTES FOR A SERMON It is so far back in my history that the person of whom I write is no longer with us. He was jolly good stuff, however, when he was. Early 70s, and a group of young people and an adult or two were on a camp prior to their Confirmation, and it was a Sunday morning. After breakfast, I did to them something not dissimilar to that which Jesus did at the Last Supper. We had a Communion, with biscuits and orange juice, after which I left the group to get on with what they understood to be their calling as Christians. This event took place at the end of quite some months of other preparation. I moved out of the dining room of that campsite, and wandered out of earshot, for I fully expected what followed to happen. After some time of obviously confused discussion and debate in that room, dear old Derek emerged with a most worried frown on his face. ‘Ron,’ he apologised, ‘I do not have the foggiest idea of where we are supposed to go from here!’ Does that sound like the Eleven in that First Lesson today? After three years with Jesus (not quite some months as with that Confirmation Class,) that body of men had not the foggiest of where to head or what to do even at that point in the story. That attempt at democracy was rather more likely an attempt to spread the responsibility for the almost complete lack of readiness. Oddly enough, although the event referred to above, was very close to 50 years ago, for I felt exactly the same after my Ordination as Deacon. Assuming some sort of dropping down of all I needed from heaven, nothing came. It was life itself, and response to life and to people, the real world that would point the way and determine the response that was needed. Removal from the protection of family at home, and being dropped in the deep end of a parish soon indicated what was called for, and the response needed. One could hide from that, but only a coward would head that way. A couple of items: never be surprised if you are not very sure which direction to take. On the basis of previous experience, try and work out the wisest path to travel, but being very open to what happens as a result of that choice, being prepared to stick with it, or move in the direction your intuition seems to be taking you.

Newsletter

Sunday 20th May, 2012 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER—Sunday after Ascension 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. Sunday School is back in action again ……... Collect for Sunday after Ascension Almighty God, Your blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that He might fill all things: mercifully give us faith to trust that, as He promised, He abides with us on earth until the end of time; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Today’s Readings Readings Acts 1:15-17 & 21-26 and 1John 5:9-13 GOSPEL John 17: 6—19 Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/ PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Hal S-C We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Peter Little, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, the Swaby family , Lynda Knight, Dianne Cordes. Ivanka Cosic, Jim (fighting cancer;) Michelle and Jack,. Hazel Looney, Tommy Ferguson, Judith Manning, Barb Capon, little premature Hayley Haig …... HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joan Fitter, Mary Roberts, Bob Arnold HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY YEAR’S MIND— Millicent Williamson (1995) Norah Huxham (2004) Alan Critchley (1986) PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY - PENTECOST Readings: Acts 2: 1—11 & Romans 8: 22—27 GOSPEL John 15: 26—27 & 16: 4b-15 PENTECOST (WHITSUNDAY) is observed next Sunday. We have made arrangements for Celebratory Cakes for both congregations. Please find something red to wear for the occasion. Note from Conrad REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North BIBLE STUDY 10am Wednesdays at Pressley’s THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist 5.45pm Evening Prayer with Wendy and Sue SINGING GROUP Meets after the 10am service each Sunday. All singers welcome MOTHERS’ UNION - meets third Thursdays each month at 2.00pm Walking Church First Saturday of each month at 4.00pm at Belair National Park gates near railway station bridge. ANOTHER SPECIAL NOTE … From Friday May 25th, coffee and tea will be served in the Parish Hall from 8.30am to 11.30am so please come along and bring a friend or neighbour for a relaxing chatr among friends. Only $2.00 for your tea or coffee and biscuit. TODAY After the 10 am service a special meeting of all with responsibility at Church will be held at 11.30am. This is to co-ordinate all areas of responsibility and to avoid ‘demarcation’ issues. 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 Stephanie Lloyd 8278 4260 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814 RETIRING COLLECTION FOR "BEACON" - 27TH MAY Beacon is an Emergency Relief Service initiative of the Mitcham Hills Inter-Church Council - of which Holy Innocent's is a part. It provides local people with Food Aid and Budget Advice and links people with specialist community services. 2012 is a LEAN year for Emergency Relief Grants so we have to increase our donations to try and make up the shortfall to maintain our services. Please give generously to the Retiring Collection on 27th May David Hall ABM Lent and Good Friday Campaign 2012 The total donated by our Parish was $1,496.85 which includes $189.35 raised on Pancake Night. A magnificent effort. Thank you for your generous support of this mission. ABM have been notified of the Parishioners who require a receipt. POWERPOINT ROSTER – Next Sunday Don Caddy or Cynthia Macintosh Sunday after Jill Hilbig or Ron Keynes READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER Next Sunday Reader Iris D Intercessor Max A Sunday after Reader John F Intercessor Vanessa D SANCTUARY ROSTER Next week Flowers Sue D-T Brass Caroline and Sid S Cleaning Susan Lee Mark your diary please ...... (a) School bookings: May 25 afternoon & evening (b) St John's drama production in hall afternoon and evening of May 31 and June 1 (c) St John's Exams 17-20 July and 29/10-14/11 The Quire St Nicolas is singing at St. Barnabas' Croydon SUNDAY, 20th May, at 3 pm for a celebration of choral and organ music from 1549 to 1928 ( the period between the first and last Book of Common Prayer ). It will be a great afternoon. The organist is Fr Bruce Naylor. Don't miss out:- 25th to 28th July is when Professor Paul Murray from Durham University will be in Adelaide talking about Receptive Ecumenism. His visit is being sponsored by the South Australian Council of Churches. Receptive Ecumenism is something that we can all do - a practical move forward in working together with other Christians. "What do we need to learn from them?" is the real question; see the notice in the Hall for details of Paul Murray's visit, together will a Registration Form. Forms are also available through the SACC website May is BCA box opening month. Please top up your boxes and leave them in the foyer early in May. If you would like to join the group who support BCA in this way, pick up a 'clean' box from the foyer. (David Hall) A couple of things coming out of the last Interchurch Council meeting 1. Mitcham Hills Interchurch Council will be taking part in the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations by putting on a Old Fashioned Picnic on 7th October. It is hoped all Council churches will take part. An organizing committee has been set up and needs cross representation from all Council churches. Anyone who would like to represent Holy Innocents should get in touch with Mark Riessen through the Church of Christ office on 8278 8666 2. Also as part of the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations there will a Men’s Choir Concert on 21st July at the Baptist Church, Coromandel Parade. There will be a gold coin collection to cover expenses. RONBLOG It is so far back in my history that the person of whom I write is no longer with us. He was jolly good stuff, however, when he was. Early 70s, and a group of young people and an adult or two were on a camp prior to their Confirmation, and it was a Sunday morning. After breakfast, I did to them something not dissimilar to that which Jesus did at the Last Supper. We had a Communion, with biscuits and orange juice, after which I left the group to get on with what they understood to be their calling as Christians. This event took place at the end of quite some months of other preparation. I moved out of the dining room of that campsite, and wandered out of earshot, for I fully expected what followed to happen. After some time of obviously confused discussion and debate in that room, dear old Derek emerged with a most worried frown on his face. ‘Ron,’ he apologised, ‘I do not have the foggiest idea of where we are supposed to go from here!’ Does that sound like the Eleven in that First Lesson today? After three years with Jesus (not quite some months as with that Confirmation Class,) that body of men had not the foggiest of where to head or what to do even at that point in the story. That attempt at democracy was rather more likely an attempt to spread the responsibility for the almost complete lack of readiness. Am I rude in suggesting that we may not have moved a long way from there? Modern Christians need to be far more aware of their role and calling, and get on with it. In some ways, dear old Mother Church can hold us back, by assuming that the clergy will do it all. ............ HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, (1098 – 17 September 1179), also known as Sibyl of the Rhine, was a German writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, Benedictine abbess, visionary, and polymath. Elected a magistra by her fellow nuns in 1136, she founded the monasteries of Rupertsberg in 1150 and Eibingen in 1165. One of her works as a composer, the Ordo Virtutum, is an early example of liturgical drama and arguably the oldest surviving morality play. She wrote theological, botanical and medicinal texts, as well as letters, liturgical songs, and poems, while supervising brilliant miniature Illuminations. Much of her music is still sung and appreciated to this day. On 10 May 2012, Pope Benedict XVI extended the liturgical cult of St. Hildegard to the universal Church, in a process known as "equivalent canonization". It is somewhat ironic as she would almost certainly have been in the forefront of the fight for recognition of women’s place, even to ordination, if it had been remotely possible in those days. Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….

RonBlog

Sunday 13th May, 2012 Sixth Sunday after Eater Sentence Jesus said, ‘You did not choose Me but I chose you; and I appointed you to go and bear fruit.’ John 15:16 Collect Eternal God, Whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life; grant that we may walk in His way, rejoice in His truth, and share His risen life; Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen First Lesson Acts 10: 44 – 48 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days. 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 1 John 5: 1 – 12 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. GOSPEL John 15: 9 – 17 Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. © New Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. All rights reserved NOTES ON THE READINGS First Lesson This story of the baptism of Cornelius, Roman centurion, is of great interest when one realizes the situation in which Peter found himself. (It is far too easy, in reading and responding to Scripture, to imagine that the authors were writing to you. They were not! They were writing for anyone who would read, indicating their view of what was happening as the Infant Church reached out.) And that this is the point of this (and other) tales in Acts. One tends to respond and react to circumstances and people in the way that other Christians tend to see as orthodox and true. Sadly, that narrowing of vision may well produce the exact opposite result that otherwise may have been produced. Thank heavens that Peter responded to this situation as a result of the dream he had. Put it another way, Peter responded according to his intuition, a gift often down-graded by the more holy ones amongst us. Although this incident, in particular, raised the ire and then the debate of Christians concerning Gentiles, it resulted in something that, if avoided, would have seen the Way reduced to a sect of Judaism, that would die out in less than a generation. Psalm This psalm is another of those used in the Book of Common Prayer at Morning and Evening Prayer, one which we used to sing regularly in Church in my youth. Jubilate Deo it was called, and was sung in that spirit. Whilst as a young person, the impact of the words tended to go over our heads, the almost-excitement did not. Later years enabled a closer and more pensive look at the words, which actually provide the grounds to explore life and faith. Never forget that – the outcome is optimistic. Epistle This particular passage provides quite some angst for many commentators, and a lot of rather false expectation amongst believers. When John talks about ‘our faith’ overcoming the world, he is not talking about your faith, but the Christian Faith. Overcoming the world, of course, does not mean belting the opposition into submission, but providing the answer to the human dilemma that bothers all of humanity. Here is neither magic nor sleight of hand, but a way to live that offers reconciliation and hope. Love is that way, as Jesus portrayed, love and truth and integrity. GOSPEL And this Gospel simply fills in the gaps if there are any left in your mind. I find it interesting that St. Paul’s ‘take’ on loving one another is expressed in terms of ‘putting up with each other.’ Paul was ever the pragmatist! NOTES FOR A SERMON Many years ago, in the parish where I then worked, we had a retired clergyman of some repute, who had happened to be the parish priest for my paternal grandparents almost a generation or more before. He was a lovely man, a little fey perhaps, and his ancestry may have had a little to do with that. He was born in Sri Lanka, with some Singhalese blood, and Portuguese and a little Irish too, I suspect. Other Anglican clergy in the city tended to write him off because of his unusual approach to life, but that was their loss, not everyone else’s! What brings him to mind in this Sunday’s readings has something to do with Peter’s response to the problem facing him. Monty was retired and in his 80s when I knew him, and when he was well enough he would get into his similarly aged Toyota and head for the Base Hospital. It was not far away from his home and how he had time to respond to what follows still escapes me somewhat. AS he headed to the Hospital, a thought would cross his mind, and he would turn around and go and call on someone whose name or situation hit his air-space. Time and again, when he would call on those folk, he would be met with ‘I was going to ring you, Canon’ for some need or other has occurred and he was the answer to their prayers. Even at the Hospital he would change tack if someone there had come to his mind. When moderns talk of ‘random acts of kindness’ the old Canon was forever following that path. His ministry was so totally invaluable simply because he followed his instincts, or if you prefer to put it another way, he followed the leading of the Spirit. You will be certain to know, and perhaps to have experienced a sense of needing to do something in response to a person or a need, and not having done so because it all felt a little silly or over-dramatic. The passage of time left you feeling somewhat sillier because you did nothing. Mind you, there will be times when it was all a little silly, but that only makes the wonderful ‘coincidences’ rather better and more significant. It is a matter of being open to the Spirit, aware of the direction of the Faith, and responding simply as one human to another. When dear old St. John wrote about ‘this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith,’ this is what he was on about. It is not my faith of which he wrote, but the Faith.’ Far from being closed up and defensive against all comers, this Faith, like its Lord, is ever open to people as people, whether they are in need or not. It is self –giving and not self-demanding. Cost is not the issue; fellowship and caring is. And that is it all in a nutshell. For the inquisitive Dear old John produced some conundrums, of which one is embedded in today’s Epistle. If you are a little confused by the three witnesses he mentions, please be aware that in Jewish legal circles, anyone laying a charge or producing evidence against or for someone needed three witnesses. Although it may sound a little fanciful to us these days, John pointed to the three lines of witness to establish Jesus’ credentials.

Newsletter

Sunday 13th May, 2012 SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 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. Sunday School is back in action again ……... Collect for Easter VI Loving God, Your Son has chosen us and called us to be His friends: give us grace to keep His commandments, to love one another, and to bear fruit which will abide; through Him Who is the true vine, the source of all our life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Today’s Readings Easter VI read by Vanessa D Readings Acts 10: 44– 48 & 1 John 5: 1—12 GOSPEL John 15:9—17 Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/ PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Hal S-C We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Peter Little, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, the Swaby family , Lynda Knight, Dianne Cordes. Ivanka Cosic, Jim (fighting cancer;) Jake & Gail. Hazel Looney, Tommy Ferguson, Judith Manning, Barb Capon, and Pat Pater HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joan Durdin, Margaret Pressley (BigO!) Mary Castenelli, Jasmine Black HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY YEAR’S MIND— Glenn Chester (1988) Pauline Hall (2004) PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY - Easter VII - Sunday after the Ascension Readings: Acts 1:15-17 & 21-26 and 1John 5:9-13 GOSPEL John 17: 6—19 REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North BIBLE STUDY 10am Wednesdays at Pressley’s THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist 5.45pm Evening Prayer with Wendy and Sue SINGING GROUP Meets after the 10am service each Sunday. All singers welcome MOTHERS’ UNION - meets third Thursdays each month at 2.00pm Walking Church First Saturday of each month at 4.00pm at Belair National Park gates near railway station bridge. Special Note: Ascension Day 17th May: There will be a Eucharist at 6.30pm to be followed by a bbq tea - meat supplied, please bring a salad or sweets. 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 Stephanie Lloyd 8278 4260 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814 RETIRING COLLECTION FOR "BEACON" - 27TH MAY Beacon is an Emergency Relief Service initiative of the Mitcham Hills Inter-Church Council - of which Holy Innocent's is a part. It provides local people with Food Aid and Budget Advice and links people with specialist community services. 2012 is a LEAN year for Emergency Relief Grants so we have to increase our donations to try and make up the shortfall to maintain our services. Please give generously to the Retiring Collection on 27th May David Hall POWERPOINT ROSTER – Next Sunday Jill Hilbig or Joy Campbell Sunday after Don Caddy or Cynthia Macintosh READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER Next Sunday Reader Eric D Intercessor to be arranged Sunday after Reader Iris D Intercessor Max A SANCTUARY ROSTER Next week Flowers Anna Kelly Brass Joan Durdin Cleaning Group 2 Mark your diary please ...... (a) School bookings: May 19 afternoon, May 25 afternoon & evening (b) St John's drama production in hall afternoon and evening of May 31 and June 1 (c) St John's Exams 17-20 July and 29/10-14/11 Flea Market 19th May Next Saturday is the big day. Come and join in the fun, enjoy a delicious Morning Tea or BQ. If you can volunteer to assist on a stall between 9 – 12 noon you will be a special “angel” – check the lists in the foyer. Donations of cakes, second hand goods, books, children’s stuff etc very welcome. Please leave you donations at the hall this afternoon and during the week. If you need someone to open up the hall or collect items for sale please ring Yvonne C. 8278 3352 or Graham Baines 8178 0329. Our thanks for the donations of jams and sauce received to date. The Quire St Nicolas is singing at St Barnabas' Croydon Sunday May 29 at 3pm for a celebration of choral and organ music from 1549 to 1928 (the period between the first and last Book of Common Prayer). It will be a great afternoon. Don't miss out:- 25th to 28th July is when Professor Paul Murray from Durham University will be in Adelaide talking about Receptive Ecumenism. His visit is being sponsored by the South Australian Council of Churches. Receptive Ecumenism is something that we can all do - a practical move forward in working together with other Christians. "What do we need to learn from them?" is the real question; see the notice in the Hall for details of Paul Murray's visit, together will a Registration Form. Forms are also available through the SACC website May is BCA box opening month. Please top up your boxes and leave them in the foyer early in May. If you would like to join the group who support BCA in this way, pick up a 'clean' box from the foyer. (David Hall) A couple of things coming out of the last Interchurch Council meeting 1. Mitcham Hills Interchurch Council will be taking part in the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations by putting on a Old Fashioned Picnic on 7th October. It is hoped all Council churches will take part. An organizing committee has been set up and needs cross representation from all Council churches. Anyone who would like to represent Holy Innocents should get in touch with Mark Riessen through the Church of Christ office on 8278 8666 2. Also as part of the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations there will a Men’s Choir Concert on 21st July at the Baptist Church, Coromandel Parade. There will be a gold coin collection to cover expenses. RONBLOG More on Intuition aka Holy Spirit— Many years ago, in the parish where I then worked, we had a retired clergyman of some repute, who had happened to be the parish priest for my paternal grandparents almost a generation before. He was a lovely man, a little fey perhaps, and his ancestry may have had a little to do with that. He was born in Sri Lanka, with some Singhalese blood, and Portuguese and a little Irish too, I suspect. Other Anglican clergy in the diocese tended to write him off because of his unusual approach to life, but that was their loss, not everyone else’s! What brings him to mind in this Sunday’s first reading has something to do with Peter’s response to the problem facing him. Like Philip last Sunday, Peter was acting against the (current) rules. Dear old Canon Monty was retired and in his 80s when I knew him, and when he was well enough he would get into his similarly aged Toyota and head for the Base Hospital. The Hospital was not far away from his home and how he had time to respond to what follows still escapes me somewhat. As he headed to the Hospital, a thought would cross his mind, and he would turn around and go and call on someone whose name or situation hit his air-space. Time and again, when he would call on those folk, he would be met with ‘I was going to ring you, Canon’ for some need or other had occurred and he was the answer to their prayers. Even at the Hospital he would change tack if someone there had come to his mind. When moderns talk of ‘random acts of kindness’ the old Canon was forever following that path. His ministry was so totally valuable simply because he followed his instincts, or if you prefer to put it another way, he followed the leading of the Spirit.

RonBlog

Sunday 6th May, 2012 Fifth Sunday of Easter Sentence In this is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we ought also to love one another. 1 John 4: 10 Collect O God, so form the minds of Your faithful people that we may love what You command and desire what You promise, so that, amid the many changes of this world, our hearts may there be fixed where true joys asre to be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen First Lesson Acts 8: 26 – 40 An angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it." So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" He replied, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth." The eunuch asked Philip, "About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?" He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Psalm 22: 26 – 32 From You springs my praise in the great congregation: I will pay my vows in the sight of all who fear You The meek shall eat of the sacrifice and be satisfied: and those who seek the Lord shall praise Him – may their hearts rejoice for ever. Let all the gods of the earth remember and turn to the Lord: and let all families of the nations worship before Him For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and He shall be ruler over the nations How can those who sleep in the earth do Him homage: or those who descend to the dust bow down before Him? But He has saved my life for Himself: and my posterity shall serve Him This shall be told of my Lord to a future generation: and His righteousness declared to a people yet unborn, that He has done it. Epistle 1 John 4: 7 – 21 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. GOSPEL John 15: 1 – 8 Jesus said "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. © New Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. All rights reserved NOTES ON THE READINGS First Lesson I have an awful suspicion that if Philip had been operating in the Church in the 21st Century, all his efforts with the Ethiopian eunuch would have been refused recognition, and it may be that the Coptic Church may never have happened. Dear Philip: he went against all the rules, and yet did the obviously right and generous thing. You see, although that eunuch was high-placed and important in his own world, and even though he was an enquirer into Judaism, he was castrated, not to put too fine a point on it, and that disqualified him totally from the Faith, Jewish or budding Christian. OK, the Holy Spirit may have urged the deacon on, but how do you establish that even with fellow-Christians? You are given neither proof nor paperwork eh! And what another delight! The Seven were ordained as deacons with a particular portfolio of looking after people. They were not ordained evangelists, nor did they fit the sausage-skin! And good on them!!! Stephen died because he did what he felt impelled to do; and Philip followed his intuition and conviction. All that sort of thing is rather too scary for Church leaders in our own day and age. Even John Flynn had a monumental struggle to get his flying doctor concept off the ground. Do I admire Philip? I think it shows, does it not – and that is the sort of conviction-led, Spirit-led sort of thing that needs to happen these days. Psalm And the Psalmist points in the same direction. Here is the report of personal experience of the God Who is there, ready to relate to all who will listen, and respond with faith and obedience. Mind you, in this day and age (like any other I suspect) there will ever be nutcases and fruit loops with stupid concepts, and need to be responded to, and filtered out. ‘Test the Spirits,’ Paul exhorted, and that need remains. Epistle All the world needs is love, sweet love ..... you may recall the pop song from decades ago, And the message remains true, if you are really talking about love. Dear old John – quite the wisest of the Apostles, and yet also quite the simplest and most uncomplicated. Mind you, he was never naive. GOSPEL Over the decades I have heard all manner of sermons and talks about ‘abiding in Jesus’ and I would have to say that much of it was little more than pious garbage. If you live with someone, you begin to share their traits, good and bad. And ‘abiding’ is ‘living with.’ That may well be worth pondering for a while! NOTES FOR A SERMON Even as a young child at Sunday School, the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch impacted on my mind and memory. I cannot recall what the cause of impact was, way back then, but the imagery stayed with me. As I grew and learnt more about the tale, the picture was coloured more vividly. The connection with deeper Africa was one thing – and with a grandfather who would read from Isaiah after every midday meal, the Biblical connection widened. Those days one simply had the story told, without Biblical context. As that changed, the interest widened. Here was someone stepping outside of apparent authority, yet responding to what he knew to be necessary. Mind you, Philip (Greek name, so a Greek person) would not have encountered the strict regimen of Judaism I suspect, perhaps even unaware that he had stepped outside invisible bounds. The whole matter of possible acceptance of Gentiles (Goyim, aren’t we?) had still a long way to go before general acceptance. But that cadet Christian was faced with a challenge, and was perfectly happy to take it up. His greatest surprise may well have been to see that foreigner reading from a scroll as he drove along in a chariot. (I find trying to read in the car does little more than produce a headache! But you may also now see the connection with Grandpa and Isaiah!!!) I would have loved to have been caught up in that conversation, I must confess. There was the eunuch trying to make sense of the passage, and Philip was just the one to open up the Scriptures for him. Out of that ‘chance’ encounter, some enormous developments occurred. Almost certainly this was one of the causes of the spread of the Faith through Egypt Sudan and to Ethiopia. And that spread has stuck through two millennia. I find it interesting. Peter encountered contrary pressure for getting mixed up with a Roman centurion. Like later bishops and things, there was resistance to change taking place, especially if it did not come from the top. And here was a total change that emerged from ‘the little people.’ This may turn out to be a quite short sermon today – but it is one that asks us to step out of being hide-bound, and follow our intuition and the Spirit’s leading, for time and again, similar cameos and challenges come our way as we live as the People of God. What I put in front of you is to dare to step out in faith. Sure, check your references before you head to far into the deep, but do not be afraid of mistakes. Others may have problems with them, but one can still learn better from boo boos that from what one does right.

Newsletter

Sunday 6th May, 2012 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 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. Sunday School is back in action again ……... Collect for Easter V O God, so form the minds of Your faithful people, that we may love what You command and desire what You promise, so that, amid the many changes of this world, our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; 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 Easter V read by David C Readings: Acts 8: 26—40 & 1 John 4: 7—21 GOSPEL John 15: 1—8 Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/ PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Mary V We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Peter Little, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, the Swaby family , Lynda Knight, Dianne Cordes. Ivanka Cosic, Jim (fighting cancer;) Jake and Gail. Hazel Looney, Tommy Ferguson, Judith Manning, Barb Capon, Sid Sweet and Pat Pater HAPPY BIRTHDAY Olive Marston HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Margaret & Alan Pressley (60th!) Jocelyn & Craig Deane, Jill & Paul Hilbig YEAR’S MIND— Christine McAuliffe (1983) Philip Lockwood (1997), Lorna Mengler (1995) PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY - Easter VI Readings Acts 10: 44– 48 & 1 John 5: 1—12 GOSPEL John 15:9—17 REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North BIBLE STUDY 10am Wednesdays at Pressley’s THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist 5.45[m Evening Prayer with Wendy and Co. SINGING GROUP Meets after the 10am service each Sunday. All singers welcome MOTHERS’ UNION - meets third Thursdays each month at 2.00pm Walking Church Today at 5.00pm at Belair National Park gates near railway station bridge. Special Note: Ascension Day 17th May: There will be a Eucharist at 6.30pm to be followed by a bbq tea - meat supplied, please bring a salad or sweets. 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 Stephanie Lloyd 8278 4260 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814 POWERPOINT ROSTER – Next Sunday Cynthia Macintosh or Don Caddy Sunday after Jill Hilbig or Joy Campbell READER AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER Next Sunday Reader Vanessa D Intercessor Hal S-C Sunday after Reader Eric D Intercessor tba SANCTUARY ROSTER Next week Flowers Noelene Carter Brass Bonney Tomlinson Cleaning Susan Lee Mark your diary please ...... (a) School bookings: May 19 afternoon, May 25 afternoon & evening (b) St John's drama production in hall afternoon and evening of May 31 and June 1 (c) St John's Exams 17-20 July and 29/10-14/11 Flea Market, Saturday 19th May. 9am to lunchtime. There will be stalls for books, cakes, second-hand clothes, white elephant and household gear. as well as Morning Tea and a Barbecue. Please help with stock for these stalls and volunteer your services to Jan Tregenza, Cynthia Macintosh, Yvonne Caddy, Graham Bains. The hall will be available to leave goods during the week. Flyers will shortly be available for distribution and display. OTHER NOTES …… Parish Council Meeting will now be held on the 15th May .......Councillors please note May is BCA box opening month. Please top up your boxes and leave them in the foyer early in May. If you would like to join the group who support BCA in this way, pick up a 'clean' box from the foyer. (David Hall) Archbishop Jeffery Driver is pleased to announce the appointment of The Very Rev’d Frank Nelson as Dean of Adelaide’s iconic St Peter’s Cathedral. Born in South Africa, Frank was ordained a priest in 1979 and has always had a passion for cathedrals and the unique opportunities they offer. Frank Nelson is currently the Dean of the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul in New Zealand FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Catch up with Rev. Stephen about the Sunday evening Bible Study events. And the next THRIVE event will be at Concordia College, Highgate on 18th May from 7.30 to 9.30pm The focus is ‘Peace, where can I get it?’ and cost is $5.00 for supper. A couple of things coming out of the last Interchurch Council meeting 1. Mitcham Hills Interchurch Council will be taking part in the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations by putting on a Old Fashioned Picnic on 7th October. It is hoped all Council churches will take part. An organizing committee has been set up and needs cross representation from all Council churches. Anyone who would like to represent Holy Innocents should get in touch with Mark Riessen through the Church of Christ office on 8278 8666 2. Also as part of the Coro Alive 175th Anniversary Celebrations there will a Men’s Choir Concert on 21st July at the Baptist Church, Coromandel Parade. There will be a gold coin collection to cover expenses. Ross Hill-Brown RONBLOG — First Lesson : Sticking one’s neck out! Even as a young child at Sunday School, the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch impacted on my mind and memory. I cannot recall what the cause of impact was way back then, but the imagery stayed with me. As I grew and learnt more about the tale, the picture was coloured more vividly. The connection with deeper Africa was one thing – and with a grandfather who would read from Isaiah after every midday meal, the Biblical connection widened. In those days one simply had the story told, without Biblical context. As that changed, the interest widened. Here was someone stepping outside of apparent authority, yet responding to what he knew to be necessary. Mind you, Philip (Greek name, so a Greek person) would not have encountered the strict regimen of Judaism I suspect, perhaps even unaware that he had stepped outside invisible bounds. The whole matter of possible acceptance of Gentiles (Goyim, aren’t we?) had still a long way to go before general acceptance. But that cadet Christian was faced with a challenge, and was perfectly happy to take it up. His greatest surprise may well have been to see that foreigner reading from a scroll as he drove along in a chariot. (I find trying to read in the car does little more than produce a headache!) I would have loved to have been caught up in that conversation, I must confess. There was the eunuch trying to make sense of the passage, and Philip was just the one to open up the Scriptures for him. Out of that ‘chance’ encounter, some enormous developments occurred. Almost certainly this was one of the causes of the spread of the Faith through Egypt Sudan and to Ethiopia. And that spread has stuck through two millennia. From little things, big things grow!!! Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….