Newsletter

Sunday 27th January, 2013 Third 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. Sunday School will be back in action next Sunday Collect for today Life-giving God, Who sent Your Son Jesus to proclaim Your kingdom, and to teach with authority; anoint us with Your Spirit, that we too may bring good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives; 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 Third Sunday after Epiphany read by Clare B Readings Nehemiah 8: 1 – 3, 5-6, 8-10 and 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 31 GOSPEL Luke 4: 14 - 21 PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Sue D-T We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Peter Little, Dorothy Furnival, the Swaby family , Dianne Cordes. Tommy Ferguson, Bob Arnold, Ann Daughtry, Pat Pater, Susan Daulby, Janet Phillips, Jan and Mollie, Eddy Klose (prostate ca) . Robyn Keynes’ older sister Pam .. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Barbara Rathbone, Jane Raymond, Andrew Kelly, Lucy Thomas, Kirby Huffa HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - Lucinda and David Hale Rosemary and Sean Conlon YEAR’S MIND— PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Readings: Jeremiah 1: 4—10 and 1 Corinthians 13: 1—13 GOSPEL Luke 4: 21—30 REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS - most activities do not start till February 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 5.30pm Evening Prayer with Wendy MOTHERS’ UNION - meets third Thursdays each month at 2.00pm—next meeting February 21st WALKING CHURCH First Saturday of each month at 5.00pm at Belair National Park gates near railway station bridge. Next Saturday February 2nd is the next event. Friday Morning HI Tea and Coffee is on again from 8.30am. Don’t miss the chance for a yarn Mary Vandepeer is planning the Shrove Tuesday event, and asks for volunteers for cooking the pancakes that evening. Please contact Mary V herself, or Jan Tregenza. You are reminded of the forthcoming WORLD DAY OF PRAYER on Friday 1st March. The Theme for the day is Í was a stranger and you took me in. More information will be provided as the day draws closer….. Spies tell us that the Sweets Senior are now great-grandparents, and Jane’s daughter has provided the joy! 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 Don Caddy or Cynthia Macintosh Following week Ron Keynes or Barb Capon READER AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER Next Sunday Reader David C Intercessor Mary V Sunday after Reader Vanessa D Intercessor Warren SANCTUARY ROSTER Next Sunday Flowers Iris Downes Brass Caroline & Sid Sweet Cleaning Cleaner ADVANCE NOTICE Parish Camp Friday 8 - Sunday 10 November 2013 at Pt Elliot Caravan Park Powered site $33/night Units $115/night, Cabins $90/night For more details refer notice board in the hall or contact Wendy Morecroft awsc@internode.on.net 0400576364 RONBLOG on today’s Readings All who oppose the Faith, discarding it as superstition, would do well to give some time to stop and think about this Gospel reading. In fact, it seems to me to demand attention to all who consider the choice of which way to head in life.. What is even more fascinating to me is the fact that six centuries before Christ, the prophet Isaiah was pondering what God was pointing people to at the time of the devastating Exile in Babylon when all seemed totally lost. Sadly I discover from Jewish friends that they see nothing at all interesting in Isaiah’s Servant Songs, and I dare to wonder if that is because they reject anything that tastes of Jesus. I hope I am quite wrong. On the other hand, Christians themselves tend to miss rather too much of the point of those same Songs. Always ready to see its anticipation of Jesus, they fail to see further. The reason they point to Jesus (from where we sit) is because of this passage where Jesus makes that connection so strongly. But look more deeply – and see that (a) the entire Judaic/Christian Faith is there to offer a staggering answer to the human dilemma (who are we and what are we here for,) and (b) here lies the answer to all that Genesis 3 and 4 (and onwards) underlines. If one looks for the answer to and remedy for human evil, here it is, ‘writ large and clear,’ and is the primary function of the Gospel. The answer to human evil is NOT to be punitive, but redemptive. The entire process of reconciliation and restoration is long and costly, and the Divine answer to evil is not Hell, but lies where the Cross of Christ points. This has all to do with finding paths towards reconciliation and redemption of relationships.