Sunday 5th June, 2011 Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sentence
This is eternal life, that we may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent.
John 17:3
Collect
O God the King of Glory, You have exalted Your only Son, Jesus Christ with great triumph to Your kingdom in heaven; we pray You leave us not comfortless, but send Your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt usto the same place where our Saviour Christ has gone before; Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
First Lesson Acts 1: 6 – 14
When they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.
When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Psalm 68: 1 – 10 & 32-35
God shall arise and His enemies shall be scattered: those that hate Him shall flee before His face.
As smoke is dispersed, so shall they be dispersed: as wax melts before a fire, so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God
But the righteous shall be glad and exult before God: they shall rejoice with gladness.
O sing to God, sing praises to His name: glorify Him that rode through the deserts, Him Whose Name is the Lord, and exult before Him.
He is the father of the fatherless, He upholds the cause of the widow: God in His holy dwelling place.
He gives the desolate a home to dwell in, and brings the prisoners out into prosperity: but rebels must dwell in a barren land.
O God, when You went out before Your people: when You marched through the wilderness,
The earth shook, the heavens poured down water: before the God of Sinai, before God the God of Israel.
You showered down a generous rain O God: You prepared the land of Your possession when it was weary.
And there Your people settled: in the place that You goodness, O God, had made ready for the poor.
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth: O sing praises to the Lord,
To Him that rides upon the highest heaven, that were from the beginning: Who utters His voice, which is a mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God, Whose majesty is over Israel: and His might is in the clouds
Terrible is God Who comes from His holy place: the God of Israel Who gives power and strength to His people. Blessed be God.
Epistle 1 Peter 5
As an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it --not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.
In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
GOSPEL John 17: 1 – 11
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
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.
© 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
There is something delightfully human and ineffective about the Eleven at this time just before Jesus’ Ascension. They were little better afterwards, but I guess it is easy to be wise after the event. One has 20/20 vision then, do we not?
All this is something of an illustration of how hard it is to shift people from their populist view of the Faith. How deeply ingrained in them was this business that the Messiah should sort everyone out, whiz bang, alakazam- style? Even after three years of solid teaching, after the Cross, they were still looking for someone messianic in the early Old Testament style. Do not be surprised that they did not take on board such passages as we have recently, with those marvellous Servant Songs of Isaiah. One of my Jewish mates could not understand my perception of Isaiah 53 or the Servant Songs. I still don’t see what they perceive!
Like even modern people, those Eleven looked for apocalyptic issues – end of the world stuff, or at least sorting out the Romans. It is a strange malady, and it still ails people. The turn of the millennium brought out all manner of cranks, but there was no eruption then - nor was there ever likely to be. And that surprisingly naive ‘pastor’ in the States recently fell into the same trap. Even Scripture forbids guesses. Small wonder that Jesus, once again, attempted to turn their attention on to other more immediate issues.
Psalm
Perhaps here was a source of the expectation of the Eleven; it all sounds quite dramatic does it not? So how would you respond to such strong words in this day and age? One wonders when ‘rain’ and ‘Sinai’ are mentioned in the same breath. That would have been as likely as seeing a verdant Birdsville Track! However it certainly tizzies up the picture of Moses’ time, which does not compute all that well with the pressures indicated in the Exodus account.
Epistle
There is a small window into the world of the early Church in the tail end of this passage. What was it really like to live in the middle or later of the first century, and what was it like to be a Christian then?
Peter’s admonition to the ‘shepherds of the flock’ are very similar to the charges of Ezekiel many centuries before. It is an admonition that bears repetition in every generation, for it is rather too easy to move from shepherd to manager, controller, boss. And that leads to the denial of the very Gospel we profess!
There is also that interesting insight into the pressures of maintaining the faith in a world designed to emphasise – for those in any position to – for wealth, power and intrigue. Can you imagine the difficulties associated with resisting those pressures, especially in a period when the lions were very likely to be very real and very savage. And Christians were rather much the flavour of the month.
Some little glimpse is offered of life within the Church then, when –as other epistles indicate – there were traitors from within as well. And we think we have difficulties in life! Oh! Yeah?
GOSPEL
This High Priestly Prayer, as it is often called, is a moving expression of Jesus’ self-awareness, as well as the role or task that has been His. If you are a little bemused by the constant use of the ‘glorify’ it may be of some help to unpack it somewhat. Whatever does it really mean?
God is not glorified by lots of hymns or songs or even prayers. God is glorified when He is made known, His character and goals are clear. Jesus glorifies the Father when He made and makes Him clear, visible, tangible if you dare. You glorify God when who you are, what you do and how you react makes the Father clear and understandable to people around you. In a way you ‘reincarnate’ God. For like it or not, the way the Father operates, as in Jesus so in you, is to find someone to incarnate His nature – as far as you are capable. And it will surprise you what glimpses even the poorest witness can offer.
Making the Father known is the role of the Church and its people. Surprisingly, even those outside the Faith – I have found – may sometimes do the same, even if they are unaware of it.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
It was a lot of years ago, and one of the first times that my parents were at the Church where I was preaching – it must have been close to 55 years ago. I was not trying to impress anyone, but rather to help folk get past some ancient and holy words to realize what they were really talking about.
Matthew 5 has the Sermon on the Mount, and the first few verses being with the same word. ‘Blessed ….’ In Greek, makaraios. Just a year or two before that, all the news was about Cyprus and the struggle between Greek and Turk on that island, and the enormous loss of life in that struggle. As we pondered that word and that news, something of the irony of that word, blessed, (makarios) began to gel. Marakrios means ‘blessed’ and it was also the name of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop who was political leader of that stricken island. Blessed the Archbishop certainly was not.
Blessed. Happy. Content. Doing what was required of a person. Fulfilling the purpose. All sorts of things that are very rare events in our own day and age. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
It was only a short time ago (June, 2010) that I read a comment from Bob Hawke when he was Prime Minister. ‘It is not the meek that people need; they need to strong to look after the weak.’ I suspect Bob’s old Dad would have turned in his grave if he – Church minister – heard his son come out with that!
So let’s try another word often used in Church, and rather rarely understood. Try ‘glorify.’ Now how does anyone do that for anyone? How do you glorify God? How did Jesus glorify God? What in the name of fortune does the word really mean? May I take the strain away from you, and fill in the meaning?
When Jesus glorified God, it means simply that He made the Father known, almost visible, almost tangible. Not what the Father looks like, but what His nature is like. In what Jesus said, in what Jesus did, He illustrated and incarnated something of the nature of God. In other words, when people saw Jesus, they caught some sight of Who God is.
Does that make sense to you? At the risk of giving the poor man conniptions, we have long said to people that one of our great mates has done similar things. ‘If you want to get a bit of a picture of Jesus, then go and talk to Bishop Bruce Rosier.’ And I could tell you a lot of stories to illustrate that.
Jesus made God rather more tangible, reachable, understandable by what He did and said. Most of all it showed up at the Cross, much of it by what Jesus did not do. Yell and scream and demand revenge. And in what He did – giving Himself totally to others.
And that is the challenge for those called to priesthood. To reflect the characteristics of the Father. To incarnate the Faith, making it tangible, visible, understandable. As Peter wrote in his epistle, tend the flock of God, - not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over your charge but be examples to the flock. I must be old-fashioned or something but it is rather too rare these days to find this attitude amongst clergy.
And just in case you think this has nothing to do with you, because priest you are not, --- you are in the same boat. Yours is also the role to glorify God, to incarnate the characteristics of the Father. To make Jesus known, visible, tangible and understandable.
You will notice that in this day and age, that may not be the most popular programme, as Bob Hawke’s words would indicate. But it is the most necessary, for as our culture gradually claws itself to pieces, it is going to need people of sterner stuff, with a much clearer vision of what life could be like, to glue it all together again. It is a high calling, and will become an increasingly urgent one.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Newsletter
Sunday 5th June, 2011 - SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Our Celebrant and preacher today 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. After the 8am service breakfast is served and morning tea after the 10am service. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School is back in action
Collect for Seventh Sunday of Easter
O God, Whose Son Jesus prayed for His disciples, and sent them into the world to proclaim the coming of Your kingdom: by Your Holy Spirit, hold the Church in unity, and keep it faithful to Your word, so that, breaking bread together, we may be one with Christ in faith and love and service, now and for ever. Amen.
TODAY’S READINGS
Acts 1: 6 –14 and 1 Peter 5 read by Mary V
GOSPEL John 10: 1– 10
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Marg P
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Chris Contro, Yvonne Myers, Joy Campbell, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, and others known to us,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Neil Thomas
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
YEAR’S MIND—Gwenyth Rounsevell, Tony Willoughby (1994) Fr. Reg Petter (2000) Ros Hayman and John Carruthers (1998)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Pentecost
Acts 2: 1—21 and 1 Corinthians 12: 1—13
GOSPEL John 20: 19—23
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
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 Barb Capon 8278 3584 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814.
Herewith the address for Warren’s latest Chaplain’s contribution:
http://www.stjohns.sa.edu.au/news/the-copernican-revolution-of-the-self
FORTHCOMING EVENTS—
Special Note St. Barnabas. College 131st Anniversary Evening: This is to be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral at 6.00pm on 10th June, and Dr. Anstey will be the preacher. The service will be followed by a light meal in the Hall and RSVPs are required for that, on 8416 8440 or admin@sbtc.org.au.
HOLY INNOCENTS' BACK TO SCHOOL QUIZ NIGHT Saturday 2 July at 7pm in the Church $10/Adults $5/Concession BYO Supper and Drinks. Dress is school attire and prepare to be very well behaved for Quiz & Head Master, Andrew Morecroft. Book your table by writing your name on the form in the foyer
HOME GROUP at Andrew & Wendy Moorcroft's home Thursday 10 July 7.30pm. Call Wendy for details 0417 806 943
.RON-BLOG from today’s readings
We use words in Church, don’t we with not a lot of understanding what they mean.. Try ‘glorify.’ Now how does anyone do that for anyone? How do you glorify God? How did Jesus glorify God? What in the name of fortune does the word really mean? May I take the strain away from you, and offer some help?
When Jesus glorified God, it means simply that He made the Father known, almost visible, almost tangible. Not what the Father looks like, of course, but what His nature is like. In what Jesus said, in what Jesus did, He illustrated and incarnated something of the nature of God. In other words, when people saw Jesus, they caught some sight of Who God is.
Does that make sense to you? At the risk of giving the poor man conniptions, we have long said to people that one of our great mates has done similar things. ‘If you want to get a bit of a picture of Jesus, then go and talk to and watch Bishop Bruce Rosier.’ And I could tell you a lot of stories to illustrate that.
Jesus’ life and ministry made God rather more tangible, reachable, understandable by what He did and said. Most of all it showed up at the Cross, much of it by what Jesus did not do. Yell and scream and demand revenge, for instance. And in what He did – giving Himself totally to others.
And that is the challenge for those called to priesthood. To reflect the characteristics of the Father. To incarnate the Faith, making it tangible, visible, understandable. As Peter wrote in his epistle, tend the flock of God, - not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over your charge but be examples to the flock. I must be old-fashioned or something but it is rather too rare these days to find that Biblical attitude amongst quite some of the clergy.
And just in case you think this has nothing to do with you, because priest you are not, --- you are in the same boat. Yours is also the role to glorify God, to incarnate the characteristics of the Father. To make Jesus known, visible, tangible and understandable.
You will notice that in this day and age, that may not be the most popular programme, as Bob Hawke’s words would indicate when he suggested that weak people need strong leaders..But this glimpse of reality is the most necessary, for as our culture gradually claws itself to pieces, it is going to need people of sterner stuff, with a much clearer vision of what life could be like, to glue it all together again. It is a high calling, and will become an increasingly urgent one. The further people move away from God the further they move from each other, and you are aware of the drastic outcomes of that direction!
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Barb Capon or Jill Hilbig
Next Sunday Trevor Tregenza or Craig Deane
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Max A Intercessor Sue D-T
Sunday after Reader Araki family Intercessor Warren
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Anna Kelly Brass Joan Durdin
Cleaning Group 1
BCA BOXES
A gentle reminder that May is Box collection month, and we have run out of May. Box holders are asked to bring them in for clearing. Alan and Margaret Pressley will be there to receive them, and to forward the offerings on the BCA, in support of ministry in the Bush.
Congrats and best wishes to David Hall, recently elected Warden for Holy Innocents’ Thanks for putting up your hand—and we offer our support in your new role.
Applications are invited for the position of School Chaplain at COROMANDEL VALLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL Address: 339 Main Rd, Coromandel Valley Phone: 8278 3693
23 hours per week, commencing Term 3, 2011. The position exists to offer support to students, staff and the school community. A Job and Person Specification is available from: Coromandel Valley Primary School Front Office Closing date: 5pm, Tuesday 7th June www.smg.asn.au
An opportunity to visit the Lutheran Community Sewing Group (featured in the last Parish Magazine) is open to any who would like to join Marg Pressley and Robyn Keynes on Friday 10th June. And if you knit toddlers’ beanies, that would be appreciated by the Group. Contact Marg or Robyn
St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School formerly St Peter’s Glenelg Anglican Grammar School Reunion of past scholars, parents, staff and families of all eras You are invited to visit our school, renew acquaintances and to view the historic mementos contained in the Time Capsule opened as planned after 25 years. Sunday 7 August 2011 2.00pm - 4.00pm Nutter Thomas Dining Room St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School 39 Partridge Street Glenelg 5045 For more information contact Karen
p. 08 7221 6202 e. kschaumloffel@spw.sa.edu.au
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….
Our Celebrant and preacher today 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. After the 8am service breakfast is served and morning tea after the 10am service. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School is back in action
Collect for Seventh Sunday of Easter
O God, Whose Son Jesus prayed for His disciples, and sent them into the world to proclaim the coming of Your kingdom: by Your Holy Spirit, hold the Church in unity, and keep it faithful to Your word, so that, breaking bread together, we may be one with Christ in faith and love and service, now and for ever. Amen.
TODAY’S READINGS
Acts 1: 6 –14 and 1 Peter 5 read by Mary V
GOSPEL John 10: 1– 10
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Marg P
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Chris Contro, Yvonne Myers, Joy Campbell, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, and others known to us,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Neil Thomas
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
YEAR’S MIND—Gwenyth Rounsevell, Tony Willoughby (1994) Fr. Reg Petter (2000) Ros Hayman and John Carruthers (1998)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Pentecost
Acts 2: 1—21 and 1 Corinthians 12: 1—13
GOSPEL John 20: 19—23
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
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 Barb Capon 8278 3584 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814.
Herewith the address for Warren’s latest Chaplain’s contribution:
http://www.stjohns.sa.edu.au/news/the-copernican-revolution-of-the-self
FORTHCOMING EVENTS—
Special Note St. Barnabas. College 131st Anniversary Evening: This is to be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral at 6.00pm on 10th June, and Dr. Anstey will be the preacher. The service will be followed by a light meal in the Hall and RSVPs are required for that, on 8416 8440 or admin@sbtc.org.au.
HOLY INNOCENTS' BACK TO SCHOOL QUIZ NIGHT Saturday 2 July at 7pm in the Church $10/Adults $5/Concession BYO Supper and Drinks. Dress is school attire and prepare to be very well behaved for Quiz & Head Master, Andrew Morecroft. Book your table by writing your name on the form in the foyer
HOME GROUP at Andrew & Wendy Moorcroft's home Thursday 10 July 7.30pm. Call Wendy for details 0417 806 943
.RON-BLOG from today’s readings
We use words in Church, don’t we with not a lot of understanding what they mean.. Try ‘glorify.’ Now how does anyone do that for anyone? How do you glorify God? How did Jesus glorify God? What in the name of fortune does the word really mean? May I take the strain away from you, and offer some help?
When Jesus glorified God, it means simply that He made the Father known, almost visible, almost tangible. Not what the Father looks like, of course, but what His nature is like. In what Jesus said, in what Jesus did, He illustrated and incarnated something of the nature of God. In other words, when people saw Jesus, they caught some sight of Who God is.
Does that make sense to you? At the risk of giving the poor man conniptions, we have long said to people that one of our great mates has done similar things. ‘If you want to get a bit of a picture of Jesus, then go and talk to and watch Bishop Bruce Rosier.’ And I could tell you a lot of stories to illustrate that.
Jesus’ life and ministry made God rather more tangible, reachable, understandable by what He did and said. Most of all it showed up at the Cross, much of it by what Jesus did not do. Yell and scream and demand revenge, for instance. And in what He did – giving Himself totally to others.
And that is the challenge for those called to priesthood. To reflect the characteristics of the Father. To incarnate the Faith, making it tangible, visible, understandable. As Peter wrote in his epistle, tend the flock of God, - not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over your charge but be examples to the flock. I must be old-fashioned or something but it is rather too rare these days to find that Biblical attitude amongst quite some of the clergy.
And just in case you think this has nothing to do with you, because priest you are not, --- you are in the same boat. Yours is also the role to glorify God, to incarnate the characteristics of the Father. To make Jesus known, visible, tangible and understandable.
You will notice that in this day and age, that may not be the most popular programme, as Bob Hawke’s words would indicate when he suggested that weak people need strong leaders..But this glimpse of reality is the most necessary, for as our culture gradually claws itself to pieces, it is going to need people of sterner stuff, with a much clearer vision of what life could be like, to glue it all together again. It is a high calling, and will become an increasingly urgent one. The further people move away from God the further they move from each other, and you are aware of the drastic outcomes of that direction!
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Barb Capon or Jill Hilbig
Next Sunday Trevor Tregenza or Craig Deane
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Max A Intercessor Sue D-T
Sunday after Reader Araki family Intercessor Warren
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Anna Kelly Brass Joan Durdin
Cleaning Group 1
BCA BOXES
A gentle reminder that May is Box collection month, and we have run out of May. Box holders are asked to bring them in for clearing. Alan and Margaret Pressley will be there to receive them, and to forward the offerings on the BCA, in support of ministry in the Bush.
Congrats and best wishes to David Hall, recently elected Warden for Holy Innocents’ Thanks for putting up your hand—and we offer our support in your new role.
Applications are invited for the position of School Chaplain at COROMANDEL VALLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL Address: 339 Main Rd, Coromandel Valley Phone: 8278 3693
23 hours per week, commencing Term 3, 2011. The position exists to offer support to students, staff and the school community. A Job and Person Specification is available from: Coromandel Valley Primary School Front Office Closing date: 5pm, Tuesday 7th June www.smg.asn.au
An opportunity to visit the Lutheran Community Sewing Group (featured in the last Parish Magazine) is open to any who would like to join Marg Pressley and Robyn Keynes on Friday 10th June. And if you knit toddlers’ beanies, that would be appreciated by the Group. Contact Marg or Robyn
St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School formerly St Peter’s Glenelg Anglican Grammar School Reunion of past scholars, parents, staff and families of all eras You are invited to visit our school, renew acquaintances and to view the historic mementos contained in the Time Capsule opened as planned after 25 years. Sunday 7 August 2011 2.00pm - 4.00pm Nutter Thomas Dining Room St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School 39 Partridge Street Glenelg 5045 For more information contact Karen
p. 08 7221 6202 e. kschaumloffel@spw.sa.edu.au
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….
Saturday, May 28, 2011
RonBlog
Sunday 29th May, 2011 Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sentence
Jesus said ‘Those who love Me will keep My word, and My Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them.’ John 114:23
Collect
O God, You have promised for those who love You joys beyond our understanding: pour into our hearts such love for You that, loving You above all else, we may obtain Your promises that exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
First Lesson Acts 17: 22 – 31
Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, He who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and He allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him--though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'
Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
Psalm 66: 7 – 19
O bless our God, you peoples: and cause His praises to resound
Who has held our souls in life: Who has not suffered our feet to slip.
For You have proved us, O God: You have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net: You laid sharp torment on our loins.
You let our enemies ride over our heads, we went through fire and water: but You brought us into a place of liberty.
I will come into Your house with burnt-offerings: and I will pay You my vows
The vows that opened my lips: that my mouth uttered when I was in trouble.
I will offer You burnt-offerings of fattened beasts, with the sweet smoke of rams: I will sacrifice a bull and the flesh of goats
Come then and hear, all you that fear God: and I will tell you what He has done for me
I called to Him with my mouth: and His praise was on my tongue
If I had cherished wickedness in my heart: the Lord would not have heard me
But God heard me: He has heeded the voice of my prayer
Praise be to God: Who has not turned back my prayer or His steadfast love from me.
Epistle 1 Peter 3: 8 – 22
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called-- that you might inherit a blessing. For "Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.
And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
GOSPEL John 14: 15 – 21
Jesus said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
© 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
Dear old St. Paul has always been quite something of a mentor for me, especially when it comes to his preaching of the Gospel. One factor that has always stood out for me is the manner in which he always met his audience where they were, not where he wished them to be. And it has to be said that Greeks would have constituted no easy audience. It seems that their approach was to delight in debate and argument, but to be put off totally by any expectation of reaching a serious conclusion. It seems to be rather like our modern philosophers and debaters – politicians too - who enjoy the debate but seem loath to reach a conclusion from which they must decide a course of action.
It may well be in this instance, Paul chose the path of the ‘God of the gaps,’ but it seems more likely that the gap he really touched with that in the hearts of the people there on the Areopagus. Notice that as soon as Paul reached a conclusion to be acted from, there was the general retreat sounded, ‘’we must listen to you again.’ That was the great ‘put off.’ So don’t be put off yourself, but realize that, as Camus is reputed to have said some time ago, ‘not to decide is to decide.’
Psalm
It is very difficult, as a rule, to determine quite when various psalms were written, but I take a punt that this one emanated from around the time of the Exile in Babylon. Mind you, there were many periods of stress for Israel both before and long after the Exile. However here is a psalm of confidence in God Who provides the oomph to keep going in the face of trials and tribulations. And so we can make such experiences our own as well.
Epistle
As Peter himself would have said, there really can be no argument against those that do good, though human nature will still call the bluff on this one if there is pressure enough. However the dictum remains, for the very reason of upholding truth and goodness, and more particularly because this is the path that Jesus Himself has to tread even at the cost of His own life.
If that passage about Jesus preaching to those ‘in prison,’ bemuses or beguiles you, it is really more a matter – I suspect - of the Apostle trying to express the conviction that the effects of the atonement are as effective before the period of time 2,000 years ago, as it will be for the period of time after. It is a sort of statement that has baffled commentators for many a long year.
GOSPEL
And the spirit and sense of love persists through this rather lovely and piquant passage. In other words, wherever and whenever the Gospel is preached and spread, the focus must always be on love. That does not make it weak, for love still tends to be misunderstood somewhat. Love cares, and so should we – difficulty though that may be sometimes.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
This may not be the easiest of paths to follow, but I ask you to stick with it if you can. From the readings today it is quite clear that the great item for exploration is love, but like a lot of things it is easier said than done.
Before we start exploring love, may I divert to something that has bugged me for quite some time. A silly illustration points the way I am heading, and underlines my issues somewhat. As it is close to tea-time at our house, we may well be watching ‘Deal or No Deal’ as the meal cooks. Quite a lot of the sort of stuff said by contestants and master of ceremonies gets my goat sometimes. ‘Good work!’ Ian will cackle, when it is not work at all, unless you call it guesswork, and that is an oxymoron is it not? Or ‘what do you think you have?’ is a guess, is it not, and has nothing to do with the business of thought. The real reason for all this is ‘what do you feel you have?’ would have about as much connection with reality as a dream or a wish. What you feel will have connection with the reality only by sheer chance. And yet that same Ian goes on to wonder if the person has faith that a certain number is in their box! Faith? What baloney!
So what really worries me is the apparent capacity of so many people these days to live on or bounce off their emotions, which is a rather short step from reality into cloud cuckoo land. If you think I am being silly, then switch off now. However, I do recall spending many happy hours with a great friend of ours who lived almost totally off her emotions, which led her into the most damaging decisions and outcomes over and over again. It was years before she was prepared to use her grey matter more, which has brought her out of mists into far more satisfying areas of life. And, if you will pardon me, it took a lot of loving that person – and not all of that love was perceived as such even by her. (She may tell you some stories one day!)
When most people talk about love, they expect something soft and gentle, undisturbing and comforting, and that may not always be the case by any means. I recall another parishioner – who has since died – whose self-pity after the loss of her husband made life excruciatingly difficult for her family. After putting up with it for quite some time, as she had been an only child and had manoeuvred her husband into complying with her every whim, but in the end I had to suggest very strongly that it was about time she grew up and stopped draining the very lifeblood from her children. I indicated why I spoke thus, and said I would let her think about it all and come back after a while. When I returned, she expressed surprise. ‘I thought you hated me!’ she remarked. So it was a matter of explaining that if that supposition was true, I would never have bothered to raise the issue at all. I could have simply passed her by. It was only then that she began to see that love is not a pandering, but a sharing of the load and caring no matter what. And it is often no easy path. And it has nothing to do with feelings or emotions.
When it was first explained to me, I was profoundly enlightened. When I was studying Greek for our New Testament studies, some of the poverty of the English language was pointed out to the class. English has but one word, really, for love; Greek has three at least. And they are quite specific.
First there is eros and it takes little imagination to see where this takes us. Eros is love from an ‘erotic’ point of view, quite important and necessary, for without it you would not be reading this nor I writing it. So don’t knock it; except in its abuse. I love you for what you do to me.
Second there is philadelphia - name of that American city or the one near the Aegean Sae long ago. Love of brother, family, country or clan. Necessary again, for without loyalty such as this, very little in life and relationships can happen. I love you because of who you are.
And then there is agape - - a word which Paul resurrected from then ancient Greek which he used to convey the nature of God’s love. (It was the name given to the Eucharist in the early days; and it is a name which has been distorted out of shape, if newspaper reports are true, when a sect named themselves after this, yet displays remarkably unloving directions and abuses. The reality of this love runs something like I love you in spite of who you are ….. indicative of the nature of God’s love for people. And not even God could operate at that depth from mere human emotions. This is determinative stuff; I choose to love, regardless of any other factor, because it is My nature. And that makes it totally dependable.
So much of the Christian’s response to the Gospel should stem not from emotions but from determination. It is a matter of will, not the crossing of fingers or the taking a punt. It is not warm fuzzy stuff, nor is it comfort –zone material.
As that rather odd AFL character used to say in his adverts, ‘You know it makes sense.’
Sentence
Jesus said ‘Those who love Me will keep My word, and My Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them.’ John 114:23
Collect
O God, You have promised for those who love You joys beyond our understanding: pour into our hearts such love for You that, loving You above all else, we may obtain Your promises that exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
First Lesson Acts 17: 22 – 31
Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, He who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and He allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him--though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'
Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
Psalm 66: 7 – 19
O bless our God, you peoples: and cause His praises to resound
Who has held our souls in life: Who has not suffered our feet to slip.
For You have proved us, O God: You have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net: You laid sharp torment on our loins.
You let our enemies ride over our heads, we went through fire and water: but You brought us into a place of liberty.
I will come into Your house with burnt-offerings: and I will pay You my vows
The vows that opened my lips: that my mouth uttered when I was in trouble.
I will offer You burnt-offerings of fattened beasts, with the sweet smoke of rams: I will sacrifice a bull and the flesh of goats
Come then and hear, all you that fear God: and I will tell you what He has done for me
I called to Him with my mouth: and His praise was on my tongue
If I had cherished wickedness in my heart: the Lord would not have heard me
But God heard me: He has heeded the voice of my prayer
Praise be to God: Who has not turned back my prayer or His steadfast love from me.
Epistle 1 Peter 3: 8 – 22
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called-- that you might inherit a blessing. For "Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.
And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
GOSPEL John 14: 15 – 21
Jesus said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
© 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
Dear old St. Paul has always been quite something of a mentor for me, especially when it comes to his preaching of the Gospel. One factor that has always stood out for me is the manner in which he always met his audience where they were, not where he wished them to be. And it has to be said that Greeks would have constituted no easy audience. It seems that their approach was to delight in debate and argument, but to be put off totally by any expectation of reaching a serious conclusion. It seems to be rather like our modern philosophers and debaters – politicians too - who enjoy the debate but seem loath to reach a conclusion from which they must decide a course of action.
It may well be in this instance, Paul chose the path of the ‘God of the gaps,’ but it seems more likely that the gap he really touched with that in the hearts of the people there on the Areopagus. Notice that as soon as Paul reached a conclusion to be acted from, there was the general retreat sounded, ‘’we must listen to you again.’ That was the great ‘put off.’ So don’t be put off yourself, but realize that, as Camus is reputed to have said some time ago, ‘not to decide is to decide.’
Psalm
It is very difficult, as a rule, to determine quite when various psalms were written, but I take a punt that this one emanated from around the time of the Exile in Babylon. Mind you, there were many periods of stress for Israel both before and long after the Exile. However here is a psalm of confidence in God Who provides the oomph to keep going in the face of trials and tribulations. And so we can make such experiences our own as well.
Epistle
As Peter himself would have said, there really can be no argument against those that do good, though human nature will still call the bluff on this one if there is pressure enough. However the dictum remains, for the very reason of upholding truth and goodness, and more particularly because this is the path that Jesus Himself has to tread even at the cost of His own life.
If that passage about Jesus preaching to those ‘in prison,’ bemuses or beguiles you, it is really more a matter – I suspect - of the Apostle trying to express the conviction that the effects of the atonement are as effective before the period of time 2,000 years ago, as it will be for the period of time after. It is a sort of statement that has baffled commentators for many a long year.
GOSPEL
And the spirit and sense of love persists through this rather lovely and piquant passage. In other words, wherever and whenever the Gospel is preached and spread, the focus must always be on love. That does not make it weak, for love still tends to be misunderstood somewhat. Love cares, and so should we – difficulty though that may be sometimes.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
This may not be the easiest of paths to follow, but I ask you to stick with it if you can. From the readings today it is quite clear that the great item for exploration is love, but like a lot of things it is easier said than done.
Before we start exploring love, may I divert to something that has bugged me for quite some time. A silly illustration points the way I am heading, and underlines my issues somewhat. As it is close to tea-time at our house, we may well be watching ‘Deal or No Deal’ as the meal cooks. Quite a lot of the sort of stuff said by contestants and master of ceremonies gets my goat sometimes. ‘Good work!’ Ian will cackle, when it is not work at all, unless you call it guesswork, and that is an oxymoron is it not? Or ‘what do you think you have?’ is a guess, is it not, and has nothing to do with the business of thought. The real reason for all this is ‘what do you feel you have?’ would have about as much connection with reality as a dream or a wish. What you feel will have connection with the reality only by sheer chance. And yet that same Ian goes on to wonder if the person has faith that a certain number is in their box! Faith? What baloney!
So what really worries me is the apparent capacity of so many people these days to live on or bounce off their emotions, which is a rather short step from reality into cloud cuckoo land. If you think I am being silly, then switch off now. However, I do recall spending many happy hours with a great friend of ours who lived almost totally off her emotions, which led her into the most damaging decisions and outcomes over and over again. It was years before she was prepared to use her grey matter more, which has brought her out of mists into far more satisfying areas of life. And, if you will pardon me, it took a lot of loving that person – and not all of that love was perceived as such even by her. (She may tell you some stories one day!)
When most people talk about love, they expect something soft and gentle, undisturbing and comforting, and that may not always be the case by any means. I recall another parishioner – who has since died – whose self-pity after the loss of her husband made life excruciatingly difficult for her family. After putting up with it for quite some time, as she had been an only child and had manoeuvred her husband into complying with her every whim, but in the end I had to suggest very strongly that it was about time she grew up and stopped draining the very lifeblood from her children. I indicated why I spoke thus, and said I would let her think about it all and come back after a while. When I returned, she expressed surprise. ‘I thought you hated me!’ she remarked. So it was a matter of explaining that if that supposition was true, I would never have bothered to raise the issue at all. I could have simply passed her by. It was only then that she began to see that love is not a pandering, but a sharing of the load and caring no matter what. And it is often no easy path. And it has nothing to do with feelings or emotions.
When it was first explained to me, I was profoundly enlightened. When I was studying Greek for our New Testament studies, some of the poverty of the English language was pointed out to the class. English has but one word, really, for love; Greek has three at least. And they are quite specific.
First there is eros and it takes little imagination to see where this takes us. Eros is love from an ‘erotic’ point of view, quite important and necessary, for without it you would not be reading this nor I writing it. So don’t knock it; except in its abuse. I love you for what you do to me.
Second there is philadelphia - name of that American city or the one near the Aegean Sae long ago. Love of brother, family, country or clan. Necessary again, for without loyalty such as this, very little in life and relationships can happen. I love you because of who you are.
And then there is agape - - a word which Paul resurrected from then ancient Greek which he used to convey the nature of God’s love. (It was the name given to the Eucharist in the early days; and it is a name which has been distorted out of shape, if newspaper reports are true, when a sect named themselves after this, yet displays remarkably unloving directions and abuses. The reality of this love runs something like I love you in spite of who you are ….. indicative of the nature of God’s love for people. And not even God could operate at that depth from mere human emotions. This is determinative stuff; I choose to love, regardless of any other factor, because it is My nature. And that makes it totally dependable.
So much of the Christian’s response to the Gospel should stem not from emotions but from determination. It is a matter of will, not the crossing of fingers or the taking a punt. It is not warm fuzzy stuff, nor is it comfort –zone material.
As that rather odd AFL character used to say in his adverts, ‘You know it makes sense.’
Saturday, May 14, 2011
RonBlog
Sunday 15th May, 2011 Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sentence
Jesus said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.’ John 10.11
Collect
God of peace, Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us complete is every good work to do Your will and work in us that which is pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
First Lesson Acts 2: 42 – 47
The disciples devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing.
He will make me lie down in green pastures: and lead me beside still waters.
He will refresh my soul: and guide me in right pathways for His Name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the face of those who trouble me: You have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
Surely Your goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Epistle 1 Peter 2: 1 – 10
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
GOSPEL John 10: 1 – 10
Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
© 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
It may sound a little shocking, but this first move of the new people of God was towards what we would call communism. Not the atheist attempt in the USSR, -which really was not communism at all but a bastardized version. ‘All things in common, as each had need.’ It was a marvellous experiment that just may have led to the poverty of the Jerusalem Church for some time into the future. But it was a marvellous and genuine attempt.
That time they spent in the Temple was interesting; first of all, their links with their spiritual roots were unbroken. Second, stop to realize that the only time they could have done so was either or both before work or after. And that indicates strong commitment eh!
It strikes me as significant that the present-day Church would not begin to consider such a move as sharing to that extent. Mind you, the very numbers of needy involved makes any such move extremely risky.
Psalm
Please note my comments the last time this Psalm was set for use.
Epistle
I am sorry if this sounds something like a lesson, but I wonder how many readers are aware of the extent to which this author has quoted from the Old Testament. If you have a word-search on your Bible programme or simply a concordance, look up words like living stone, holy priesthood, God’s own people (or peculiar people if you have a King James Bible.) Then there is cornerstone, and in the prophets, ‘once you were not a people but now you are.’ Once you had not received mercy, but now you have.’ The implications of all this are enormous.
And what follows comes from Exodus 19
Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." Small wonder that these words are often found in the Eucharistic prayers, and have always been, so what does that say to you?
Just ponder a moment. If I am a priest then it must be, not to a vacuum but to a congregation, a group of people. No people, no priesthood. So even in Exodus the People of God are called to ‘priest’ not just to themselves but to those in the same world where they live. So why did Israel turn its eyes only on itself?
And that does that say to you?
GOSPEL
Whenever you encounter this ovine parallels and parables, please stop a moment and think. We moderns tend to live in cities and have far too little to do with rural areas, people or their responsibilities. So lambs and sheep tend to become little soft objects all warm and fuzzy. Forget it.
If you had been shepherd, you had a most difficult position. Lonely, dangerous sometimes, frustrating. Sheep can be idiotic or want to appear so. And the bigger the mob, the harder the task.
A shepherd was a total servant to his flock, no doubt about it. He had to find and provide fodder, water, shelter, and protection. Ask people who shepherded in the Flinders Ranges area a century or so ago, and they would make it quite clear that the task was no sinecure. It was not even safe!
Now would you ponder why this particular role became the selected pattern for Jesus, and (OT again) the leaders of Israel. It began with David.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
I will be hard on you this time, for with all the material above, you will have sufficient for mobs of sermons … and exercise of imaginations
Sentence
Jesus said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.’ John 10.11
Collect
God of peace, Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us complete is every good work to do Your will and work in us that which is pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
First Lesson Acts 2: 42 – 47
The disciples devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing.
He will make me lie down in green pastures: and lead me beside still waters.
He will refresh my soul: and guide me in right pathways for His Name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the face of those who trouble me: You have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
Surely Your goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Epistle 1 Peter 2: 1 – 10
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
GOSPEL John 10: 1 – 10
Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
© 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
It may sound a little shocking, but this first move of the new people of God was towards what we would call communism. Not the atheist attempt in the USSR, -which really was not communism at all but a bastardized version. ‘All things in common, as each had need.’ It was a marvellous experiment that just may have led to the poverty of the Jerusalem Church for some time into the future. But it was a marvellous and genuine attempt.
That time they spent in the Temple was interesting; first of all, their links with their spiritual roots were unbroken. Second, stop to realize that the only time they could have done so was either or both before work or after. And that indicates strong commitment eh!
It strikes me as significant that the present-day Church would not begin to consider such a move as sharing to that extent. Mind you, the very numbers of needy involved makes any such move extremely risky.
Psalm
Please note my comments the last time this Psalm was set for use.
Epistle
I am sorry if this sounds something like a lesson, but I wonder how many readers are aware of the extent to which this author has quoted from the Old Testament. If you have a word-search on your Bible programme or simply a concordance, look up words like living stone, holy priesthood, God’s own people (or peculiar people if you have a King James Bible.) Then there is cornerstone, and in the prophets, ‘once you were not a people but now you are.’ Once you had not received mercy, but now you have.’ The implications of all this are enormous.
And what follows comes from Exodus 19
Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." Small wonder that these words are often found in the Eucharistic prayers, and have always been, so what does that say to you?
Just ponder a moment. If I am a priest then it must be, not to a vacuum but to a congregation, a group of people. No people, no priesthood. So even in Exodus the People of God are called to ‘priest’ not just to themselves but to those in the same world where they live. So why did Israel turn its eyes only on itself?
And that does that say to you?
GOSPEL
Whenever you encounter this ovine parallels and parables, please stop a moment and think. We moderns tend to live in cities and have far too little to do with rural areas, people or their responsibilities. So lambs and sheep tend to become little soft objects all warm and fuzzy. Forget it.
If you had been shepherd, you had a most difficult position. Lonely, dangerous sometimes, frustrating. Sheep can be idiotic or want to appear so. And the bigger the mob, the harder the task.
A shepherd was a total servant to his flock, no doubt about it. He had to find and provide fodder, water, shelter, and protection. Ask people who shepherded in the Flinders Ranges area a century or so ago, and they would make it quite clear that the task was no sinecure. It was not even safe!
Now would you ponder why this particular role became the selected pattern for Jesus, and (OT again) the leaders of Israel. It began with David.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
I will be hard on you this time, for with all the material above, you will have sufficient for mobs of sermons … and exercise of imaginations
Newsletter
Sunday 15th May, 2011 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Our Celebrant and preacher today 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. After the 8am service breakfast is served and morning tea after the 10am service. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School is back in action
Collect for Fourth Sunday of Easter
God of all power, You called from death our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep: send us as shepherds to rescue the lost, to heal the injured, and to feed one another with under-standing; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
TODAY’S READINGS
Acts 2: 42—47 and 1 Peter 2: 1– 10 read by Caroline S
GOSPEL John 10: 1– 10
(Intercessors, please be aware that you are able to change the power point presentation to fit your intercessions but you need to liaise with Fr Ron on the Tuesday beforehand. For example you may want a particular image screened during the intercessions and/or to change the ending prayer. Presentation.)
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, Yvonne Myers, Joy Campbell, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, and Valda Seith, and others known to us,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Margaret Pressley, Mary Castanelli, Jasmine Black and Joan Fitter
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
YEAR’S MIND—Glen Chester (1988) Pauline Hall (2004) Millicent Williamson (1995)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 7: 55– 60 and 1 Peter 2: 11—25
GOSPEL John 14: 1– 14
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist
HALL BOOKINGS: Sunday 15th May 1—5pm St. John’s School use of Hall
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 Barb Capon 8278 3584 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814.
Herewith the address for Warren’s latest Chaplain’s contribution:
http://www.stjohns.sa.edu.au/news/the-copernican-revolution-of-the-self
FORTHCOMING EVENTS—Special Note
There is to be a special Vestry Meeting on 29th May at 9.30am—David Hall has been nominated (and accepted the nomination ) as Warden and that needs a vote from Vestry. Please note date and time—between services means both congregations can be present ...
Magdalene Centre invites you to a screening of Water for Elephants to be held at the Capri Cinema, Goodwood, on Sunday 22nd May from 2.00pm for complimentary drinks and sandwiches (Film at 3 pm) Entry is $20.00 per person
COMMUNITY CONCERN 2011—HELP FOR STUTTERERS
This Year the SA UNIT OF Australian Church Women is supporting the McGuire Foundation , an international programme run by recovering/recovered stutterers. Holy Innocents’ is the Host Church in this event. Thursday 19th at 1.30pn—all are welcome.
St. Barnabas. College 131st Anniversary Evening: This is to be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral at 6.00pm on 10th June, and Dr. Anstey will be the preacher. The service will be followed by a light meal in the Hall and RSVPs are required for that, on 8416 8440 or admin@sbtc.org.au.
There will be a Thanksgiving Service at St John’s Coromandel Valley on Sunday 29 May at 5 p.m. to give thanks for the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible - and also for the ongoing work of biblical translation. Members of other churches would be most welcome
RON-BLOG from today’s readings Epistle in particular
I am sorry if this sounds something like a lesson, but I wonder how many readers are aware of the extent to which this author has quoted from the Old Testament. If you have a word-search on your Bible programme or simply a concordance, look up words like living stone, holy priesthood, God’s own people (or peculiar people if you have a King James Bible.) Then there is cornerstone, and in the prophets, ‘once you were not a people but now you are.’ Once you had not received mercy, but now you have.’ The implications of all this are enormous.
And what follows comes from Exodus 19 .... Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." Small wonder that these words are often found in the Eucharistic prayers, and have always been, so what does that say to you?
The reality is that the whole history-long activity of God towards humans has always been world-wide. From Abraham on, the call has been to anyone who would respond to be servant to the rest of the world of people. The Jewish/Christian Faith was ever designed not to be an instrument of division, but one of togetherness and development. The extent to which the opposite has been true over the millennia, is evidence of the extent to which humans go to turn something designed to be life-giving into something awful and destructive. All the faithful person can do, in response, is to live the faith out as honestly and truly as they can.
Just ponder a moment. If I am a priest then it must be, not to a vacuum but to a congregation, a group of people. [No people, no priesthood.] So even in Exodus the People of God are called to ‘priest’ not just to themselves but to those in the same world where they live. So why did Israel turn its eyes only on itself?
And that does that say to you?
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Barb Capon or Joy Campbell
Next Sunday Trevor Tregenza or Craig Deane
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Neil T Intercessor Ben L
Sunday after Reader Trevor T Intercessor Wendy M
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Marilyn Little Brass Yvonne Caddy
Cleaning Susan Lee
Sunday 29 May 2011 2.30pm St Peter’s Cathedral A concert featuring the stirring sounds and rhythms of the City International Gospel Choir, Blessed Brothers and the Adelaide Benefit Concert Choir Compere – Ewart Shaw – Adelaide University Radio Payment at the door: $20/$10 or Donation Fundraising proceeds to the work of the City International Church here and overseas RSVP appreciated – Contact Doris on 0409 671 031
BCA BOXES
A gentle reminder that May is Box collection month, and box holders are asked to bring them in for clearing. Alan and Margaret Pressley will be there to receive them, and to forward the offerings on the BCA, in support of ministry in the Bush.
The Church in Society Ministry Unit will be hosting an informal gathering to hear from and share with women in ministry, lay and ordained, on Saturday 25 June from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Everyone is invited to come along and spend some time with women who have ministries in the church. There will be good food, tea and coffee, as well as good company. Drop in for as short or as long a time as you wish. Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm Saturday 25 June Venue: Cynthia Poulton Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral, 27 King William Road, North Adelaide
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….
Our Celebrant and preacher today 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. After the 8am service breakfast is served and morning tea after the 10am service. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School is back in action
Collect for Fourth Sunday of Easter
God of all power, You called from death our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep: send us as shepherds to rescue the lost, to heal the injured, and to feed one another with under-standing; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
TODAY’S READINGS
Acts 2: 42—47 and 1 Peter 2: 1– 10 read by Caroline S
GOSPEL John 10: 1– 10
(Intercessors, please be aware that you are able to change the power point presentation to fit your intercessions but you need to liaise with Fr Ron on the Tuesday beforehand. For example you may want a particular image screened during the intercessions and/or to change the ending prayer. Presentation.)
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, Yvonne Myers, Joy Campbell, Jenny Jeffrey, Dorothy Furnival, and Valda Seith, and others known to us,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Margaret Pressley, Mary Castanelli, Jasmine Black and Joan Fitter
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
YEAR’S MIND—Glen Chester (1988) Pauline Hall (2004) Millicent Williamson (1995)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 7: 55– 60 and 1 Peter 2: 11—25
GOSPEL John 14: 1– 14
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist
HALL BOOKINGS: Sunday 15th May 1—5pm St. John’s School use of Hall
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 Barb Capon 8278 3584 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814.
Herewith the address for Warren’s latest Chaplain’s contribution:
http://www.stjohns.sa.edu.au/news/the-copernican-revolution-of-the-self
FORTHCOMING EVENTS—Special Note
There is to be a special Vestry Meeting on 29th May at 9.30am—David Hall has been nominated (and accepted the nomination ) as Warden and that needs a vote from Vestry. Please note date and time—between services means both congregations can be present ...
Magdalene Centre invites you to a screening of Water for Elephants to be held at the Capri Cinema, Goodwood, on Sunday 22nd May from 2.00pm for complimentary drinks and sandwiches (Film at 3 pm) Entry is $20.00 per person
COMMUNITY CONCERN 2011—HELP FOR STUTTERERS
This Year the SA UNIT OF Australian Church Women is supporting the McGuire Foundation , an international programme run by recovering/recovered stutterers. Holy Innocents’ is the Host Church in this event. Thursday 19th at 1.30pn—all are welcome.
St. Barnabas. College 131st Anniversary Evening: This is to be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral at 6.00pm on 10th June, and Dr. Anstey will be the preacher. The service will be followed by a light meal in the Hall and RSVPs are required for that, on 8416 8440 or admin@sbtc.org.au.
There will be a Thanksgiving Service at St John’s Coromandel Valley on Sunday 29 May at 5 p.m. to give thanks for the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible - and also for the ongoing work of biblical translation. Members of other churches would be most welcome
RON-BLOG from today’s readings Epistle in particular
I am sorry if this sounds something like a lesson, but I wonder how many readers are aware of the extent to which this author has quoted from the Old Testament. If you have a word-search on your Bible programme or simply a concordance, look up words like living stone, holy priesthood, God’s own people (or peculiar people if you have a King James Bible.) Then there is cornerstone, and in the prophets, ‘once you were not a people but now you are.’ Once you had not received mercy, but now you have.’ The implications of all this are enormous.
And what follows comes from Exodus 19 .... Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." Small wonder that these words are often found in the Eucharistic prayers, and have always been, so what does that say to you?
The reality is that the whole history-long activity of God towards humans has always been world-wide. From Abraham on, the call has been to anyone who would respond to be servant to the rest of the world of people. The Jewish/Christian Faith was ever designed not to be an instrument of division, but one of togetherness and development. The extent to which the opposite has been true over the millennia, is evidence of the extent to which humans go to turn something designed to be life-giving into something awful and destructive. All the faithful person can do, in response, is to live the faith out as honestly and truly as they can.
Just ponder a moment. If I am a priest then it must be, not to a vacuum but to a congregation, a group of people. [No people, no priesthood.] So even in Exodus the People of God are called to ‘priest’ not just to themselves but to those in the same world where they live. So why did Israel turn its eyes only on itself?
And that does that say to you?
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Barb Capon or Joy Campbell
Next Sunday Trevor Tregenza or Craig Deane
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Neil T Intercessor Ben L
Sunday after Reader Trevor T Intercessor Wendy M
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Marilyn Little Brass Yvonne Caddy
Cleaning Susan Lee
Sunday 29 May 2011 2.30pm St Peter’s Cathedral A concert featuring the stirring sounds and rhythms of the City International Gospel Choir, Blessed Brothers and the Adelaide Benefit Concert Choir Compere – Ewart Shaw – Adelaide University Radio Payment at the door: $20/$10 or Donation Fundraising proceeds to the work of the City International Church here and overseas RSVP appreciated – Contact Doris on 0409 671 031
BCA BOXES
A gentle reminder that May is Box collection month, and box holders are asked to bring them in for clearing. Alan and Margaret Pressley will be there to receive them, and to forward the offerings on the BCA, in support of ministry in the Bush.
The Church in Society Ministry Unit will be hosting an informal gathering to hear from and share with women in ministry, lay and ordained, on Saturday 25 June from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Everyone is invited to come along and spend some time with women who have ministries in the church. There will be good food, tea and coffee, as well as good company. Drop in for as short or as long a time as you wish. Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm Saturday 25 June Venue: Cynthia Poulton Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral, 27 King William Road, North Adelaide
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….
Saturday, May 7, 2011
RonBlog
Sunday 8th May, 2011 Third Sunday of Easter
Sentence
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2: 38-9
Collect
Gracious Father, Who in Your great mercy made glad the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord; give us such awareness of His presence with us that we may be strengthened and sustained by His risen life, and serve You continually in righteousness and truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
First Lesson Acts 2: 14a & 36 – 41
Peter rose to speak : “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say……Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
Psalm 116: 1 – 4 & 11 – 18
I love the Lord, because He heard my voice: the voice of my supplication
Because He inclined His ear to me: in the day that I called to Him
The cords of death encompassed me, the snares of the grave took hold on me: I was in anguish and sorrow
Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: “O Lord, I beseech You, deliver me!”
How shall I repay the Lord: for all His benefits to me?
I will take up the cup of salvation: and call upon the Name of the Lord
I will pay my vows to the Lord: in the presence of all His people.
Grievous in the sight of the Lord: is the death of His faithful ones
O Lord, I am Your servant, Your servant and the child of Your handmaid: You have unloosed my bonds.
I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving: and call upon the Name of the Lord
I will pay my vows to the Lord: in the presence of all His people.
In the courts of the house of the Lord: even in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Epistle 1 Peter 1: 13 – 25
Prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.
Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever." That word is the good news that was announced to you.
GOSPEL Matthew 28: 8 – 15a
The women left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.
© 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
It is really a great pity that apparently people’s patience would be stretched if the entire passage of Acts 2 was set to be read in a single sitting. Had that been done, rather clearer sense would be available. (We really must get past the idea of hour-long services.)
The outcome of Peter’s address, that mass confession of sins and their forgiveness, is worth closer attention. Here is no search so much for personal internal sins, so to speak. This event needs to be seen in terms of Peter’s command. ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ That generation, not unlike our own, was one where justice, truth and integrity were covered over by absolute aversion to those qualities. When we talk of spin in government, for instance, we acknowledge the extent to which today truth is being discarded. So Peter’s challenge was for those people to move away from such falsehood – and what a difference to life that would have made…..
Psalm
And the Psalmist, long centuries before, was aware of the relief and ‘breath of fresh air’ that emerges when the ancient verities are responded to. I am amazed constantly, at the extent to which the Faith is rejected, usually on the most spurious of grounds. Christian Faith is far from silly or shallow! The outcome of following Christ along the lines of truth and integrity is always enormously beneficial even to people around about!
Epistle
I have a sneaky suspicion that when Scripture talks about ‘being holy as Your Heavenly Father is holy,’ that readers think, either, that this is an impossible dream, or that they are expected to be so like God that they are out of this world. The word ‘holy’ seems to have all manner of implications for us. Actually it means ‘different,’ different from human. Reference has been made before often enough of the difference between Adam and Christ. That difference is really between the self-obsessive, and self-giving. So it is all a matter of direction and emphasis. I can never be holy in terms of being pure and sinless; nor does God expect that of me. But I can operate selflessly and in that respect, Christlike. Does that make some sense?
GOSPEL
For me, the saddest thing about this passage is the cover-up attempt on the part of the authorities to avoid the realities of the resurrection. Whenever I cover up the truth with a lie, I have precluded myself from any real response to whatever has happened. And I try to blind you as well. I might protect myself for a little while, but apart from anything else, liars need to have excellent memories – which is rarely the case. Even that will not rescue you from corners into which you paint yourself.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
I am getting old so this may be somewhat dated, but on the other hand, there needs to be some movement ahead for old time pulpit-bashers. It is this business of repentance, or more particularly its abuse in some circles.
It was the funeral for a lovely faithful old soul whom I had know – at that stage – for something like 40 years. She was simple and even naïve, as was her whole family, a lovely, inoffensive person of great faith and faithfulness. Her family had belonged to an old but tiny sect of Christendom, rarely heard of at all. At one stage, in the Outback they had all been part of our Anglican congregation. When they moved in closer settlement, they also attached themselves to a charismatic group. It was a previous pastor of that group who demanded the right to address the gathered mourners, and he did so with great panache. It was no panegyric for the deceased; it was an impassioned, old-time altar call for those present to repent and believe the Gospel. The harangue continued for some time, to the embarrassment I suspect of the then pastor of that group. It was appalling, and – to my mind – disgusting. However I had encountered such before, not from a small group as on that day, but in a Presbyterian funeral. Same harangue, same emotional and moral blackmail really. Also speaking at that funeral was a retired Bishop, brother of the deceased. He was not happy, as you might imagine.
It is that rather distorted concept of ‘repentance’ that is the issue. Do you ever read of Jesus twisting the arms of his listeners, demanding confession and repentance? No you do not. Do you encounter any resemblance of the guilt pressure from our Lord? No, you do not.
So what is repentance, and from what anyhow?
One clue (already mentioned in the notes,) stems from the first reading. And it is important to notice, for few of the ‘old time religion’ preachers see past sins other than moral. And sin is rather more encompassing than that. In fact it is very much a widespread failing.
When Peter had all those people respond to him at Pentecost, those 3,000 or more, just look at what he had to say: it was not just a matter of remembering all those naughty bits you might recall. It was a matter of ‘saving yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ The question is ‘of what was that generation corrupt?’ And with the crucifixion in particular so recent, the answer is not all that hard to find. When a society is so corrupt that it executes the innocent in place of the guilty, it is obvious that there is something rotten ‘in the State of Denmark.’
That something rotten included the Jewish hierarchy; it also included the Roman authorities; in fact one of the most appalling comments to come out of the trial of Jesus was that question of Pilate’s ‘what is truth?’ It would seem that so far had that Roman figure moved from reality that he had no idea where reality actually was – or was certainly not prepared to head in that direction. Seems it is a common experience of those who are involved in matters judicial or consular or diplomatic. Everything turns into shades of grey, and it becomes a matter, not of truth but of saving face. Spin; double-talk, or dare I call it by its plain Australian name?
This is, increasingly, the situation in which we find ourselves these days, and the slow disintegration of society and relationships displays itself as a result. A simple, straightforward, and obvious result.. Trust goes out the window, because none of the normally valid canons of reality are visible any more. ‘Not one stone shall be left on one another.’
And that does require repentance. That does require a radical change of heart, of direction, of mind and intent. And that is what repentance really is. The Greek word in the New Testament is metanoia. A turn around in mind. In direction. In intent, In action. A refusal to tamper with truth. Not only does that cover the sorts of areas we have been considering, but it also deals with more personal and private issues. When I refuse to tamper with truth, then you and the whole world of people are safe from me, and safe with me. And that is a radical departure from what has become the norm.
Repentance. It is not a matter of religious significance. It is a matter of total significance, for believer or unbeliever. And it can change the world. Bring in the Kingdom.
Ponder that for more than a moment eh!
Sentence
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2: 38-9
Collect
Gracious Father, Who in Your great mercy made glad the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord; give us such awareness of His presence with us that we may be strengthened and sustained by His risen life, and serve You continually in righteousness and truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
First Lesson Acts 2: 14a & 36 – 41
Peter rose to speak : “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say……Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
Psalm 116: 1 – 4 & 11 – 18
I love the Lord, because He heard my voice: the voice of my supplication
Because He inclined His ear to me: in the day that I called to Him
The cords of death encompassed me, the snares of the grave took hold on me: I was in anguish and sorrow
Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: “O Lord, I beseech You, deliver me!”
How shall I repay the Lord: for all His benefits to me?
I will take up the cup of salvation: and call upon the Name of the Lord
I will pay my vows to the Lord: in the presence of all His people.
Grievous in the sight of the Lord: is the death of His faithful ones
O Lord, I am Your servant, Your servant and the child of Your handmaid: You have unloosed my bonds.
I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving: and call upon the Name of the Lord
I will pay my vows to the Lord: in the presence of all His people.
In the courts of the house of the Lord: even in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Epistle 1 Peter 1: 13 – 25
Prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.
Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever." That word is the good news that was announced to you.
GOSPEL Matthew 28: 8 – 15a
The women left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.
© 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
It is really a great pity that apparently people’s patience would be stretched if the entire passage of Acts 2 was set to be read in a single sitting. Had that been done, rather clearer sense would be available. (We really must get past the idea of hour-long services.)
The outcome of Peter’s address, that mass confession of sins and their forgiveness, is worth closer attention. Here is no search so much for personal internal sins, so to speak. This event needs to be seen in terms of Peter’s command. ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ That generation, not unlike our own, was one where justice, truth and integrity were covered over by absolute aversion to those qualities. When we talk of spin in government, for instance, we acknowledge the extent to which today truth is being discarded. So Peter’s challenge was for those people to move away from such falsehood – and what a difference to life that would have made…..
Psalm
And the Psalmist, long centuries before, was aware of the relief and ‘breath of fresh air’ that emerges when the ancient verities are responded to. I am amazed constantly, at the extent to which the Faith is rejected, usually on the most spurious of grounds. Christian Faith is far from silly or shallow! The outcome of following Christ along the lines of truth and integrity is always enormously beneficial even to people around about!
Epistle
I have a sneaky suspicion that when Scripture talks about ‘being holy as Your Heavenly Father is holy,’ that readers think, either, that this is an impossible dream, or that they are expected to be so like God that they are out of this world. The word ‘holy’ seems to have all manner of implications for us. Actually it means ‘different,’ different from human. Reference has been made before often enough of the difference between Adam and Christ. That difference is really between the self-obsessive, and self-giving. So it is all a matter of direction and emphasis. I can never be holy in terms of being pure and sinless; nor does God expect that of me. But I can operate selflessly and in that respect, Christlike. Does that make some sense?
GOSPEL
For me, the saddest thing about this passage is the cover-up attempt on the part of the authorities to avoid the realities of the resurrection. Whenever I cover up the truth with a lie, I have precluded myself from any real response to whatever has happened. And I try to blind you as well. I might protect myself for a little while, but apart from anything else, liars need to have excellent memories – which is rarely the case. Even that will not rescue you from corners into which you paint yourself.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
I am getting old so this may be somewhat dated, but on the other hand, there needs to be some movement ahead for old time pulpit-bashers. It is this business of repentance, or more particularly its abuse in some circles.
It was the funeral for a lovely faithful old soul whom I had know – at that stage – for something like 40 years. She was simple and even naïve, as was her whole family, a lovely, inoffensive person of great faith and faithfulness. Her family had belonged to an old but tiny sect of Christendom, rarely heard of at all. At one stage, in the Outback they had all been part of our Anglican congregation. When they moved in closer settlement, they also attached themselves to a charismatic group. It was a previous pastor of that group who demanded the right to address the gathered mourners, and he did so with great panache. It was no panegyric for the deceased; it was an impassioned, old-time altar call for those present to repent and believe the Gospel. The harangue continued for some time, to the embarrassment I suspect of the then pastor of that group. It was appalling, and – to my mind – disgusting. However I had encountered such before, not from a small group as on that day, but in a Presbyterian funeral. Same harangue, same emotional and moral blackmail really. Also speaking at that funeral was a retired Bishop, brother of the deceased. He was not happy, as you might imagine.
It is that rather distorted concept of ‘repentance’ that is the issue. Do you ever read of Jesus twisting the arms of his listeners, demanding confession and repentance? No you do not. Do you encounter any resemblance of the guilt pressure from our Lord? No, you do not.
So what is repentance, and from what anyhow?
One clue (already mentioned in the notes,) stems from the first reading. And it is important to notice, for few of the ‘old time religion’ preachers see past sins other than moral. And sin is rather more encompassing than that. In fact it is very much a widespread failing.
When Peter had all those people respond to him at Pentecost, those 3,000 or more, just look at what he had to say: it was not just a matter of remembering all those naughty bits you might recall. It was a matter of ‘saving yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ The question is ‘of what was that generation corrupt?’ And with the crucifixion in particular so recent, the answer is not all that hard to find. When a society is so corrupt that it executes the innocent in place of the guilty, it is obvious that there is something rotten ‘in the State of Denmark.’
That something rotten included the Jewish hierarchy; it also included the Roman authorities; in fact one of the most appalling comments to come out of the trial of Jesus was that question of Pilate’s ‘what is truth?’ It would seem that so far had that Roman figure moved from reality that he had no idea where reality actually was – or was certainly not prepared to head in that direction. Seems it is a common experience of those who are involved in matters judicial or consular or diplomatic. Everything turns into shades of grey, and it becomes a matter, not of truth but of saving face. Spin; double-talk, or dare I call it by its plain Australian name?
This is, increasingly, the situation in which we find ourselves these days, and the slow disintegration of society and relationships displays itself as a result. A simple, straightforward, and obvious result.. Trust goes out the window, because none of the normally valid canons of reality are visible any more. ‘Not one stone shall be left on one another.’
And that does require repentance. That does require a radical change of heart, of direction, of mind and intent. And that is what repentance really is. The Greek word in the New Testament is metanoia. A turn around in mind. In direction. In intent, In action. A refusal to tamper with truth. Not only does that cover the sorts of areas we have been considering, but it also deals with more personal and private issues. When I refuse to tamper with truth, then you and the whole world of people are safe from me, and safe with me. And that is a radical departure from what has become the norm.
Repentance. It is not a matter of religious significance. It is a matter of total significance, for believer or unbeliever. And it can change the world. Bring in the Kingdom.
Ponder that for more than a moment eh!
Newsletter
Sunday 8th May, 2011 - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Our Celebrant today is Warren Huffa
And preacher is Stephen Daughtry
WELCOME to Holy Innocents—we hope you enjoy this time of prayer as we reflect on Scripture together and celebrate the Eucharist. After the 8am service breakfast is served and morning tea after the 10am service. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School is back in action
Collect for Third Sunday of Easter
Gracious Father, Who in Your great mercy made glad the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord; give us such awareness of His presence with us that we may be strengthened and sustained by His risen life, and serve You continually in righteousness and truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
TODAY’S READINGS
Readings Acts 2: 14a & 36-41 1 Peter 1: 13—25 read by Jane Sil l
GOSPEL Luke 24: 13—35
(Intercessors, please be aware that you are able to change the power point presentation to fit your intercessions but you need to liaise with Fr Ron on the Tuesday beforehand. For example you may want a particular image screened during the intercessions and/or to change the ending prayer.)
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Hal S-C
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Chris Contro, Yvonne Myers, Jenny Jeffrey, Sid Sweet, Dorothy Furnival, Valda Seith, and others known to us.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Olive Marston, Joan Durdin
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Jocelyn and Craig Deane, Jill and Paul Hilbig, Neil and Sue (Daw) Thomas
YEAR’S MIND—Lorna Mengler (1995}
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Fourth Sunday of Easter
Readings Acts 2: 42—47 and 1 Peter 2: 1– 10
GOSPEL John 10: 1– 10
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
Yvonne Caddy reports on the ABM giving in Lent and up to the present …
Donations received during Lent per the weekly collections $230.00
Donations received at Easter $823.50
Total Lent $1053.50
Pancake Evening $110.00
Question Time 28 March $67.15
Total $1230.65
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist
HALL BOOKINGS: Sunday 15th May 1—5pm St. John’s use of Hall
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 Barb Capon 8278 3584 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS—Special Note
There is to be a special Vestry Meeting on 29th May at 9.30am—David Hall has been nominated (and accepted the nomination ) as Warden and that needs a vote from Vestry. Please note date and time—between services means both congregations can be present ...
Magdalene Centre invites you to a screening of Water for Elephants to be held at the Capri Cinema, Goodwood, on Sunday 22nd May from 2.00pm for complimentary drinks and sandwiches (Film at 3 pm) Entry is $20.00 per person
COMMUNITY CONCERN 2010—HELPO FOR STUTTERERS
This Year the SA UNIT OF Australian Church Women is supporting the McGuire Foundation , an international programme run by recovering/recovered stutterers. Holy Innocents’ is the Host Church in this event. Thursday 19th at 1.30pn—all are welcome.
RON-BLOG from today’s readings - all of them
The outcome of Peter’s address, that repeat confession of sins and their forgiveness, is worth attention. Here is no search for internal sins, so to speak, but read the fine print and see this all needs to be seen in terms of Peter’s command. ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ That generation, not unlike our own, was one where justice, truth and integrity were covered over by absolute aversion to those qualities. When we talk of spin in government, for instance, we acknowledge the extent to which truth is being discarded. So Peter’s challenge was for those people to move away from such falsehood – and what a difference to life that would have made…..
Even the Psalmist, long centuries before Peter, was aware of the relief and ‘breath of fresh air’ that emerges when the ancient verities are responded to. I am amazed constantly, at the extent to which the Faith is rejected, usually on the most spurious of grounds. It is not as if the Faith is silly or shallow! The outcome of following Christ is enormously beneficial even to people around about!
Then the Epistle - I have a sneaky suspicion that when Scripture talks about ‘being holy as Your Heavenly Father is holy,’ that readers think either, that this is an impossible dream, or that they are expected to be so like God that they are out of this world. The word ‘holy’ seems to have all manner of implications for us. Actually a basic root meaning ‘different,’ (among other things) different from ordinary natural human ways of operatinf and relating. .
I make reference elsewhere quite often to the difference between Adam-like behaviour and Christlike. That difference is really between the self-obsessive, and self-giving. It is a matter of direction and emphasis. I can never be holy in terms of being pure and sinless; nor does God expect that of me (or if He does He is out of luck!) . But I can operate selflessly and in that respect, Christlike. Does that make some sense?
For me, the saddest thing about this Gospel passage is the cover-up attempt on the part of the authorities to avoid the realities of the resurrection. Whenever I cover up the truth with a lie, I have precluded myself from any real response to whatever has happened. And I try to blind you as well. I might protect myself for a little while, but apart from anything else, liars need to have excellent memories – which is rarely the case. And even that will not rescue you from corners into which you paint yourself.
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Min Araki or Cynthia Macintosh
Next Sunday Barb Capon or Joy Campbell
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Caroline S Intercessor Max A
Sunday after Reader Neil T Intercessor Ben L
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers The Baines Brass The Sweets
Cleaning Group 4
Sunday 29 May 2011 2.30pm St Peter’s Cathedral A concert featuring the stirring sounds and rhythms of the City International Gospel Choir, Blessed Brothers and the Adelaide Benefit Concert Choir Compere – Ewart Shaw – Adelaide University Radio
The Church in Society Ministry Unit will be hosting an informal gathering to hear from and share with women in ministry, lay and ordained, on Saturday 25 June from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Everyone is invited to come along and spend some time with women who have ministries in the church – whether with children, in administration, in leading liturgy, in pastoral care, or the regular tasks of ensuring our churches are clean, tidy and decorated for worship. From 11-11.30 we will hear from two women about their ministries and the things that give them life. There will be an opportunity to communicate if there are any problems which need to be addressed. There will be good food, tea and coffee, as well as good company. Drop in for as short or as long a time as you wish. Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm Saturday 25 June Venue: Cynthia Poulton Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral, 27 King William Road, North Adelaide. (Parking available in the Cathedral car park and on Pennington Terrace)
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….
Our Celebrant today is Warren Huffa
And preacher is Stephen Daughtry
WELCOME to Holy Innocents—we hope you enjoy this time of prayer as we reflect on Scripture together and celebrate the Eucharist. After the 8am service breakfast is served and morning tea after the 10am service. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School is back in action
Collect for Third Sunday of Easter
Gracious Father, Who in Your great mercy made glad the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord; give us such awareness of His presence with us that we may be strengthened and sustained by His risen life, and serve You continually in righteousness and truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
TODAY’S READINGS
Readings Acts 2: 14a & 36-41 1 Peter 1: 13—25 read by Jane Sil l
GOSPEL Luke 24: 13—35
(Intercessors, please be aware that you are able to change the power point presentation to fit your intercessions but you need to liaise with Fr Ron on the Tuesday beforehand. For example you may want a particular image screened during the intercessions and/or to change the ending prayer.)
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Hal S-C
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Chris Contro, Yvonne Myers, Jenny Jeffrey, Sid Sweet, Dorothy Furnival, Valda Seith, and others known to us.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Olive Marston, Joan Durdin
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Jocelyn and Craig Deane, Jill and Paul Hilbig, Neil and Sue (Daw) Thomas
YEAR’S MIND—Lorna Mengler (1995}
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Fourth Sunday of Easter
Readings Acts 2: 42—47 and 1 Peter 2: 1– 10
GOSPEL John 10: 1– 10
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
Yvonne Caddy reports on the ABM giving in Lent and up to the present …
Donations received during Lent per the weekly collections $230.00
Donations received at Easter $823.50
Total Lent $1053.50
Pancake Evening $110.00
Question Time 28 March $67.15
Total $1230.65
REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 36 Penno Parade North
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist
HALL BOOKINGS: Sunday 15th May 1—5pm St. John’s use of Hall
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 Barb Capon 8278 3584 and Lucinda Hale 8278 8814.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS—Special Note
There is to be a special Vestry Meeting on 29th May at 9.30am—David Hall has been nominated (and accepted the nomination ) as Warden and that needs a vote from Vestry. Please note date and time—between services means both congregations can be present ...
Magdalene Centre invites you to a screening of Water for Elephants to be held at the Capri Cinema, Goodwood, on Sunday 22nd May from 2.00pm for complimentary drinks and sandwiches (Film at 3 pm) Entry is $20.00 per person
COMMUNITY CONCERN 2010—HELPO FOR STUTTERERS
This Year the SA UNIT OF Australian Church Women is supporting the McGuire Foundation , an international programme run by recovering/recovered stutterers. Holy Innocents’ is the Host Church in this event. Thursday 19th at 1.30pn—all are welcome.
RON-BLOG from today’s readings - all of them
The outcome of Peter’s address, that repeat confession of sins and their forgiveness, is worth attention. Here is no search for internal sins, so to speak, but read the fine print and see this all needs to be seen in terms of Peter’s command. ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ That generation, not unlike our own, was one where justice, truth and integrity were covered over by absolute aversion to those qualities. When we talk of spin in government, for instance, we acknowledge the extent to which truth is being discarded. So Peter’s challenge was for those people to move away from such falsehood – and what a difference to life that would have made…..
Even the Psalmist, long centuries before Peter, was aware of the relief and ‘breath of fresh air’ that emerges when the ancient verities are responded to. I am amazed constantly, at the extent to which the Faith is rejected, usually on the most spurious of grounds. It is not as if the Faith is silly or shallow! The outcome of following Christ is enormously beneficial even to people around about!
Then the Epistle - I have a sneaky suspicion that when Scripture talks about ‘being holy as Your Heavenly Father is holy,’ that readers think either, that this is an impossible dream, or that they are expected to be so like God that they are out of this world. The word ‘holy’ seems to have all manner of implications for us. Actually a basic root meaning ‘different,’ (among other things) different from ordinary natural human ways of operatinf and relating. .
I make reference elsewhere quite often to the difference between Adam-like behaviour and Christlike. That difference is really between the self-obsessive, and self-giving. It is a matter of direction and emphasis. I can never be holy in terms of being pure and sinless; nor does God expect that of me (or if He does He is out of luck!) . But I can operate selflessly and in that respect, Christlike. Does that make some sense?
For me, the saddest thing about this Gospel passage is the cover-up attempt on the part of the authorities to avoid the realities of the resurrection. Whenever I cover up the truth with a lie, I have precluded myself from any real response to whatever has happened. And I try to blind you as well. I might protect myself for a little while, but apart from anything else, liars need to have excellent memories – which is rarely the case. And even that will not rescue you from corners into which you paint yourself.
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Min Araki or Cynthia Macintosh
Next Sunday Barb Capon or Joy Campbell
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Caroline S Intercessor Max A
Sunday after Reader Neil T Intercessor Ben L
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers The Baines Brass The Sweets
Cleaning Group 4
Sunday 29 May 2011 2.30pm St Peter’s Cathedral A concert featuring the stirring sounds and rhythms of the City International Gospel Choir, Blessed Brothers and the Adelaide Benefit Concert Choir Compere – Ewart Shaw – Adelaide University Radio
The Church in Society Ministry Unit will be hosting an informal gathering to hear from and share with women in ministry, lay and ordained, on Saturday 25 June from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Everyone is invited to come along and spend some time with women who have ministries in the church – whether with children, in administration, in leading liturgy, in pastoral care, or the regular tasks of ensuring our churches are clean, tidy and decorated for worship. From 11-11.30 we will hear from two women about their ministries and the things that give them life. There will be an opportunity to communicate if there are any problems which need to be addressed. There will be good food, tea and coffee, as well as good company. Drop in for as short or as long a time as you wish. Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm Saturday 25 June Venue: Cynthia Poulton Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral, 27 King William Road, North Adelaide. (Parking available in the Cathedral car park and on Pennington Terrace)
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)