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.’
Saturday, May 28, 2011
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 …….
Saturday, April 30, 2011
RonBlog
Sunday 1st May, 2011 Second Sunday of Easter
Sentence
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
Collect
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt; may we who have not seen have faith and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing; Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen
First Lesson Acts 2: 14a & 27 – 32
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…… Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know-- this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.
For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.' This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
Psalm 16
Preserve me O God: for in You have I taken refuge.
I have said to the Lord, You are my Lord: and all my good depends on You.
As for those who are held holy on the earth: the other gods in whom people delight,
Though the idols are many that they run after: their offerings of blood I will not offer,
nor take their name upon my lips.
The Lord is my appointed portion and my cup: You hold my lot in Your hands.
The share that has fallen to me is in pleasant places: and a fair land is my possession.
I will bless the Lord Who has given me counsel: at night also He has instructed my heart.
I have set the Lord always before me: He is at my right hand and I shall not fall.
Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices: my flesh also shall rest secure.
For You will not give me over to the power of death: nor suffer Your faithful one to see the Pit.
You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is the fullness of joy, and from Your right hand flows delights for evermore.
Epistle 1 Peter 1: 1 – 12
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be yours in abundance. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look!
GOSPEL John 20: 19 – 31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
© New Revised Standard Version of the Bible
Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. All rights reserved
NOTES ON THE READINGS ….
First Lesson
This section of Peter’s address after the Resurrection should be very well known to all who are likely to read this. It may be best to read the entire address to get the full gist, anyhow. This recitation of the events leading up to the resurrection are interesting, especially from the point of view of the understanding of Peter (and Jewish people) of the time. There is the constant reference to Scripture and even the reference to the Psalmist as a prophet. At the same time, Peter was not averse to laying the responsibility for Jesus’ death – murder actually – right at the hands of the Jewish authorities. But there was ever the emphasis in the whole issue to the authority of God. That, seems to me, is the over-riding emphasis.
Psalm
The use of this psalm as we celebrate Easter is interesting: originally it was the outpouring of someone in the distant past who had undergone considerable trauma - and apparently at the hands of people who misunderstood the truth of the situation. It is remarkably difficult to undergo such experiences, when others are convinced that you are in the wrong – especially when your opponents may well be lying their heads off. But – at an outcome that vindicated the sufferer, there is the glad relief of praise to God: truth itself has been vindicated –as in the Resurrection of Jesus.
Epistle
It would repay some research on your part to discover quite where the Apostle Peter exercised much of his ministry. Quite some of the ground he covered was parallel to St. Paul, as both Acts and Paul’s letters indicate. (One wonders whether they managed to get under one another’s skins somewhat!) It is somewhat justified to regard much of Peter’s ministry was to Gentiles, being as he was the first major Apostle to minister to them. Mind you, reference to the Diaspora would tend to mean the Jewish aspect of that wide spread of those people.
However the emphasis in this passage lies in Peter’s recognition of the change of status, I guess one would say, of those who believed and followed Christ. It is almost flamboyant language in a way, although the author had his feet on the ground as he recognized that being a disciple in such cultures meant difficulty more often than delight.
Obviously Peter was writing to people who had not seen Christ in the flesh, though comparisons with those people who had such experience did not mean that the learning curve was any easier for those who had physical contact. This point is quite important when considering today’s Gospel.
GOSPEL
There are two important issues to consider in this passage: the first is John’s description of ‘Pentecost before Pentecost.’ There can be no doubt that John was doing other than almost pre-empting the Lukan version. Here the Spirit is poured out in the Eleven, and the authority of absolution given as well.
I still feel keenly to debate those who will persist in laying a failure to believe in Thomas the Twin. I always I point people to consider the evidence not only of this passage, but of all the other references John makes to this disciple’s responses to Jesus. In each case, Thomas shows up as the one way ahead of the other in perceiving the direction Jesus was taking, or asking the sorts of questions no one else would, for fear of revealing their inability to catch sight of what was going on. In particular, at the raising of Lazarus, Thomas was the only one aware of the enormous danger when Jesus indicated His intention to move towards Jerusalem. Even then, Thomas was prepared to go to certain death rather than break solidarity with his Master.
Here, then is the clear evidence of someone not prepared to take someone else’s word for the Resurrection. For an issue as hugely significant as this there needs to be tangible evidence – and please note that Jesus gave it to him. Please read on:
a. If the tale of any resurrection was not true, then absolutely nothing in life – and death – had changed one iota. So the story needed checking for that reason alone. But there is another greater reason
b. If the resurrection is real, then all the goalposts in life have moved, all the old verities are hugely enhanced, and not only can life never be the same again, but also everyone’s hopes for a new life for love, truth, justice and integrity have received such a massive endorsement that confidence, trust and assurance are guaranteed.
So please do see that this questioning of Thomas’ was not a lack of faith, but a very profound awareness of the complete and utter change to life and living that Jesus’ rising has made. Certainly John’s Gospel makes sure that those, whoever they are, who have not seen and yet believe are to be honoured, but they and we too need positive reassurance of the veracity of the event, and its significance. Never again put Thomas down.
If you find this unconvincing, please read again right through John’s Gospel. Please note that at the beginning, in his prologue to the Gospel, John makes some astounding claims about the nature and person of Jesus. However, he does not expect you to believe because John has told you. His writing goes on to provide all the evidence to establish the case, to prove those comments, chief amongst those elements are the Seven Signs for you to consider.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
For me, all of these readings provide some answers to the question that runs something like ‘what do you mean by ‘faith,’ or ‘what does it mean to believe?’ And the answer to such a question is just as important now as it was back in New Testament times, or even the Old.
I have commented before a couple of times of a great banner that was put up a few short years ago in the church of a charismatic group. Whilst I am not having a shot at the group, I certainly am at the poster they displayed, and hammered! The poster read ‘Reason and logic are the enemies of faith!’ I kid you not.
Now that might once, long ago, been something of a populist view, ---- and with all due respect it is that which encouraged non-believers to regard religionists of any sort as naïve, stupid and terribly easily led up the garden path. And they were quite right. In reality, that attitude needed to be turned on its head, for if it was ever a necessity to commit intellectual suicide to be a Christian then I would have departed long ago. Your Creator gave you a good dose of grey matter in there back behind your eyes for the very good reason that you are expected to use it. And whilst few humans have any difficulty with doing so in most areas of endeavour and effort, some still have considerable reticence in employing that ability when it comes to matters of the faith.
Part of that difficulty, I suspect, lies at the feet of that remarkable and very odd (to me at least) popular approach of today that seems to rely on ‘feelings’ to establish the sense or nonsense of anything. Emotions, surely, are the least reliable of human capacities, and it has always seemed a total nonsense to turn in that direction to find significant answers to anything! I can tell you a few stories about people who followed that route and ended up in disastrous outcomes.)
So why is it, when it comes to dear old Thomas, do people have shots at him for expressing the need for stable and tangible evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus?
I have long had great and profound respect for this rather little known Apostle, for the Gospel of John in particular show him to be a remarkably aware member of the Dozen, in several incidents. What followed after the end of the Acts of the Apostles - whilst tradition, with strong evidence – has this man travelling as far as the western coast of what we call India, founding Churches along the way. Many centuries later, Christian missionaries were stunned to find the Mar Thoma Church existing and thriving 17 centuries after the resurrection. (I had the honour of knowing and working with one of their priests when I was training in College. He was quite a man!)
You will notice, if you dare, that what Thomas asked for, was granted him. Thomas, a person of his age, but not one to be swayed by others, was not prepared to take anyone else’s word for something so life- and world-changing as Jesus back from the dead. Whilst we may be well aware of the story, it was a rarity back then. And the point of Jesus’ resurrection was far, far more significant than say the raising of Lazarus. That event was simply a pointer towards this far greater thing.
And I have to go along with Thomas. He, like many before him, was an inquisitive, searching, exploring sort of person. No pat answers would satisfy this bloke. Be fair dinkum or forget it. And Jesus would have been completely aware of that capacity in the man. And the reason Thomas needed solid answers was because Thomas, along with Jesus, was aware that if the resurrection was real, then not very much in life – or death – remained as before. The goal posts had shifted; the entire atmosphere had been lifted. Death, and evil, and other ugly things were defeated; and the beaut things in life were restored – love is now invincible, justice likewise. Truth can be suppressed but not destroyed. Previously, everyone’s experience was that evil people could control everything, just as they had tried with Jesus’ execution. But He left them all in His wake. And Thomas needed clear evidence that this was so. And Jesus gave it to him. No ifs, no bits, no ‘naughty man, why can’t you believe?’
So this is what faith is. Finding the truth and reality – and living one’s life on the basis of that discovery. Or as I often put it to people, ‘faith is the direction you take on the basis of the evidence in front of you.’
So please put the ‘doubting Thomas’ business to rest.
And stand on solid ground. Apart from any other evidence, is it not so patently obvious that truth is far superior to falsehood, love superior to hatred, integrity better than its opposite? And whilst these may not be the most tangible of life issues, it does not make sense to reject them because of that.
Sentence
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
Collect
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt; may we who have not seen have faith and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing; Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen
First Lesson Acts 2: 14a & 27 – 32
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…… Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know-- this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.
For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.' This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
Psalm 16
Preserve me O God: for in You have I taken refuge.
I have said to the Lord, You are my Lord: and all my good depends on You.
As for those who are held holy on the earth: the other gods in whom people delight,
Though the idols are many that they run after: their offerings of blood I will not offer,
nor take their name upon my lips.
The Lord is my appointed portion and my cup: You hold my lot in Your hands.
The share that has fallen to me is in pleasant places: and a fair land is my possession.
I will bless the Lord Who has given me counsel: at night also He has instructed my heart.
I have set the Lord always before me: He is at my right hand and I shall not fall.
Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices: my flesh also shall rest secure.
For You will not give me over to the power of death: nor suffer Your faithful one to see the Pit.
You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is the fullness of joy, and from Your right hand flows delights for evermore.
Epistle 1 Peter 1: 1 – 12
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be yours in abundance. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look!
GOSPEL John 20: 19 – 31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
© New Revised Standard Version of the Bible
Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. All rights reserved
NOTES ON THE READINGS ….
First Lesson
This section of Peter’s address after the Resurrection should be very well known to all who are likely to read this. It may be best to read the entire address to get the full gist, anyhow. This recitation of the events leading up to the resurrection are interesting, especially from the point of view of the understanding of Peter (and Jewish people) of the time. There is the constant reference to Scripture and even the reference to the Psalmist as a prophet. At the same time, Peter was not averse to laying the responsibility for Jesus’ death – murder actually – right at the hands of the Jewish authorities. But there was ever the emphasis in the whole issue to the authority of God. That, seems to me, is the over-riding emphasis.
Psalm
The use of this psalm as we celebrate Easter is interesting: originally it was the outpouring of someone in the distant past who had undergone considerable trauma - and apparently at the hands of people who misunderstood the truth of the situation. It is remarkably difficult to undergo such experiences, when others are convinced that you are in the wrong – especially when your opponents may well be lying their heads off. But – at an outcome that vindicated the sufferer, there is the glad relief of praise to God: truth itself has been vindicated –as in the Resurrection of Jesus.
Epistle
It would repay some research on your part to discover quite where the Apostle Peter exercised much of his ministry. Quite some of the ground he covered was parallel to St. Paul, as both Acts and Paul’s letters indicate. (One wonders whether they managed to get under one another’s skins somewhat!) It is somewhat justified to regard much of Peter’s ministry was to Gentiles, being as he was the first major Apostle to minister to them. Mind you, reference to the Diaspora would tend to mean the Jewish aspect of that wide spread of those people.
However the emphasis in this passage lies in Peter’s recognition of the change of status, I guess one would say, of those who believed and followed Christ. It is almost flamboyant language in a way, although the author had his feet on the ground as he recognized that being a disciple in such cultures meant difficulty more often than delight.
Obviously Peter was writing to people who had not seen Christ in the flesh, though comparisons with those people who had such experience did not mean that the learning curve was any easier for those who had physical contact. This point is quite important when considering today’s Gospel.
GOSPEL
There are two important issues to consider in this passage: the first is John’s description of ‘Pentecost before Pentecost.’ There can be no doubt that John was doing other than almost pre-empting the Lukan version. Here the Spirit is poured out in the Eleven, and the authority of absolution given as well.
I still feel keenly to debate those who will persist in laying a failure to believe in Thomas the Twin. I always I point people to consider the evidence not only of this passage, but of all the other references John makes to this disciple’s responses to Jesus. In each case, Thomas shows up as the one way ahead of the other in perceiving the direction Jesus was taking, or asking the sorts of questions no one else would, for fear of revealing their inability to catch sight of what was going on. In particular, at the raising of Lazarus, Thomas was the only one aware of the enormous danger when Jesus indicated His intention to move towards Jerusalem. Even then, Thomas was prepared to go to certain death rather than break solidarity with his Master.
Here, then is the clear evidence of someone not prepared to take someone else’s word for the Resurrection. For an issue as hugely significant as this there needs to be tangible evidence – and please note that Jesus gave it to him. Please read on:
a. If the tale of any resurrection was not true, then absolutely nothing in life – and death – had changed one iota. So the story needed checking for that reason alone. But there is another greater reason
b. If the resurrection is real, then all the goalposts in life have moved, all the old verities are hugely enhanced, and not only can life never be the same again, but also everyone’s hopes for a new life for love, truth, justice and integrity have received such a massive endorsement that confidence, trust and assurance are guaranteed.
So please do see that this questioning of Thomas’ was not a lack of faith, but a very profound awareness of the complete and utter change to life and living that Jesus’ rising has made. Certainly John’s Gospel makes sure that those, whoever they are, who have not seen and yet believe are to be honoured, but they and we too need positive reassurance of the veracity of the event, and its significance. Never again put Thomas down.
If you find this unconvincing, please read again right through John’s Gospel. Please note that at the beginning, in his prologue to the Gospel, John makes some astounding claims about the nature and person of Jesus. However, he does not expect you to believe because John has told you. His writing goes on to provide all the evidence to establish the case, to prove those comments, chief amongst those elements are the Seven Signs for you to consider.
NOTES FOR A SERMON
For me, all of these readings provide some answers to the question that runs something like ‘what do you mean by ‘faith,’ or ‘what does it mean to believe?’ And the answer to such a question is just as important now as it was back in New Testament times, or even the Old.
I have commented before a couple of times of a great banner that was put up a few short years ago in the church of a charismatic group. Whilst I am not having a shot at the group, I certainly am at the poster they displayed, and hammered! The poster read ‘Reason and logic are the enemies of faith!’ I kid you not.
Now that might once, long ago, been something of a populist view, ---- and with all due respect it is that which encouraged non-believers to regard religionists of any sort as naïve, stupid and terribly easily led up the garden path. And they were quite right. In reality, that attitude needed to be turned on its head, for if it was ever a necessity to commit intellectual suicide to be a Christian then I would have departed long ago. Your Creator gave you a good dose of grey matter in there back behind your eyes for the very good reason that you are expected to use it. And whilst few humans have any difficulty with doing so in most areas of endeavour and effort, some still have considerable reticence in employing that ability when it comes to matters of the faith.
Part of that difficulty, I suspect, lies at the feet of that remarkable and very odd (to me at least) popular approach of today that seems to rely on ‘feelings’ to establish the sense or nonsense of anything. Emotions, surely, are the least reliable of human capacities, and it has always seemed a total nonsense to turn in that direction to find significant answers to anything! I can tell you a few stories about people who followed that route and ended up in disastrous outcomes.)
So why is it, when it comes to dear old Thomas, do people have shots at him for expressing the need for stable and tangible evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus?
I have long had great and profound respect for this rather little known Apostle, for the Gospel of John in particular show him to be a remarkably aware member of the Dozen, in several incidents. What followed after the end of the Acts of the Apostles - whilst tradition, with strong evidence – has this man travelling as far as the western coast of what we call India, founding Churches along the way. Many centuries later, Christian missionaries were stunned to find the Mar Thoma Church existing and thriving 17 centuries after the resurrection. (I had the honour of knowing and working with one of their priests when I was training in College. He was quite a man!)
You will notice, if you dare, that what Thomas asked for, was granted him. Thomas, a person of his age, but not one to be swayed by others, was not prepared to take anyone else’s word for something so life- and world-changing as Jesus back from the dead. Whilst we may be well aware of the story, it was a rarity back then. And the point of Jesus’ resurrection was far, far more significant than say the raising of Lazarus. That event was simply a pointer towards this far greater thing.
And I have to go along with Thomas. He, like many before him, was an inquisitive, searching, exploring sort of person. No pat answers would satisfy this bloke. Be fair dinkum or forget it. And Jesus would have been completely aware of that capacity in the man. And the reason Thomas needed solid answers was because Thomas, along with Jesus, was aware that if the resurrection was real, then not very much in life – or death – remained as before. The goal posts had shifted; the entire atmosphere had been lifted. Death, and evil, and other ugly things were defeated; and the beaut things in life were restored – love is now invincible, justice likewise. Truth can be suppressed but not destroyed. Previously, everyone’s experience was that evil people could control everything, just as they had tried with Jesus’ execution. But He left them all in His wake. And Thomas needed clear evidence that this was so. And Jesus gave it to him. No ifs, no bits, no ‘naughty man, why can’t you believe?’
So this is what faith is. Finding the truth and reality – and living one’s life on the basis of that discovery. Or as I often put it to people, ‘faith is the direction you take on the basis of the evidence in front of you.’
So please put the ‘doubting Thomas’ business to rest.
And stand on solid ground. Apart from any other evidence, is it not so patently obvious that truth is far superior to falsehood, love superior to hatred, integrity better than its opposite? And whilst these may not be the most tangible of life issues, it does not make sense to reject them because of that.
Newsletter
Sunday 1st May, 2011 - SECOND 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 in recess during the School holidays,
Collect for Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt: may we, who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ's blessing; Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
TODAY’S READINGS
Acts 2: 14a, 22—32 and 1 Peter 1: 1—12 read by Marg P
GOSPEL John 20: 19—31
(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 Warren
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, and Valda Seith, and others known to us; Rev’d Sue Burgess is recovering well by all reports.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sid Sweet
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Margaret and Alan Pressley
YEAR’S MIND—Catherine Cordes (2006), Christine McAuliffe (1983) Philip Lockwood (1997)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Third Sunday of Easter
Readings Acts 2: 14a & 36-41 1 Peter 1: 13—25
GOSPEL Luke 24: 13—35
Readings Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
People are asked to ensure that both main door entrances to the Church are closed immediately after use to ensure the safety of the children – who tend to run about quite a bit.
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 7.30pm Parish Council
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—
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
ALL the HEATERS IN THE HALL started first 'pull' on Sunday when I checked to see that they are all working. The trick is to be patient - pull firmly on the short cord for a count to 20 and then pull firmly on the longer cord to create the spark (Don't be rough on this mechanism!) while still holding the first cord for a further count to 5 (or when the radiant panel starts to turn red). So stay warm!!
RON-BLOG from today’s readings - Thomas,
I have long had great and profound respect for this rather little known Apostle, for the Gospel of John in particular shows him in several incidents to be a remarkably aware member of the Dozen, .Also, what followed after the end of the Acts of the Apostles - whilst tradition, with strong evidence – has this man travelling as far as the western coast of what we call India, founding Churches along the way. Many centuries later, Christian missionaries were stunned to find the Mar Thoma Church existing and thriving 17 centuries after the resurrection. (I had the honour of knowing and working with one of their priests when I was training in College. He was quite a man—later to be Bishop in his own Church!)
You will notice in this passage, if you dare, that what Thomas asked for, THomas received. Thomas, a person of his age, yet not one to be swayed by others, was not prepared to take anyone else’s word for something so life- and world-changing as Jesus back from the dead. And the point of Jesus’ resurrection was far, far more significant than say the raising of Lazarus. That event was simply a pointer towards this far greater thing.
We are so sheltered, living in Oz. Try being Afghan, for instance, where you would hardly know who was you friend or enemy? Earlier this week, Q&A on ABC TV painted a tragic picture of the future of Afghanistan, with tribal hatreds and animosities ensuring any hope for the future is futile. Back to Thomas ......
Personally, I have to go along with Thomas. He, like many before him, was an inquisitive, searching, exploring sort of person. No pat answers would satisfy this bloke. Be fair dinkum or forget it. And Jesus would have been completely aware of that capacity in the man. So the reason Thomas needed solid answers was because Thomas, along with Jesus, was aware that if the resurrection was real, then not very much in life – or death – remained as before. The goal posts had shifted; the entire atmosphere had been lifted. Death, and evil, and other ugly things were defeated; and the beaut things in life were restored – love is now invincible, justice likewise. Truth can be suppressed but not destroyed. Previously, everyone’s experience was that evil people could control everything, just as they had tried with Jesus’ execution. But He left them all in His wake. And Thomas needed clear evidence that this was so. And Jesus gave it to him. No ifs, no bits, no ‘naughty man, why can’t you believe?’
So this is what faith is. Finding the truth and reality – and living one’s life on the basis of that discovery. Or as I often put it to people, ‘faith is the direction you take on the basis of the evidence in front of you.’
Please put the ‘doubting Thomas’ business to rest. And stand on solid ground. Apart from any other evidence, is it not so patently obvious that truth is far superior to falsehood, love superior to hatred, integrity better than its opposite? And whilst these may not be the most tangible of life issues, it does not make sense to reject them because of that.
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Don Caddy or Jill Hilbig
Next Sunday Min Araki or Cynthia Macintosh
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Jane SIl Intercessor Hal S-C
Sunday after Reader Caroline S Intercessor Max A
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Jan Tregenza Brass Bonnie Tomlinson
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
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 in recess during the School holidays,
Collect for Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt: may we, who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ's blessing; Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
TODAY’S READINGS
Acts 2: 14a, 22—32 and 1 Peter 1: 1—12 read by Marg P
GOSPEL John 20: 19—31
(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 Warren
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, and Valda Seith, and others known to us; Rev’d Sue Burgess is recovering well by all reports.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sid Sweet
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Margaret and Alan Pressley
YEAR’S MIND—Catherine Cordes (2006), Christine McAuliffe (1983) Philip Lockwood (1997)
PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Third Sunday of Easter
Readings Acts 2: 14a & 36-41 1 Peter 1: 13—25
GOSPEL Luke 24: 13—35
Readings Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/
People are asked to ensure that both main door entrances to the Church are closed immediately after use to ensure the safety of the children – who tend to run about quite a bit.
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 7.30pm Parish Council
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—
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
ALL the HEATERS IN THE HALL started first 'pull' on Sunday when I checked to see that they are all working. The trick is to be patient - pull firmly on the short cord for a count to 20 and then pull firmly on the longer cord to create the spark (Don't be rough on this mechanism!) while still holding the first cord for a further count to 5 (or when the radiant panel starts to turn red). So stay warm!!
RON-BLOG from today’s readings - Thomas,
I have long had great and profound respect for this rather little known Apostle, for the Gospel of John in particular shows him in several incidents to be a remarkably aware member of the Dozen, .Also, what followed after the end of the Acts of the Apostles - whilst tradition, with strong evidence – has this man travelling as far as the western coast of what we call India, founding Churches along the way. Many centuries later, Christian missionaries were stunned to find the Mar Thoma Church existing and thriving 17 centuries after the resurrection. (I had the honour of knowing and working with one of their priests when I was training in College. He was quite a man—later to be Bishop in his own Church!)
You will notice in this passage, if you dare, that what Thomas asked for, THomas received. Thomas, a person of his age, yet not one to be swayed by others, was not prepared to take anyone else’s word for something so life- and world-changing as Jesus back from the dead. And the point of Jesus’ resurrection was far, far more significant than say the raising of Lazarus. That event was simply a pointer towards this far greater thing.
We are so sheltered, living in Oz. Try being Afghan, for instance, where you would hardly know who was you friend or enemy? Earlier this week, Q&A on ABC TV painted a tragic picture of the future of Afghanistan, with tribal hatreds and animosities ensuring any hope for the future is futile. Back to Thomas ......
Personally, I have to go along with Thomas. He, like many before him, was an inquisitive, searching, exploring sort of person. No pat answers would satisfy this bloke. Be fair dinkum or forget it. And Jesus would have been completely aware of that capacity in the man. So the reason Thomas needed solid answers was because Thomas, along with Jesus, was aware that if the resurrection was real, then not very much in life – or death – remained as before. The goal posts had shifted; the entire atmosphere had been lifted. Death, and evil, and other ugly things were defeated; and the beaut things in life were restored – love is now invincible, justice likewise. Truth can be suppressed but not destroyed. Previously, everyone’s experience was that evil people could control everything, just as they had tried with Jesus’ execution. But He left them all in His wake. And Thomas needed clear evidence that this was so. And Jesus gave it to him. No ifs, no bits, no ‘naughty man, why can’t you believe?’
So this is what faith is. Finding the truth and reality – and living one’s life on the basis of that discovery. Or as I often put it to people, ‘faith is the direction you take on the basis of the evidence in front of you.’
Please put the ‘doubting Thomas’ business to rest. And stand on solid ground. Apart from any other evidence, is it not so patently obvious that truth is far superior to falsehood, love superior to hatred, integrity better than its opposite? And whilst these may not be the most tangible of life issues, it does not make sense to reject them because of that.
ROSTERS
POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Don Caddy or Jill Hilbig
Next Sunday Min Araki or Cynthia Macintosh
READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Jane SIl Intercessor Hal S-C
Sunday after Reader Caroline S Intercessor Max A
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Jan Tregenza Brass Bonnie Tomlinson
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
Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday afternoon please …….
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