1st June 2003
ASCENSION DAY
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when we cease to be illuminated by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason.
Dag Hammarskjold
It appears Cubby Broccoli, producer of James Bond films, when asked why he continued working into his eighties, replied: "If I didn't I would turn into a vegetable." D J Enright
"Ah, Doctor, gout - the only enemy I do not wish to have at my feet." Sydney Smith
WELCOME
Welcome to our services. The order of the Eucharist is from "A Prayer Book for Australia". We like our worship to flow, so there are few directions given during the service. Page numbers are printed in this pew sheet as are the Prayer of the Day, Readings, Psalm and Hymn Numbers.
MUSIC
The organist at 9.30am is Marjorie Glanville and the Postlude is "Prelude in Classic Style" by the contemporary American composer, Gordon Jacob.
Hymns 298, 301, 291, 188
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
O Lord Jesus Christ, without you I would not have known the limitless love of God. Without you I would not have known the extent of God's forgiveness or seen it in operation on the cross. Without your rescue I would still be submerged in weakness and sin. Without you I would not have the divine grace to transform my life. Without you I would not have known of the Kingdom of God or our Father's plan to unite humanity in righteousness and love. I can never thank you enough, or love you enough, my Redeemer and the Saviour of the world . George Appleton
DREADFUL
Two fat fellows in a pub. One says to the other, "Your round." The other replies, "So are you fatso!"
A blind man walks into a shop with a guide-dog. He picks up his dog and starts swinging it around his head. Alarmed, the shop assistant says, "Can I help, sir?" He replies, "No thanks, just looking."
Two cannibals were eating a clown. One said to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
Police arrested two children. One was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other off.
HENRY THE SECOND
You cannot be an effective parson if you don't enjoy the company of people. A clergyman's job is crowded with people. I spend a lot of time at my desk and in my study, but nowhere near as much time as meeting people, talking to people, advising and being advised by people, soothing them, counselling them, shaking their hands, smiling at them and pretending to be a thoroughly likeable fellow. Misanthropic clergyman are rare and fascinating oddities, but invariably ineffective.
As a relief from people a parson cannot turn to God because God is best encountered, found, and known in people. The only recourse is to animals. Every parson needs ready access to an animal or two, every parsonage needs its pets!
Bullied By His Siblings
Here at St John's we have Pippin the dog, Mitzi the cat and two budgies, Edward and Eleanor. When we first came to Wodonga over seven years ago there was only one budgie, Henry The Second. He was a worldly-wise budgerigar who like me was rectory-born and bred and so well used to the friendly foibles and frailties of parishioners. Like most people who are out of the ordinary and interesting, his background was less than perfect or happy. He was damaged in the nesting box of our garden aviary and mercilessly bullied by his siblings. We brought him into the house a little cripple, with a crabbed walk and unable to fly properly. There is no home environment quite so stimulating, interesting and fascinating as a rectory. Henry the Second blossomed into rude and perfect health in vibrant rectory company.
Massaging Bald Heads
His cage was no cage, it was a refuge. Its door was almost always open. He had the run or flight of the house. If you were alone in the Rectory and lying on your bed reading, he would come, feeling lonely, looking for you. You heard little chirps as he wandered disconsolately down the passage calling for you, rather nervous at being in the furthermost recesses of the rectory on his own. Then, walking sideways in his idiosyncratic fashion, he would scuttle through the door and with a chirrup of triumph, fly up happily to perch on your head. I used to find the little dances of triumph with his clawed feet upon my bald head strangely satisfying. An avian head massage. I was not infrequently to be seen about the parish with my head bejewelled, dotted with little olive-green and white guano gems!
The Jaws of Death
Life in a rectory is hazardous. Henry the Second had some traumatic experiences. The first was being pounced upon by Twinkle the cat, now deceased (may she rest in peace). This occurred very early on in Henry's rectory life. Twinkle was an "outside" cat, but had sneaked in though the back door. She saw Henry the Second on the floor and leapt at him instinctively. I took him from her jaws uninjured. The doughty little youngster did not even need trauma counselling.
Death's Vacuum
His second brush with death was at my hands not the cat's. I was vacuuming the lounge with the end of the vacuum's hose off to suck up the little pie-bald pebble droppings from his favourite perch on the back of a chair. Fool-hardy Henry flew to the perch to see what I was up to and was sucked in. Fortunately he was sucked in sideways and so did not disappear up the hose and into a dusty bag. He was simply transfixed grotesquely against the nozzle sideways and I was able to pull him off undamaged. Again he needed no trauma counselling. It was I who did. I am still haunted by his reproachful look as he was held there helpless.
Maternal Solicitude
His third brush with death was nearly fatal. My wife was greeting a parishioner at the front door when Henry decided to perch on her head. Something caused him to take fright and he over-flew her out of the door. The Beechworth Road is very busy, we looked for him everywhere and had all but given him up for lost when I saw a pathetic, flapping and fluttering little clump of feathers by the side of the road. It was Henry. He had been hit by a car! I picked him up, a sad and seemingly all but dead bird, with glazed and blood-shot eyes. My wife's solicitude and tender care in his extremity not only pulled him round, it also augurs well for me in my eventual dotage! She cradled him in her hands for the whole day, wrapped his cage with towels, warmed it with hot water bottles, hand-fed and watered him and so brought him through a long convalescence to full, perky and happy health.
Sadly Henry the Second is no longer with us. His lives ran out eventually, but his life lightened ours and his death, like all beloved pet deaths, helped prepare our children and selves for the inevitable deaths of friends and relatives in the future. Fr Andrew
Everybody, please read this, whether you are a Reader or not.
READING THE BIBLE AT EUCHARIST
Take the time for a PREVIEW of Next Sunday's Readings 8 June
DAY OF PENTECOST
Guide for Readers at Sunday Eucharist
Gospel is John Chapter 15 verses 26 & 27, and Chapter 16, verses 4b to 15. The last two verses of Ch. 15 introduce the idea of a special helper, the Paraclete. In ancient law courts, the paraclete was the lawyer who stood up and spoke for the defendants and the witnesses. He provided evidence, that is, witness or testimony – big words in John's writings. The Holy Spirit is seen as the Heavenly Solicitor who helps the people of God - the community of disciples - as they struggle through their this-worldly persecutions, and is there for them also at the Last Day. In Chapter 16, the Lord explains that the Solicitor can't come until he, Jesus, goes. Then the Spirit will guide them, and the key promise is that the Spirit or heavenly Lawyer, will "lead you into all truth." Over the last couple of millennia the Church has made several lousy decisions by bishops, councils and synods, saying that it was the Holy Spirit that led them. But the Spirit acts in the same way as the LORD of the Old Testament; - he leads and guides in tension with human free will, but never bullies. As Tom Keneally says, "Three Cheers for the Paraclete."
Reading 1. A Reading from The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2 verses 1 to 21
The Feast of Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after Passover. In Jewish tradition, this is when Moses went up the mountain to receive the guts of the Torah, the Statutes Ten. Probably, you know, this is the one day of the year in which, at our High Masses at least, we ought to say or sing the 10 Commandments!
The amazing understanding of all hearers could be explained by the fact that most ancient Middle Eastern languages at that time differed only in accents and minor spellings. And if the big speeches were done in the universal tongue, Greek, most would get the message, as again, the only differences would be in accents. The main idea is that Pentecost breaks down barriers.
The Old Testament quote in the big speech is from Joel Ch. 2 verse 28 and following, This is the first main statement in the Old Testament about the Holy Spirit of God as a way of indicating that the Last Days have come! The Speeches in Acts want to say, "The Last Days have Come!"
It's worth emphasising when you do the reading!
The Psalm is number 104: 25-36 This Psalm is somewhat mucked about by our liturgical editors. It is a praise song about God's wonderful creation, backing up the idea that His Holy Spirit - the very same Paraclete or Heavenly Barrister - is and was involved in Creation, see Genesis Ch. 1 verse 2, where "wind" equals "Spirit". Therefore, give emphasis on verse 30: "When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth." This has become the antiphon or response in all the Services for Pentecost in our lovely ancient Church.
Reading 2: A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans, Chapter 8:22 to 27
The section should have started at verse 18, so if you are keen, go back to that. The whole passage reflects the idea that the coming of the Spirit or Paraclete indicates the end of times as we know them, and if we think those time haven't come yet, we have got St Paul right. He talks about the "not-yet" time in which we live. After all, what's a couple of thousand years in a solar system only 5 billion years old? The message is that the Holy Barrister can and does cut into our frightening time, giving us a glimpse of reality and lending us a hand of help when and where he reckons we need it. For his mercy endures forever, and his love is unconditional and everlasting. Don't forget that when you're reading this stuff, either aloud or to yourself. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words."
Get your Bible readings right, ladies and gentlemen. The glorious Bible is our tool of trade. Make it work for us!
GUEST PREACHER
We welcome as Guest Preacher at the 9.30am service today The Right Revd. George Browning, Bishop of Canberra Goulburn. He addressed our Diocesan Synod yesterday and this afternoon will be leading a seminar on Spirituality and the Environment in Wangaratta starting at 2.00pm. Anyone who would like to attend this and is unable to arrange transport, please have a word with the clergy. The seminar concludes with Evensong in the Cathedral at 6.00pm, at which Bishop Browning will preach.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Fr Ellis Jones who celebrates his birthday today, Sunday 1st of June. Also to Gladys Baumgarten who celebrates hers on Friday the 6th.
ELLISONIAN WISDOM
Fr Ellis is to begin a study entitled: "Introducing main themes from the Old Testament". If enough people indicate an interest on the list in the Narthex. These will be held on Mondays in the Narthex from 7.30 pm, in a couple of weeks time.
LUNCH IN TALLANGATTA
The Tallangatta branch of the Mothers' Union invites the Wodonga MU Members and Parishioners to their Annual Luncheon at 12 noon this Wednesday 4th of June. Anyone wishing to attend please see Georgina or Sylvia for transport.
LUNCH IN WODONGA
The St John's branch of the Mothers' Union meets next on Wednesday the 11th of June, commencing with the Eucharist at 10.00am. There will be a Casserole lunch and the Guest Speaker is Gwen Grey, her topic: "My Life in Scouting". The Reader at the Eucharist: Sylvia Gillard. Intercessor Georgina. Baptism Representative: Sylvia. All parishioners are welcome.
GARDEN THANK YOU
Our Garden is now looking wonderfully well manicured. Grateful thanks to all people who attended the Working Bee of Saturday 24th and worked so diligently to achieve such a fine result. Thanks also to Ethel and Julie for providing a very tasty morning tea. Jean Ardern
CHRISTIAN UNITY
This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. To mark the occasion there are short devotional services in some of Wodonga's churches as follows, please try to attend services at other churches as well as one's own and please bring a plate of something to nibble over a chat and cup of tea after the St John's effort.
Monday 2nd June 7.00pm
'We are afflicted but not crushed' St Stephen's Uniting Church, Nilmar Avenue
Tuesday 3rd June 7.00pm
'Created in the image of God' Church of Christ, 30 Brockley St.
Wednesday 4th June 7.00pm
'The life of Jesus made visible in us' St John's Anglican, Beechworth Rd.
Thursday 5th June 7.00pm
'I believed and so I spoke', Salvation Army Lawrence Street
Friday 6th June 10.30am
'Grace that extends to all people', Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Beechworth Road
DUTIES up to & including 1st June
Cleaning & Tea Team 5
Readers Jean Ardern, Marjorie Glanville, Georgina Edgar
Eucharistic Assistant Margaret Barkley
Intercessor Celebrant
Door Joan Redman, Betty Dahl, Georgina Edgar
Vestry Dave Gillard
Mowing Jordan & Ryan Cook
Narthex Volunteers for Youngs
Linen Jean Taylor
Welcome Table Stephanie & John Buxton
Servers Phillip, Candice, Jess, Howard
DUTIES up to & including 8th June
Cleaning & Tea Team 6
Readers Gaye Petzke, Melanie McQuienn, Bev Holmes
Eucharistic Assistant Hugh Elford
Intercessor Georgina Edgar
Door Jean Ardern, Diane Guthrie, Roslyn Johan
Vestry Bill Elkington
Mowing Nil
Narthex Dot & Laurie Anstis
Linen Margaret Barkley
Welcome Table Shirley Jamieson, Diana Chinnock
Servers Aimee, Erin, Daniel, Catherine
IMPORTANT DATES
Jun 18th Friends of our Lady Eucharist & Coffee Morn
Jun 25th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Group
July 23rd Fish and Chip night
July 27th Confirmation Day
Jul 30th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Committee
Aug 14th-16thChoral Festival
Aug 20th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Committee
Aug 24th Hall Opening and Thanksgiving Lunch
Sep 17th Friends of our Lady Eucharist & Coffee Morn
Sept 24th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Group
Oct 5th St Francistide Pet Service
Oct 12th Farewell Service and lunch for Neaums
Oct 22nd 2.00pm Pastoral Care Committee
Oct 25th Flower Show and Fete
Nov 23rd Bishop's Pastoral Visit
Nov 26th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Group
Dec 3rd Combined Friends of our Lady & Pastoral Care
FOR PRAYER
The Sick
Ed Baumgarten, Jean Byrnes, Betty Caldow, Eunice Charlton, Sally Craven, Grace Cogdell, Marion Ellis, Gwen Goldsworthy, Joyce Hall, Robert Jones, Andrew Kleinert, Jean Miles, Janet Murray, Edna Naismith, Fr Lewis Nyman, Bobby Nicholson, Thora Pyke, Bob Phillips, Simone Rattray Reid, Val Saunders, Ray Schmidt, Pam Willoughby, Robyn.
Rest in Peace
Margaret Young, Myrtle Seymour.
Anniversary of Death
Jane McGaffin, Mary Smith 1st, Henry Lefde, Allan Palmer 2nd, Eileen Carrucan 3rd, John Davidson 4th, Laurence Sanders, Brayde Marcus, Gwendoline Craik 5th, Francis Mildren,Harvey Bliss, Lyle Barker, Myrtle Fraser 7th.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 2nd June
Fr Andrew's Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
5.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
7.00pm Prayer of Unity Service - St Stephens
Tuesday 3rd June Martyrs of Uganda
7.15am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
9.00am Pastoral Care - Parish Office
Clergy Hospital Visits
1.00pm Ministers Fellowship Mtg. - Lutheran Church
5.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
7.00pm Prayer of Unity Service - Church of Christ
Wednesday 4th June
7.45am Mattins - Emmanuel
8.30am Wardens Meeting - Rectory
9.00am Meditation - Narthex
10.00am Eucharist - (Pastoral Care) St John's
Home Communions
7.00pm Prayer of Unity Service - St John's
7.30pm Emmanuel Council Meeting - Emmanuel
Thursday 5th June Boniface of Mainz
7.15am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
11.00am Eucharist - Westlands
1.30pm Eucharist - Osburn Lodge
3.30pm Children for Christ - Narthex & Emmanuel
7.00pm Prayer of Unity Service - Salvation Army
7.30pm Choir Practice - St John's
Friday 6th June
7.15am Mattins & Eucharist (trad rite) - St John's
10.30am Prayer of Unity Service - Sacred Heart
5.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
7.30pm Scottish Country Dancing - Narthex
Saturday 7th June
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - St John's
PENTECOST SUNDAY June 8th
7.30am Said Eucharist - St John's
9.00am Uniting Church Eucharist - Emmanuel
9.30am Eucharist - St John's
11.00am Morning Prayer - Bethanga
7.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
N.B. Wednesday's 10.00am Eucharist is the monthly Pastoral Care one - bring a plate and a friend....