FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
9th March 2003
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
The Peace Movement needs to see beyond Vietnam-era slogans. It needs to acknowledge that a toxic stew of rogue regimes, apocalyptic weapons programmes and per-verted form of Islam really does pose a deadly threat. It poses a particularly deadly threat, come to think of it, to the values of the Peace Movement itself: to women’s rights and gay rights; to secularism, pluralism and multi-culturalism. In fact, you name the liberal “ism” and Osama was against it. But one “ism” still seems to trump all: anti-Americanism. Phil Craig (adapted)
W H Macaulay had been an atheist from his undergraduate days, but when he was dying his sister was pleased by his response to her mentioning ‘God and a future life’: “Well, there's nothing so rum it might not be true.”
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
O Christ, the little girl on her deathbed, the young man on his way to his grave, and Lazarus three days in the tomb, could all hear your voice. May each soul as it passes through death, hear your friendly voice, see the look of love in your eyes and the smile of welcome in your face, and be led by you to the Father of all souls. Amen.
George Appleton
O God make us children of quietness and heirs of peace.
St Clement of Rome
THE RIGHT BUT WRONG WAY
Two engineers went moose hunting in the back woods of British Columbia. Although they'd never been moose hunting before, they managed to bag a beauty. The only trouble was they were about a mile from their truck and were having a very tough time dragging the huge animal by the hind legs - when a wildlife biologist happened upon them. First of all, he established that he disapproved of hunting and believed that moose should be protected. But he couldn't help displaying his profound knowledge. "The hair follicles on a moose have grain to them," he said, "that causes the hair to lie towards the back. The way you are dragging moose increases your coefficient to friction by a huge margin. But if you grab by the antlers and pull, you will find the work required to be quite minimal." Thanking him, the engineers started dragging moose by the antlers. After an hour, one engineer said to the other, "I can't believe how easy it is move the moose this way. We're lucky to have come across that biologist." "Yeah," said the other engineer, "but we're getting further and further away from our truck."
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Melanie McQuienn who celebrates her birthday today the 9th March and retrospectively to Jim Pattison for yesterday, the 8th. Congratulations also to Wendy and Bob McGregor who celebrate their wedding anniversary on Tuesday the 11th and to Graham and Sybille Coleman who celebrate theirs on Wednesday the 12th.
PANCAKES
What a happy occasion the Shrove Tuesday Pancake night was. A good crowd turned up for Fr Ellis' lovely little service of shriving, and likewise for the meal afterwards. Many thanks to the Friendship Group for a well organised and successful night. Anyone who left crockery or whatever behind afterwards, don't forget to collect it. It was good to note that there were over ninety folk at Eucharist on Ash Wednesday too.
Shrove Tuesday Grace
At the end of this fun night
We turn our backs, with some delight,
On excess, plenty, self-indulgence,
Frivolity and all such nonsense,
To concentrate on love and giving.
We try to live a life worth living,
And thus for forty nights and days
We walk the lovely, loving ways
Of Jesus, Saviour, Lord and friend,
Whose love for us will never end.
Bless then, dear Lord, Shrove Tuesday's bash
Before we don Ash Wednesday's ash! Fr Andrew
STREET STALL
There is a great Street Stall next Thursday, 13th March 8.00am - 1.00pm outside Coles, High Street. Please support it, some have already put in a huge effort, please let's all do so. We urgently need more helpers on the day. Please put your name against the appropriate time on the yellow sheet on the table in the Narthex. Goods will be priced on arrival at the stall. See you on Thursday, hopefully laden with goodies. Any queries, contact Dorothy Heiner or Julie Skilton.
QUIET DAY
There is a Quiet Day on the 12th March. Conducted by Fr Andrew it follows on from the 10am Eucharist and will include three talks, music and some little devotional services, with lots of free time for reflection and reading. BYO lunch. It will all conclude by 3.30pm
THANK YOU
A big thank you to St John's Church family for the lovely flowers and cards received during my recent stay in hospital. They cheered me up so much. Diana Chinnock
MOTHERS' UNION
Members pleas note that on the 12th of March because of the Quiet Day following the 10.00am Eucharist, there will not be a formal M. U. meeting. BYO lunch. Visitors and members of St John's Parish are most welcome to attend what is likely to be a very moving and prayerful day. For further information, see Sylvia or Georgina.
PLANNED GIVING
Everyone should be aware of a Thanksgiving Program to be held over the next few weeks. It takes place largely by mail, costs very little, and if everyone is positive about the program it should yield a good result. No parish that is healthy has to hold raffles, fetes and other fund-raising activities in order to pay its day to day expenses, they need to be met from normal giving, by way of planned giving envelopes or the open plate. Please do be positive about the little campaign, not only within yourself, but to others. Seriously consider increasing your giving substantially and also giving by way of direct debit or credit card! Costs go up and up inexorably, giving does not unless we remind each other of the need regularly!
WARDENS AND COUNCILLORS
A good number of people attended what would have to be the briefest and most amicable Annual General Meeting ever last Sunday. Your new Wardens and Councillors are as follows: Liz Elliot, Hugh Elford and Julie Skilton Wardens. Deidre Andrews, Margaret Andrews, Jean Ardern, Sybille Coleman, Hugh Elford, Bill Elkington, Liz Elliott, Dave Gillard, Lorraine McRae, Geoff McKernan, Julie Skilton, Peter Young and one representative from each of the Vestries of Bethanga, Emmanuel and Talgarno. The St John's Councillors will be admitted at the 9.30am Service today the 9th of March.
STIR UP THE GIFT
Bishop Lindsay Urwin, the man responsible for the "Credo" course will be in the Diocese soon and is introducing a new and follow-up course called "Stir Up The Gift". He will do so on two days and all interested folk are invited to take part in one of them. The first is on Monday 17th March 10.30am - 3.00pm and the second is Tuesday 18th March from 10.30 - 3.00pm. The venue is Bishop's Lodge morning tea and lunch will be provided and there is a modest cost of $5.00 a head. There really ought to be some of us desirous of attending, with a view to putting on the course in the parish. Anyone interested in attending sign up in the narthex or speak to the clergy. Bishop Lindsay Urwin will also be preaching at Evensong at the Cathedral on Sunday, 16 March 2003 at 6.00pm - all welcome.
THANK YOU
Lindsay Lacey as well as Merrille and Robert would like to thank all the good folk of St John's for their love, support and help, expressed in so many and varied ways, at the time of Margaret's tragic accident and death. We were overwhelmed not only by grief, but also by your love and affection. It helped us so much in coping with our profound sadness and loss. Especial thanks for the lovely service and the refreshments afterwards.
ANOTHER GREAT CONNELL TRIP
From Thurs 20th to Fri 21st of March there is a coach trip to Swan Hill and Echuca. This includes a visit to the Pioneer Settlement, a Paddle-steamer cruise, and an updated Sound and Light Show. Then there is a visit to Murray Downs homestead and garden, to the historic village of Womboota and a luncheon cruise with music at Echuca. More details from Margaret Connell, 02 60241448
SERVERS NEWS
On Fri14th of March there is a 5.00pm Servers Practice and BBQ. Sausages, sauce and bread provided. Please try to be there. On Sun 23rd of March we hope to admit probationers and head and deputy head servers into the Guild.
FRIENDS OF OUR LADY
A Eucharist and Coffee morning will be held on Wednesday 19th March at 10.00am. Betty Hornsy from Beechworth will be visiting us on this day. Please make an effort to be in attendance and bring morning tea to share. Joan Redman - Coordinator 6024 2412
LENTEN STUDIES
The Lenten Studies are now in operation. If anyone is interested in joining Fr Ellis on Monday Nights for a Bible Study they start at 7.30pm in the Narthex
READING THE BIBLE AT EUCHARIST
Next Sunday 16 March 2003
2nd Sunday in Lent
Guide for Readers at Sunday Eucharist
Gospel is Mark 9: 2 - 9
The Lord Jesus is transfigured, and the great voice tells us that we must listen to him!
A Reading from the Book Genesis, Chapter 17:1–7,15-16
This is the Abraham Covenant, the third in a series of six. Last week we had the second, the Covenant with Noah. The Adam and Noah agreements have to do with humanity as a whole; this third one narrows the field considerably: the agreement is between God and Abraham and his descendants. Notice the change in names: Abram (Exalted ancestor) to Abraham (Ancestor of a multitude), and Sarai pronounced Sar-eye, (Yahweh God is Prince) to Sarah (Princess.) Our reading leaves out verses 8 to 14, which give the gory details about circumcision. However, it is helpful to note that all the Covenants begin with God's announcement of his name and his great promises, followed by the conditions attached to those promises, in this instance circumcision, which symbolises being separate, different, a holy people.
Psalm 22:verses 24-31
The last third of the Passiontide Psalm quoted by the Lord in his cry of desolation from the Cross. Often in Hebrew poetry and prophecy (which is poetry), after the weeping and wailing there comes a note of hope. In this Psalm there is even a glimmer of hope for the dead, who might just get a chance at worshipping God. A big step in faith, indeed!
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans, chapter 4 verses 13-25.
Saint Paul argues that the main requirement from us to be part of God's righteousness is faith. The wonderful Greek word for righteousness, dikaiosune which you don't have to pronounce but for the record dickeye-o (as in hot)-SOONee, has nearly as many meanings as Abraham's offspring. From the Old Testament Zedakar it means God's ability and desire to set things upright, just and fair. It is an action of God, not a condition. From Roman law, it means God's ability and desire to acquit us, to say "Not Guilty" to us (Latin Iustitia, Justice.) From the Greek it means being put into a right relationship with God. Again, a divine action, a gift or grace from God. Paul refers to Abraham's faith in God's promise as the necessary ingredient for righteousness. Just so, we accept God's offer by faith. Note that the article of faith is not belief in Jesus' Resurrection. That was taken to be axiomatic. It was and is faith in the One who did the resurrecting: God himself.
Please read it up and try to present the Word with care. Thanks. ESJ.
IMPORTANT DATES
Mar 13th Street Stall
Mar 14th Servers Practice and BBQ
Mar 15th Youth Service
Mar 19th Friends of our Lady Eucharist & Coffee Morn
Mar 23rd Admission of Servers
Apr 12th Performance of "Messiah" at Emmanuel
Apr 23rd 2.00pm Pastoral Care Committee
Apr 30th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Group
May 4th Patronal Festival
May 11th Murray Conservatorium Choir
May 31st Synod
Jun 18th Friends of our Lady Eucharist & Coffee Morn
Jun 18th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Committee
Jun 25th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Group
July 23rd Fish and Chip night
Aug 14/16 Choral Festival
Aug 20th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Committee
Aug 24th Confirmation Day
Aug 27th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Group
Sep 17th Friends of our Lady Eucharist & Coffee Morn
Oct 5th St Francistide Pet Service
Oct 22nd 2.00pm Pastoral Care Committee
Oct 25th Flower Show and Fete
Oct 29th 2.00pm Pastoral Care Group
Nov 23rd Bishop's Pastoral Visit
Dec 3rd Combined Friends of our Lady & Pastoral Care
DUTIES up to & including 16th March
Cleaning & Tea Team 4
Readers Gaye Petzke, Catherine Hayes, Georgia Cadman
Eucharistic Assistant Hugh Elford
Intercessor Children
Door Gaye Petzke, Mary Nicholson, Val Saunders
Vestry Bill Elkington
Mowing Jordan and Ryan Cook
Narthex Dot and Lauire Anstis
Linen Margaret Barkley
Welcome Table Shirley Jamieson and Jenny Elford
Servers Anthony, Phillip, Tabitha, Jayne, Erin, Catherine
FOR PRAYER
The Sick
Ed Baumgarten, Jean Byrnes, Eunice Charlton, Sally Craven, Nancy Craig, Marjorie Glanville, Joyce Hall, Robert Jones, Lillian Loads, June Lyons, Gail Mahney, Anja Mosse, Grant Myers, Janet Murray, Bobby Nicholson, Thora Pyke, Val Saunders, Grant Savage, Andrea Seers, Ray Schmidt, Anne Shepstone, Pam Willoughby.
Anniversary of Death
Isobel Cartwright 9th, Elizabeth Ellwood, Stanley Perrett, Tony Preston 10th, Boyd Mildren, Leslie Knapman, Noel Kilpatrick, Graeme Nisbet 12th, Ernest Smith, Patricia Barber 14th, Malcolm Slater, Esme Newman 15th.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 10th March Labour Day
Fr Andrew's Day off
7.15am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
5.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
7.30pm Fr Ellis' Bible Study - Narthex
Tuesday 11th March
7.15am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
Clergy Hospital Visits
9.00pm Pastoral Care Meeting
5.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
Wed 12th March Gregory, Ember Day
7.15am Morning Prayer - Emmanuel
9.00am Meditation - Narthex
10.00am Eucharist - St John's QUIET DAY
10.00am Home Communions
5.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
Thursday 13th March
7.15am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
8.00am Street Stall - High Street
3.30pm Children for Christ - St John's
5.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
7.30pm Choir Practice - St John's
Friday 14th March Ember Day
7.15am Mattins & Eucharist (Trad) - St John's
5.00pm Servers Practice and BBQ - St John's
6.00pm Wedding Rehearsal - St John
7.30pm Scottish Country Dancing!
Saturday 15th March Ember Day
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - St John's
3.00pm Wedding - St John's
6.00pm Vigil and Youth Eucharist - St John's
16th March Second Sunday in Lent
7.30am Said Eucharist - St John's
9.00am Uniting Church Eucharist - Emmanuel
9.30am Eucharist - St John's
11.00am Morning Prayer - Talgarno
7.00pm Evening Prayer - St John's
O the innocent victims of Cupid,
Remember this terse little verse
To let a fool kiss you is stupid,
To let a kiss fool you is worse.