FOURTH SUNDAY in LENT
14th March 2010
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
PLUMBING THE DEPTHS
Some years ago, I am reliably informed, a newly ordained deacon at St Augustine's, it being his Rector's day off, was contacted by Mohan's the undertakers to conduct a grave side funeral at Shepparton cemetery. There was to be no church ceremony, he was told, because the deceased had no family or friends left and had indicated in his will that he wanted to be buried in the same grave as his long deceased wife with no more than a simple grave side service. The young deacon, new to the parish and town, established the whereabouts of the cemetery and headed off to Pine Lodge with plenty of time to spare. On his arrival there was no sign of an open grave or an undertaker. On enquiring from one of the cemetery workers he learned that in all likelihood he should be at the old Shepparton cemetery. He raced back to town breaking all speed limits and arrived half an hour late. The hearse was nowhere in sight, and the grave diggers were relaxing under a nearby tree eating their lunch. The deacon, a conscientious fellow, went to the grave, not far from the caretaker’s old house, and found that the vault lid was already in place. Undeterred he took out his prayer book book and read the service over the slab. As he returned to his car, he overheard one of the workmen say, “Perhaps we had better tell him that that's an ancient septic tank.”
The Australian Prodigal Son
Andrew Neaum
A good and wealthy farming man
from out Katandra way
Had two quite different teenage sons
not mates, you’d have to say.
Though both were brought up Anglican
the older son had flirted
For years with faiths fanatical
until he'd been converted.
From when, with unrelenting fervour,
he rammed and preached and crammed.
His brother's head with prayers and texts
convinced that he was damned,
Until the lad approached his dad,
and said he'd had enough
He couldn't any longer stand
such horrid, holy stuff.
He asked for his inheritance
to set him up elsewhere
Far away from holy Joes
and unremitting prayer.
Although distressed, dad acquiesced,
and hardly seemed surprised,
In fact you'd almost swear he half
approved and sympathised.
Perhaps aware of how unfair
and hard indeed to bear
Can seem relentless, unremitting,
pharisaic prayer.
And so his second Son departed,
on pleasure bent and smitten,
Heading, courtesy of Quantas,
for cool and swinging Britain.
Where not to culture, church or abbey,
the young man had resort
For he was bent upon a rather
different sort of sport.
He smoked his pot and drank a lot
of noxious British boozes,
Chatting up and bedding down
pallid British floozies.
He greeted many, gloomy, grey
depressing British dawns
With ghastly, garish, bright. Australian
technicolour yawns.
With splitting head, in squalid bed
he'd often wake alarmed
To find his sleeping whore no more
attracted, pleased or charmed.
This lad from out Katandra way
weaned on flies and grit
Into Pommie city life
didn't really fit.
Friendly Poms he found were hard
to meet or come across.
Unless he sponsored lavish parties
no one gave a toss.
And so to keep despair at bay
he was forever giving,
Spending his inheritance
on wild and riotous living.
Until at last without a friend
and nothing left to spend
The whores and pot and booze and parties
dribbled to an end.
Unemployed, depressed, dejected,
very much in need,
Longing for Australia
and desperate for a feed,
He answered an advertisement
in the Telegraph,
Was hired by Lord and Lady Derwent
and joined their kitchen staff.
A job demanding lots of that
demeaning poppy cock
Beloved of Pommie gentlefolk
like tugging at his forelock,
Paying homage, bowing, scraping,
smarming, creeping, crawling,
Qualities Australians find
both galling and appalling.
It caused him to reflect and think
just what a price he'd paid,
For leaving home and God and goodness,
how very far he'd strayed.
How much he'd like to be again
the lad that once he'd been,
Basking in his father's favour,
upright, decent, clean.
And so at length to fly back home
to where his dad resided
and throw himself upon his mercy
the younger son decided.
Garuda airlines flew him back,
the cheapest he could find,
Prodigality and Britain,
relieved, he left behind.
He disembarked at Melbourne airport
a changed and chastened lad
Trusting for some sort of welcome
from a loving dad.
His hopes were fully realised!
His father not annoyed
Hugged him, kissed him, said he'd missed him
completely overjoyed!
He didn't ask for reparation,
pay-back or amends,
But organised a joyous party
inviting all their friends.
Both beer and hearts were light not heavy,
except of course for one,
Who outside skulked and lurked and sulked
the bitter elder son.
So holy had this young man grown,
so strong in rectitude,
So lost in God-Almightiness,
so pious of attitude,
He thought his Father's joy to be
misguided and misplaced
Prodigals and sinners
immutably disgraced.
Good News for him not only lay
in saving folk from hell
Consigning them to Satan's care
pleased him just as well.
And yet the Father's loving arms
are opened wide to all,
No one's sent to hell by him
no one, none at all.
Converted, unconverted,
it's all the same to him
Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew,
all are welcomed in.
The Father's far more prodigal
than was the younger son,
Prodigal though with forgiveness,
with love, with joy, with fun,
The only ones he’ll leave outside
are those who won't come in,
So damning holy Joes commit
the only damning sin!
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Canon D Neaum 1912-2001
About this time Fr. Baldwin decided that the time had come for his retirement. For some months we were left in doubt as to who our new Vicar would be, but it didn't matter too much as we still had Fr. Watson, the Assistant Priest, to care for us. Then came the announcement, that Fr. G. Walker had been offered the living and had accepted. We knew little of him or his family and awaited in hope, knowing that upon his arrival, our Fr. Watson would himself be leaving us for new pastures and after his leaving there would no longer be an Assistant Priest as the cost was too great.
Our first intimation of the arrival of the new Vicar came from the presence of a three-wheeler Morgan car outside the Vicarage door and then came the Induction and the welcoming of both Vicar and family - a youngish wife and a baby daughter. Still being a 4 or 5 times a week server, I quickly grew to know and like the whole family, so much so, that with the Watson's departure, my constant visits were transferred to the Vicarage.
During the long years of Fr. Baldwin's Ministry the Church Services were moderately ‘High', but with no incense. On his first Sunday with us Fr. Walker announced that we would find in our pews blue and red cards. He asked us to choose one and put it into the boxes provided. The purpose was to find out who, in the congregation, would like to have incense used at the Mass. He then went on to say that this would be introduced only if there were twice as many blue cards as red put into the boxes.
We choir lads had no interest in incense for the smoke hinders one's singing, so we went round the whole church after the service and put every red card there was into the boxes and put any blue ones into our pockets to be thrown away. We knew very well that there would be very many more red cards than blue and felt we had done a good thing.
Came the following Sunday. There was never a mention of cards, either blue or red, but there was incense, clouds of it! Our new Vicar liked it strong and pungent. We then realised that we had a "Father Knows Best" Vicar; a Priest who knew what he wanted and got it because he caused it to happen.
It was not long before I was trained to be a thurifer and, as nobody grumbled, our High Mass included clouds of incense. From that first dictatorial move many more were added until I felt that we outdid the Romans in our ceremonial in worship. But what did that matter, for our new Priest had one gift that outshone all others, he was a musical genius who could train boys (no girls in those days) to sing like angels. In little time the choir at Christ Church became known throughout the district. Unfortunately by that time I was in the changing voice stage and, not wishing to leave the choir while my voice settled, kept as quiet as possible singing a little alto and a little rough bass. I was not noticed until one day the Vicar asked me to sing a solo in the Mass setting. I then had to confess that I had not been singing treble for the past year or so. I was allowed to stay, on condition that my presence was visible but not audible until my voice settled into either tenor or bass.
It must have been a year or so later that my friend Eric and I broke that rule. It happened that the organist was away and the Vicar was taking his place at the organ. It was sung Evensong and the Psalm tune had a delightful high base line. Eric and I, forgetting our instructions, let rip with a noise that only just breaking voices can make. How we enjoyed it, almost drowning out the rest of the choir. The Vicar (& choirmaster as he was) could do nothing about it as he could not leave us organ-less.
Next morning, being Monday, I was Altar Serving at the Convent with the Vicar as Celebrant. After the Mass, as we parted at the gate, he handed me a letter, telling me to read it when I got home. Turning the first corner I couldn't wait to see its contents; I can give them to you verbatim for they are imprinted on to my memory. It ran thus: "Dear David, I want men in my choir who can sing, not those who take the bit between their teeth and bawl. You're sacked. H. S. G. Walker." My friend had an identical letter. But how different the reaction in those days, for we neither of us left the Church nor stopped doing for it what was necessary; I remained Serving, etc., but instead of sitting in the choir, we took our seats at the back of the Church and sang heartily. (to be continued.)
WARDENS & COUNCILLORS
At our Eucharists next week we will admit and pray in our new Councillors and Wardens.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays
Christopher Wells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18th March
Cecily McDonnell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18th March
NOTABLE GUEST PREACHER
Our preacher at 8.30am during Lent is the Revd. Dr. John Pryor. His subject this week is St Peter (See the sheet)
Next Week’s Sermon Outline
Pontius Pilate
Readings next week: Jn 18:28 - Jn 19:16a
1. Who was Pontius Pilate?
2. Pilate's Character
3. Why Agree to Crucify Jesus?
4. Conclusion
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Today is “Mothering Sunday” and there are posies for all Mother’s. Thank you to the Flower Guild and team for making them. It is also “Refreshment Sunday” and so there is a piece of Simnel Cake for everyone. Thank you to generous bakers of these.
LUNCH AT KATANDRA
A good crowd of us are heading out to join the folk at Katandra for lunch. Those requiring a lift in the bus or by car are listed in the narthex. If your name is not there and should be, please have a word with the clergy and we will sort you out. Lifts will leave after the 10.30am service not before 11.45 so anyone from the 8.30am congregation wanting a lift should be here no later than 11.45am.
LENT COURSES
Lent Course (1) The Revd. Helen Malcolm. Mondays 7.00pm (Library)
Lent Course (2) The Revd Gail Bryce. Wednesdays 1.30pm (Library)
Lent Course (3) The Revd Andrew Neaum. Thursdays 7.00 pm (Library)
LADY DAY
In Wangaratta Cathedral on Wednesday 24th March starting at 10.15am with morning tea followed by the Eucharist at 11.00am. Bishop John Parkes is celebrant and preacher. Lunch at 12.30pm ($10.00) is catered for by ABM. The guest speaker will be the Rev’d Robert Whalley, Bishop’s Chaplain. Please let our office know by the 15th of March if you would like lunch ordered for you.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP
The Annual meeting & Anniversary meeting of the Friendship group takes place in the narthex on Tuesday 16th. We start with a Eucharist at 1.30pm and then the meeting at 2pm. All welcome
CAROLE’S PILGRIMAGE
Carole Henderson has now lost 12 kilograms. Once the monies pledged so far has been received we will have raised $1300 to give sight to the sightless. This sum, will grant about thirty six people their sight, and so adds that number to Jesus’ healing miracles, for they are done under his influence and by his inspiration through Carole’s imaginative plan and effort and with the support of many generous fellow lovers of our Lord. Congratulations, keep up the good work.
BRINGING LITTLE ONES UP IN FAITH
“Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” for 3-6 year olds is being held on Friday mornings from 9.30 to 10.30. We invite all parents to stay and have a cuppa and chat. There are lots of vacancies! We would love to have your child in our group. If you are at all interested or know of any families who may be interested in this wonderful programme, please ask any of the clergy, they will be only to happy to chat with you.
WELCOME
Welcome to any visitors today and to those who are here as part of baptism preparation.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Mar 16th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baptism Preparation 7.30/Narthex
Mar 17th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Council
Mar 18th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evening Guild
Mar 20th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 2pm
Mar 26th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arise 255/ Youth Group
Mar 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Working Bee
Apr 3rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Macedonian Easter
Apr 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Easter Day
Apr 13th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“Moving On” Grief Support Group
Apri 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Men’s Breakfast
Apr 24th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Working Bee
Apr 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rector disappears for six months
May 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Men’s Breakfast
June 6th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patronal Festival
Aug 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meeting Parish Fair 4.00pm Roz’s Room
November 13th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parish Fair and Garden Party
READINGS 21st March
Lent Five
Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:3-14
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
At the beginning of each month this list is cleared and ALL names need putting down again on the list in the narthex and signed in. No names should be listed without a person’s permission.
Prayer Requests:
Nicole Ackland, Jeffrey Andrewartha, Debbie Bagley, Laura Bates, Liam Bognar, Val Cowper, Malcolm Elliott Diane Feldtmann, Kath Grills, Frank Harder, Hilder Lidgard, Wyn Lawrence, Sophie Mould, Maureen Olphert, Albert Oxenbury, Mavis Proctor, Koop Purss, Kevin & Isabelle Richards, Betty Smith, Patricia Sparks, Peter Swindells, June Warner, Heather Vines, Bill & Glenda, David, David & Judith, Sandy, Julia & family.
Year’s Mind:
Constance Mills, Leslie Maskell, Dorothy Bassett, Paddy Wallden 14th, William Wilson 15th, Donald Ducat, Reginald Mould, Rita Lee 16th, Michael Noonan, Yvonne Young 17th, Winifred Tinning, Konstantyn Tokarew 18th, Henry Erwen, Yvonne Houghton 19th, Cynthia Hossack 20th .
Duties for 14th March 2010
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Gyles, Bev Condon
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Pestell, Mary Pearson
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michelle, Beth
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zebedee
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Griffin, Children
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Horder, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christine Evans, Greg Pestell
Welcomers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bev Ralph, Heather Nichols
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesley Kenna, Nola Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trevor Batey, Joy Campbell
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesley Kenna, Charlotte Brewer
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gwyn Cowland
Mowing 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Pleming, John Wellman
Welcome Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy Cook
Duties for 21st March 2010
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norm Mitchelmore, Victoria Heenan
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Moran, Samantha Conway
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beth, Michelle
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg, Venita, Valerie
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Celebrant, Verna Pestell
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Danita Potter, John Griffin
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greg Pestell, Joe Fernandez
Welcomers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita Saville, Pat Griffin
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenny Moran, Frank Steen
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe Pearson, Norm Mitchelmore
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan Akers
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Val Bambrook
Welcoming Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Walsh
Mowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . none this week
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 15th March
Rector’s Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
1.00pm Lunch for Indonesian visitors - Narthex
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.00pm Lent Course- Rev Helen Malcolm - Library
Tuesday 16th March - 7.45am
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Playgroup - Roz’s Room
1.30pm Eucharist & Friendship Group/Narthex
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.30pm Baptism Preparation - Narthex
Wednesday 17th March
7 .45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
1.30pm Lent Course - Rev Gail Bryce - Library
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
4.00pm Eucharist- Banksia Lodge
7.30pm Parish Council - Roz’s Room
Thursday 18th March Cyril of Jerusalem
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Eucharists - Hakea & Acacia
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
1.30pm Evening Guild -A.G.M.
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
4.00pm Catechesis - Atrium
5.30pm Choir Practice - St Martin’s Chapel
7.00pm Lent Course - Canon Andrew - Library
Friday 19th March Joseph, Husband of the B.V. M.
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Atrium
10.15am Eucharist - Grutzner House
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday 20th March Cuthbert of Lindisfarne,
Associate Priest’s day off
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
2.00pm Wedding
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 21st March 5th Sunday in Lent
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine’s
10.30am Family Eucharist - St Augustine’s
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke’s Dookie
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary’s Katandra