St Mark's Anglican Church

Transcription

1 St Mark's Anglican Church South Hurstville We at St Mark's aim to grow in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and to welcome others into an open Christian community where we can experience and explore the reality of God in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust. 24 June th Sunday after Pentecost 8.00am Choral Eucharist Liturgy Holy Communion Prayer Book p 119 Presider Revd Andre Jacobs Preacher: The Revd Andre Jacobs Setting Addington Intercessor: Readings 1 Samuel ,10-16 Margery Bennett Psalm 133 Anglican Chant 2 Corinthians Lorraine Sweeny Mark Lay Assistant Introit Be still and know Anthem: Schubert arr Hines: Sanctus Hymns 187, 254, 123 (Communion), am Prayer Circle Intercessions at the Taizé prayer station 10.00am Family Communion Liturgy Special booklet Intercessor: Barbara Booth Presider Preacher: The Revd Andre Jacobs Readings 1 Samuel ,10-16 Eric Plumer Mark Lay Assistant Hymns 644, 231 (Children's), 598, 717 Reflection One of the ways of looking at miracles in the Gospel stories is to see them as another kind of parable. This miracle story is no different. Beginning with the story of Creation we find that water is symbolic of power, mystery, darkness and danger. But we are also familiar with the fact that through water new life and new hope are given to creation and to God s people. Creation emerges from the watery darkness, the waters of the flood destroyed all evil in the land, God s Chosen people found freedom in passing through the Red Sea, and John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord by baptising people in the River Jordan. In this encounter with the stormy sea of Galilee Jesus is declaring that he has come to destroy evil, that he has come to declare that the whole earth belongs to God, and that the power of God is at work in him. There is no need to fear in any situation God is in charge. Text: The Revd Loy Thompson, Diocese of Newcastle ABM 2012

2 Light a candle All are welcome to light a candle, symbolic of prayer, at the Taizé cross. Prayer of the Day O God our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid: rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Sit for the reading (8am) / Children's talk (10am) Psalm Behold how good and how / lovely it / is: when families / live to/gether in / unity. 2 It is fragrant as oil upon the head that runs down / over the / beard: fragrant as oil upon the beard of Aaron that ran down over the / collar / of his / robe. 3 It is like a / dew of / Hermon: like the dew that falls up/on the / hill of / Zion. 4 For there the Lord has com/manded his / blessing: which is / life for / ever/more. Glory to the Father and / to the / Son: and / to the / Holy / Spirit; as it was in the be/ginning is / now: and shall be for / ever / A/men. Remember in your prayers Paul Samuel; Carole Russell; Liam & Shaun McManus; Jim Penhale; Alan Martin; Elsie Moore; Jim Watson; Joan Down; Sid Moir (Katoke headmaster); Gabrielle Hobbs; Alan Albany; Honda Kaheba; Dorothy Harpley; Pat & Ian Price; Alexandra Mayne; Lai Cheang; Kurt Young; Eleanor Hayden; Doug Stewart; Barry; Jacquelyn; Reg Parrey; Elva Swift; Mary Coyne; Betty Allan; Les and Edna Green; Peter Mylecharane; Alan Cook; Yvonne Scott; Tony Platford; Madge & John Conlon. Memorial The flowers in Church today are in loving memory of Charlotte & Harold Mylecharane from Marlene & Peter Celebrations Congratulations to Edna Edwards who will be celebrating her birthday on Wednesday. 2

3 Prayers and devotions this week The Anglican Communion PRAY for The Church of North India (United)The Most Revd Dr Philip Marandih Moderator of CNI & Bishop of Patna. Scripture readings 3 Prayer of the week Mon Ps 135 Acts Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear Tues Pss ; 138 Acts than we to pray, and give more than either we desire or deserve: Wed Ps 140 Acts pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us Thur Pss 143; 146 Acts those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those Fri Ps 145 Acts good things which we are not worthy to ask, save the merits and Sat Pss 148; 149 Acts mediation of Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord. Amen. Anglican Board of Mission Let us pray for all whose lives are swamped by darkness and confusion that Christ s power may bring them peace and assurance. Give thanks for the work and witness of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, the Anglican Church in Japan, for its Archbishop, Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, and for his clergy and people. Thanksgiving for the life and faith of holy people (Today) John the Baptist According to the 1st century Jewish historian Josephus, John the Baptist was a Jewish preacher in the time of Pontius Pilate (AD 26-36). He called the people to repentance and to a renewal of their covenant relation with God. He was imprisoned and eventually put to death by King Herod Antipas for denouncing Herod s marriage to Herodias, the wife of his still-living brother Philip. In order to marry Herodias, Herod divorced his first wife, the daughter of King Aretas of Damascus, who subsequently made war on Herod, a war which was regarded by devout Jews as a punishment for Herod s murder of the prophet John. The New Testament Gospels tell us that John preached and baptized in the Jordan river, calling on his hearers to amend their lives and prepare for the coming Kingship of God. He often spoke of one greater than himself who was to come. When Jesus was baptized by John and began to preach, many who had been followers of John left him to follow Jesus. In terms of natural goodness, no one is better than John. But he represents the Jewish Covenant, not the Christian Covenant, and the New Testament assures us that anyone who has been born anew as a follower of Jesus Christ has something better than what John had. (Wednesday) Cyril of Alexandria, bishop & teacher (d.444) Cyril began his career as Bishop of Alexandria by showing himself to be an illtempered, quarrelsome, hasty, and violent man. He shut the churches of those who disagreed with him, drove out the Jews, and quarrelled with distinguished scholars. Not a good beginning! Then there arose a controversy over the relation between Christ s Divinity and his Humanity. Cyril wrote with great conviction against the view of some, that Christ was basically a sinless man in whom the Spirit fully dwelt, and was largely instrumental in having it condemned at the Council of Ephesus in 431.

4 Afterwards (surprisingly in view of his earlier record), he worked to reconcile the two parties, and to bring his opponents back into the fellowship of the church. (Thursday) Irenaeus of Lyons, bishop & teacher (d.200) As a young man in Smyrna (western Turkey) Irenaeus heard the preaching of Polycarp (who as a young man had heard the preaching of the Apostle John) and became a Christian. He then moved to Lyons in southern France, and in 177 was sent on a mission to Rome. During his absence a severe persecution broke out in Lyons, claiming the lives of the bishop and many others, and when Irenaeus returned to Lyons, he was made bishop. He wrote an important defence of orthodox Christianity against the Gnostics, who were dualists, teaching that there are two great opposing forces: good & evil, light & darkness, knowledge & ignorance, spirit & matter. They taught that Christ did not really have a material body, but only seemed to have one, and did not really suffer or die, but merely appeared to do so. Irenaeus emphasised instead the goodness of creation, and the true humanity of Christ the Son of God. The Gnostics also claimed to be the truly enlightened ones, possessors of Christ s secret teachings. Against this, Irenaeus emphasised that the Gospel is for every person, and its truth is available to all believers. (Friday) Peter and Paul, Apostles & Martyrs Today we commemorate the martyrdoms of Peter and Paul. The Scriptures do not record their deaths, but they are clearly anticipated, and from an early date it has been said that they were martyred at Rome at the command of the Emperor Nero, and buried there. As a Roman citizen, Paul would probably have been beheaded with a sword. It is said of Peter that he was crucified head downward. The present Church of St Peter in Rome replaces earlier churches built on the same site going back to the time of the Emperor Constantine, in whose reign a church was built there on what was believed to be the burial site of Peter. St. Augustine wrote: Both apostles share the same feast day, for even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labours, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith. News & Events Welcome to David Drury, guest organist at the 8am Choral Eucharist today. David was formerly organist at St James King Street, and has given recitals in Westminster Abbey, St Paul's and Westminster Cathedrals in London, Kings College, Cambridge and Notre Dame and La Madeleine. Chime ringers The bell ringers have established a new team of 'chime ringers' to add to the ministry of music at St Mark's. Chimes are different to handbells, have their own charm and are easier to handle. Practices follow the 10am Sunday service. Adults and younger folk interested in joining the team, please contact Judith or Peg otassistgrip@oz .com.au 4

5 Intercessors & readers roster: July-December Rosters for the next 6 months are available in the narthex. If you are unable to come to church on your rostered Sunday please arrange a swap and leave a note in St Mark's office or office@southhurstville.anglican.asn.au Elsie Moore St Mark's knitters Another two dozen jumpers, warm beanies and tiny dolls have been dispatched to the AIDS babies of Zimbabwe. Sister Jane says that these little outfits are greatly appreciated and are constantly needed. St Mark's knitters is a disparate group of women, who knit quietly away around the year. A doctor from Calvary Hospital, who makes regular visits to Africa, takes the outfits along - so they go directly to those who need them. Gabrielle Merten Songs for the Pygmy Children Once again the Sydney Region Children s Choir will perform to raise funds for the Pygmy Children in the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Donations this year will go towards construction of a multi-purpose building to provide a morning pre-school and afternoon literacy, sewing and safe motherhood classes. TODAY 24 June at 2.30 pm St Mark s Church $15 ($10 concession), children free includes afternoon tea Enquiries: Barbara Ferguson This event is part of St Mark's Winter Music Series 2012 Other concerts: 15 July and 5 August Indigenous Sunday St Mark's will observe Indigenous Sunday next week at both 8am and 10am Sunday services. The visiting preacher is Chris Peters from Anglican Board of Mission. Note the revised readings on last page of this Connections. Property Stewardship Parish Council has endorsed the following projects, subject to funds being available: 1. Replacement of the hall roof estimated at $35,000; 2. Pew cushions, kneelers and reupholster of church furniture estimated at $12,000 ($350- $400 per pew cushion); 3. Continue with the upgrade of church lighting estimated at $8,000; 4. Painting, tiling and new carpet to the Rectory conservative estimate at $16,000; 5. Sound system (see below). 5

6 Should you wish to financially supporting any of these projects, over and above your regular giving, you are invited to place a donation in a marked envelope in the offertory. Parish Council Sound system As some of you may have noticed, the backmost right pew has been removed to the hall. This rearrangement is to facilitate the installation of a new sound desk and credence table at the rear of the church. This sound system upgrade will allow for the inclusion of more sensitive microphones in the church giving better sound quality as well as allowing for the amplification of our growing number of instruments such as handbells and harps. It will also allow for easier control over the playing of CDs at weddings and funerals. Of particular benefit to some members of the St Mark's family will be an expected improvement in the quality of sound heard through the hearing loop system. A generous donation has been given for the sound system. Work will proceed over the next few weeks and should be complete by mid next month. John Kennedy Book Launch: Author Kevin Giles Wed 18 July at pm The Eternal Generation of the Son: Maintaining Trinitarian Orthodoxy Guest speaker: Professor Neil Omerod Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, The Australian Catholic University, Sydney. Launch venue is St James Hall, Philip Street, Sydney, and will follow Choral Evensong at 6.15pm in St. James Church, King Street.. Refreshments follow. Kevin Giles (ThD) is a graduate of Moore Theological College and the Senior Student in He was in Anglican pastoral ministry for forty years, working in Sydney, Armidale, Adelaide and Melbourne as well as in England for two years. He is known internationally for his published works on ministry in the apostolic age, the church, in support of gender equality and in opposition to the eternal subordination of the Son of God. Sponsored Anglicans Together. RSVP Philip Bradford bradford.pr@gmail.com Parish Council news Feedback from last Tuesday's meeting: discussion on the different styles of spirituality (including each Councillor's personal style), which is St Mark's lowest scoring characteristic of our annual Natural Church Development survey more next month. noted that the solar systems have been installed on the church and rectory buildings (it is also noted that permission was given for St Mark's Pre-School Kindergarten to install a system on St Mark's Hall roof for the benefit of the Kindergarten). decision to lease a new office photo / printer for the office to replace the existing one. appointment of John Kennedy as Sunday Club Coordinator the Sunday Club comprises the children who come to Sunday 10am worship. John has completed the recent Diocese's safe ministry course (along with others coordinated by Sandra Scott). approved $12,000 to be allocated from the parish budget to support the Bali Cow Project and selected ABM projects (more details next meeting). Bruce Cooke 6

7 Music in worship Of special interest to choir members and other musicians, or simply those interested in the role of music in worship: St Andrew s Cathedral choir will lead a presentation on how to help liturgy be beautiful and Biblical at Christ Church St Laurence on Saturday 23 July from 2pm. The choir will sing a variety of musical examples a traditional hymn, a choral motet, an intoned chant, a contemporary chorus, a sung psalm and a negro spiritual. A eucharist will follow the presentation, led by the acting rector Fr Ron Silasj. First Aid Courses As part of the diocese s Parish Risk Management Program, first aid training is scheduled for various Saturdays up to 17 November this year. If anyone is interested, please see the notice in the narthex, or contact Bruce Cooke. ANGLICANS TOGETHER DINNER - FRIDAY 31 AUGUST 2012 Guest Speaker: GERALDINE DOOGUE, AO presenter of ABC Compass. 7.00pm at NSW Leagues Club, 165 Phillip Street, Sydney. Cost: $50.00 pp; $45 pensioners/students. Buy own drinks at Bar. St Mark's has one table booked - get in early for this event. Add your name to the list in the Narthex. Enquiries Bruce Cooke Ph cookeb@optusnet.com.au St James Institute There will be a book launch sponsored by Anglicans Together. on Wednesday 18 July, 7.00pm, at St James Hall, 169 Phillip Street, Sydney. The book The Eternal Generation of the Son: Maintaining Trinitarian Orthodoxy will be launched by Professor Neil Ormerod For those who would like to attend beforehand, Choral Evensong begins at 6.15pm in St James Church, King Street. Refreshments will follow the book launch. We are glad of this opportunity to strengthen links with other Anglican organisations in Sydney. Enquiries to Anglicans Together president, The Rev d Philip Bradford bradfordpr@gmail.com or ANGLICAN AID With only a week to go before the end of the financial year Anglican Aid urgently needs a further $300,000 so that it can continue to meet the needs of its development and ministry project commitments in the months that follow the new financial year. If you are able to make a donation to the Overseas Development Fund and/or the Community Care Fund which are tax deductible or the Overseas Ministry Fund which is not tax deductible the Archbishop and Anglican Aid would be deeply grateful. You can donate online at call or post cheques to PO Box Q190 QVB Post Office NSW

8 Forward Calendar Thur 8.00pm 28 June BookBusters Rex Merten Sun 8 &10am 1 July Indigenous Sunday ABM Visiting Preacher Bruce Cooke Fri 7.00pm 6 July Friday@Home Viv & Jim Colquhoun Marilyn Melhuish Sat 9.00am 14 July Property clean-up Alan Little Sun 2.30pm 15 July Organ Concert Lois Little Sun 2.30pm 5 Aug St Mark s Choir Concert Lois Little Fri 7.00pm 31 Aug Anglicans Together Dinner NSW Leagues Club Bruce Cooke Sat 9.00am 15 Sep St Mark's Annual Fete Lorraine Sweeny Fri 7.00pm 28 Sep St Mark's Art Show Official Opening Alan Little This week at St Mark s Mon 25/6 8.00pm Bible Study 104 Laycock Rd, Hurstville Grove (Pauline & Glenn ) Tue 26/6 7.30pm Choir Practice (Deb Mulcair debmulcair@hotmail.com) Wed 27/6 9.30am Holy Communion followed by Carinya Day Club (Joy Martin ) 3.39pm Holy Communion Mary Andrews Village Thurs 28/6 9.30am Needle & Thread (Dorothy Harpley ) 9.30am St Mark s Art (Lorraine & Marlene ) 5.00pm Christian Meditation (Bridget McKern ) 8.00pm BookBusters Group Lovesong by Alex Miller (Rex Merten ) Fri 29/6 9.00am Tai Chi (Gabrielle Merten ) 10.00am Music practice (Grace Kennedy ) Sat 30/ am Bible Study Mary Andrews Village (Joy Martin ) 4.00pm Education for Ministry (Barbara Booth ) Sun 1/ am Chimes practice (Judith and Peg ) Next Sunday 01 July 2012 Indigenous Sunday 8.00 am am & Baptism Readings Isaiah Wesley Fairhall Jill Browne Psalm 27 Anglican chant 2 Corinthians Robyn Ingersole John Lay Assistant Lay Assistant Intercessions Intercessions Contributions for Connections are invited. Please the parish office before 6pm on Thursdays [Rector The Revd Chris Albany on sabbatical leave] Acting Rector The Revd David Warner warn1dav@optusnet.com.au Hon Associate Priest The Revd Andre Jacobs assistant@southhurstville.anglican.asn.au Parish Office office@southhurstville.anglican.asn.au Website Wardens Bruce Cooke , Alan Little , Andre Jacobs Music Director and Organist Lois Little Choir Director Deb Mulcair