The Newsletter of All Saints Cathedral Parish Bathurst and St Barnabas Parish South Bathurst

Transcription

1 The Newsletter of All Saints Cathedral Parish Bathurst and St Barnabas Parish South Bathurst Sunday 24 September 2017 Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost Being God s Labourers F or most of us work is a necessity, we need a wage to pay the bills, to purchase the things that we need and to maybe have a little left over for entertainment. But today s parable from the gospel of Matthew challenges us to look at work in a different way; that by our labourers we are building up God s kingdom and spreading God s reign in our world. In this parable the landowners behaviour is remarkable in two ways: his care for idle workers not able to put their skills and energy to good use and his manner of paying wages. His behaviour describes beautifully the kingdom of heaven. God calls each of us to use whatever our gifts are to advance the growth of the kingdom. God does not pay us in dollars and cents, but with the free gift of salvation that is immeasurable, unlimited, endless and overflowing. In God s kingdom there is no idleness and no limit on wages. God calls us to be labourers in the divine vineyard a call that we first answer in baptism and then continually answer throughout our lives each time we say yes, reach out to others in imitation of God s goodness and generosity, and co-operate with all God asks of us. This divine saving work is a privilege we actually share in God s saving deeds! God uses us to bring salvation to the world. This work has a great dignity about it, it is a wonderful privilege and it s a lifelong response to God s invitation to be labourers. Fr James Almighty Father, Son and Holy Ghost, eternal ever-blessed gracious God; To me the least of saints, to me allow that I might keep a door in paradise. That I may keep even the smallest door, the furthest, the darkest, the coldest door, the door that is least used, the stiffest door. If so it be but in your house, O God, if it so be that I can see your glory even afar and hear your voice O God, and know that I am with you. St Columba (died 597) We worship on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people and we honour and pay our respects to elders past and present. Psalm 145 I will exalt you O God my king: I will bless your name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless you: and praise your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and wonderfully worthy to be praised: his greatness is past searching out. One generation shall praise your works to another: and declare your mighty acts. As for me I will be talking of the glorious splendour of your majesty: I will tell the story of your marvellous works. Men shall recount the power of your terrible deeds: and I will proclaim your greatness. Their lips shall flow with the remembrance of your abundant goodness: they shall shout for joy at our righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate: slow to anger and of great goodness.

2 Prayers THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION Southeast Florida - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Revd Leopold Frade. THE AUSTRALIAN CHURCH The Diocese of the Murray with Bishop John Ford, clergy and people. IN OUR DIOCESE The Parish of Wellington the Rev d Ted Evenden as Transitional Priest. (Pray for a new priest and pastor to that community). The Head of Macquarie Anglican Grammar School Mr Craig Mansour, Chaplain Mr Tom Owen, students, parents and staff. IN OUR PARISHES Pray for those facing persecution for their faith, especially our sisters and brothers in Christ. Parish Calendar 26 Sep MU Meeting 29 Sep Police Remembrance Service 9 Oct Lunchtime Concert Cathedral. 13 Oct St Barnabas Fashion Parade 23/30 Oct Stamp Trimming 4 Nov Spring Fair Parish News NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY All of the Cathedral community are invited to attend this ceremony at 11am on Friday 29 September in All Saints Cathedral Bathurst. The service is being conducted by The Right Reverend Richard Hurford on behalf of the Chifley Local Areal Command in remembrance of Police Officers killed in Police Agencies in Australasia. USED STAMPS The next Sort and Trim days will be held on Monday 23 and Monday 30 October from 10am till 12noon in the Abbott Room. Please put the dates in your diary and come along to help. Thank you. L. Clarkson BIBLE STUDIES The next series, Bible Studies With Rev Carla, Being Disciples by Rowan Williams, will be starting soon. If you would like to attend these studies can you please register with Rev Carla to ensure that we have enough booklets for everyone. ST BARNABAS FASHION PARADE Save The Date Friday 13 October for a fashion parade to be held in St Barnabas Hall from 11.30am. Fashions by Marietta s. Cost $20. RSVP by 6 October, Marilyn ST PETER S ROCKLEY St Peter s Church Rockley will celebrate it s 150 Year Anniversary at 11am on 29 October. Bishop Ian Palmer will lead the service and it will be followed with a luncheon. RSVP to the luncheon is Friday 6 October for catering purposes. A very warm invitation is extended to all to join in the celebrations. FAIR NEWS Our Cathedral Fair on the 4 November is going to be PLASTIC BAG FREE! We need people who can sew some cloth bags (already cut out!) please contact Christine Also, please keep any paper bags with handles you may receive from the shops AND if you are willing to help on the day, please let Christine know. crhurford@bigpond.com FRIENDS OF THE CATHEDRAL Save The Date - Friends of the Cathedral invite you to a delightful musical evening on Friday 17 November. Details to follow soon. Funds raised will go to the repair of the Daniel Window. CATHEDRAL FOOD PANTRY Thank you to everyone who continue to contribute to the Food Pantry. At the present, tinned soup, cereal, tinned spagetti and any type of tinned vegetables are especially in need. An Environment Update Working Together!! Our MU meeting on 26 September at 7.30 pm in the Abbott Room, will focus on where we are with environmental issues in our local area and Australia! A VIP subject particularly where our children and grandchildren are concerned!! Tracey Sorensen, President of the Bathurst Community Climate Action Network, and an active member of the River Yarners, will enlighten us!! NOT TO BE MISSED! See you there? Christine Hurford The Word of God INDIA. Huge challenges around gender-based violence and women s empowerment are being faced in India. MU (known in India as WFCS) is involved in a broad range of activities, including income-generation to support vulnerable community members, advocacy and women s empowerment, leadership training, sharing fellowship. These programmes have helped women to grow in faith. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm ) We give thanks for members in India. We pray for those in leadership positions, that they will be given wisdom and be guided by the Word of God.

3 Today s Readings in Context Jonah 3:10-4:11 Jonah and God had two vastly different reactions to Nineveh s repentance. God never changes in himself yet he changes his mind about judgment when people repent. Philippians 1:21-30 Writing to a mature community of his good friends, Saint Paul ponders whether he should welcome death. For an interesting reason, he decides "Not yet." Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells another parable that defies what we would call common sense, because he is speaking about God's ways..meditation Moment A very simple reality When we open the Gospel, each of us can say, These words of Jesus are rather like a very ancient letter written in an unknown language. But since it is written to me by someone who loves me, I am going to try to understand its meaning, and to put into practice right away the little I have grasped. Extensive knowledge is not important at the outset. In time that will be of great value. But it is through the heart, in the depths of themselves, that human beings begin to grasp the Mystery of Faith. Everything is not granted at once. An inner life is developed step by step. Today, more than in the past, we enter into the faith by going forward in stages. Right at the depth of the human condition, lies the longing for a presence, the silent desire for a communion. Let us never forget that this simple desire for God is already the beginning of faith. Moreover, no one is able to understand the entire Gospel in isolation from others. Each person has to say, In this unique communion that is the Church, what I do not understand of the faith is understood by others who are living from it. I do not rely on my faith alone but on the faith of Christians of all times, those who have gone before us, from the time of Mary and the apostles to those of today. And day after day I prepare inwardly to put my trust in the Mystery of Faith. So it becomes clear that faith trusting in God is a very simple reality, so simple that everyone could receive it. It is like surging upwards again and again, a thousand times, throughout our life, and until our very last breath. Brother Roger of Taize CLERGY PARISH OFICE WARDENS All Saints Cathedral SERVICES MONDAY 25 SEP 8.30AM TUESDAY 26 SEP 1.00PM WEDNESDAY 27 SEP 8.30AM THURSDAY 28 SEP 8.30AM FRIDAY 29 SEP 10.00AM Followed by Morning Tea SATURDAY 30 SEP 5.00PM SUNDAY 1OCT 8.30AM 10.00AM Healing Service 4.30PM St. Peter s Rockley 9.30AM Rev James Hodson Acting Dean Honorary Clergy Rev Rosie Wynter Rev Carla Archer Rev Bob Date Rev Margaret Voerman Rev Clare Percival Rev John Clarkson All Saints & St Barnabas Parish Office 3 Church Street Bathurst PO Box 258 Bathurst 2795 E: cathedral@bathurstanglican.org.au W: allsaintscathedralbathurst.com.au Account Name: All Saints Cathedral BSB: Acct No: If you wish to give by Direct Giving these are the deposit account details. Graham Leatherland Chris Percival Sue West St Barnabas Parish SERVICES Rev Rosie Wynter Sundays 10am St Joseph s Convent Chapel Perthville (Tennyson Woods Avenue) 1st Sunday 11:45 am St Paul s Yetholme (Porter s Lane) Wednesday 6pm St Barnabas Centre (288 William Street) 3rd Thursday 10:30am Senior s Service and Morning Tea Wednesdays 10:30am Koinonia Bible Study St Barnabas Centre (288 William Street) Lew Hitchick Bev Walsh Marilyn Robey

4 A READING FROM BOOK OF JONAH When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the LORD and said, O LORD! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. And the LORD said, Is it right for you to be angry? Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city. The LORD God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, It is better for me to die than to live. But God said to Jonah, Is it right for you to be angry about the bush? And he said, Yes, angry enough to die. Then the LORD said, You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labour and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals? FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD Thanks be to God A READING FROM THE PHILIPPIANS For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD Thanks be to God A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right. So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o clock, he did the same. And about five o clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, Why are you standing here idle all day? They said to him, Because no one has hired us. He said to them, You also go into the vineyard. When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first. When those hired about five o clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. But he replied to one of them, Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last. FOR THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

5 Inspiring Stewardship Applying Bible Principles It is amazing to contrast our lifestyles with that of the Lord Jesus. Everywhere he went during his three years of public ministry, He reached out to people in need of his touch. He made ministering to people a top priority in his life. Ken Gire describes one such incident in his book, Intimate Moments With the Savior:... she thinks, if I can find this Jesus and but touch the fringe of his garment, I can be cleansed and made whole. And so, with that thin thread of faith, this frail needle of a woman stitches her way through the crowd.... This desperate woman pushes her empty hand through a broken seam in the crowd and, for a fleeting moment, clutches the corner of his garment. Jesus is pulled back. Not by the grasp of her hands so much as by the grasp of her faith. Power leaves him to surge through the hemorrhaging woman, and immediately she feels the rush of her youthful health returning. In the flood of those feelings, she releases her grasp and is swept away by the crowd. But Jesus doesn t let her get away. Although the crowd was pressing in on him, her touch was different. And that touch stopped him in his tracks. How ready Jesus is to respond to the hand of outstretched faith. Why was Jesus ready to respond to that woman? Why did he take time to get involved? The answer is very simple: He had made needy, hurting people a top priority. This woman s touch was not an imposition or an interruption to Jesus in his ministry. In fact, according to Luke 19:10, it was for people like her that he came! What does that great story have to do with us? The answer is also very simple: As God s people serving in ministry here at [Church Name], we are to make the needy, hurting people we encounter along life s way a top priority. Oh, they may not have the same problem this dear woman had, but rest assured, everyone we meet has a need to be touched with the love of Christ through us. Theresa of Avila said: Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours; yours are the eyes through which he is to look with compassion on the world; yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; and yours the hands with which he is to bless us now. As we think about our lives, may God give us the grace and the determination to use our time in ministry to needy, hurting people who are in need of a touch from the Savior. May God give us the grace and determination for Jesus sake to make them a top priority, even as he did.