Anglican Parish of Charlestown St Alban s Charlestown, St Martin s Kahibah

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1 Anglican Parish of Charlestown St Alban s Charlestown, St Martin s Kahibah A place for everyone, serving the Kingdom of God, following Jesus Christ. Rectory: 4 St Alban s Close, Charlestown, NSW 2290 Ph: stalban@bigpond.net.au Web: We acknowledge the Awabakal people who are the traditional custodians of this land we worship on today. 19 th March, 2017 Third Sunday of Lent Welcome to all those who are visiting us today. Please join us for refreshments after the service at St Albans Readings: Exodus Romans Psalm 95 John Prayer for the week; Lord God, our redeemer, who heard the cry of your people and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery: free from us the tyranny of sin and death and, by the leading of your Spirit. bring us to our promised land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sunday 8.30am Eucharist Charlestown Monday 8.30am Silent Meditation 9.30am Play Group 5.30pm Study Group at the Rigby s Wednesday 10.00am GAPS Read the Bible & Pray during the week (Monday) Psalm 48 Jerimiah (Tuesday) Psalm 50 Jerimiah (Wednesday) Psalm 51 Jerimiah (Thursday) Psalm 54; Jerimiah (Friday) Psalm 56;57 Jerimiah 34.(1-7) 8-22

2 (Saturday) Psalm 85 Jerimiah 35 THIS WEEK'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT: There are so many themes in the Gospel passage the activities and attitudes of Jesus to the woman who was clearly on the margins of life as well as being a Samaritan; his asking for a drink from this person as though she had something to give to him as well as him to her; the whole concept of the living water which really quenches our thirst. We might well consider the power of this in our day where our thirst and needs seem unquenchable. What is it about the life-giving water of the Christ which might really satisfy us? Do we act as though our thirst is satisfied as people who live with fewer consumerist needs than others? And whom do we ask for water and receive water from? Is it ever someone unlikely a person of difference whose life might be messy? Youth: a broad mind and a narrow waist. A reversal means that you are old. Gracious God, you provide for our lives. You supply us with water to satisfy our spirit s thirst. You gift us with words that speak peace and make whole. Even when we question if you are with us, you are there with life, with welcome. We witness to your grace. Amen. Intercessions: In our Newcastle Diocese, we pray for: Our Bishop Greg Thompson and Kerry, Assistant Bishop Peter Stuart and Nicki, In the national church we pray for; Diocese of Riverina (Bishop Rob Gillion) In the wider Church, we pray for: Pray for the families and friends of the many recent tragic road fatalities The Anglican Church of Kenya Lutheran Church of Australia The Diocese of Guadalcanal (Bp Nathan Tome & Selena) The Revd. David and Priya Morgan, Paraburdoo Sue Prosser (Paid SRE teacher) In the wider community we pray for; Royal Commissions as they undertake their work The First Peoples of the Diocese especially the Awabakal, Biripi, Darkinjung, Geawegal, Kamilaroi, Worimi and Wonnarua peoples. In Our Church we pray for; We pray for Father John Southerden, Archdeacon Wendy, Rosemary, Ruth and Bob the parish council, David Hesketh and Kim. We give thanks and pray for the faithful departed: (connected to our parish) Georgina Belinda Campbell, Merton Windsor Smith

3 We pray for those in our parish who need support or have experienced loss recently: We pray for Strength, peace and healing: Doug and Julia Roberts, Carrie Neale, Brian and Glenys Conway, Clare, Luke and Glenda, Debbie Bell, Bill Storer, Ruth Boundy, Marie Lott, Rebecca Ferguson, Frank and Helen Firken. Frank and Helen would like to sincerely thank all the parishioners for their kindness, strength, comfort and support, many cards and prayers during our recent unhappy experience. We really appreciate the wonderful friendship, support and prayers from everyone. What is Lent - A Time Set Aside Lent is a time that offers us an opportunity to come to terms with the human condition we may spend the rest of the year running from and it brings our need for a Savior to the forefront. Like Advent, Lent is a time to open the doors of our hearts a little wider and understand our Lord a little deeper, so that when Good Friday and eventually Easter comes, it is not just another day at church but an opportunity to receive the overflowing of graces God has to offer. But unlike the childlike joy associated with the season of Advent, with it's eager anticipation of the precious baby Jesus, Lent is an intensely penitential time as we examine our sinful natures and return to the God we have, through our own rebelliousness, hurt time and again. Lent is also an opportunity to contemplate what our Lord really did for us on the Cross - and it wasn't pretty. But ultimately, the purpose of Lent does not stop at sadness and despair - it points us to the hope of the Resurrection and the day when every tear will be dried (Rev. 21:3). And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:33-49 Although the nature of suffering is not one that offers itself to easy explanations or off- pat answers, the answers we seek seem to make the most sense in light of the Cross. There is nothing in the world - no religion, philosophy, or material comfort - that offers such a powerful answer to life's toughest questions as the two slabs of wood on which our Savior died. (crosswalk.com) Bible Verses for Lent Philippians 3: "I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Joel 2: "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate.

4 Matthew 6: "when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites...but when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." WORSHIPING TOGETHER EASTER SERVICES 2017 WINDALE, CHARLESTOWN & BELMONT NORTH REDHEAD ANGLICAN PARISHES PALM SUNDAY 9TH APRIL - 9AM THOMAS HALTON PARK, MACQUARIE DRIVE CROUDACE BAY HOLY TUESDAY 11TH APRIL - 7PM LENTEN JOURNEY CONTEMPORARY SERVICE BELMONT NORTH NTABA ROAD, BELMONT NORTH MAUNDY THURSDAY 13TH APRIL 7PM WINDALE CHURCH, MERRIGUM ST WINDALE GOOD FRIDAY 14TH APRIL 9AM SOLEMN SERVICE ST ALBANS, ST ALBANS CLOSE, CHARLESTOWN EASTER SATURDAY 15TH APRIL 7PM LIGHTING OF THE NEW FIRE REDHEAD CHURCH, HUTCHINSON ST, REDHEAD EASTER DAY 16TH APRIL - 6AM REDHEAD BEACH ECUMENICAL SERVICE & BREAKFAST EASTER DAY 16TH APRIL - 9AM EUCHARIST SERVICES BELMONT NORTH, 9AM WINDALE, 9AM ST ALBANS 9AM ST MARTIN'S KAHIBAH 9AM

5 Anglican Women of Australia - Provincial Conference 2017 Anglican Women in the Diocese of Newcastle will be the hosts for the 2017 Bi-annual Provincial Conference of AWA. Monday 5 June to Thursday 8 June at Club Macquarie, Argenton. If time is a problem, consider coming for just the day on Wednesday 7 June. In the Narthex you will find a summary of guest speakers as well as the required Registration Form. Please phone Marion Willey on if you have any questions. Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Next Sunday 26 th March, 2017 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 St Albans am Eucharist Prayers: K. Kear Reading: R. Kear Sacristan: J. Chilvers Sanctuary: R. Menhenick, K. Kear L.L. Ass: S. Bell Music: Elaine Davis Sound: Anthony Butler Welcomers: D. Keatinge/R. Freeman Morning Tea: R. Bath/T. Jessop St Martins 10.30am Reminder - Direct Deposit numbers The details are: BSB Account Number (all the zeros are necessary). Please include your name and that it is for planned giving. Parish Ministry Team: Archdeacon Wendy Dubojski: Priest Sharon Butler: Building a new Faith Community Neville Thomas: Working for a Better Community The Rev. Ruth Brand & Brian Taylor: Christian Formation and Discipleship The Rev. Robert Peattie: Community Chaplain for Carers Wardens John Francis jfr56202@bigpond.net.au Anthony Butler anthonybutler1@bigpond.com Sue Thomas suzanne_thomas@live.com.au