A member of the Central Highlands Cluster Ministry St George s, Trentham 9.00am St Mary s, Woodend 11.00am 9 th October, 2016 Celebration of St Francis and Pet s Blessing Service We acknowledge the Woi wurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people, the traditional custodians of this land where we gather. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and pray for reconciliation. Please join in the parts in bold type in this booklet
GATHERING IN GOD S NAME Gathering Hymn: All things bright and beautiful (please stand) All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful the Lord God made them all. The wildflowers in their beauty, the mountain ranges tall, The full and flowing rivers, and friendly birds that call, All things.. The cold wind in the winter, the bright, life giving sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, God s gifts in every one. All things.. Trentham Falls and farm lands, the gum trees green and tall. The rocks, and pools, and wattle trees, the sparkling waterfall, All things.. God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty who has made all things well. All things.. Blessed be God, Creator of Heaven and Earth All creation sings your praise Let us pray Bountiful God, you crown the year with your goodness and give us the fruits of the earth in due season: give us grateful hearts that we may sincerely thank you for all your loving kindness, and truly care for your creation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
The confession and absolution Loving God, we are sorry for the times when we have used your gifts carelessly, and for the benefit of a few and not all. Hear our prayer, and in your mercy: forgive us and help us. We belong to a people who are full and satisfied, but ignore the cry of the hungry. Hear our prayer, and in your mercy: forgive us and help us. We do not care enough for the world you have made. Hear our prayer, and in your mercy forgive us and help us. May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen MINISTRY OF THE WORD (please sit for the words of scripture) A reading from the book of Galatians chapter 1 verses 13 to 24 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except
James the Lord s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy. And they glorified God because of me. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God Psalm 139 verses 13-18 I will praise you, for you are to be feared: fearful are your acts, and wonderful your works. You knew my soul, and my bones were not hidden from you: when I was formed in secret, and woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my limbs when they were yet imperfect: and in your book were all my members written; Day by day they were fashioned: and not one was late in growing. How deep are your thoughts to me, O God: and how great is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they are more in number than the sand: were I to come to the end, I would still be with you. Gospel Hymn 152 Joyful Joyful (please stand) Alleluia Alleluia God who gives us life, you give us hearts to hear your words Alleluia The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke, chapter 10 beginning at the 38 th verse
Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her. For the Gospel of the Lord praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ The Sermon (please be seated) The Prayers Let us give thanks to God for all God s gifts so freely bestowed upon us... For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea; For the richness of the mountains, plains and rivers; For all that is gracious in our lives; For all creatures that breathe, and move, and have life; For the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers and trees; For human wisdom, imagination, skill and labour; For the trust you have shown in giving into our care these, our pets; That each pet here may be treasured with care; We pray to you, Lord. That we may love and honour all your works, O God; We pray to you, Lord.
That we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation; To the honour and glory of your name, now and forever, we pray to you, Lord. The blessing of the animals Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures, we pray for your blessing upon all these animals. May our relationships with them mirror your love, and our care for them be an example of your bountiful mercy. We pray for their health and peace. Strengthen us to love and care for them as we strive to imitate the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and God s servant Francis. Amen. The Greeting of Peace (please stand) We are the body of Christ His Spirit is with us. The peace of the Lord be always with you: And also with you. Offertory Hymn 607 Make me a channel of your peace *a collection to assist the mission of God in this parish will be taken up during this hymn we thank you for responding to God s generosity with your gift. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (please remain standing and turn to page 128 in the green book) Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
All glory and honour. With hearts set on heaven and hands open to serve we pray as our Saviour Christ has taught us, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE COMMUNION We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. We who are many are one body, For we all share in the one bread. The ministers will come to each person to offer the bread and wine. If you would prefer a blessing just indicate that to the minister instead. If you would like your pet blessed at this point too please let us know. Everyone is welcome to the feast of the Lord. THE BLESSING OF EACH PET (INDIVIDUALLY) May you be blessed in the Name of the Holy Trinity. May you be healthy and live in harmony with all God's creatures. Amen. The Sending out of God s people
God, the source of all holiness; may we who have shared at this table as strangers and pilgrims on earth be welcomed with Francis and all your saints to the heavenly feast in your kingdom. Most loving God... you send us into the world you love. Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage in the power of your Spirit. The Notices (please be seated) Final Hymn 156 Morning has Broken (please stand) The Blessing and Dismissal God give you grace to follow Francis and all the saints in faith and hope and love and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. ***some thoughts from Rev. Mel I, and my fellow Bendigo clergy colleagues, were in Blampied for much of the week on clergy retreat and it was very wet and very cold I m certain it was the same here in Trentham and Woodend. Retreats, for me, usually involve quite a bit of solitary walking, I did attempt it this time but everything was so rain soaked I ended up with very wet and muddy jeans from trying to squelsh through it. I did manage to make friends with a beautiful horse in the neighbouring property though. A magnificent horse, part Clydesdale I think, who walked over to me and lowered her beautiful face for a pat. Meeting her increased my excitement for today s service. I am an animal lover anyone who has been to my house knows that they re going to leave with fur of some shade on them! So, today s service of welcoming and blessing our pets is extra special to me.
Our pets are often the way that we relate and connect to nature. They come to trust that we will do the right thing by them and in return we get the companionship of a dear little creature. It is the same when you plant a garden. We work away at the soil, plant seeds or seedlings, tend and water it and in return we get the enjoyment of beautiful flowers, trees and shrubs which in turn connect us with birds, bees and all sorts of bugs. We can become consumed by the tasks of everyday life, just like Martha in this weeks gospel reading, but when we sit at the end of the day with our dogs or cats or whatever type of pet we have been blessed with, we slow down, even if just for a minute, to share in the friendship of nature. We are blessed with this beautiful planet, with it s wet Winters and scorching Summers, it s chilly Autumns and the scents of Spring. We are called, as people of God, to care for this place and for the animals and creatures that live on it. With my prayers for a St Francis celebration full of barks, purrs and neighs. Mel. St Francis prayer. The song that we sang in the service called Make Me A Channel of your Peace, is based on a prayer, traditionally attributed to Saint Francis. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
************************** Pew Bulletin 2017 Calendars available If you would like one of the Anglican Churches of Australia calendars for 2017 please see Carol. They re $15 each Conversations Tuesday evenings from October 11 Join Rev. Mel for Conversations, an informal chat about God, faith, church, mission or any other topic that we, as Christians, can share together. Every Tuesday evening at the rectory from October 11 from 7-8pm. *please see Rev. Mel for addresss Silent Christian Meditation Introductory series of Christian Meditation in the Norma Richardson Hall Wednesdays 12, 19, 26 Oct. 6-7pm. No charge. For more information contact Stephen Holgate 0411781695 Ordination in Bendigo - October 22 Rev. Mel will be ordained a priest on Saturday October 22 at 10:30am at St Paul s Cathedral (4 Myers Street Bendigo). Everyone is welcome! October 23 June s seat We will dedicate June s seat at St George s during the service on October 23. Funds donated in memory of June English have been spent on a beautiful seat that has been installed in the garden. All are welcome to come along and share their stories on June on this day.
October 23 - Launch of John Vander Reest s art exhibition St Mary s Guild in conjunction with Rev Dr John Vander Reest is pleased to hold a Solo Art Exhibition Lilac Days. Exhibition launch: October 23 with afternoon tea beginning at 2.30pm. Tickets $10 RSVP Sylvia on 0488776645. Artworks are for sale and can be viewed upon appointment, or every Sunday from October 30 and December 18 between 12 and 4pm. Cash only. Trivia Night - November 5 7:00pm Invite your friends, gather your brainiest neighbours and come along to show how clever you are! Tickets $10 each bring your own snacks. Lots of gold coin games and prizes to win during the night. This is a major fund raiser for the parish this year so everyone s support is needed and it will be great fun! November 26 Trentham flower show more details to come Intercessions our prayers are asked for: Penny and Keith, John, Sam, Jim, Andrea, Alison, Ethan, Kirsten, Grace, Claire, Christine, Barbara, Bernice, Joyce, Les, Carole, Wendy, Judy, Dustin, Jonathan and Jeanette. Please let Rev d Mel know if there is someone who is in need of prayer. Birthdays! Tomorrow it is Charlie Stroud s special day Years Mind and those who have died recently Today we remember Barabara Gray and tomorrow Georgie Langford and Christine Clark (Rev. Mel s mum) Readings and Clergy for next week Rev. Neil and Rev. Charles will be looking after Trentham - Woodend Jeremiah 31.27-34 Psalm 119.97-104 2 Timothy 3.10-4.5 Luke 18.1-14
St Mary's Woodend (1864) - St George's Trentham (1927)* A member of The Central Highlands Cluster Ministry *These dates refer to the current buildings on the sites. The founding years of the two centres are Trentham 1864 and Woodend 1859 PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC 3442 www.woodendanglican.org.au Rector: Rev d. Ian Howarth 5422 2500/0437 655 702 Deacon: Rev d Melissa Clark 0411 722 718 Deacon: Rev d Neil Fitzgerald 0439 337 252 Hon. Assoc. Priest: Rev d Dr. Charles Sherlock 0423 020 699 Wardens: Derek 0417 252 222; John 5424 1127 www.facebook.com/woodendanglican/