A member of the Central Highlands Cluster Ministry St George s, Trentham 9.00am St Mary s, Woodend 11.00am 11 th September, 2016 The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 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.
GATHERING IN GOD S NAME Gathering Hymn 392 At the dawning of creation The Lord be with you. And also with you Sentence for the day I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15.10 The Prayer of preparation (page 119 of the prayer book) Almighty God The Shema (page 120 of the prayer book) Hear, O Israel. The Confession and absolution (page 120 of the prayer book) Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, confident in God s forgiveness. Merciful God The Gloria (page 121 of the prayer book) Glory to God in the highest Let us pray Undaunted you seek the lost, O God, exultant you bring home the found: touch our hearts with grateful wonder at the tenderness of your forbearing love; grant us delight in the mercy that has found us; and bring all to rejoice at the feast of forgiven sinners. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
MINISTRY OF THE WORD A reading from the book of Jeremiah chapter 4 versus 11 to12, 22 to 28 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them. For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good. I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger. For thus says the LORD: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God
Psalm 14 Fools have said in their hearts There is no God : they have all become vile and abominable in their doings, there is not one that does good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of Adam: to see if there were any who would act wisely and seek after God. But they have all turned out of the way, they have all alike become corrupt: there is none that does good, no not one. Are all the evildoers devoid of understanding: who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not pray to the Lord? They shall be struck with terror: for God is with the company of the righteous. Though they frustrate the poor in their hopes: surely the Lord is their refuge. O that deliverance for Israel might come forth from Zion: when the Lord turns again the fortunes of his people, then shall Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. A reading from Paul s letter to Timothy chapter 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God Gospel Hymn 659 The Lord is my Shepherd Alleluia Alleluia Your word, O God, shines as a light on my path. Alleluia The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke, chapter 15 beginning at the 1 st verse Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them. So he told them this parable: Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the
wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. For the Gospel of the Lord praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ The Sermon The affirmation of faith (page 123 of the prayer book) The Prayers of the People The Greeting of Peace 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 129 Amazing Grace *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 turn to page 128 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is 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 Sending out of God s people Eternal God, giver of life, in the breaking of the bread we know the risen Lord. May we who celebrate this holy feast walk in his risen light and bring new life to all creation. 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 Final Hymn 586 Abide with me
The Blessing and Dismissal Almighty God, who redeemed us through the resurrection of Christ, who raised us to newness of life through the waters of baptism, and bought us out of slavery into everlasting freedom, give you joy and peace in faith and bring you to your eternal inheritance; 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. Alleluia! In the name of Christ. Alleluia!
***some thoughts from Rev. Mel This is an important anniversary in the history of our world. Fifteen years ago four planes were hijacked by terrorist; two flew straight into the World Trade Centre towers in New York, one flew into the Pentagon and the final one was crashed into a field in Pennsylvania when the brave passengers and flight staff took back control of the plane that was also heading towards Washington DC. It is one of those days where we will forever say I remember where I was when I heard about. I was living in Glenroy with a friend and my brother had been over for dinner. The three of us had been playing board games and listening to music and having a great time. My brother left but called me only about ten minutes later to tell me to turn on the TV. My friend and I sat there for hours and hours watching the footage, I don t think that either of us bothered going to bed that night her brother was in the armed forces so her first thoughts were about what might happen to him if this lead to war. I remember thinking surely the President won t let it get to that - I was wrong. The fifteen years following that terrible day have been awful. There were over 3,000 people killed that day but there have been many, many more killed since and injured as a result of anger and hurt that came about because of those attacks. Innocent civilians, military personnel and people from various other groups including al-qaedia and Daesh they all need our prayers. When I think about the image of the good shepherd carrying the lost sheep on his shoulders I think about how heavy a burden it must be for God to carry us all through the terrible times of war and terror. I try to pray with an open heart but sometimes I get angry that the world has changed so much; sometimes I am hurt when I see footage of children who are injured; sometimes I ask why this is happening. I m sure there are many of you who feel that way too. God searches us out, even in the darkest times of life, and carries us when we most need to be carried. Each one of us is precious and valuable to God.
I am so glad that we re able to have a baptism in Woodend on this anniversary. It gives me an assurance and a reminder that we re together in this world each of us is part of the love that God showed for us when Jesus was sent to us. Jesus became human so that we could sit in the presence of the divine. We welcome Jack with joy today into the family of God, and we pray that the world in which he will grow will be one that discovers and holds onto true peace. Saint Paul tells us that it is never too late and that we will be welcomed into God s peace with open arms, when we are ready to turn to a life of God s love and peace. Blessings, Mel. ************************** Pew Bulletin Diocesan Convention Grab a brochure and form if you re interested in the Diocesan Convention coming up next month. Information is on the notice board. Go For Gold! The Diocesan ABM Auxiliary organizes one major fund raising effort in the Diocese each year to raise money for the ABM Australia and this September the Auxiliary have organised the GO FOR GOLD collection. Please bring some gold coins on Sundays in September and drop them into the special collection tin. See Carol in Woodend or Faye in Trentham for further details. Lay Ministry training days - Woodend Servers training day has been postponed. Further information to come. Peter Fernon s Play October 8 Due to popular demand Peter Fernon is presenting This Jesus Story in the Norma Richardson Hall. Cost is $20 and the performance begins at 7:30pm Call 0499 840 949 for details.
Pet s Blessing Service October 9 We will celebrate the life and work of St Francis by blessing our animal friends and giving thanks for the beauty of creation. Bring along your best fur, feathered, or finned friend to the service. At Woodend, if the weather is good, we will celebrate outside and have a picnic in the garden afterwards. Invite your friends and neighbours! October 23 will be the launch of John Vander Reest s art exhibition November 5 will be our Trivia Night fund raising night November 26 Trentham flower show *more details about these events will follow. 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 Jeanette. Please let Rev d Mel know if there is someone who is in need of prayer. Birthdays! Happy birthday on Samuel Hemphill for tomorrow. May God s blessings be abundant on your birthday and always. Years Mind and those who have died recently On Saturday we remember Garry Donoghue Readings and Clergy for next week Rev. Mel and Rev. Charles will be looking after Trentham - Woodend Jeremiah 8.18-9.1, Psalm 79.1-9 1 Timothy 2.1-10 Luke 16.1-13
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: Mark 0437 354 318; John 5424 1127 www.facebook.com/woodendanglican/ WELCOME! It is good to have you here. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat after the service around the table near the font at St George s or in the Norma Richardson Hall at St Mary s. If you have children with you they are very welcome to use the children s corner at St Mary s.