CAROL SERVICE HERE IN NEXT WEEK at  5.00pm           

Christmas Services

Thurs 24^th Dec 6.00pm – Holy Communion Family Service

St James’ Church South Lake

Thurs 24^th Dec 10.00pm – Holy Communion, ‘midnight’ service

Harvest Lakes Community Centre

Fri 25^th Dec 9.00am – Holy Communion Family Service

St James’ Church South Lake

Prepare the Way of the LORD

The voice of John the Baptist cries out in the wilderness and it seems to be at odds with where society is at this time of the year.  Focus on celebration seems to be the centre of attention and anything that does not seem to fit with the season of ‘peace on earth and goodwill’ is silenced.  It seems that the real purpose of the Advent season is not in line with the way society is today.  We see the tension between our preparation for Christmas as Christians and what society deems appropriate for this time of the year.  Every Advent we look to John the Baptist to pull us back into line and remind us to be truly prepared for the celebration of the coming of the Saviour of the World,  Emmanuel, God with us.

The substance of John the Baptist’s ministry is his call to people leading to baptism; a baptism of repentance.  This was a symbolic act of cleansing the individual to indicate realignment with the will of God through the forgiveness of sins for the person being baptised.  John is calling for a turning away from all that takes us away from God’s will for our lives.  This renewal and realignment is where we prepare ourselves to welcome the Christ Child and to live our lives in the knowledge of God’s presence with us. Isaiah 40:3-5 is quoted, originally commanding that the way be prepared for a return from exile and therefore a return to the glory of the LORD. John the Baptist recalls this message and applies it to the coming of the Christ.  It is about preparing the way for the coming of the Lord, preparing our hearts to understand the true meaning of the incarnation.

Fr Clive

Sentence

By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.                           Luke 1.78-79

Prayer of the day

God of our salvation, you straighten the winding ways of our hearts and smooth the paths made rough by sin: keep our hearts watchful in holiness, and bring to perfection the good you have begun in us. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose Day draws near, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading:  Malachi 3:1-14

3:1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight–indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1;68-79)

Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel:

you have come to your people and set them free.

You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour:

born of the house of your servant David.

Through your holy prophets, you promised of old:

to save us from our enemies, from the hands of

all who hate us,

To show mercy to our forebears:

and to remember your holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship you without fear:

holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High:

for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,

To give God’s people knowledge of salvation:

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God:

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death:

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Second Reading:  Philippians 1:1-11

1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

            For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke 3:1-6

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ “

Hope

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, the first day of the Church’s New Year.  Unusually there are not wild celebrations or great outpourings of joy and celebration; this comes at Christmas.  Rather the Christian Church is more circumspect when it ushers in its new year, it considers the state of the world and people and quietly prays for and responds to the needs in the world.  This world is the one that Jesus came into with all its imperfections. Advent is a time for quiet reflection and expectation of all that is to come.  It is an opportunity to purify our hearts so that the arrival of Christmas is a worthy celebration of the birth of Jesus, the son of God, into the world:  Emmanuel, God is with us.

The gift that God has given us that we contemplate and celebrate is that of hope, hope for the future both the short term and the long term.  We are invited to place our trust in God and therefore we have great hope for the future of the world and of God’s presence with us both now and for all eternity.  Christians at this time celebrate the hope that they have and the hope that they can share with others. 

Today at Lakelands we celebrate the baptism of two babies.  We share in the hope for the future that such an occasion gives us.  We rejoice with the parents, Godparents and the families and the congregation that there is new life, there is potential for great things to happen and on this first day of the Church’s year, this gives us another reason to be hopeful about the future. As people of hope may we share that hope for the future with others, and contemplate our trust in God and all the gifts and benefits he has given to us.

Fr Clive

Sentence

Stand up and raise your heads; your redemption is drawing near.  

Luke 21.28

Prayer of the day

Eternal God, you have taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand: keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, and make us strong in faith, so that when Christ comes in glory to judge the earth, we may go out joyfully to greet him; and, with all your saints, may worship you for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading:  Jeremiah 33:14-16

14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

                        For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm 25: 1-10

1   In you, O Lord my God, have I put my hope:
     in you have I trusted, let me not be ashamed, nor let my enemies

     triumph over me.
2   Let none who wait for you be put to shame:
     but let those that break faith be confounded and gain nothing.
3   Show me your ways, O Lord:
     and teach me your paths.
4   Lead me in the ways of your truth, and teach me:
     for you are the God of my salvation.
5   In you have I hoped all the day long:
     because of your goodness, O Lord.
6   Call to mind your compassion and your loving-kindness:
     for they are from of old.
7   Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:
     but according to your mercy think on me.
8   Good and upright is the Lord:
     therefore will he direct sinners in the way.
9   The meek he will guide in the path of justice:
     and teach the humble his ways.
10 All the paths of the Lord are faithful and true:
     for those who keep his covenant and his commandments.

Second Reading:  1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

            For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke 21:25-38

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ the King

The word king is likely to bring to mind images of great wealth, great power and great possessions.  The king is someone who is the real boss, someone in control of lots of land, possessions and people.  Another image is the coronation of a king or queen where there is a crown and great pomp and ceremony.  It is with some irony then that Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews.  He asks this in a mocking way, yet Jesus stands firm and keeps his dignity and in so doing maintains the moral high ground and causes Pilate to dictate the action that follows.   The celebration of Christ the King is really about the post resurrection and the ascent of Jesus into heaven where he sits at his Father’s right hand judging the world.  It is the resurrection that gives Jesus his high status as king.  We can also look at this picture of Jesus as the servant of all being raised up to the exulted position that was done after him coming to earth and taking on human form.

In the modern information age where absolute monarchies are a thing of the past and the world is working towards all countries being democracies and being free from absolute rule, what type of image does the one f Christ the King really represent?  The secret in this is to actually think of a king who does have power and one who does rule over all aspects of life.  If we submit to Jesus and all he asks of us and be totally subjected to him then we are letting Jesus rule our lives.  The result is not oppression but rather freedom and the key to eternal life that is what we are celebrating today in the feast of Christ the King.

Fr Clive

Sentence

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing.                     Revelation 5.12

Prayer of the day

Everlasting God, whose will is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son,

our Lord and King: grant that the people of earth, now divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his gentle and loving rule;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading:  2 Samuel 23:1-7

Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse,
the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of Jacob,
the favorite of the Strong One of Israel:The spirit of the Lord speaks through me,
his word is upon my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God,
is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning,
gleaming from the rain on the grassy land. Is not my house like this with God?
For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure.
Will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?  But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the hand;  to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm 132: 1-12

1   Lord, remember David and all his trouble:
     how he swore an oath to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob;
2   “I will not enter the shelter of my house:
     nor climb into the comfort of my bed;
3   “I will not give sleep to my eyes:
     or slumber to my eyelids,
4   “Till I find out a place for the ark of the Lord:
     a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”?
5   Lo, we heard of it at Ephrathah:
     we found it in the fields of Ja-ar.
6   Let us go to the place of his dwelling:
     let us fall upon our knees before his footstool.
7   Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place:
     you, and the ark of your might.
8   Let your priests be clothed with righteousness:
     and let your faithful ones shout for joy.
9   For the sake of David your servant:
     do not turn away the face of your anointed.
10 The Lord has sworn to David:
     an oath which he will not break;
11 “One who is the fruit of your body:
     I will set upon your throne.
12 “If your children will keep my covenant and the commands which I teach them:
     their children also shall sit upon your throne for ever”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion for himself:
     he has desired it for his habitation.
14 “This shall be my resting-place for ever:
     here will I dwell, for my delight is in her.
15 “I will bless her provisions with abundance:
     I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 “I will clothe her priests with salvation:
     and her faithful ones shall shout for joy.
17 “There will I make a horn to sprout for the family of David:
     I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 “As for his enemies, I will cover them with shame:
     but upon his head shall his crown be bright.”

Second Reading:  Revelation 1:4-8

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,  and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.  ”I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John 18:33-37

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”  Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”  Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTICES

Today:  We welcome Fr Clive McCallum to preside and preach.

Carol Service Sunday 13^th December here at 5.00pm

                                Please stay for a cuppa after the service.

Readings Next Sunday, First Sunday of Advent (P), 29 Nov 2009.      

Jer 33:14-16;    Psalm: 25:1-10;    1 Thess 3:9-13;    Luke 21:25-38

Do Not be Alarmed

There have been earthquakes and tsunamis quite close to Australia during the year, with disastrous results for the people living in the areas affected.  We also begin to think at this time of the year about the dangers of bush fires and of the terrible consequences of the extreme fires that caused such devastation last year on ‘Black Saturday’ in Victoria.  We live in a world where at any time there can be a natural disaster that turns upside down the world for those people living in the affected area.  It is at times such as these that people look to God for reasons why, as well as for help.  Sometimes there is no reason or prediction for a particular weather event, it just happens and while not unexpected in the bigger scheme of things, it is unusual and can cause people to simply ask ‘why?’.

When Jesus was on the Mount of Olives, a very significant place for him in the lead up to the crucifixion, he looked on the Temple and foretold of its destruction.  This of course was a real surprise to his disciples.  He also spoke of other things that are apocalyptic, that is, the revealing of the mysteries of the future and/or the heavenly realm.  Because we do not know all things, we are not able to say with any certainty what Jesus was actually talking about concerning earthly events, but we are able to heed the warnings and to be reminded to be on our guard.  However, Jesus does not want us to unduly worry.  He says: “Do not be alarmed”, and he says this in the knowledge of God being ultimately in control.  This is what helps us to live through disasters and brings us out safe in the knowledge of a certain future.

Fr Clive

Sentence

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.                     1 Samuel 2.10

Prayer of the day

O God, welcoming refuge for the outcast, and upholder of justice for the oppressed: maintain the hope of the poor, so that the time may soon come when no one need want for food and shelter, and all will learn to share freely following the example of your Son, who gave his very self; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading:  Daniel 12:1-3

12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm 16

1   Preserve me, O God:
     for in you have I taken refuge.
2   I have said to the Lord, You are my lord:
     and all my good depends on you.
3   As for those who are held holy on the earth:
     the other gods in whom people delight,
4   Though the idols are many that they run after:  their offerings of

     blood I will not offer, nor take their name upon my lips.
5   The Lord is my appointed portion and my cup:
     you hold my lot in your hands.
6   The share that has fallen to me is in pleasant places:
     and a fair land is my possession.
7   I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel:
     at night also he has instructed my heart.
8   I have set the Lord always before me:
     he is at my right hand, and I shall not fall.
9   Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices:
     my flesh also shall rest secure.
10 For you will not give me over to the power of death:
     nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.
11 You will show me the path of life:
     in your presence is the fullness of joy, and from your right hand flow

    delights for evermore.

Second Reading:  Hebrews 10:14, 19-25

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark 13:1-13

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

13:1 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2 Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” 3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be complished?” 5 Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. 9 “As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. 10 And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTICES

Today:  We welcome Fr Clive McCallum to preside and we give a special welcome back to

               Jeff Wilson who is going to talk about his recent trip through North Western and

              Central Australia.

                                Please stay for a cuppa after the service.

Readings Next Sunday, Christ the King, (W), 22 Nov 2009.      

2 Samuel 23:1-7;    Psalm 132:1-12;    Revelation 1:4b-8;    John 18:33-37

Giving all

Widows are mentioned a lot in the bible.  The reason for this is that without any organised social security, the widow was particularly vulnerable through not being able to earn a living and so needed assistance from others to survive.  The Old Testament has rules for the Israelites to follow in the law to ensure that the widows were looked after.  When this was not the case, we hear that the LORD God was displeased, even angry, as his statutes and ordinances were not being followed and a sector of the community were under undue stress for not being properly cared for.

In both the Old Testament and the Gospel readings today we see a widow, each of whom were poor through their lack of possessions.  The widow that Elijah asked to provide for him, following the command of the LORD, had very little food, barely enough to survive for the rest of the day.  What an imposition it must have been to have another mouth to feed.  Yet she obeyed the will of the LORD.  There is a certain poignancy in the story as it is told and one can feel the anguish and pressure on the poor woman.  Yet, through her obedience and giving her all to the will of the LORD, through Elijah, her future was secured.  She did not want after the incident, and her jar of meal and bottle of oil never ran out.  What a blessing.

In the Gospel Jesus points out a widow who was giving nearly all she had to the temple.  She was giving her all, even if the total was not like that of others who gave out of their abundance.  By giving her all she was blessed and made worthy through Jesus seeing her and explaining her situation to the disciples.  Both widows had faith that God would provide and both were rewarded for their faith.

Fr Clive

Sentence

Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.                                   Luke 6.38

Prayer of the day

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of evil and make us your children and heirs of eternal life: grant that, having this hope,

we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading:  1 Kings 17:8-16

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”  So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.”  As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”  But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”  Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son.  For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.”  She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days.  The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm 146

1 Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul:
   while I live I will praise the Lord;
2 While I have any being:
   I will sing praises to my God.
3 Put not your trust in princes:
   nor in flesh and blood, which cannot save.
4 For when their breath goes from them, they return again to the earth:
   and on that day all their thoughts perish.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob:
   whose hope is in the Lord their God,
6 The God who made heaven and earth:
   the sea, and all that is in them,
7 Who keeps faith for ever:
   who deals justice to those that are oppressed.
8   The Lord gives food to the hungry:
     and sets the captives free.
9   The Lord gives sight to the blind:
     the Lord lifts up those that are bowed down.
10 The Lord loves the righteous:
     the Lord cares for the stranger in the land.
11 He upholds the widow and the fatherless:
     as for the way of the wicked, he turns it upside down.
12 The Lord shall be king for ever:
     your God, O Zion, shall reign through all generations.

     Praise the Lord.

Second Reading:  Hebrews 9:23-28

Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these.  For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.  Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own;  for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.  And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

            For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark 12:38-44

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Readings Next Sunday, Twenty Fourth after Pentecost, (G), 15 Nov 2009.      

Daniel 12:1-3;    Psalm 16;    Heb 10:11-14, 19-25;    Mark 13:1-13

All Saints

The term ‘passed away’ is often used when we are referring to someone who has died.   All Saints Sunday is a day when we remember those who have died, those saints of former times, members of our own family, and especially those who have died in the faith.  The vision that appears in today’s reading from Revelation uses the words ‘pass away’.  The term is used for the passing away of a world and then for the passing away of all the first or former things.  What is surprising is that in Revelation the term is used in the opposite sense from dying.  We assume that things ‘pass away’ when death comes, but in today’s reading things ‘pass away’ when death goes away.  The first or former things that have passed away means that death will be no more; crying and pain will also be things of the past.  The first heaven and earth that pass away constitute the world in which death was operative.  To take death out of the picture is to bring about a new world. 

Creation is what God does and here we hear of a new creation.  Death is real for those whom God has created, yet in Christ, there is also the promise of resurrection, and resurrection is an act of new creation.  This is the promise of a new and transformed existence.  This is also what John envisions in his writing for the world itself.  Death affects all of us and the world to which we belong.  There is no escaping this, yet in his restless will to redeem us all, God holds out the promise of making us and our world new. In this new world where there is no death, all the marks of the former imperfect and sinful world have passed away.  God is the alpha [a] and the omega[w], the beginning and the end.  In God the future holds the promise of everlasting life.

Fr Clive

Sentence

And a great multitude, from every nation and tribe and people and language, cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’                           Revelation 7.10

Prayer of the day

We praise you, heavenly Father, that you have knit together your chosen ones in one communion and fellowship in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who truly love you;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,

one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

First Reading:  Isaiah 25;6-9

 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food,   a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.  And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.   Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.  It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.  This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it:
   the compass of the world and those who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it upon the seas:
   and established it upon the waters.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord:
   or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and a pure heart:
   who have not set their soul upon idols, nor sworn their oath to a lie.
5 They shall receive blessing from the Lord:
   and recompense from the God of their salvation.
6 Of such a kind as this are those who seek him:
   those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors:
   and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?:
   the Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors:
   and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is the King of glory?:
     the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Second Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals.  He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;  he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”  And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

            For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John 11:32-44

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.  He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”  Jesus began to weep.  So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”  But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.  Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.”  Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”  So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.”  When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTICES

Today:  We welcome Fr Clive McCallum to preside and preach.

 A big welcome back to Jeff & Corolie Wilson after their trip through central Australia.

                                Please stay for a cuppa after the service.

Lakelands Church Trash & Treasure Saturday 7^th Nov 8.30am -1.00pm

Readings Next Sunday, Twenty Third after Pentecost, (G), 8 Nov 2009.      

1 Kings 17:8-16;    Psalm 146;    Heb 9:23-28;    Mark 12:38-44

Seeing with our ears

The Renault car company recently had quite a lot of publicity when it announced its plans for the future of its electric cars.  The announcement was greeted with much excitement as ecologically minded people looked to the possibilities of an energy saving future.  Strangely enough, there was one group of people who had some serious concerns about electric cars, these were people who were blind.  As a spokesperson for this group put it, we relate to the outside world by sounds and if we are near a road and hear a car we know that one is there.  If the car makes no sound, then we consider that we are in danger because if we attempt to cross a road and do not hear an electric car then we are in considerable danger.

There are similarities in today’s gospel passage with a blind Bartimaeus sitting by the side of the road.  With his well developed other senses he realised Jesus was near and cried out to him.  When Jesus called him to come forward he literally jumped at the opportunity leaving everything behind and totally confident of his safety in rushing to Jesus.  Through his encounter with Jesus his ultimate desire was fulfilled, that is, to see again.  What a simple yet astoundingly revelational story.  Essentially this is blind faith in Jesus and it is such faith that receives its rewards.

An interesting way to approach this story is to read it from the perspective of the one who is blind.  We usually see in our imagination what we think is happening in a story.  In this case I invite you to not see the story but to hear it; to approach the story aurally, to hear the sounds and how they relate and to hear the sound of Jesus’ voice.  To hear the emotion in the voices of both Bartimaeus and the dominant voices in the crowd, yet all these seem to become quiet and distant when sight is restored.

Fr Clive

Sentence

The redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.                   Isaiah 51.11

Prayer of the day

O God, you give light to the blind and comfort to the sorrowing, and in your Son you have given us a High Priest who has offered the true sacrifice for us and yet can sympathise with us in our weakness: hear the cry of your people and lead us home to our true country, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

First Reading:  Jeremiah 31:9-7

7 For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
“Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.”
8 See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labour, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
9 With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm 126

1 When the Lord turned again the fortunes of Zion:
   then were we like those restored to life.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter:
   and our tongue with singing.
3 Then said they among the heathen:
   “The Lord has done great things for them.”
4 Truly the Lord has done great things for us:
   and therefore we rejoiced.
5 Turn again our fortunes, O Lord:
   as the streams return to the dry south.
6 Those who sow in tears:
   shall reap with songs of joy.
7 They that go out weeping, bearing the seed:
   shall come again in gladness, bringing their sheaves with them.

Second Reading:  Hebrews 7:21-28

21 but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever’ ” 22 accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

            For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to mark 10:46-52

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

This is the Gospel of the Lord:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTICES

Today:  We welcome Fr Clive McCallum to preside and preach.

                                Please stay for a cuppa after the service.

Readings Next Sunday, Twenty Second after Pentecost, All Saints (W), 1 Nov 2009.      

Isa 25:6-9;    Psalm 24;    Rev 21:1-6a;    john 11:32-44

Saint Luke

Luke was born of Greek origin in the city of Antioch.  It is probable that he met Paul in Troas and was converted to Christianity there.  He accompanied Paul to Philippi and stayed there for some time superintending the young church.  Luke was Paul’s constant companion on the journey to Jerusalem.  We hear of Luke when Paul sets out from Rome and Luke remains with him during his first imprisonment.  The last mention of Luke is in 2 Tim 4:11, where Paul says ‘only Luke is with me’.

Luke is the author of the third gospel as well as the book of Acts.  He was clearly a well educated person and goes to great pains to be clear, precise and systematic in his writing.  It is widely acknowledged that he had a good grasp of Greek, the language the New Testament.  Not being of Jewish origin, yet knowing the customs, and having a close association with the early Christians, he is regarded as the evangelist to the gentiles.  It is certainly true that in his gospel there is more emphasis on social issues such as the poor, the oppressed, the role of women and Jesus being the light to the gentiles as well as the people of Israel.

Another important characteristic of Luke is that he was a medical doctor, or physician, as Paul states in Colossians 4:14.  As a physician he had knowledge of many things and his attention to physical detail comes from his profession.  Because he was a physician he has been made the patron saint of doctors and medical personnel.  This is why there is often a service of healing or a service of remembrance for those who have died in hospital or hospice care at the this time of the year when we have St Luke’s day, which is the 18^th of October where he is remembered as evangelist and martyr.

Fr Clive

Sentence

The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; ask therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.                Luke 10.2

Prayer of the day

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in his Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: graciously continue in your Church

this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading:  Jeremiah 8:22-9:3

 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?  Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?

O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears,
so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!  O that I had in the desert a traveller’s lodging place, that I might leave my people
and go away from them! For they are all adulterers, a band of traitors.  They bend their tongues like bows; they have grown strong in the land for falsehood, and not for truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know me, says the Lord.

            For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

Psalm 145:10-18

10 All creation praises you, O Lord:
     and your faithful servants bless your name.
11 They speak of the glory of your kingdom:
     and tell of your great might,
12 That the whole earth may know your mighty acts:
     and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom:
     and your dominion endures through all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all those who stumble:
     and raises up those that are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you in hope:
     and you give them their food in due season;
16 You open wide your hand:
     and fill all things living with your bounteous gift.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways:
     and faithful in all his dealings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him:
     to all who call upon him in truth.

Second Reading:  2 Timothy 4:9-17a

Do your best to come to me soon, for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them!  But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

For the word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke 10:1-9

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.  He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.  Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.  Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’  And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.  Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.  Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you;  cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTICES

Today:  We welcome Fr Clive McCallum to preside and preach.

                                Please stay for a cuppa after the service.

Readings Next Sunday, Twenty First after Pentecost (G), 25 October 2009.      

Jer 31:9-7;    Psalm 126;    Heb 7:21-28;    Mark 10:46-52

A person who has everything

Have you ever had the situation where you have to buy a birthday present for someone and you find it hard because they seem to have everything they need?  Often the person has lots of things they don’t need as well.  Some people seem to have everything and so it is very hard to buy for them and you have to think very hard as to what would be appropriate present.  I always find that a good way out of this dilemma is to give a book or CD/DVD that is spiritually based.  While some people have ‘everything’, they most certainly don’t have everything for their spiritual journey and they in no way will have all the wisdom that there is to have.   I suspect that the rich man who approached Jesus would have fallen into the category of the person who has everything.  You can imagine the sort of person, a successful businessman, someone successful at sport, a person who made good and sound investments, someone who seemed to have all the luck in the world.

This man approached Jesus realising that he still had something to achieve. He wanted to have his successful life capped off with a blessing and some good advice from Jesus who was clearly the best spiritual person around at the time.  He was really deflated when Jesus said he had to sell ALL his possessions in order to inherit eternal life.  It is interesting that before Jesus spoke we are told he ‘loved him’.  Perhaps Jesus knew that if he kept on at the pace he was going he would not live to enjoy it, perhaps he could see some stresses and problems in the future that his wealth would cause.  Perhaps his wealth was taking him away from his love of God.  We do not know the details but we can learn from the story and set our own financial priorities straight.

Fr Clive

Sentence

No one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for Jesus’ sake, will not receive a hundredfold now in this age, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.                  Mark 10.29-30

Prayer of the day

Merciful God, in your Son you call not the righteous but sinners to repentance:

draw us away from the easy road that leads to destruction, and guide us into paths that lead to life abundant, that in seeking your truth, and obeying your will, we may know the joy of being a disciple of Jesus our Saviour; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading:  Amos 5;6-7, 10-15

Seek the Lord and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground! They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.  For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins– you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate.  Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said.  Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Psalm 90:12-17

12 Teach us so to number our days:
     that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
13 Relent, O Lord; how long will you be angry?:
     take pity on your servants.
14 O satisfy us early with your mercy:
     that all our days we may rejoice and sing.
15 Give us joy for all the days you have afflicted us:
     for the years we have suffered adversity.
16 Show your servants your work:
     and let their children see your glory.
17 May the gracious favour of the Lord our God be upon us:
     prosper the work of our hands, O prosper the work of our hands!

Second Reading:  Hebrews 4:12-16

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.                      For the word of the Lord:  Thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark 10: 17-31

             Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.  You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ “  He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”  And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,  who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age–houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions–and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

 This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 Readings Next Sunday, Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost  St Luke (R), 18 October 2009.      

Jer 8:22-9:3;    Psalm 145:10-18;    2 Tim 4:9-17a;    Luke 10:1-9

Synod

Last Friday the forty-seventh annual Synod commenced with a Eucharist at St George’s Cathedral in Perth.  We were represented by The Revd Karen Lewis who was asked to be the deacon for this service which was presided over by the Archbishop, The Most Revd Roger Herft.  Synods are elected for three years but meet each year.  This year our representatives are Doug Fletcher and Catherine Baudains from Lakelands, and Anna McCabrey and Janice McLean from Atwell/Success.  Bishops, Clergy who are licensed to a Parish, and the elected lay members form the membership of Synod.  Since the formation of the Diocese of Perth, there have been forty-seven Synods.  The first Bishop, Blagden Hale, was appointed in 1857 and took up his duties in 1858.  He did not have his first Synod till 1872 but since then Synod has formed a regular part of the administration of the Diocese.

After the Friday evening Eucharist the business commences on Saturday morning and continues through Saturday evening.  The Synod then reconvenes Sunday afternoon and continues to sit until the business is complete, usually late on Sunday evening.  There is usually a mix of business and this is managed in a parliamentary style.  The Archbishop begins with his ‘Charge’ or report and goals for the year previous and new directions the diocese is to take. Reports are received form the various Anglican Schools and Agencies.  Motions are dealt with and these can be legislation concerning the laws or canons of the church, details of organisations or activities, and those concerning social justice issues.  Synod is an important part of ensuring that the church is governed properly, with openness and with transparency.  St Paul outlines his views on such matter in Romans Chapter 8.  It is comforting to know that many people put in much effort to ensure that the church is well governed, even if some of the sessions are sometimes tedious.

Fr Clive

Sentence

Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.

                             Mark 10.15

Prayer of the day

O God, your Son has taught us that we must receive your sovereign rule like a little child: help us to turn to you in faith and simplicity of heart, so that we may receive your blessing and enter the kingdom your Son has promised; through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

First Reading:  Genesis 2:18-24

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.”  So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.  The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner.  So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.  And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.  Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

                 For the word of the Lord:  Thanks be to God.12

Psalm 8

1 O Lord our Governor:
   how glorious is your name in all the earth!
2 Your majesty above the heavens is yet recounted:
   by the mouths of babes and sucklings.
3 You have founded a strong defence against your adversaries:
   to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers:
   the moon and the stars which you have set in order,
5 What are we, that you should be mindful of us:
   what are we, that you should care for us?
6 Yet you have made us little less than gods:
   and have crowned us with glory and honour.
7 You have given us dominion over your handiwork:
   and have put all things in subjection beneath our feet,
8 All sheep and oxen:
   and all the creatures of the field,
9 The birds of the air and the fish of the sea:
   and everything that moves in the pathways of the great   waters.
10  O Lord our Governor:
      how glorious is your name in all the earth!

Second Reading:  Hebrews 1:1-4 and 2:5-12

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.  He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.  But someone has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them?  You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor,  subjecting all things under their feet.” Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.  It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

                For the word of the Lord:  Thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark 10: 2-16

                 Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”  He answered them, “What did Moses command you?”  They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.”  But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you.  But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’  ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,  and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.  He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;  and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTICES

Today:  We welcome Revd Karen Lewis lead the service and to preach.

                           Please stay for a cuppa after the service.

Readings Next Sunday, Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost (G), 11 October 2009.      

Amos 5:6-7, 10-15;  Psalm 90:112-17;  Hebrews 4:12-16;  Mark 10:17-31

If you are not against me

There is certainly a lot of choice for people today if they decide that they would like to go to church.  If they have no particularly strong connection with any of the historically long established denominations then there is plenty of opportunity to ‘try out’ some of the new churches.  Many of these are located in industrial areas due to town planning constraints associated with noise and parking.  Many meet in converted factories and it is quite common to have a stage and a multi piece band to provide some up-tempo religious music.  The style of preaching can be different, and in some cases the majority of the presentation is done on large screens assisted by the latest computer technology.  All this can be a little daunting for those of us who have been brought up in the traditional style of church worship.

There is always a temptation to look at these fresh expressions of church and say that they will not last, or that they only cater for a certain type of people, or that they are basically not really church at all.  However, when you meet the pastors of these churches and speak to some members of their congregations you get the sense that they are worshipping the one God as manifest in the Lord Jesus Christ and they too are led by the Spirit into bringing others to know and to love the Lord.  Their methods and their services may different, but in the end they are for Jesus.  Jesus recognised this early in his ministry and had to give this message to the disciples.  He said, even if a group were outside their group, if they were for Jesus and were not against him, then they must be for him.  So they needed to be accepted and recognised as doing their part in the proclaiming of the Kingdom of God.

Fr Clive

Sentence

Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can it be seasoned? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.               Mark 9.50

Prayer of the day

O God, your Son has taught us that those who give a cup of water in his name

will not lose their reward: open our eyes to see those who are in need, and teach us to set no store by riches and earthly rewards, so that, in surrendering ourselves to serve you in your children, we may labour for the treasure that endures; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading:  Numbers 11: 4-6, 10-16, 24-29

The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the Lord became very angry, and Moses was displeased. 11 So Moses said to the Lord, Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?  Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,’ to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors?  Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’  I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me.  If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once–if I have found favor in your sight–and do not let me see my misery.”
So the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you.
So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent.  Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.
Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”  And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!”  But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!”

            For the word of the Lord:  Thanks be to God.12

Psalm 19: 7-14

1 If the Lord had not been on our side, now may Israel say:
   if the Lord had not been on our side, when our enemies rose    

   against us,
2 Then they would have swallowed us alive:
   when their anger was kindled against us.
3 Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, and the torrent gone   

   over us:
   the raging waters would have gone clean over us.
4 But praised be the Lord:
   who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.
5 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler:
   the snare is broken, and we have gone free.
6 Our help is in the name of the Lord:
   who has made heaven and earth.

Second Reading:  James 5: 12-20

Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.  Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another,  you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

            For the word of the Lord:  Thanks be to God.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark 9: 38-50

   Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

       John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”  But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.  Whoever is not against us is for us.  For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
 ”If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,  where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
“For everyone will be salted with fire.  Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

 This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTICES

Today:  We welcome Fr Clive McCallum to preside and preach.

          Please stay for a cuppa after the service.

Synod:  2^nd – 4^th October

Readings Next Sunday, Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost (G), 4 October 2009.      

Genesis 2:18-24;  Psalm 8;  Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12;  Mark 10:2-16