Christ is

The E-Weekly

For

Sunday 3

May 2020

“Good Shepherd Sunday”

Anthanasius Fr Don

Athanasius May 2

Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith

Athanasius was a bishop of strong character, whose contribution to the disputes of the fourth century ensured the eventual triumph of the doctrine affirmed at Nicea that Christ is “of one being with the Father”.

Athanasius was born around 296 in Alexandria, then the intellectual centre of the Roman world, and was probably edu-cated there. He was ordained a deacon (at that time a deacon was a close administrative assistant to the bishop), and accompa-nied his bishop, Alexander of Alexandria, to the Council of Nicea in 325, and then succeeded him as patriarch in 328.

Arianism, which had begun in Egypt, now convulsed the church in the eastern Mediterranean. The controversy was both theological and political. Theologically it concerned the divinity of Christ - was he fully and substantially divine, or divine in only a qualified sense. To complicate matters, theological parties vied for imperial support to oust their opponents. Rivalry between the great sees was also a factor causing tensions.

Athanasius unswervingly upheld the doctrine of the full and substantial divinity of Christ as stated at Nicea. As Athanasius put it: “The Word of God came in his own person, because it was he alone, the Image of the Father, who could recreate humanity made according to the image.” Athanasius was exiled no fewer than four times through the efforts of his theological and political opponents. It was probably during his first exile to Trier in Gaul in 336 that he wrote his best-known treatise, On the Incarnation of the Word of God. He returned to Alexandria in 337.

Like many of his contemporaries, Athanasius was attracted by the ascetic ideal of the new monastic movement. During his second exile, which was in Rome (339-346), he did much to

promote the support of the western church for Nicene theology, and the growth there of the monastic ideal. His Life of Antony became a popular spiritual classic on the monastic/ascetic way. He depicted it as offering a proper balance between things earthly and heavenly.

He was exiled twice more (356-363 and 365-366), though on these occasions he went into hiding in the vicinity of Alexandria. Throughout his life he made strenuous efforts and wrote voluminously in order to establish understanding and acceptance of the Nicene doctrine. In this he was largely successful, though he died in 373, eight years before the eventual triumph of Nicene orthodoxy at Constantinople in 381. (source: For All the Saints)

St Philip and St James May 1

Apostles

Virtually all we know about these two apostles is to be found in the New Testament, and even that information is not extensive.

Philip is mentioned in the Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts solely in the lists of the twelve apostles, but in John’s Gospel he figures more prominently. We meet him first as Jesus gathers his disciples around him (John 1:43). He then brings Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45-49). His home town was Bethsaida, as it was also for Andrew and Peter. Philip appears next at the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:5-7). After Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, some Greeks ask Philip to take them to Jesus (John 12:21-22). Later in the Gospel, during Jesus’ long discourse at the Last Supper, he asks Jesus about the way to the Father (John 14:8-9). We hear no more about Philip. Later traditions tend to confuse him with Philip the evangelist in Acts.

Our information about James is even scantier, though it becomes more complicated by the tendency in later tradition to confuse or equate various people called James who appear in the New Testament. The Calendar in the Prayer Book clearly separates three people called James: (1) one of the sons of Zebedee and brother of John (see 25 July); (2) James of Jerusalem brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem after the resurrection (see 23 October); and (3) James, son of Alphaeus, commemorated with Philip as an apostle (today, 1 May). This last James is sometimes called James the Less to distinguish him from the others. Apart from his inclusion in the lists of the twelve apostles we know nothing about him, and even the oblique reference to “Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses” (Mark 15:40) at the crucifixion may not be about him.

The commemoration of Philip and James on the same day is very ancient, and may go back to the dedication of a basilica to both apostles, where the supposed remains of Philip were buried. (source: For All the Saints)

3 May 2020—Fourth Sunday of Easter GATHERING IN GOD'S NAME

Sentence

‘I am the good shepherd,’ says the Lord. ‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’ John 10.11

Prayer of the Day

God of all power, you called from death our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep: send us as shepherds to rescue the lost, to heal the injured, and to feed one another with understanding; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: help us when we hear his voice to know him who calls us each by name, and to follow where he leads; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for our Parish

Teach us, O God: to attempt great things for you: and from you to expect great things, so that your Church in this Parish may be strong to win men, women and children to love, worship and serve you; to the Glory of your Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 2 verses 42-47

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Hear the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm: 23: R The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.

1 The Lord is my shepherd:

I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures:

and leads me beside still waters. R

3 He revives my soul:

and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall fear no evil: for you are with me: your rod and your staff, they comfort me. R

5 You spread a table before me

in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. R

6 Surely your goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. R

The Epistle is from the first letter of Peter Chapter 2 verses 1-10

1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture: ‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’ 7 To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner’, 8 and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Hear the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

Chapter 10 beginning at the 1st verse

1 ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold

by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a ban-dit. 2

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4

When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5

They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ 6

Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate

for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits;

but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

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.

BLESSING

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you what is pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

“From A Prayer Book for Australia Copyright ©Broughton Publishing 1995”

MAY 3 2020 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Act 2.42-47 Ps 23 1 Peter 2.1-10 John 10.1-10

04 Monday W

Act 11.1-18

Ps 42.1-5

John 10.11-18

05 Tuesday W

Acts 11.19-26

Ps 87

John 10.22-30

06 Wednesday JOHN, APOSTLE & EVANELIST

Prov 8.22-31

Ps 97

1 John 1.1-5

John 20.2-8

Of the day

Acts 12.24-13.5

Ps 67

John 12.44-50

A prayer when making Spiritual Communion

WHILE churchgoing is not an option, Christians of all traditions are drawing on Anglo-Catholics when it comes to making an act of spiritual communion (teaching about which can be found in a rubric in the order for the communion of the sick in the Book of Common Prayer).

The following prayer comes from the Oxford Movement Centenary Prayer Book (Church Literature Association, 1933) and it is a prayer you might like to pray before watching the services online:

O Lord Jesus Christ, since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, I humbly pray Thee that Thou wouldest come spiritually to my soul. Come, Lord Jesus, come and cleanse me, heal me, strengthen me, and unite me to Thyself, now and for evermore. Amen

07 Thursday W

Acts 13.13-25

Ps 89.19-25

John 13.16-20

08 Friday W

Julian of Norwich, holy woman and mystic (d.1417)

Acts 13.26-33

Ps 2.6-11

John 14.1-6

09 Saturday W

Acts 13.44-52

Ps 98.1-4

John 14.7-14

READINGS 3 MAY TO 9 MAY

Suzie Sutherland, David Thompson, Caroline Banderas, Winston Ison-Harling, Nadine Chen, Linda Weller, Allan Tulloch, Catherine Lynch, Ian Reynolds, Rachel Evans, Mary Hope Moore, Bill Stewart, Royston Clarke, Sue, Donna Frigo, John Pye, Lynette Elison, Joy Styles, Leslie, Wayne, Daisy Kaillis, Brooke Banderas, Terry Allen, Lindsay Whybrow, Francis, Lorna, Kent, Barbara Taylor, Margaret Tillin, Nigel Faull, Flora Porter, Kerrie, Julie, Anne Garrick, LindaTownsend, Michael Hansard, Rosemary Morgan, Alice Clish, Stephen Davis, Karen Lawrence, Mary Loomb, Pamela Hadlow, Elizabeth White, Lorraine Lang, Maurice and Margaret Hodgins, Laci (Lotsi) Kiss, Dane Christensen, Larrissa, Lynette Dillon, Ladda, Emily Ruby Wood, Rosalyn, Christian Perez, Fred, Thomas Hallah, Chris Whitehouse and family, Leanne-May Spottiswoode, Jenny Gooch, Anne Lewis, Haylee.

The Anglican Parish of Southport in the Diocese of Brisbane is committed to pro-tecting your privacy. The people on the list of the sick have personally requested prayers. Please let the Parish Office know if names should be removed from the list.

Prayer List

Special Prayers from: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-liturgy-and-prayer-resources

For those who are ill Merciful God, we entrust to your tender care

those who are ill or in pain, knowing that whenever danger threatens

your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For hospital staff and medical researchers

Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience

to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From one who is ill or isolated

O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me

from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bidding Prayers

Celebrant: The Lord is the shepherd who knows each one of his flock by name. Let us offer our prayers to God, trusting in his personal love for us. Lord, hear our prayer.

1. We pray that through the wise leadership of our Archbishop and Bishops our church will extend the victory of the risen Christ by serving those who walk in the valley of darkness, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

2. We pray that men and women who struggle for human rights may never follow false leaders or ways of violence, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

3. We pray that the Lord will raise up more leaders in the Church to be shepherds of God’s People, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

4. We pray that our young people “may have life and have it to the full” through fidelity to the Good Shepherd, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

5. We pray that the dead may pass through the “gate of the sheepfold” and rejoice with the shepherd and guardian of their souls, as we remember especially Norm McKenzie, Barry Harcourt Bond, Rex William Smith, Robert Tait, William Henry Short, Terrence John Orriss, Beryl Palazzi let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

Celebrant: Most gentle Father, you guide us along the right path; your Son is always there, beside us. Comfort us by granting these prayers, through Christ our Lord. Response: Amen.

EPRAY –DAILY

This app gives you morning and evening prayer from A Prayer Book for Australia. It automatically inserts the reading for morning and evening prayer. It makes morning prayers very easy and very handy.

The App is available for both Apple and Android smart phones and tablets. If it askes for an app code, use 9999.

This is an additional prayer tool for you to use during these unsure and unsettling times.

Catherine of Siena April 29

Teacher of the Faith

The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in Europe witnessed a rich development of the mystical tradition in spirituality, especially amongst lay people. There were a number of women among these mystics, and Catherine of Siena is one of the most important.

Catherine was born in Siena in 1347 (though there is some contrary evidence that she may have been born in 1333), the youngest daughter of the very large family of a local dyer. Despite considerable opposition from her parents, who wished her to marry, she joined the Dominican Third Order at the age of 16. The development of third orders of the religious orders (which grew enormously from the later thirteenth century) offered committed lay people a way of associating closely with an order and living by a rule, but without becoming a fully-professed member of the order.

Having devoted herself to prayer and fasting from an early age, Catherine at length began to undertake a more active ministry. She began nursing the sick, especially lepers and people with cancer, and then gathered around her groups of people who found her personal holiness immensely attractive and her spiritual writings and reflections helpful. She had numerous intense spiritual visions and gave herself courageously to tending the sick during an outbreak of plague. Although she herself could not write, she dictated numerous letters and a Dialogue, a work of mystical spirituality.

During the last five years of her life, she became embroiled in the political strife going on in Europe over the papacy. She boldly intervened in the altercations between the papacy and the Florentines, and urged Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from his “captivity” in Avignon, where the French exerted considerable influence on papal policy. Then, when Europe became divided in its allegiance to the rival popes, Catherine gave unstinting support to Urban VI in Rome, though at the same time castigating him for his harshness to his opponents.

Catherine wore herself out in her efforts and died after a stroke in 1380 at the age of 33. Her political significance should not be over-emphasised, though a measure of her popularity even in her own day is the fact that the return of the papacy to Rome from Avignon was attributed to her. The transparent sanctity of her life and her spiritual writings made her an influential figure.

(Source: For All the Saints)

The ANZAC spirit is alive and well at St Peter’s

This years commemoration was like no other but was still observed with gratitude and reverence for those who gave service for us, albeit at a distance.

Pamela Hadlow and daughter Ruth committed to Stand at Dawn, as did Father Don, Craig, Christine and Alain Conroy (not shown) with candles, rosemary and poppies.

In Christchurch there were many National Anthems and renditions of the Last Post to be heard at dawn on the foggy morning.

Fr Don conducted an ANZAC day commemorative service in the church broadcast online on the day.

Lest we forget.

ANZAC DAY

How did you spend it!

The Good Shepherd

John 10. 1-10

Hi Children,

Let us start SP.ARK this week by saying the Lord’s Prayer, let’s watch and say it together.

https://youtu.be/rgN0s2xmCuM

Do you have a dog or a cat? What happens when you call their name?

Yes, they come to you. What happens when a stranger calls their name?

They more than likely look for you as they do not recognise the stranger’s voice.

Jesus told the parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus said sheep know their shepherd’s voice and will follow them. (Just like our dog or cat know our voice and will follow us.)

Children, lets watch a video now to see how sheep recognise their shepherd’s voice?

https://youtu.be/e45dVgWgV64

(I hope it made you smile as well. Did you see how they instantly recognised the farmer?)

Do you feed, play with your dog or cat and walk your dog? Do you always know what is best for them and try to make their life happy and content?

Absolutely, we show kindness by providing them with their daily needs.

Do we protect them by providing shelter and a home and garden to live in?

Of course, we keep them safe from strangers.

Jesus said a good shepherd always wants what is best for his sheep. Jesus is our shepherd and always wants what is best for us. He knows us by name, and we can speak to Him in our daily prayers.

Let’s watch the following video which is a beautiful song about the Good Shepherd.

How many sheep can you see?

https://youtu.be/lS-UTKZH4AU

I lost count on how many there were. How did you do?

Here is a very simple art project that you can do at home. All you need is some paper, scissors, crayons, cotton wool, string, ribbon or wool, cardboard (inside of some cardboard packaging will work, I used a cereal box) and some glue!

Let’s draw a sheep. Think of it as a giant fluffy cloud with a head and legs. If you would like some inspiration, have a look at the following video with very simple steps to draw a wonderful sheep.

https://youtu.be/2Ck8cu4FP60

Glue some cotton wool on to the sheep and cut it out.

Glue your sheep onto the cardboard, and then the fun part, decoration time! I used crayons and parts of an old cereal box. Don’t forget your title!

Put two holes and some string and you have your very own sheep picture.

Don’t forget to sign it as it is your very own masterpiece!

Please send me pictures of your creations!

Here is one I prepared earlier ……

Stay tuned for next week! Rebecca and the SP.ARK Team

applebyr@icloud.com 0402003021

www.stpetersgc.com.au

Ways you can continue giving:

Direct Debit: Westpac Corp BSB: 704-901 Account No: 00001350

Our Website: On the front page

ANFIN Direct: AFIN Direct Website anfin.com.au Telephone: 3838 7755

Card Facility: Contact the Parish Office Telephone: 5558 3887

St Peter’s Parish Council thank you for your support during this difficult time.

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I do recommend the “Pray as You Go App” (available in Android and Apple formats) I use it often and it is a very well crafted daily prayer App—Fr Don

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