The Beacon
Sunday 2nd July 2015
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Anglican Parish of Rockingham & Safety Bay
Dear Friends,
A warm welcome to you today. I remarked to our Wednesday study group
that finishing our studies in Philippians is like leaving a good friend behind!
I hope that you have found as much encouragement (and challenge) from
this series as I have. Today’s passage is no exception as Paul (having thanked
God – 1:3–6 for their partnership with him in the gospel), now thanks them
as they shared in his troubles (4.14) and financial giving (4.15). How
wonderfully balanced (and exemplary, 4.9) Paul is in thanking God and his
fellows. I ask myself afresh do I have this balance as a habit?
Christian giving that is sacrificial is a concrete act of fellowship that is an
expression of our gratitude to God for His saving grace toward us in Christ.
Not only is it well pleasing to God (18), beneficial to the spread of the
gospel (15–16) but of great benefit to the giver (17).
Indeed his words “not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that
accumulates to your account” (17) are counter-cultural and life giving. They
reflect:
• Jesus’ words: “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20.35);
• which in turn will keep us from allowing the money given to us to become
a snare to our discipleship (Matthew 6.19-20, 1 Timothy 6.6–10, 6.17–19);
• thus reminding us that though we cannot take our money with us we can
certainly “send it on ahead of us!”;
• as we invest ourselves (prayers and money) in the promotion of the gospel
• thus ensuring that people become and grow as Christians, since people
who trust Christ are the currency and inhabitants of heaven.
What a blessing it is to be blessed by hearing the gospel and then becoming
the means (including the prayerful, sacrificial and generous giving of our
money) of others becoming followers of Jesus.
We will speak more of this joy tonight @ 5pm. With our series on
Philippians completed our next series will be The 10 Commandments
(from 26/7–27/9). A work book will be available next Sunday. And the next
2 Sundays (12th & 19th) we will look in turn at God’s graciousness in giving
us His law in the Old Testament from Deuteronomy 30:11–20, then in the
New Testament from Mark 12:28–34.
With warmest greetings in Christ,
Peter
Collect
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass
our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward you, that, loving
you above all things, we may obtain your promises which exceed all that we
can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Hymns
Songs of Fellowship 77, 43, 1072 MP (St George 19), 1024 MP (St George
261).
Bible Readings (page numbers from church Bibles)
2 Samuel 5:1–10 (p.243)
Psalm 48
Philippians 4:14–23 (p.955)
Mark 6:1–13 (p.817)
Next Sunday (12/7)
2 Samuel 6:1–19 (p.244)
Ephesians 1:1–14 (p.949)
Psalm 24
Mark 6:14–29 (p.817)
“I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart
from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
NOTICES
1. Small Groups
Wed. 10.15am St. Nicholas’
Friday 9.30am St. Nicholas’
Friday 7pm
Pauline’s home, 9 Otway Place, Shoalwater
2. Perth Women’s Convention 8th August 2015. Save the date! The Book of
Ruth “Steadfast Love in Bitter Places” Speaker: Jenny Salt.
3. Parish Council. 22nd July, 7pm.
4. Men’s Breakfast. Sat. 25th July, 8am. Our guest Dr. John Pearman
speaking from his experience: “Handling tragedies caused by our own
mistakes.” Invitations available to help you invite friends & neighbours.
5. Women’s Breakfast. Sat. 12th July, 8 am. Special guest Rosie Logie —
from Midland “Head Space” — will share her challenges & joys working as a
Christian to improve the mental health of young people.
6. Thanks from Bernard: “My family and I have diﬃculty finding suﬃcient
words to express our thanks to our parish family for the love, care and
support you gave to Coralie while she was with us and to us when she went
home to be with Him. I cannot name everyone, but to: Peter and others
who visited us at home; card & flower senders; those who practised
Coralie’s songs (our children were particularly thankful for the singing);
chair arrangers/removers; cooks & servers; welcomers; cleaners up; huggers
& handshakers; prayers & all who loved; to each one of you we give our
thanks & love. I hope in due course to have copies of both Nigel’s eulogy &
Monty’s sermon if you would like to think again on their words. Above all
we give thanks to our God in His love for Coralie and for His gift to us in
allowing us to know and love her”.
7. Thanks to all who worked hard at the working bee yesterday.
8. MU Meeting. Wed. 15th July 1pm, St. Nicholas’. Special Guest: Judith
Nichols will help us to continue exploring our theme, “Sowing a Future
Together”. All welcome, whether an MU member or interested to see what
we do.
9. Special Investment Opportunity — following Philippians 4:17. Share
with Christians seeking to provide Christian literature in languages that do
not have the same rich heritage as we. This is through SparkLit (brochures
available today). A wonderful target would be $3000 during July. Why not
put money aside and bring it on Sunday 2nd August.
PARISH DIRECTORY
Sunday Services
St Nicholas’
8am, 10am & 5pm
St George’s
Weekday Services
St Nicholas’
Holy Communion every
St Nicholas’
Morning Prayer
St George’s
Evening Prayer
Wednesday 9am
Thursday 7.30am
Wednesday 5pm
8am
Rector
The Right Reverend Peter Brain
9439 3793 or 0414 895 791
[email protected]
48 Abingdon Cr, Wellard 6170
(Rector’s day oﬀ is Monday)
Associate Minister
Devan Foster
0466 606 340
17 Bonnydoon Ct, Cooloongup
Warden
Ted Ansell 9527 8995
Children’s Ministry
Christine Brain
9439 3793
[email protected]
Church Postal Address PO Box 799, Rockingham, WA 6968