The Beacon Sunday 19th October 2014 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Anglican Parish of Rockingham-Safety Bay Dear Friends, O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; defend your servants in all assaults of our enemies, that, surely trusting in your defence, we may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. With warmest greetings and love in Christ, Peter. A very warm welcome to you today. Some years ago Dean W.R. Inge wrote: “the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have begun thinking less of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you get neither!” Collect When Peter writes in 1 Peter 4. 7 – 11 about our love and service of each other in the church, he reminds us that “the end of all things is near”. Far from being a reason for inactivity or laziness, our Lord’s coming is our incentive or reason for warm hearted love and single minded service. Bible Readings (all page numbers refer to the church Bibles). Paul Barrett explains “since the ‘end’ will mean ‘perfection’ or ‘restoration’ it follows logically that believers should conduct themselves with one another appropriately in the meantime. In short, Peter is saying that church life is to be a preview of the ‘end’ when God will make all things perfect”. Next Sunday (26/10): Deuteronomy 34 : 1 – 12 (p.168); Psalm 90 1 Peter 4 : 12 – 19 (p.986); Matthew 22 : 34 – 46 (p.804) How do we participate now in this perfection? By using our gifts and energies to serve others. Whether in teaching or serving, we fulfil God’s purposes by stewarding His gifts for each other and for His glory. Service is the antidote to self-interest. Not only are we imitating Christ when we serve each other (as and for Christ) but we find our true worth, our true reason for being and true joy. The prayer from Morning Prayer (page 13) says it all: Almighty God, your Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Today: Exodus 33 : 12 – 23 (p.70); 1 Peter 4 : 7 – 11 (p.985); Hymns Australian Hymn Book 476, 5, 6, 138 (omit 3), 148. Sermon series in 1 Peter 26 October 4 : 12 – 19 2 November 5 : 1 – 7 9 November 5 : 8 – 14 Psalm 99 Matthew 22 : 15 – 33 (p.803) PARISH DIRECTORY NOTICES 1. Tonight at 5 p.m. Further aspects of 1 Peter 4 : 7 – 11 focusing on using our gifts, in God’s strength, for His glory. 2. Men 25th October combined men’s breakfast at St. Nicholas (with Church of Christ men). Special guest: The Hon. Nick Goiran (Legislative Council Member for South Metropolitan Region). Cost is $5. Please indicate attendance on the sign up sheet. 3. Friday fellowship group meets 9.30 a.m. at St. Nicholas and is studying Mark’s gospel. 4. Small groups meet and all are welcome on Tuesdays @2p.m. (finishes at 3.30 p.m.) Wednesdays @ 10.15 a.m. (finishes at 11.45 a.m.) We are reading 1 Peter together. 5. Energise Mission Conference Saturday 1 November 9 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. Come and meet your local heroes. Cost $25 Adult, $15 Concession, $40 Family. Brochures available on the back table. st 6. Sunday at 5p.m. 26th October : “What we owe to the Reformation”. 7. This year the Pioneer Service will be on the 2nd November. Arrive at 1.30pm for 2pm. Can you come and sing? Same dress code as last time. I hope as many people can be there as last year. The Hymns will be well known ones, as usual. Please contact me if you need more information. Deana 95277837 SUNDAY SERVICES St Nicholas’: 8 am and 10 am 5 pm Sunday@5 St George’s: 8 am WEEKDAY SERVICES St Nicholas’ Holy Communion every Wednesday at 9 am St Nicholas’ Morning Prayer Thursday at 8 am St George’s Evening Prayer Wednesday and Thursday at 5 pm RECTOR: The Right Reverend Peter Brain Tel: 9439 3793 (home) Mob. 0414895791 Email: [email protected] 48 Abingdon Crescent, Wellard 6170 The Rector’s day off is Monday. WARDENS: Ted Ansell Paul van Bilsen Tel: 9527 8995 Tel; 9592 5527 CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CO-ORDINATOR Christine Brain Tel: 9439 3793 Email: [email protected] Church Postal Address: PO Box 799, Rockingham WA 6968