Christ is

St Peter’s Church

SOUTHPORT

SUNDAY 10 May 2020

Covid 19 pandemic Fr Don

In his recent commentary in The Australian, 6 May 2020, Paul Kelly lists two ‘cultural take-outs’ that he sees as being direct long-term effects generated by the Covid 19 pandemic. As he states, “The first is the elevation of community co-operation and public institutions over individual liberty and autonomy. The age of individual narcissism and self-expression will be in retreat. The age of social co-operation and effective public institutions will be resurrected.”

It remains a topic of perennial interest, of course, just what impact the pandemic will have on us in the long term. The worst-case scenario might be that we simply go back to business as usual (with a few minor changes around the fringes.)

Admittedly, that does seem unlikely, but then as we heard in my sermon on Sunday, Daniel Defoe’s novel on the plague and its effects on London in the sixteenth century observed that everybody was very keen to put the same face on that they wore before the onset of the plague. So nobody, myself included, would really blame people for wanting to get back to ‘normal,’ the problem is that ‘normal’ behaviour as it was, contributed to the spread of the pandemic. Normal, will have to be a moveable feast for the time being.

If the ‘new normal’ should encompass a retreat of narcissism and self-expression as Paul Kelly suggests then I for one will be in the cheering section.

The second cultural take out named by Paul Kelly is “…the rising tide of sovereignty, self-reliance and resilience.” Certainly, from an economic perspective, it would be hard not see the resurgence of such virtues as timely. After the year we have had in Australia (remember the bush fires, droughts and floods??) self-reliance and resilience have come into their own! Of course, these sorts of ‘take outs’ very quickly become embroiled in politics and political manoeuvring. So they should, they are important lessons and we would surely want the politicians to observe closely the lessons of the pandemic. But let me take a step back from that arena and attempt some sort of theological take on the shape of the ‘normal’ to come.

Firstly, I would want to avoid any simplistic Old Testament statement that suggests that God has deliberately sent ‘the plague’ upon the world.

Secondly, although I firmly believe in God’s providential dealing with the world (i.e. that there is nothing that is outside of the Will of God), I do not believe that God causes the various evils that come upon us. Most theologians would declare (except, perhaps those of a more fundamentalist persuasion) their agreement with a recent comment in the Church Times:

“ the doctrine of Providence is the idea not that everything that happens is part of the original divine will for the world, but that, through everything that happens, God’s sovereign will wins out in the end…, even sickness, disaster, and death can become, in the providence of God, a means of achieving his purposes. This does not mean that God causes sickness, disaster, and death (how could the Creator God will the destruction of his creation?), but it does mean that none of these are beyond his power to transform and even to use for his glory and his purposes for the goodness and final salvation of the world.” - Dr Graham Tomlin, The Church Times, 6 May 2020

Thirdly, having made these points I feel safe in using the notion of ‘God’s Judgement.’ Yes, I want to suggest that the Judgement of God is at work when things are exposed for what they are. I’m not referring to judgement in the sense of ‘hellfire and brimstone” but rather as a process that reveals that which requires repentance. Putting it differently: God’s judgement exposes the truth, or the truths of modern world practices. Again, to quote Graham Tomlin:

“… the coronavirus, perhaps, (can) be seen as judgement, or a moment of krisis, in the sense that it reveals and concentrates attention on some disturbing truths about our way of life. So, for example, the most likely explanation for the virus’s entering human circulation is that it has crossed from certain animal species by those animals being eaten by humans. The details of this “jump” into the human food chain are as yet not fully understood, but questions have been raised about the management and sale of various types of animal, as well as how they are then consumed. While there remain many questions, it clearly shines a spotlight on the way in which we relate to the animal world, and how we treat other forms of animal life.

In this sense, then, the judgement of God is a spotlight on human failure.

With these theological points made I want to come back to Paul Kelly’s two ‘take out points,’ namely, the rise of community cooperation and the enhancement of resilience and self-reliance. I have already declared that ‘I’m for it,’ but I do so from a theological perspective, not a political one. The providential workings of God demand

that we see his judgement in what has happened. Not, I hastily add, in a fundamentalist-pulpit-thumping way, but a way that shines a spotlight on our human failings in the world that doesn’t diminish until we’ve fixed the situation (and seems to me that the virtues of community cooperation and resilience are evidence of a type of repentance that must be made.

Fr Don

Dame Julian of Norwich ~ May 8

Mystic Almost all our information about Dame Julian comes from the little she says of herself in her writings. From these we can deduce that she was born about 1342. At the age of 30 she suffered a serious illness, and indeed received the last rites. The priest then gave her a crucifix on which to look and find comfort while she waited for death. The following day, 8 May 1373, she received fifteen revelations or visions, followed by one further one on the evening of the next day.

She recovered from the illness, and soon after this wrote about her experience. Twenty years later she wrote a longer account, which she called The Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love. This was the product of years of reflection on the experience. It is considered one of the most important and inspiring books of that time. The revelations are chiefly concerned with the passion of Christ and with the holy Trinity. In her reflections on these, Julian shows her keen perception of the power of divine love over evil.

Julian is named as a beneficiary in three wills, the latest of which can be dated to 1416; so she must have died some time after that, but we do not know exactly when. These same wills describe Julian as a recluse at the Church of St Julian and St Edward at Conisford, Norfolk. She may have taken the name Julian from the church. The church itself belonged to the Benedictines, but there is no evidence that Julian was a nun; nor do we know exactly when she became a recluse. To be a recluse in the Middle Ages was relatively popular. Although recluses were enclosed for life, in a ceremony that included elements of the funeral rites, they were not cut off from the world. Julian was visited by many in search of spiritual counsel and help. The cell or “anchorage” was frequently a suite of rooms, and like many others Julian had a servant to attend to her needs.

Although she says that the revelations were shown to her, “a simple and uneducated creature”, her book reveals a woman of keen intellect, common sense and compassion. In a number of ways Julian seems very modern; she was one of the first female theologians. Two brief quotations from her writings will give some insight into her deep spiritual awareness and illustrate why she has been noted for her tenderness and naturalness in writing about our approach to God.

I saw that [our Lord] is everything that we know to be good and helpful. In his love he clothes us, enfolds and embraces us; that tender love completely surrounds us, never to leave us.

[Christ’s] will for us is that we should seek for and trust him, rejoice and delight in him, while he in turn strengthens and comforts us until such time as we realize it all in very fact. As I see it, the fullest joy we can have springs from the marvellous consideration and friendliness shown us by our Father and our Maker, through our Lord Jesus Christ, our Brother and our Saviour. (acknowledgements:: For All the Saints)

10 May 2020—Fifth Sunday of Easter GATHERING IN GOD'S NAME

Sentence

‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life,’ says the Lord. ‘No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14.6

Prayer of the Day

Everliving God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life: give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

Saving God, who called your church to witness

that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be reconciled to you; through him who died for us and rose again

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for 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 7 verses 55-60

55

But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56

‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ 57

But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58

Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59

While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60

Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died .

Hear the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm: 31.1-5,15-16: R You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.

1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame. deliver me in your righteousness: 2 Incline your ear to me;

make haste to deliver me. R

3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,

for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your name, lead me and guide me: 4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me,

for you are my tower of strength. R

5 Into your hands I commend my spirit:

for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. 15

My times are in your hand: rescue me from the hand of my enemies

and from those who persecute me. 16

Make your face to shine upon your servant: and in your loving-kindness save me. R

2nd Reading

The Epistle is from the first letter of Peter Chapter 2 verses 11-25

11

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12

Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.

13 For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution,

whether of the emperor as supreme, 14

or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15

For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16

As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17

Honour everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honour the emperor.

18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not

only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. 19

For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20

If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22

‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ 23

When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25

For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Hear the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

Chapter 14 beginning at the 1st verse

1 ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also

in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it

were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again

and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5

Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7

If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

8 Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be

satisfied.’ 9 Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time,

Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?

10 Do

you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13

I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14

If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

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 10 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Act 7.55-60 Ps 31.1-5, 15-16 1 Peter 2.11-25 John 14.1-14

11 Monday W

Act 14.5-18

Ps 115.1-7

John 14.21-26

12 Tuesday W

Acts 14.19-28

Ps 145.10-13

John 14.27-31

13 Wednesday W

Acts 15.1-6

Ps 122

John 15.1-8

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

14 Thursday W

Acts 15.7-21

Ps 96.1-6

John 15.8-11

Or MATTHIAS, APOSTLE AND MARTYR

Acts 1.14-17, 20-26

Ps 113.or Ps 84

Philippians 3.13-21

John 15.9-17

15 Friday W

Acts 15.22-31

Ps 57.8-12

John 15.12-17

16 Saturday W

Acts 16.1-10

Ps 100

John 15.18-21

READINGS 10 MAY TO 16 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

Introduction:

As so many of us face into an unknown world, let us raise our minds and hearts in prayer to God, the giver and the lover of life.

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; No one can come to the Father except through me”. Let us pray for the grace to hear more clearly the voice of Jesus in our daily lives, so that we too can come through him to the Father”. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray that this time of global pandemic may end and that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted and supported by the love of friends and neighbours. Lord, in you mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for all those at home, who cannot be present with us in this church today and who are missing being in the Divine presence. We pray that they will soon have the opportunity to be reunited with our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, in his most Holy Eucharist

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the sick and the elderly (remember especially those whose names appear on our prayer list), and those who at this time may be in hospital or housebound, isolated and unable to see or be with their loved ones, that they may know God’s love through the love of others. Lord, in you mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for all those throughout the world who have lost loved ones during this time of crisis and who have been unable to be with them, grieve for them and be comforted by friends and community

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who have died, remembering especially, John Cook, Rita Bauman, Beryl Palazzi, Chaslyn Thomas, Brian Pickersgill, ‘that they may take their place in the new Jerusalem, where mourning and sadness are no more’. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Conclusion (by the Presider): Great and loving God, you are compassionate to all your creatures: help us according to your will, through Christ our Lord. 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.

Don’t forget to send us photos of how you spent Mother’s Day this year.

“I am the way the truth and the life”

John 14. 1-14

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

Have you ever been in such a big house with so many rooms that you got lost?

I know I have when I was young - whilst visiting a very large house called Castle Howard in England.

Did you run around and really worry where all your friends and family were?

I certainly did, I desperately wanted to find them.

Then suddenly, you find your family, and you are overjoyed to feel safe again.

Jesus told us that God’s house in heaven has many rooms and He will make sure that He has a very special one for us.

With so many rooms children, how will we know the way?

How can we be certain not to get lost?

By trying to live your life with kindness and love to all those around you as Jesus did whilst here on Earth. Jesus set the best example that we can follow. He will watch over you and be your compass.

The art project this week is to make some road signs that point you to Jesus.

I have a booklet of 8 signs that can be printed and coloured in and placed around the house.

Just message me and I will send you the file. If you haven’t got access to a printer, I will be very happy to print them and post them to you. Just let me know!

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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