Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
29 January 2017
Welcome to our worship this morning!
At St Luke’s we seek to share God’s unconditional love and acceptance of all people, regardless of age, gender, race, marital or family status, sexual orientation, disability or wealth.
Celebrant &Preacher: |
Fr Philip Bradford |
St Paul raises the theology of the Cross which is the power of us believers. For those who are perishing, who don’t understand the power of God and his salvation history, the Cross is foolishness (v.18). In the world today, the theology of glory and the prosperity gospel have been lifted over and above the theology of the Cross. Without Good Friday, there will be no Easter Day. We are reminded that God has called us and saved us by his grace. We need to reconnect with this theology of the Cross as we propagate the Gospel of a suffering Messiah who died on the Cross to take away the sins of the world. He died for us and the Cross is where we draw our strength in this heavenly journey. This teaches us that to have bigger, better and new is to be prosperous yet at times even with plenty, life is empty. The Cross reminds us that the suffering we undergo in this world is temporal for Jesus overcame death and suffering as our Saviour. It is well!
Pray that we may be reconnect with the theology of the Cross from where we draw our strength. Pray also for the Christians who suffer persecution that they may find joy in their suffering for the living Christ who come through for them.
Give thanks for the work and witness of the Anglican Church of Korea, the Daehan Seong Gong Hoe.
Text: The Rt Rev Paul Korir
Bishop of Kapsabet, Anglican Church of Kenya
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2016
Introit Hymn: TIS 158 God Has Spoken.
The Sentence What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6.8
The Collect:
Jesus Christ our Lord,
Living God,
in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our
nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives
make known your glory;
through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading Micah 6.1–8
A reading from the book of prophet Micah
Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. ‘O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord .’ ‘With what shall I come before the Lord , and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
For the word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Psalm 15
|
Glo- |ry to | God; Father | Son and | Holy | Spirit.
As in the be-|ginning so | now; and for | ever. | A-|men.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1.18–31
A reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’
Gospel Procession
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Rejoice | and be | glad;
your re-| ward will be | great in | heaven.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Gospel Matthew 5.1–12
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
For the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
The Sermon
Hymn after Sermon: TIS 448 Blest Are The Pure in Heart.
Prayers
Prayer for our Parish
Gracious God,
We pray for our Parish of St Luke,
for our Rector and all who worship here.
We pray that this Parish will always have
a faithful pastor who will faithfully speak your Word
and minister your Sacraments;
an encourager who will equip your people for ministry
and enable us to fulfil our calling.
Give your Holy Spirit to those who will choose a new Rector,
that they will have wisdom, discernment and patience.
Give to us all warm and generous hearts,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Offertory Hymn: TIS 618 What Does the Lord Require.
Hymn during Communion: Goodness is Stronger.
Final Hymn: TIS 235 A man There Lived in Galilee.
Notices:
Today is World Leprosy Day — Leprosy Defeated, Lives Transformed
More than 2,000 years after Jesus healed people with leprosy, millions still suffer from the disease. Every 2 minutes another person receives the diagnosis, “You have leprosy.” Yet leprosy is totally curable!
Around the world, every year on the last Sunday in January this day is observed. The Leprosy Mission is active in 24 countries where leprosy is still a public health problem. Following the example of Jesus, The Leprosy Mission strives to eradicate the causes and consequences of leprosy, empowering people to find healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. Its work is only possible because of the commitment and generosity of people around the world who pray and give to help free people affected by leprosy from the devastation of disability, isolation, poverty and rejection.
We will have money boxes for donations to the Leprosy Mission at morning tea. If you would care to donate a gold coin we will forward the money to the mission. We held a similar collection for Leprosy Mission last week and next week the giving amount will be announced.
Friday 3rd February at 11:00 a Requiem Mass for Brian Rawnsley will be held at St Luke’s. We extend our sincere sympathy to Janet Widmer and family.
Next Wardens’ Meeting: 5 February 2017 & PC is 19 February 2017
Bookstall News – New stock: Jenny Stewart’s Inner Weather, Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance; and for children: The Velveteen Rabbit; Who Made Me; and Anne Frank and the Remembering Tree.
2017 ABM Projects: Al-Ahli Hospital, Wontulp-Bi-Buya Theological College Cairns, Vanuatu Literacy Programme. The amount raised for 2016 will be reported to the AGM.
There will be a Parish Retreat at the Stroud Hermitage in March please complete the expression of interest on the back page as soon as possible. Once we know who is likely to come, we can plan the program.
Sunday 12 March is our AGM - after morning tea. Please stay!
Saturday 18 March 2017 is the MOW AGM – please come!
Giving to St Luke’s
Envelopes in which to place your weekly offering are available at the Welcome Table at the entrance to the church and also at the Information Table near the Bookstall. If you would like to use this method of giving, please take a box. Alternatively …
If you want to ensure regular giving to St Luke’s, but find you never have the right amount in cash, or are sometimes unable to attend on Sundays, then St Luke’s Direct Transfer may work for you. Please put your name or the word “Offering” as a reference.
St Luke’s Enmore Bank Account Details
Account Name: St Luke’s Anglican Church Working Account
BSB: 062–165
Account Number: 10023547
Bible Readings for the Week 30th to 5th January 2017
MONDAY |
Hebrews 11.32–40 |
Psalm 31.23–27 |
Mark 5.1–20 |
TUESDAY |
Hebrews 12.1–4 |
Psalm 22.26–32 |
Mark 5.21–43 |
WEDNESDAY |
Hebrews 12.4–7,11–15 |
Psalm 103.15–18 |
Mark 6.1–6 |
THURSDAY |
Hebrews 12.18–24 |
Psalm 48.9–13 |
Mark 6.7–13 |
FRIDAY |
Hebrews 13.1–8 |
Psalm 27.1–6 |
Mark 6.14–29 |
SATURDAY |
Hebrews 13.15 ‑17,20–21 |
Psalm 23 |
Mark 6.30–34 |
Next Sunday Readings Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
First reading: Isaiah 58.1–9a
Psalm 112
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 2.1–13
Gospel: Matthew 5.13–20
INTERCESSIONS
Prayers for each day of the week Today: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Fr. Philip & Rosemary Bradford; Chris Brooks; Tony Brownlow; Les & Lyn Carrington. Our Prayers for those in urgent need: |
Our Prayer for those in need. Shirley Allen; Barbara & Jade Allen; Grace & Hannah Ashton; Fatima Begum; Angela Bell; Maureen & Henry Byers; Hugo Cunningham; Joseph Jeebell; Ann Jeffs; Melissa, John & Baby Gerard; Jude & Isla; Marissa; John Naidu; Pauline Newell; Lamar Powell; Peter Purcell; Edward Reddy; Alex Regos; Joy Ree; Stephen Thomas; Sophie Toupein; Janet Walmsley; Yavani Mu Daly, Victoria, Leigh Garretty, Nii Samuela; Aliesha; Julian; Eve Moggs; John Micallef; Lillian & mother; Jack & family; Caroline Wilson; Barbara Granger; Dawn Holland, Helen Gronowski (Priest) and Margaret Watkins. The Departed Brian Rawnsley, Cecily Hengstberger-Sims. Anniversaries of the Departed Br John Charles Vockler; Jennifer Russell; Florence Simpson. Saints Commemoration: 30th: Charles, King of England (d.1649) |
Parish Information www.stlukesenmore.org.au
ABN.78 161 584 893.
SUNDAY WORSHIP:
Sung Eucharist and Children’s Ministry at 9.30 am followed by hospitality in the hall. Thai Community meets in the Chapel after morning tea. Enquiries to Amanda Mason 0407 101 382.
WEEKDAY SERVICES:
Wednesday 9.30 a.m. — Morning Prayer; 10.00 a.m. Eucharist (followed by morning tea)
Friday 8.30 a.m. – Morning Prayer
CONFESSIONS (Sacrament of Reconciliation) HOME COMMUNIONS, BAPTISMS, & MARRIAGES by arrangement.
Rector — Fr Philip Bradford — 0431 655 220 (Mob)
Office Ph 9557 4219 PO Box 64. Enmore NSW 2042
Parish email: rector@stlukesenmore.org.au
Fr Philip: bradford.pr@gmail.com
Honorary Lay Minister – Peter Seymour
Pastoral Care
Lay-Ministers — Part Time – Lea MacNeil & Amanda Mason.
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday 9.00 to 11.00 am; Wednesday 9.00 am to 12 noon; Friday 8.30 to 10.30 a.m. Hon Clergy Associate: Organist: Kathy Drummond ST LUKE’S OP SHOP, Hall Administrator: |
Wardens: Parish Council: Parish Nominators: Pastoral Care Support Group |
Expression of Interest
Parish Retreat at Stroud
3–5 March 2017
To successfully plan our Retreat we need to know the number of people wishing to attend; families are welcome.
I/we would be interested in attending the Parish Retreat:
Name/s:
Telephone Contact Numbers:
Landline: Mobile:
Please tear this form off and return to the Parish Office or one of the Wardens ASAP.
Planning Committee consists of Fr Philip and Rosemary, Mandy Tibbey, Jennie Winton and Peter Seymour.
You must be logged in to post a comment.