PARISH NEWS REFLECTION – Mark 8:27-38
What are you willing to sacrifice? It’s an odd question because many of us don’t really need to sacrifice to get what we need. We live in the lucky country, we have high-quality education, plenty of opportunities to pursue a career or even career change and even live in relative peace and prosperity. Sacrifice seems unnatural and uncommon for us when everything is at our fingertips. Yet, sacrifice is what Jesus calls us all to consider in Mark 8:27-38.
Are we willing to sacrifice in order to follow him?
We who live in Australia don’t see following Jesus as a sacrifice because it often doesn’t require us to sacrifice much. Perhaps we need to give up unhelpful habits and begin loving our neighbours more.
But what happens when all of a sudden your neighbour is the person who would have you killed if they knew of your faith?
Would you still share your faith with them? Would you be willing to follow Jesus if the sacrifice was that great?
1. Jesus the Christ
2. Christ’s Sacrifice
3. The Sacrifice of Faith
OUR HYMNS FOR THIS SUNDAY
TIS 526 Lord, Jesus Christ (Living Lord) This I Believe (The Creed)
TIS 349 In the Cross of Christ I glory
VICAR ON ‘HOLIDAYS’
A reminder that Graeme is currently on holidays and returns to work on Monday, 20 September. He can’t get away due to restrictions so please try and leave him in peace and direct all enquiries to either Mike our Curate or the Wardens.
AUSTRALIAN CHURCH CALENDAR 2022
Church Calendars will be available again, at last year's price of $13. Because of restrictions this year the ordering process is different. Please send your order by email to dougkenn@gmail.com and include your phone number for making distribution arrangements. Alternatively, orders may be left at the vicarage. Payment will be due on receipt of the Calendar during November.
2022 LECTIONARY - $15
Lectionaries for next year are available, setting out readings for all services each day. They are a valuable resource in preparation for weekly worship and private daily use. Please send your order by email to dougkenn@gmail.com and include your phone number for making distribution arrangements. Alternatively, orders may be left at the vicarage. Payment will be due on receipt of the Lectionary during November.
VALE TERRY & CYNTHIA
We were saddened last weekend to hear of the passing of two of our church members. Terry Baptist passed away last Friday morning 3 September, and Cynthia Delport passed away on Saturday morning 4 September. Our most sincere condolences go to their families at this time and please be assured of our prayers. Terry’s funeral was Wednesday 8 September and Cynthia’s will be this coming Monday 13 September at 2 pm. Due to restrictions, both funerals only allow attendance of 10 people (family). Cynthia’s funeral will be live-streamed and you can follow it on tinyurl.com/CynthiaDelport.
Full details are as follows: DELPORT, Cynthia The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Cynthia Angeline Delport will be held on Monday, 13 September @ 2pm. This service will be live-streamed and can be viewed at: tinyurl.com/CynthiaDelport Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Cancer Council or St James Anglican Church Dandenong Kingston Funerals 9585 2822
RESTRICTIONS UPDATE
As we are still unable to meet face-to-face we will continue recording services for the next few weeks, and these will be made available each Sunday morning. Having said this, church life continues. The clergy are available to speak to on the phone, and please don’t hesitate to call! Please continue to pray for each other from our homes and to learn from God’s word.
FROM THE ARCHIVES - 28 June 1998 - Patronal Festival
Our Patronal Festival will be held on 16th August. Our guest preacher at the 10am Eucharist will be Archdeacon Rodney Oliver (Vicar of St James 1981-1991). We look forward to welcoming Rodney and Lesley back to St James. This will be followed by an International Luncheon in the Parish Hall Mission Impossible - finding Margo's car keys in another lady's handbag!! With over 35 ladies in the room and an average 250 items in each bag, this equals 8750 items- FAITH!
OUR WEEKLY OFFERING
Bank details are as follows for your weekly offering:
Name: St James Anglican Church, Dandenong
BSB 703 122
Account No: 05004623
Stewardship envelop? Please use your name & envelope number as a reference.
Account details for donations to the Building Fund
Account Name - St James Building Fund
BSB–703 122
Account Number - 05009897
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
We pray for those who are sick or troubled in body or mind, or who have special needs: (Please email contact@stjamesdandenong.com or contact clergy for prayers for anyone who is in need of them).
This week we continue to pray for: Bethuel; Russell; Melanie; Mike; Mark; Hazel; Clovis; Stephen; Shenae.
Could those who have placed names in the Book for Prayers please update it by removing anyone who is no longer in need of special prayers. Alternatively you can email the office. Thank you.
We also pray for: The Anglican Church of Tanzania; The Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn; Angliss Health Services; The Anglican Parish of Rowville and Ferntree Gully; Holy Trinity Lara 50th Anniversary Holy Communion Service; Geelong Grammar Sunday service; St Philip’s Mt Waverley; Archbishop Philip and all our Bishops in their ministry this week.
LAWN MOWING ROSTER:
18 September: Heinz & Vic
25 September: Samoan Congregation
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY:19 September, 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Proverbs 31.10-31;
Psalm 1;
James 3.1-12;
Mark 9.30-37.
Have a blessed week and please email contact@stjamesdandenong.com if you need anything.