PARISH NEWS REFLECTION – Hebrews 5:1-10
Imagine you have been charged with a criminal offence. You’ve received a notice that says you must appear before the judge in the near future to determine if you are guilty. What do you do?
Do you run off to the library to give yourself a crash course in law so you can represent yourself?
The brave, confident and perhaps foolish among us might, but for most of us, we would immediately call up someone who is more experienced and learned in the law to represent us before the judge. A Solicitor or Barrister, an expert in the field of law who will be able to represent us and give us the best chance at withstanding the charges thrown against us. We need these experts because, without them, we will almost certainly not be able to represent ourselves with any success.
Now Barristers are one thing, we can all see why we would need them, but what about Priests?
Do we need a Priest?
And if so, what exactly do they do for us?
In our passage this week (Hebrews 5:1-10) we will see what Priests did and how they’ve been succeeded by a Priest who was sent by God himself.
1. The Old High Priest
2. Christ the High Priest
3. Our Eternal Salvation
OUR HYMNS FOR THIS SUNDAY
TIS 231 At the name of Jesus
MP 988 How deep the Father’s love for us
TIS 432 Christ is made the sure foundation
VACCINATION STATUS OF VOLUNTEERS AND CLERGY From this Friday, 15 October, all workers, volunteer or paid, lay and clergy, must have proof of at least a single dose of vaccine, or a firm booking of a first dose by 22 October, to do any permitted church work outside their homes. This applies to those assisting with essential food relief, vergers, servers, musicians, gardeners, those involved with broadcasting services, conducting and assisting at funerals, weddings and general church services.
FOR THOSE OF VACCINATION STATUS UNDECLARED From 7 November, we will also be offering services for those who do not wish to disclose their vaccination status or are unvaccinated. All attendees must still sign in with a QR code and wear a mask. If you wish to participate in one of these services, can you please advise Graeme and indicate which of these suggested time slots would suit you best: Sunday 4pm, Tuesday 10am, and Tuesday 5pm. We will do what we can to provide a service for everyone but this will depend on demand.
WE’RE ALMOST BACK!
Face-to-face Church is returning on the 7th of November. From this date, people who are doubly vaccinated will be allowed to attend the different church activities according to density caps and following COVID safety rules (mask-wearing, social distancing etc). This will allow a maximum of 55 people in our services.
CMS MISSIONARY
We have arranged with CMS to take on supporting a CMS missionary in order to give more focus to our prayers and mission giving. We are pleased to announce that we are now officially supporting Zoe Creelman who will be going to the Northern Territory at the end of the year to be engaged in ministry with indigenous communities. She will be speaking at all our main services on 7 November. This will be your opportunity to meet her and hear about her work.
AGM
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, 21 November. For those of you who have reports to write for this year's annual report, please send them to: contact@stjamesdandenong.com before Sunday 7 November. Please also pray about who you can nominate for Parish Council and for Wardens.
ELECTORAL ROLL
Our Parish AGM is coming up on the 21 November and as such, we need to update our Electoral Roll (this is different to the Parish Roll/List). If you are not on the roll and wish to be added, please advise the office as soon as possible and request an enrolment form. To be on the roll, you must be baptised, confirmed an Anglican or received as a member of the Anglican Church by a Bishop, and regularly and habitually attend public worship in this Parish.
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 envelope? Please use name and envelope number in reference.
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; 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 Church in the Province of the West Indies; The Diocese of Grafton; Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion; All Saints, Kooyong; Christ Church, Essendon; Holy Trinity, Doncaster; Archbishop Philip and all our Bishops in their ministry this week.
LAWN MOWING ROSTER
23 October: Samoan Congregation
31 October: David & Marg
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY: 24 October, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Job 42.1-6, 42.10-17; Psalm 34.1-8; Hebrews 7.21-28; Mark 10.46-52.