Sunday 17th May 2026 - Seventh Sunday of Easter

REFLECTION: 1 Peter 5 “Instructions on Shepherding”

Whose fault is it when things go terribly wrong in the church?

Is it due to a lack of good leadership from the pastor? It could be.

Is it due to a high level of disobedience and rebelliousness in the

congregation? It could be.

Peter addresses the Elders and shepherds of the church regarding the great

responsibility they have and the charge they have received from the chief

shepherd. And he also addresses the younger members so that they might

respect those in authority and be humble. There is something for each one of

us in this important pastoral passage and stern warnings to resist the devil’s

interference. Here is an outline.

1. To the Elders among you...

a. Tend the Flock of God that is in your charge (1-2)

b. Be willing shepherds with a desire to serve (2-3)

c. When the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory (4)

2. And to you who are younger.

a. Accept the authority of the elders (5)

b. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God (6)

c. Cast all your anxiety on him (7)

3. Stand Firm in God’s Grace.

a. Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a

roaring lion (8)

b. Resist him... for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world

are undergoing the same kinds of suffering (8)

c. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace... will

himself restore you (10)

TO THINK ABOUT:

How does the devil attack you? What are the chinks in your armour?

How can you resist these attacks?

HYMNS:

TIS133 O worship the king, all glorious

MP 1008 The Lords my Shepherd (I will trust in you)

TIS 658 I the Lord of sea and sky

TIS 590 What a friend we have in Jesus

WEDNESDAY GROWTH GROUP:

We continue working through a study on the prayers of the Bible based on

Peter Adam’s Prayerfulness book. All are welcome for a 7:30pm start.

ARCHBISHOP'S VISIT AND CONFIRMATIONS

We will be blessed to have a visit from our new Archbishop, Ric Thorpe, on

Sunday August 2nd for a late Patronal Festival and a service of Baptisms and

Confirmations. We will be starting a preparation course very shortly. This is a

last call for anyone interested in being confirmed at this service. Please speak

to the Vicar.

ST JAMES' GARDEN: Would you be interested in taking on the care and

maintenance of a section of the church gardens. Rusty has prepared a map of

the gardens and is looking for volunteers who are prepared to sign up to care

for a limited section of our gardens, taking on weeding, watering, pruning etc.

Please speak to Rusty.

OUR FINANCES ARE TIGHT – This Sunday our Wardens will be

speaking briefly on the financial challenges facing our Parish. Please pray for

God’s provision and for wisdom for our Parish Council.

MISSION MOMENTS: Today being Mission Sunday, we welcome Anna &

Martin Peters to speak to us on their recent trip to the Middle East and their

catch-up with our missionary Lauren. Please remember to bring mission

boxes in the next couple of weeks.

MOTHERS UNION: Existing members of Mothers Union are reminded that

membership fees are now due. Individuals interested in joining, including

men, women, and families, should contact Annie McDonald for more

information.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS have been donated today in loving memory of

Roland Matthys by his family. Forever treasured and loved.

PENTECOST: Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Wear something red as we

celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 17th May:

Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:26-31, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13, John 20:19-23

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 23rd of May – Samoan Youth.

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR:

The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea. Diocese of North West Australia:

Bishop Darrell Parker; St Bartholomew’s Burnley, St Jude’s Carlton, Chinese

Mission of the Epiphany, St Philip’s Collingwood, St Mark’s Fitzroy,

St George’s Flemington, Christ Church Kensington, St Peter’s Eastern Hill,

Holy Trinity East Melbourne, St Mary’s North Melbourne, and Pastoral visits

to St Dunstan’s Centenary Service – Camberwell, St John’s Bentleigh, and

City on a Hill Bayswater.

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Nigel, Jen, Glen, Sherene,

Gloria, Ron, Ruth, Mike, Amy, Cecil, Beryl, Paul, Charles, Marla, Jeremiah and

Tahlia.