Sunday 19th April 2026 - Third Sunday of Easter

REFLECTION: 1 Peter 1:13-25 ‘Be Holy, because I am Holy’

Today’s reading continues our readings through 1 Peter. Last week we

learned that we have a ‘living hope’, which is truly great news. This hope is

so wonderful that ‘even angels long to look into it’. But this week, we see

that Peter wrote a big ‘Therefore!’ in his letter. Though the great hope that

he writes about is given to us freely and lovingly through Jesus Christ, it is

not without consequences. Peter seems to be asking for the impossible when

he tells us to be ‘Holy’. So we ask ourselves three obvious questions:

1. What does it mean to be Holy?

2. Can we really be Holy?

3. How are we made Holy?

Our lives are meant to be changed by this message of hope.

Do you feel Holy after Easter? What makes your life different after the

resurrection?

Hymns:

TIS 609 May the mind of Christ my Saviour

MP 1214 O Lord you lead me

TIS 547 Be thou my vision

TIS 132 Holy, Holy, Holy

HELP NEEDED

The morning tea roster needs another helper. If you could assist once a

month with serving & providing a small morning tea following the 10.00am

service, it would be very much appreciated.

Please contact Kaye on 0490 090 507

FUNERAL OF REV. ALAN BAKER

Alan's family will be having a private cremation, and then later, on Friday

May 15th at 10am (to be confirmed) the plan is to have a memorial service

for Alan here at St James. More details and confirmation to follow.

CMS Young Adults Big Mission Dinner: God’s mission is bigger, wider,

and more global than we often imagine. That’s why CMS is bringing

together young adults from across Victoria for a night designed to expand

their vision of what God is doing among the nations. We'd love our church's

young adults to attend the CMS Big Mission Dinner—an evening of fun,

encouragement, and great food! Saturday, 9 May 2026. 6:30–9:00PM. St

Hilary’s Anglican Church, 12 John Street, Kew VIC 3101. $10 entry (pay

on entry).

At the Big Mission Dinner, young adults will:

1. Hear powerful, real-life stories from missionaries serving in South Asia.

2. Be inspired to pray boldly for God’s global mission.

3. Share a meal and connect with other young adults passionate about Jesus.

INTERMENT OF ARTHUR GEORGE'S ASHES will occur following

10am service next Sunday April 26.

MOTHER'S DAY HIGH TEA is scheduled for Saturday May 9th. Keep

the date free.

WORKING BEE is planned for Saturday 2nd of May from 8:30am in the

morning until lunchtime. There is lots to do. All welcome. Come when

you can, go when you must.

VICAR AWAY: Graeme and Jane are visiting South Australia for a few

days to celebrate Jane's parents 90th birthdays. Graeme will be back to work

on Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY GROWTH GROUP

Continues on Wednesday at 7:30pm in the Parish Centre. For the next few

weeks we will be looking at the theme of prayer. All are welcome.

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 an Alpha course shortly as preparation

for those who wish to be baptized or confirmed on that date.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER 25th April

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY – 25th April: Isaiah 62. 6-12;

Psalm 89. 1-9; 1 Peter 2.1-10; John 10. 1-10

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

Sherene, Gloria, Ron, Ruth, Mike, Amy, Cecil, Beryl, Paul, Fabian, Charles

& Marla.