Sunday 24th May 2026 - Day of Pentecost

REFLECTION: Acts 2:1-21 “The coming of the Holy Spirit”

Pentecost Sunday is one of the most important celebrations of our church

calendar. It is a celebration of the birth of the church, as God’s Holy Spirit

was poured out over the believers gathered in Jerusalem during the

Pentecost celebration. But is the Holy Spirit’s coming that important?

Would it matter to us if the Holy Spirit hadn’t come? Wouldn’t we still be

saved? Is there anything that the Spirit brings that we really need?

Hopefully today’s reflection will help you see the great importance of the

presence and the work of the Holy Spirit and the huge difference he makes

to our lives.

Here is an outline of the message:

1. The promise of the Spirit:

a. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power

(1:8).

b. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which... filled the whole house

(2-3)

c. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit (4)

2. The effect of the Spirit:

a. Opportunity: There were Jews from every country in the world who heard

(6-11)

b. Searching: Amazed and confused, they asked “What does this mean?”

(12)

c. Boldness: Then Peter stood up and... began to speak to the crowd (14)

3. The meaning of the Spirit’s coming:

a. In the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone (17)

a. I will perform miracles and wonders...before the Day of the Lord (18-20)

b. Whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved (21)

c. The Holy Spirit continues his work in us today.

To Think about:

What is the Holy Spirit doing with you at the moment?

Hymns:

TIS 409 O breath of life

TIS 685 The power of your love.

MP 442 Lord of the church

TIS 411 Filled with the Spirit’s power

THE MOTHER'S DAY 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

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.

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 or Graeme.

EVENING OF PRAYER AT THE CATHEDRAL Our Archbishop Ric

invites all Parishes to come to the Cathedral for an evening of Prayer on

Wednesday 15th July from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Put it in your diary. Details to

follow.

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME WOOD? We have a large collection of used

wooden planks and posts from our old fence we are trying to dispose

of. There are also other old pipes etc. that you may find a use for. In 2

weeks’ time, they will all be going in a skip. If you can use them, they are

lying between the Parish hall and the shed. Speak to Rusty or Graeme for

clarification.

PARISH WORKING BEE Saturday June 6th.

OUR FINANCES ARE TIGHT - CAN YOU HELP: Our treasurer will

give a detailed update in the next little while, but as all of the last invoices

for the building project and related equipment and furnishings come in, we

are really tight with our finances. Our giving has been low for some time,

which is why we had to let our curate go. Please pray for God's provision

for our finances and consider carefully how you can assist.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER 23rd May – Samoan Youth

FROM THE ANGLICAN DIARY, WE PRAY FOR Archdeaconry of

Geelong, Deanery of Corio: St Paul’s Inverleigh, Holy Trinity Lara with

Christ Church Little River, Bishop Alison Taylor: Christ Church Essendon

Pastoral Service

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

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

Marla, Jeremiah, Tahlia & Suzanne.