St Paul's
Beaconsfield

Anglican Church near Fremantle, Western Australia

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 31st January 2010

Our parish is a community that seeks God and the fullness of creation by finding ourselves in relation to others. Our giving to the common, to the other, our sharing of ourselves is our commitment to this endeavour.

Year B

Sunday, 9.15am Holy Communion see also Readings

Regular Services

Lectionary

The full text of the readings for Sunday are available in our Sunday's Readings section.

Other Resources

Textweek The Text This Week - Revised Common Lectionary, Scripture Study and Worship Links

Online Revised Common Lectionary Vanderbilt Divinity Library

Earlier Thoughts      Year B 0506      Year C 0607      Year A 0708

Sunday, 9.15am Holy Communion

LITURGICAL NOTE: From the start of Advent we follow the YEAR C readings in the three-year lectionary cycle. See the inside back cover for more about the liturgical year.

Before entering the sanctuary or the vestry…
Please allow the Choir to complete the ‘postlude’ and any additional songs that are part of our offering in worship – Our holding the sacred space is part of our common union - our being together in communion

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Before you were born I consecrated you

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Building ‘Beyond the Church....

As we reshape the church building, so we have an opportunity to see ourselves in a new landscape - an opportunity to look beyond the confines of our tradition, and to look beyond the confines of our mortality.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you
There is a delightful paradox as we build (grow) toward the future so we become aware of the seeds that began the process of our becoming. We might marvel that within the acorn is the Oak tree..... do we ever marvel at the potential that we hold within ourselves?

We are, with each and every other, consecrated for a Divine life; and we each have a part to play in the unfolding of a divine tomorrow.

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WONDER MOMENTS
The actual sense of wonder
does not have to be grand;
maybe one kangaroo
outlined above the dunes at sundown;
a few seconds of melody from Grieg or Haydn;
a bare wintering tree
lifting arms to the moonlight;
a phrase from a psalm
not heard for some time.

Little glimpses of the kingdom
can be born in a moment,
unexpected as a Christ,
unearned as grace
bud-bursts of wonder-praise
tingling in one's being
and focusing on the Mystery
greater than the stars!
Bruce D. Prewer - More Australian Psalms

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A Hole in a Flute
I am
A hole in a flute
That the Christ’s breath moves through –
Listen to this
Music.

I am the concert
From the mouth of every Creature
Singing with the myriad
Chords.
Hafiz.

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Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is dark
Rabindranath Tagore

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LENT
We are planning already for Lent - a program of reflection that looks at the movement in our life journey and our movement each day in the Divine process of Dying and Rising. We can reflect on the journey and the movement that takes us toward the fullness of resurrection. Please consider your commitment to our experience of Lent:
Tuesday: Evening Study Group
Wednesday: Shared meal after Evening Prayer
Sunday: Reflections on the Scriptures
Sunday Film evenings to ‘see’ the gospel revealed through contemporary media
A journey we share as we seek to experience and realise
the possibility of Easter.

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From Christina on the discussion site: Today Barry, Jay and I went to Rottnest for the day and as we were waiting for the shuttle bus to the settlement, a group of teenage surfers gathered around Jay as he entertained them with the story of Daniel and the Lions. The group looked bewildered until one of them showed a glimmer of recognition and chimed: "Oh, that story is from the bible!"  Jay seemed very comfortable and authoritative with his role as preacher ... it was delightful to watch.

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Glory be to you, O God,
For the gift of life
Unfolding through those
who have gone before me.
J. Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction

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From last week’s sermon: What Luke reveals is that each of us is called ‘to fulfil the scriptures in the hearing of others’. Not to walk round the streets like religious loonies saying that Jesus saves everybody, but rather to embody a fulfilment of scriptures that others may see and hear.
We too, as members of one body and as the Body of Christ, might reveal ourselves and be seen as the fulfilment of the scriptures.

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The Elm Dance

After the choir sings the postlude on Sunday morning, those who wish to join in “The Elm Dance” gather in the circle dance area outside the church before going up to coffee in the hall. The Elm Dance

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The Divine Gift of Life, Light and Love
Our offering - a reflection of the gifts we have received
and an orientation of our giving to the life of this community.

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There is nothing in all the Universe so much like God as silence.
Meister Eckhart

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Sacred Space, Liturgy & our Community @ Worship
As we seek to offer our best in worship these guidelines may be helpful.

1. Silence before worship enables us to be ‘gathered’ into the introit sung by the choir
2. Conversations with others are often our way of avoiding those more divine words that search for us.
3. The sanctuary ‘space’ is ‘held’ by those who lead our worship, please keep to a minimum any movement in this ‘space’ and, at the end of our service, please wait until the choir have finished singing before entering.
4. NOTICES are an important part of our community story… however please use the service sheet to convey notices so that we can minimise the number that have to be given in church.

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We meditate on the glory of the Creator;
Who has created the Universe;
Who is worthy of Worship;
Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light;
Who is the remover of all Sin and Ignorance;
May The Divine enlighten our Intellect.

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Peace
Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi

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May creatures all abound in wealth and peace;
May all be blessed with peace always;
All creatures weak or strong,
All creatures great and small;
Creatures seen or unseen,
Dwelling afar or near.
born or awaiting birth,
May all be blessed with peace!
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Giving made easy
Direct debit forms are available from the back of the church and the hall for anyone who wants to use this facility. 
St Paul’s bank account details are:
30004913 Beaconsfield - for the East End account
30003006 Beaconsfield - for regular giving
For Internet or other bank transfers you will also need the BSB which is the same for each account – 706-001
Please contact Bob Matthews if you have any questions.

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