St Paul's
Beaconsfield

Anglican Church near Fremantle, Western Australia

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 7 February 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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Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts

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The Old Testament reading provides us with Isaiah's vision
"Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen.....”

It is an 'awakening' vision, a realisation of being without God's Word - “of unclean lips” and of being in a culture also bereft of God's Word (presence) - “a people of unclean lips.”

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians shares form the same place and refers to his awakening-
“as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

In the gospel it is Peter who responds to the promise of abundance that is revealed in Christ; again he comes from a place without expectation and of being unworthy.
For us these readings speak of the potential for new creation in each moment. Likewise, the East End of the Church reveals our community 'new creation', it reveals a church that is awakening to new birth, to a new movement.
And we - each of us is a member of that awakening body.

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Worship in the Hall
What a wonderful experience last Sunday as we found ourselves in the place of our ancestors.... gathered in the hall for worship and looking with expectation at the building works that would soon be finished..... As we look forward we have an opportunity to reflect on all that we contribute to future generations... In a world that seems intent on leaving both an abundance of CO2 and a substantial fiscal debt, we have an opportunity to realise a different vision of tomorrow.

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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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The Divine Gift has already been given:
'One of the real reasons why Prometheus is condemned to be his own
prisoner is because he is incapable of understanding the liberality of
God... the fire he thinks he has to steal is after all his own fire.
God created this spiritual fire for His own sons - more than that, He
gives them his own uncreated and sanctifying fire which is the Holy
Spirit.  But Prometheus, who does not understand liberality since he
has none of it in himself, refuses the gift of God.’ Both alike to Thee – the Retrieval of the Mystical Way Melvyn Matthews

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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