St Paul's
Beaconsfield

Anglican Church near Fremantle, Western Australia

9 May Sixth Sunday of Easter

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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The Holy Spirit will teach you everything

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What is Revelation
Many find it difficult to understand the book of Revelation (from which our second reading is taken today)... And many interpret it within ‘flat earth’ theologies........
It is not a “Tour of Heaven – seeking to describe a place where some will go... and although it comes from a literary genre that speaks of “end times”, it should not be seen as the definitive guide to the last things that will ever happen......
Revelation, is what Christ was all about.... and offers us – in the present day – a vision. Again the text is not necessarily a vision for (or of) the future. Rather, a new way of looking and understanding ‘life’ and our place within all life......
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb
the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb
These two ‘visions’ open us to contemplation of the City – the place we create for life.... And ask us to consider what gives light to our lives and what is the true place of the Church in the world.

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PEACE on EARTH
All must realise that there is no hope of putting an end to the building up of armaments, nor of reducing the present stocks, nor, still less--and this is the main point--of abolishing them altogether, unless the process is complete and thorough and unless it proceeds from inner conviction: unless, that is, everyone sincerely co-operated to banish the fear and anxious expectation of war with which men are oppressed. If this is to come about, the fundamental principle on which our present peace depends must be replaced by another, which declares that the true and solid peace of nations consists not in equality of arms but in mutual trust alone. We believe that this can be brought to pass, and we consider that, since it concerns a matter not only demanded by right reason but also eminently desirable in itself, it will prove to be the source of many benefits.
----Peace on Earth, #113, John XXIII, 1963

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MOTHER…. who is my mother? May we respond with Christ and see our Mother in the ones who nurture us…. the ones who Love us and may we GIVE ourselves as Mothers to those who come to us for nurture…..

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Mothering God, you gave me birth, in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, source of every breath, you are my rain, my wind, my sun.
Juliana of Norwich, ca. 1400.

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Honour Your MOTHER and your Father so that your days may be long….. (Exodus 20:12)
A mother’s love is iconic of inclusive and unconditional love - it is an obvious analogy or better still a glimpse of the reality of God…… Jesus uses language that could so easily be on the lips of any mother….Little children, I am with you only a little longer…..I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one

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MOTHER…. that in me that is creative and nurturing….. Honour the mother in YOURSELF… seek the MOTHER in our community….and Give thanks for the DIVINE MOTHER of creation…..

MOTHER…. my creative self, my centre of birthing…… I pray that I may bring to life the gift of the Divine that is forever birthed in me…

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An Affirmation
A professional landscaper visited the Garden Group this week and was most impressed by all that we have achieved here. Our community participation in creating this wonderful precinct is as good as the professionals (if not even better!)

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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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