The Diocese of Wangaratta

with Broadford, Pyalong & Tallarook

Sixth Sunday of Easter - 5th May 2013 with Holy Baptism at St Matthews
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The Anglican Parish of Kilmore

Hymns: 187, 671, 217, 671

Introit Hymn Christ is risen. [Alleluia.] He is risen indeed. [Alleluia.] Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God's kingdom, now and for ever. We are the body of Christ. His Spirit is with us. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. All may exchange a sign of peace.

The Liturgy continues on page 119 Green Prayer Book

SENTENCE: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, says the Lord. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14.27. THE COLLECT Bountiful God, you gather your people into your realm, and you promise us food from your tree of life. Nourish us with your word, that empowered by your Spirit we may love one another and the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING

Acts 16. 9-15

A reading from the book of Acts One night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, Come over to Macedonia and help us. After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we travelled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Pauls message. When she and the members of her household were baptised, she invited us to her home. If you consider me a believer in the Lord, she said, come and stay at my house. And she persuaded us. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 67 Response: Let the peoples praise you, O God, let all the peoples praise you. God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, That your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations....................R

O let the nations rejoice and be glad, for you will judge the peoples righteously and govern the nations upon earth..........................R Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, our own God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.............R SECOND READING Revelation 21.10-14, 22.1-5 A reading from the book of Revelation One of the seven angels carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendour into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honour of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lambs book of life. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Those who love me will keep my word, and my Fa- | ther will love them, and we will come to them and make our | home with them. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL

John 14. 23-29 A reading from the holy gospel according to John Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said to his disciples, Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, I am going away, and I am coming to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. For the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The Baptism follows the Gospel reading see Holy Baptism booklet THE PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL God, who created the heavens and the Earth and all that lives Bless us, heal us; make your face to shine upon us and bring us peace. God of all the earth and kingdoms; may all leaders of governments, nations, cities, towns, and villages through your grace, be filled with your wisdom. May your desire for life be fulfilled; may those who suffer injustice and exploitation be filled with hope in the Spirit. Bless us, heal us; may your face shine upon us and bring us peace. Holy God, may your church be filled with your Spirit to proclaim the good news of peace and justice; hear our prayer for our Bishop John and all who minister in your name; we pray for our Parish and our life together; we ask you to bless and sustain Angel Mikayla & Keanu Lee newly baptised as they begin their journey of faith, and we pray for parents Trent & Kristy, and godparents Nicole & Justin, and Danielle & Keren, and for all the family and friends. Bless us, heal us; may your face shine upon us and bring us peace. Ever loving God, may suffering of body, mind, or spirit be healed through your love, and realised through our faith; embrace us deeply and in grace and love take our troubled hearts and fears, and free us to love as your Son has commanded. We pray for all those on our hearts this day and those who have asked for our prayer. Bless us, heal us; may your face shine upon us and bring us peace.

Strong and yet, Gentle God, Mother of all - birthing life, nurturing life and love, your grace fuels hope, mercy, comfort, open our hearts this day so we may know the joy that comes from your peace. Bless us, heal us; may your face shine upon us and bring us peace. Gracious and loving God, we offer our payer of thanksgiving for the gift of life and the mothers who birthed us; and all those who nurtured us and the nurturer within each of us; most of all we thank you for your most profound expression of love, which we find in your Son Jesus, who is our source of strength and faith. Bless us, heal us; may your face shine upon us and bring us peace. Holy God, open our hearts to your power moving around us and between us and within us as we pray for ourselves, and those we love ............. Bless us, heal us; may your face shine upon us and bring us peace. God of the new Jerusalem we commend to your gracious keeping the recently departed and those whose years mind occurs at this time. Rest eternal grant to them O Lord; And let light perpetural shine upon them. Those things Good Lord, that we your people have prayed for, give us grace to work for and in the purpose of your love, fulfill our hopes and prayers, and hear as we pray as our Lord as taught us. [Pg 124] Our Father.......... Request for prayer from: Seth Gunther, Adrian Walsh, Ethan Forcier, Cliff Stomann, Gwenda Stomann, Diana Kelly, Lasse Prosser, Tom Davidson, Sandra Davidson, Lyn Ryan, Heather Turnbull, Peter Cannon, Ian Staring, Chris Schafer, Pearl Footer, Alex Impols, Michelle Gibbs, David Flower, Chris Tuckett, Glen Turnbull, Carol Boase, Tom Scrivens, Ted Evans, Alma Smith, Darren Winfield, Norma Hedley, Keith Jenkins, Justin Quigg, Kelly Quigg, Karen Godger, Michael Farrell. (Anyone wishing to add a person to the Parish prayer list please make sure the person is happy to be named and then contact Fr Kim.) Years mind: Today we remember before God those whose anniversary of death occurs this week: 6th Mabel Fullard; 10th Rodney Heppell; 11th Elvie Walker, Brianna Hodges, Bill Beckinsale. Saints Days and Holy Days: Mon 6th John, Apostle & evangelist; Wed 8th Julian of Norwich, holy woman & mystic (d. 1417); Thu 9th Ascension Day. Prayer after Communion Father, you restored us to life by raising your Son from death. May we who receive this sacrament always be strengthened to do your will, in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.

Reflections on the Readings Religion can cause much harm and confusion or it can become a source of life and hope to all people. Looking at history, we might say that there exists good religion and bad religion. We like to think that the religion which we practice is good religion - religion which leads people to life and peace and justice. In the first reading from Acts, the men and women in Antioch have heard religious messages or opinions that have upset them and disturbed their peace of mind. There is tension and conflict. Sounds very familiar to the reaction in response to Jesus teaching. Growth requires change and that can be unsettling. In the Acts story the issue is brought to the community in Jerusalem. The community consensus is not to impose anything that gets in the way of the spirit that gets in the way of the freedom and joy of the people of God in Antioch or anywhere else. But liberation from systems of thought and practice have a downside whisch is sometimes existential anxiety. Yet, we must not stand in the way of the Holy Spirit, but the results can leaves us rattled. In the heavenly Jerusalem envisioned in the second reading, things are so simple and direct. There is no need for a temple. The presence and glory of God is everywhere, and God has condescended to settle among Gods people on earth. As Jesus makes clear in the gospel, the spirit comes and the gift is peace. The invitation of the scriptures is to get involved in good, healthy religion. The invitation is to keep it simple and focused on what is really important what will give life and freedom and peace. The social teaching of the church aims to help us keep focused on what is really important and what is important to people. Religion should not be about ideology or empty spiritual practices or rigid rituals disconnected from life. Rather, it is about a concern for what it is really important, a concern for the spiritual values that really matter. These include the issues of justice and peace in the world, a concern for the poor, a respect for creation as a gift from God, a concern for reconciliation with those with whom we are in conflict, and a focus on a world that reflects the glory of God.
Adapted from Buckie SJ, J., (2013). Centre of Concern at 40. www.coc.org/

Notices
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A warm welcome to all our visitors, please join us for coffee or tea after the service. Altar Servers Christ Church: Additional servers are needed for the roster; if you feel called to serving, please contact Fr Kim or Caroline. Training provided. Parish Website: The weekly pew sheets are also available once more on the parish website, www.anglicankilmore.org.au. As well as the pew sheets, tell our

webmaster, Caroline, what you think of the website and what else you would like to see there. Request for prayer list - be advised that the prayer list is being reviewed. Please inform the wardens or Fr Kim if you want to have a name kept on the list. Note that permission must be sought from the persons concerned before they can be added. Confirmation 2013 - Please contact Fr Kim for more information on confirmation later in the year. Classes to start soon. Diocesan Synod: Bishop John has issued the Mandate for the 3rd Session of 37th Synod of the Diocese 31st May - 1st June 2013 - TAFE Docker Street Wangaratta. Nominations for Bishop in Council are now being sought. Parish BBQ - thanks to Robyn and Len Whitehouse for hosting the last BBQ. The venue for the next Parish BBQ on May 17th will be at Norman and Anne Rose, 180 South Mountain Road, Heathcote Junction (5783 1085). Hosts are required for June and beyond, please contact Caroline Burge with your availability. Direct Debit Offerings: Parish Account details: CBA Account Name Kilmore Anglican Parish. BSB 063-698. Account Number 1018 4649.

Second week of May Wednesday 8th 9.00am Eucharist Christ Church Thursday 9th 10.00am Eucharist St Mathews 10.00am Eucharist Willowmeade 4.00pm Eucharist Dianella Friday 10th 10.00am 4.00pm Op Shop Church House Sat 11th 10.00am 12noon Op Shop Church House Next Sunday: 12th May: Seventh Sunday of Easter [Sunday after Ascension] Acts 16. 16-34; Ps 97; Revelation 22.12-22; John 17.20-26 Christ Church 9am Sung Eucharist St Matthews 11am Morning Prayer St Stephens 11am Holy Eucharist Transfiguration 3pm No service this day

Parish life this week

1 Wed of the month: Building and Maintenance Committee Meeting 7.30pm Christ Church (unless otherwise notified) 3rd Tues of the month: St Matthews Friendship Group. Gavan Hall 1.30pm for fellowship & afternoon tea; contact Edie Simpson for details ph. 5784 1246. rd 3 Wed of the month: Parish Council Meeting, 7.30 pm venue TBA 4th Thurs of month: Christ Church Friendship Group contact Beris Hannam ph. 5723 9737 3rd Friday of month: Parish BBQs 6.30pm. th 4 Sunday of month: Church 4 Kids usually 5-6.30pm.

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Parish Diary

Parish Clergy:

Rector Fr Kim Benton 9 Union Street Kilmore 3764 Ph 5782 1155 m 0407569343 kim@revkim.org Priest (PTO) Fr John Young 9/40 Powlett Street Broadford 3658 Ph 5784 2224

PO Box 289 Kilmore 3764 www.anglicankilmore.org.au