Χριστος Ανεστη! Christ is Risen!

Sixth Sunday of Easter May 6, 2018

We acknowledge the Jaara Jaara people, of Dja Dja Wurrung language group, the custodians of this land where we gather.

We pay our respects to their elders past and present and pray for reconciliation.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Sentence of the day

Jesus said, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit.’ John 15.16

Gathering Hymn – 183 Sing of the Lord’s goodness

The Lord be with you. And also with you Christ is risen Alleluia! He is risen indeed Alleluia!

We pray the Prayer of preparation (page 119 of the prayer book)

The confession and absolution

Christ our Passover Lamb has been offered for us, therefore we come to celebrate the festival. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, with a sincere and true heart.

(page 120 of the prayer book)

We sing The Gloria (page 121 of the prayer book)

Let us pray

Loving God, your Son has chosen us and called us to be his friends: give us grace to keep his commandments, to love one another, and to bear fruit which will abide; through him who is the true vine, the source of all our life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MINISTRY OF THE WORD A reading from the Acts of the Apostles chapter 10 verses 44 to 48

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

For the word of the Lord thanks be to God

Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song:

for he has done marvellous things;

His right hand and his holy arm:

they have got him the victory.

The Lord has made known his salvation:

he has revealed his just deliverance

in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness

towards the house of Israel:

and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth:

break into singing and make melody.

Make melody to the Lord upon the harp:

upon the harp and with the sounds of praise.

With trumpets and with horns:

cry out in triumph before the Lord, the king.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it:

the good earth and those who live upon it.

Let the rivers clap their hands:

and let the mountains ring out together before the Lord;

For he comes to judge the earth:

he shall judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity. A reading from the first letter of John chapter 5 verses 1 to 12

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that

conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

For the word of the Lord thanks be to God Gospel Hymn – 396 Come Holy Spirit Halle halle halle, lu-i-a, Halle halle halle, lu-i-a Halle halle halle, lu-i-a, Halleluia Halleluia Now Christ is raised from the dead, He will never die again. All who follow his Word, shall have life in him, Halleluia Halleluia Halle halle halle, luia, Halle halle halle, luia Halle halle halle, luia, Halleluia Halleluia The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John, chapter 15 beginning at the 9th verse. Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

For the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

The Sermon

Let us together affirm the faith our church by saying the words of the Creed

(page 123 of the prayer book)

Let us pray for the world, the church, and each other

The Greeting of Peace We are the body of Christ His Spirit is with us.

The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Offertory Hymn – 434 Where there is charity and love

We give thanks for the offered gifts Blessed are you…..(we give thanks for the bread and wine) Blessed be God forever Blessed are you…..(we give thanks for money and food offerings) Blessed be God forever

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The preface to the Great Thanksgiving prayer is on page 154 ….for ever praising you and singing

Holy, holy, holy Lord

God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the Highest Blessed is he who comes in the Lord’s name

Hosanna in the Highest

Then we return to page 128

With our hearts set on the kingdom and our hands open to serve, we pray as Jesus taught us…

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

Everyone is welcome to the table of the Lord.

The Sending out of God’s people

Prayer after communion... Eternal God, giver of life, in the breaking of the bread we know the risen Lord. May we who celebrate this holy feast walk in his risen light and bring new life to all creation.

Most loving God... you send us into the world you love. Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage in the power of your Spirit.

The Notices

Final Hymn – 454 Worship the Lord

The Blessing and Dismissal Almighty God, who redeemed us through the resurrection of Christ, who raised us to newness of life through the waters of baptism, and bought us out of slavery into everlasting freedom, give you joy and peace in faith and bring you to your eternal inheritance; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us, so be swift to love, make haste to be kind and go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia! In the name of Christ. Alleluia!

***some thoughts from Rev. Mel I had a great few days away at clergy conference this week in Echuca. We gathered for some professional development training, the topic this year was ‘Leadership’, and to catch up with colleagues and friends and to support each other’s various ministries.

The job that we each have can sometimes be isolating from community, family and friends – not everyone can relate to the rector afterall! So the fellowship of the deacons, priests and bishops in this diocese is really quite important so that we don’t burn ourselves out and so that we can bounce new, and tried, ministry ideas off others. It occurred to me as we were sitting down together to dinner on Tuesday night, how blessed we are to be in this diocese. We have very diverse expressions of Anglicanism throughout the region, and yet we had an absolute ball together. There was no ill feeling because one person is conservative and another is progressive – we were just followers of Jesus sitting down to break bread together. The idea that we are all doing the best we can for Jesus, loving each other in the way that we are called to, and in turn being re-energised to come back and reflect all of that love into our communities, is something that is very evident. It was also a good opportunity to take time to get to know Bishop Matt, and to let him know how excited we are that he is going to be with us for Pentecost. I’ve assured him that the coffee in this parish is without parallel, that the views and scenery (especially in Autumn) are famous, and that the people of this parish will give him such a warm greeting that he won’t notice how cold his toes are! Between now and Bishop Matt’s visit Ray, Ryan and I will be travelling to America to celebrate the wedding of our friend Mary to Rachel in Washington DC. We hope that you will pray for us as we go, and for Mary and Rachel’s commitment to each other. Blessings and love to you all. Mel PS Bishop Matt is a Star Wars fan….but not a Jane Austen fan….I’m so

conflicted! 😉

************************** Pew Bulletin

Meditation Group We meet every Monday at 5pm in St Mary’s – all are welcome Conversation/Australis Group We meet every Tuesday evening at 7pm in the rectory – all are welcome. Safe Church Parish Catch Up On May 27, after the 11am service at St Mary’s, we will have a catch up in the hall about how the parish is going with our Safe Church Workshop attendances and follow up work that we have to do. Youth Ministry Group Our Youth Ministry Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 5-7pm in the hall. If you would like to volunteer to assist at these sessions you must have a Working With Children Check (or be willing to obtain one), you must have completed a Safe Church Workshop (or be willing to attend), and you must be willing to participate in the volunteer recruitment process. These are diocesan requirements and are not negotiable. Please see Rev. Mel if you’re keen to help out this important and exciting ministry. News from the Guilds St Mary’s Guild: The street stall is on this Saturday from 9am to midday on High Street and knit and natter is on May 16. Diary Dates *Rev. Mel will be on leave from May 7 to 18. Fr Ian will be able to assist if you need a priest during that time 0437 655 702 *Bishop Matt will be visiting us for the first time on May 20, which is Pentecost Sunday. *Synod this year will be on May 25 and 26 this year in Bendigo.

*Woodend Winter Arts Festival 8-11 June. Robyn will be exhibiting again and we will need volunteers to staff the hall at various times over the weekend. Intercessions – our prayers are asked for: John, Sam, Jim, Andrea, Alison, Ethan, Kirsten, Carole, Wendy, Judy, Jeanette, Trevor, Rudi, Trish, Hugh, Joshua and family, Alan, Sheila, Faye, Lynne, Kay, Don, Norm, Kristina and John, Linda, Carmela, Steven, Heath and Molly. Birthdays and Anniversaries Happy birthday for tomorrow to Joy Daymon, on Tuesday to Trudy Shepherd and on Saturday to Les Huson.

Years Mind and those who have died recently On Thursday we remember Ilse Eggert Readings for next week – Easter Seven Acts 1.15-17, 21-26 Psalm 1 1 John 5.9-13 John 17.6-19 The colour throughout Easter-tide (50 days!) is white/gold – we use white to symbolise the coming into the light from the darkness of death into the life that Jesus won for us.

PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC 3442 | www.woodendanglican.org.au Priest: Rev’d Melissa Clark 0411 722 718 Warden: Derek Shepherd 0417 252 222

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