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May 7th, 2012
To The Least of These
Have you ever heard someone say, “Wait just a minute?” Well, sometimes a minute can seem like a long time. Other times, a minute seems to just fly by. This morning I have brought a timer with me to help us know exactly how a long a minute is. When I say GO! I want you to see how many things you can think of that you like to eat. Are you ready? GO! [minute passes] ?Did you think of a lot of good things to eat? I did. I thought about fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, pizza, cookies, ice cream, chocolate, green thai curry. ? What did you think of that you like to eat? Did you know that in that one minute while we were thinking about all the good things we like to eat, somewhere in the world 17 people died from hunger? Of those 17 people that died, 13 of them were children…boys and girls just like you. More people go to bed hungry each night than all the people who live in Australia – in fact 40 times more. !! That’s more people than I can think of – that’s a lot of people!!
One day, Jesus was speaking to some people. He said, “I was hungry, & you gave me something to eat…I was thirsty & you gave me a drink.” “When did we do that?” they asked. Jesus answered them, “If you did it for one of the least of my children, you did it for me.” Because we all belong to Jesus – he’s really saying that whatever we do – or DON’T do – for someone else – we’re doing it – or NOT doing it – for Jesus. Even though we get hungry – we know that there will be food to eat – something yummy that our mums or dads make for us. When we get cold we know we have warm clothes in our bedroom. When we’re tired we know we can sleep in our own warm beds. We have a lot to be thankful for, don’t we?
There are lots of people who don’t have enough to eat – or warm clothes – or a warm bed. One of the ways we can share what we have with people in need is by bringing some food to put in this basket on Sundays. Or putting some money in this bag [ offertory bag]. This is used to help people who don’t have enough to eat – or a warm bed. Maybe you can think of some other ways we can help. When we share what we have with others – it’s the same as doing it for Jesus!
PRAYER Lord Jesus, you have given us so much. We ask that you give us hearts that are generous so we might share with others in your name. Amen.
April 30th, 2012
A Living Church – Serving
 The Old Testament records different prophetic voices warning Israel about the dire consequences of actions taken by its leaders and its people, always with the proviso that such consequences may be avoided with a suitable change of direction and heart.
This week’s gospel passage [Matt 25:31-46] records Jesus speaking to his disciples in the days before his arrest about a coming time when nations and peoples will be called to give account of their actions (or lack of it), and the resultant eternal consequences.
Jesus likens this terrible time of judgement to a shepherd who separates the herd into sheep and goats. But who are the sheep and who are the goats?
Some very specific criteria is used: how we responded to the needs of those who were hungry, without clothing and water, the rejected, alienated and lonely (the foreigner or refugee), those bound and imprisoned (mental illness, addiction).
Interestingly, Jesus makes no mention of membership of any particular church group or belief system or brand of theology. The only criteria Jesus underlines is how we treat one another, especially those who are most vulnerable.
Jesus goes as far as to say [vv 40, 45] that whatever we do (or don’t do) for even the most ‘undeserving’ of his flock, we do (or don’t do) for him. Such a difficult teaching about the true motive for loving service must challenge us to reconsider our attitudes to others and our response to those in need.
Matthew 25:31-46 [NRSV] Judgement of the Nations
31 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” 41Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” 44Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” 45Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’
April 28th, 2012
The Alpha Course
An opportunity to explore the meaning of life.
is Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant?
“Alpha makes Christianity relevant to modern life.”
Come and enjoy a free Dinner at the introductory session with no obligation to continue.
Monday, 21 May 2012 , 7-9pm
at St Peters Anglican Church 53 Deegan Drive, Goonellabah
more information about a typical course
April 13th, 2012
LET US TRUST AND GO.
Both the Gospel and the Epistle for today show God’s enormous gentleness with us. God is not so much interested in guilt but in restoring us, enabling us to enter into a holy, loving relationship with Him and each other.
It is moving that when Jesus comes to His frightened disciples, locked away in what they hope will be a safe house, He says not one word of condemnation to them. To these, His closest friends, who have betrayed and abandoned Him to his horrible death, His first words are “Peace be with you.” He must have said it with enormous conviction, because not one of the disciples tries to apologise or justify himself. They all are filled instantly with joy.
Even Thomas, the doubter who speaks for so many of us, is not greeted with any kind of impatience. Although there is certainly a teasing note in Jesus’ voice as He speaks to Thomas, He knows what will convince him and grant Thomas faith.
The task that Jesus gives His disciples is an awesome one. “Go! Preach the Gospel to all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
In their own strength the disciples betrayed and abandoned Jesus. Now in the strength of the Holy Spirit they are asked to go in the holiness, love, humility and courage of Jesus. And so are we!
April 9th, 2012
? The Alpha Course
An opportunity to explore the meaning of life.
is Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant?
“Alpha makes Christianity relevant to modern life.”
Come and enjoy a free Dinner at the introductory session with no obligation to continue.
Monday, 21 May 2012 , 7-9pm
at St Peters Anglican Church 53 Deegan Drive, Goonellabah
more information about a typical course
April 7th, 2012
Easter (Resurrection) Sunday
Mark 16: 1-8
 What causes us to be fascinated by other people’s lives such as the rich and famous or those portrayed in so-called reality TV shows? Is there something missing from our own lives that causes us to look elsewhere for excitement or meaning? How can we have a full and rewarding life?
It can be tempting to think we’re just ordinary people, living ordinary lives in ordinary circumstances in ordinary times. The reality is that this could not be further from the truth!
The Easter story that comes to us through the New Testament Gospels tells of a risen Jesus Christ who appeared to ordinary people who often didn’t immediately recognise Him. When they did, they were surprised, joyful, but never afraid, because they recognised him as an ordinary human being. The ‘extraordinary’ (Son of God risen from death!) seemed ordinary and natural.
How often do we too allow the ‘extraordinary’ to pass as ordinary in our own lives? Do we miss the pearls and diamonds of life because we are preoccupied with mundane things that don’t really matter in the eternal scheme of things?
Are we like Mary at the empty tomb; lost in our pain and grief, failing to recognise the risen Lord Jesus standing beside us? Or, fully grasping the wondrous implications, do we celebrate and share with others the reality of the living Jesus and His ‘extraordinary’ message of love, forgiveness and truth?
Mark 16: 1-8 [NRSV] The Resurrection of Jesus
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
April 3rd, 2012
Palm Sunday
 This week, as we join Jesus on the final leg of his journey to the cross of Calvary with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we pause to reflect on the power of the cross as a Christian symbol.
Once an instrument of Roman torture intended for the execution of criminals, the symbol of the cross was carried into the ‘Holy Crusades’ by misguided Christians intent on spilling the blood of ‘heathens’ in the name of the God of peace and Love.
The word crusade is derived from the Latin crux (cross), and the Spanish cruzada (to take up the cross). Beginning in the 11th century under the banner of the cross, Christians marched across Europe massacring Jews on the way to massacre Muslims in order to regain the holy places associated with Christian origins in the Holy Land. The symbol of salvation became a symbol of bigotry, destruction, suffering and death.
Early in the 20th century, another religious symbol of peace was hijacked by the Nazi regime and transformed into the swastika (Hakenkreuz), a symbol that still evokes the horrors of mass genocide and megalomania.
Throughout history, in the name of Christ, the giver of life and freedom, much suffering and death has been inflicted by those with power on those without. Just 205 years ago Britain finally passed legislation outlawing slavery, with which the Church of England was deeply involved.
We who wear the cross as a jewellery item or accessory have a responsibility to ensure our lives are lived in accordance with Christ’s Gospel of peace, and show the world by example the power of his amazing love and forgiveness.
Sunday 1st April 2012
Mark 11: 1-11 [NRSV] Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
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1When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ’ 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve
March 31st, 2012
First Glance
Mark 11:1-11; 14:1-11
At first glance, things aren’t always as they seem. This is certainly the case in today’s two Gospel readings. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem in emphatic messianic fashion, it seemed that he received what, in today’s terms, would be considered as the ‘red carpet treatment.’ Yet if Jesus was welcomed with such a standing ovation on the Sunday, how could it be, that by the next Friday, they were crying for his blood? This perplexing question is often answered by pointing out the phenomenon of ‘mob mentality,’ yet the real answer is hinted at in the text itself. What we can see on closer inspection is that it wasn’t the citizens of Jerusalem who celebrated his entry (who soon wanted him dead), but his fellow Galileans (the despised Northerners), who joined him on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to observe the Passover festival. It was not a spontaneous reception but a well-planned entry, with obvious messianic overtones. What Jesus had only talked to his disciples about privately, he was now making know publicly in emphatic style. Yet he was not to be the Messiah that everyone was expecting, for he came not to destroy the Roman occupation by brute force, but to suffer, die and rise again, to defeat the true oppressor; sin and death.
Likewise, in our second Gospel reading, the disciples outcry against the apparent waste of very costly perfume (worth about a year’s wages), just carelessly poured on Jesus’ head, at first glance, seems perfectly reasonable, as it could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. Yet what we learn from John’s take on the events, is that Judas, the appointed treasurer, led the outcry, not because he was interested in helping the poor, but in helping himself to the cash (cf. John 12:4-6). It was this lost opportunity to get rich quickly that motivated his willingness to handover Jesus to the chief priests for money. Yet Jesus was not unaware that he was soon to be handed over to death, for he saw in the woman’s extravagant gesture, a preparation for his imminent burial.
Although the disciples totally missed the loving intention of the woman’s costly offering, Jesus did not. Thankfully, Scripture attests to the fact that although people often miss the point, God never does. For it was said of the King from whom the Messiah, namely Jesus, would come, ‘that the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’ (1 Samuel 16:7b).
Mark 11:1-11 Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve
Mark 14:1-11The Anointing of Jesus
14It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.” 3While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” 10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
March 26th, 2012
The Suffering Son of Man!
 Welcome to Church! If you’re visiting us today; a very warm and special welcome to you! We hope you enjoy your time with us, as we Worship our Great & Loving God.
Today we consider serving God and serving one another, with Jesus as the prime example of service. Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Jesus is the suffering servant prophesied by Isaiah around 700 years before Jesus became a human being. Jesus sacrificial death on the cross is no accident, but rather a part of God’s plan for our redemption from the foundation of the world.
Jesus, through whom the whole universe came into being, with all the power and authority of God, has come to pay the ransom for us.
How remarkable! How incomprehensible! That we who were in a state of rebellion against God, should be the recipients of his great sacrificial love.
So how should we respond to such an act of love and service to us?
We should in return offer our very lives to His service, and to do whatever He wants of us, however inconvenient that may be! And in serving Jesus, we will discover that again we are blessed! Not necessarily with financial wealth, but with a closer walk with God!
March 10th, 2012
 True Worship – Kingdom Values
John 2: 13-22
Welcome to church today! We hope you discover the joys of being part of a family where Jesus’ love can be seen by words and actions.
This week (Lent 3) we remember Jesus’ violent reaction to the blatant commercialisation of the Temple in Jerusalem.
How would we react if an itinerant preacher suddenly burst into our church one Sunday, violently turning everything upside down and openly criticising the way we worship God? Most likely, we would be outraged and demand to know by what authority such an act was committed!
This is exactly what happened when Jesus overturned the tables of the temple moneychangers and traders in blemish-free animals and birds. He upset those who profited from the blatant exploitation of the poor and vulnerable. And he struck at the heart of greed and meaningless worship in the name of God.
If Jesus were to visit us today, would he find us a compassionate and welcoming church? Would our worship be worthy – from the heart? Or would he find us overly concerned with worldly affairs and empty rituals that have lost their meaning and impact?
Jesus came to show us a new way – a better way to worship God our Father. No burnt offerings or tired rituals required! God demands what is perhaps the hardest of all to give – our hearts!
Jesus showed us that God is not just for the elect but for everyone. And it’s our responsibility to remove any barriers that might keep others from meeting God.
John 2:13-22 Jesus Cleanses the Temple
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. 15Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ 17His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ 18The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ 19Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ 20The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ 21But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
23 When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing.
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