An opportunity to explore the meaning of life.

“Alpha makes Christianity relevant to modern life.”

Combined Lismore Churches Don Francisco— celebrated pioneer of contemporary Christian music will be special guest. All welcome. 6.30pm Sunday 29th April Lismore Christian . . . → Read More: Bulletin | Lismore Anglican Bulletin]]> Lismore Anglican Bulletin

Anglicord
Misha Coleman CEO Anglicord Australia will speak at 9.30am Family service today, Sunday 29th April
St. Andrew’s.

Combined Lismore Churches
Don Francisco— celebrated pioneer of contemporary Christian music will be special guest. All welcome.
6.30pm Sunday 29th April
Lismore Christian Fellowship
7 Union St. South Lismore

 Alpha
Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant.
Introductory session & free dinner.
7-9pm Monday 21st May,
St. Peter’s Deegan Drive Goonellabah.
No obligation. RSVP for catering purposes to mulholland.lyndon@gmail.com by 14th May.

Court Care Outreach
Serving God through serving our community. Volunteers needed to serve morning tea at Lismore Court House on Monday mornings approximately once every 6 weeks. Please call Parish Office 66213200.

Cursillo 2012
Wanted : candidates & sponsors for Cursillo Retreat
Camp Koinonia Evans Head.
Men’s 16-19 Aug 2012.
Women’s 30 Aug – 2 Sept 2012.
Information & application forms from Wendy Kilroy 6621 2615 .

Awakening
Be challenged and inspired by visiting  speaker Amanda Wells
9am Saturday 5th May
Lismore Family Fellowship
$10 registration by 1st May
Sharon 0422 702 604

National Day of Thanksgiving
Saturday 26th May
Thanking God, thanking each other.

CMS Beautiful Feet Sunday
How do we support  mission?
Sunday 3rd June
Details to follow.

‘BEAUTIFUL’
This is a Programme for High School Girls.
Please pray for this programme.   It has been adopted for  Junior High School Girls to enhance their self-esteem, confidence and to see themselves as beautiful. To make good decisions and learn practical things of life.

LENTEN  APPEAL
$432.20 ABM (Australian Board of Missions)
$860.45 BCA Boxes (Bush Church Aid)
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

 Lismore Anglican Bulletin

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An opportunity to explore the meaning of life.

“Alpha makes Christianity relevant to modern life.”

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 . . . → Read More: Easter (Resurrection) Sunday]]> 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.

Once an instrument of . . . → Read More: Palm Sunday]]> 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 11^th 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 20^th 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 1^st 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

We’ve come to the final stage of Jesus’ journey. He’d spent time in retreat in Caesarea Philippi to the far north – he’d been in Galilee & the hill country of Judaea – he’d walked the road through Jericho . . . → Read More: The Final Countdown | palm sunday]]> The Final Countdown

Mk 11:1-11

We’ve come to the final stage of Jesus’ journey. He’d spent time in retreat in Caesarea Philippi to the far north – he’d been in Galilee & the hill country of Judaea – he’d walked the road through Jericho – the mountain top transfiguration experience with his mates James Peter & John when his mission was confirmed by the Father – & now he’s finally arrived in Jerusalem for the showdown with the religious authorities who want his blood.

It’s the Feast of the Passover – Jerusalem – the holy city – is crammed with perhaps 2 million pilgrims & tourists from all parts of the Roman Empire – all heading for the Great Temple where worship is big business. They know Jesus is in town – the healer – the miracle worker – everyone’s talking about his antics a few days ago when he kicked over the tables of the moneychangers & now they want to see him do just one more trick so they can believe he really is the Messiah who he claims to be. Who they hope he is.

But unlike a politician or military leader who might have carefully orchestrated such a public spectacle of entering the city – waving & smiling to the crowd from an expensive chariot – surrounded by security thugs with showers of confetti raining down from 2^nd storey windows – kissing babies & shouting slogans that will hopefully whip the crowd into a frenzy. Jesus will have none of that! Being popular isn’t what Jesus came for.

No chariot of war – instead Jesus rode in silence on the back of a borrowed colt – an animal of peace – organised well beforehand – the password “The Lord needs it” [v.34] was all it took to set the wheels in motion. The donkey was a deliberate claim to his kingship of the heart – a fulfilment of the OT prophecy in Zech 9:9 [Matt 21:5].

No waving – no baby-kissing – no cheesy grin – no slogans – just the crowds pushing & shoving & cheering loudly “Hosanna! Hosanna! Save us!”

Here was their long-awaited hero – their king & Messiah – the promised one – who would lead them to victory against the Roman oppressors & restore Israel to the Jewish people – they hoped.  For a brief moment in time the crowds did accept Jesus as their king & the anointed one.

But how quickly things change! A week is a long time in politics. Look at the media circus in our own Federal leadership over recent weeks. In just one short week the joyous shouts of ‘Hosanna! Save us!’ changed to grumbles & murmurs of discontent – only to rise again as hysterical screams of ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’

If we were there amongst the crowds – we too would be shouting & waving palm branches & crying ‘Save us! Save us from the brutal Romans! Save us from the taxes & the ripoff merchants at the Great Temple! Save us from poverty!’

If Jesus were to ride into Lismore today – would it be on the back of donkey? Or in a truck headed for Brisbane?

?What would the crowds shout if Jesus came today?

?What would we expect of him?

?What would we want Jesus to rescue us from?

?Would it be from cancer? Or any of the many diseases that elude modern science?

?Would it be from a government that seems more interested in backbiting & internal squabbling than doing what they were elected to do?

?Would it be from credit card debt? Or loss of hard-earned retirement savings?

?Perhaps we’d hope Jesus could save us from fear or loneliness?

?Or from a dysfunctional family? Or from addiction or substance abuse?

Or homelessness? ?From unemployment?

Jesus knew full well what agony awaited him in Jerusalem. With a price on his head he’d carefully planned this grand entrance as an act of defiance & courage.

And then something incredible happened – which Matthew & Mark leave out – but is told by Luke [19:41-44] – something which didn’t fit the joy of the occasion & which seems to have escaped the attention of the disciples altogether:

Jesus wept – lamenting the inevitable fate of his beloved Jerusalem.

History tells us that just 40 years later – Jerusalem & the magnificent Great Temple – would be burned & levelled to the ground by the power & might of Rome.

The Jewish uprising was mercilessly crushed by General Titus son of Emperor Vespasian.  600 thousand Jews – incl. women & children – died in the slaughter.

All that remained of the Temple is what we know today as the Wailing Wall – a sacred place of pilgrimage for modern Jews.

Luke [19:44] records Jesus’ warning – how the destruction of Jerusalem would be a consequence of the people not recognising him as God in the flesh – God incarnate.

If only they had understood that his mission was to establish God’s kingdom on earth – a kingdom ruled by a heavenly King – not a military leader – then perhaps such destruction & violence could have been avoided.

Jesus came to offer peace with God – the Jewish people wanted war with Rome!

Jesus’ tears are the tears of God when he sees the needless pain & suffering & brokenness that results from people foolishly rebelling against God.

And so today – Palm Sunday – we remember this noisy – colourful – exciting – poignant entry into Jerusalem – as marking the beginning of the 7 Days of Holy Week leading up to the cross of Easter.

On Monday Jesus drove out the moneychangers from the Temple. In an uncharacteristic display of righteous rage he overturned the tables of those who exchanged Roman drachmas (considered unclean & unfit for use within the Temple) for Jewish shekels. These profiteers charged outrageous commissions – the merchants were ripping off those who bought “clean” animals & birds as temple sacrifices.

On Tuesday – Jesus taught in parables – warning the people against the Pharisees & predicting the destruction of the Great Temple.

On Wednesday – the Gospel writers are silent. Perhaps it was a day of rest for Jesus & his weary & worried disciples.

On Thursday – in an upper room Jesus celebrated the customary Passover meal with his friends. But he gave it new meaning. No longer would his followers simply remember the Exodus from Egypt in the breaking of bread. In what became the Last Supper they would also remember his broken battered body & his shed blood.

Later that evening in the Garden of Gethsemane he agonized in prayer at what lay before him – as he wrestled with temptation one more time.

On Friday – he would be betrayed by Judas – arrested – imprisoned – deserted by his friends – tried in a mickey-mouse court – denied by Peter – condemned – flogged & sentenced to die on a Roman cross – alongside 2 other criminals.

Just 5 short days was all it took for the joyful waving & cheers of ‘Hosanna!’ to turn into insults & jeering & cries of ‘Crucify him!’

On Saturday Jesus’ body lay in a stone tomb – borrowed from a wealthy follower named Joseph of Arimathea – believed to be also a member of the Sanhedrin.

On Sunday – his Passion was complete – the stone was rolled away & Jesus – true to his word – revealed himself as very much alive.

He appeared to Mary – Peter – 2 disciples on the Emmaus Road – to 11 frightened disciples hiding in a locked upper room.

His physical resurrection was established as fact.

The 7 days of the Passover Feast are still observed by many Jews today.

The Christian church calls this Holy Week – the Passion of Christ.

Our Parish is holding special worship services during this coming Holy Week to mark some of these highlights & I invite you to share them with us as we discover the deeper meanings of Christ’s Passion.

On Wed morning we’ll gather for the final Lenten 8am Holy Communion in StA’s side chapel.

On Good Friday morning – we’ll recount the events of Jesus’ trial & brutal death through the Passion Remembrance in St A’s.

In the early hours of Easter Sunday morning we’ll celebrate the empty tomb & the risen Christ through a beautiful service called Lighting of the New Fire – here in StA’s – complete with candles & sparklers.

Then we’ll share a cooked family BBQ breakfast in St A’s hall.

Our regular Sunday worship services at 7.30am, 9.30am & 6.30pm St Peter’s -  & also at Dunoon – will focus on the reality of the resurrection & the risen Christ.

But today – Palm Sunday – most of us in different ways – are there with Jesus – cheering as we walk through the streets with him – in that triumphal procession.

Or perhaps we’re waving & cheering from the sidelines as onlookers.

There’s a line in the 1970s musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” – where the Palm Sunday crowd is singing & cheering – & as Jesus passes by they call out “Christ, you know I loved you! Did you see I waved?”

! Love & commitment & true discipleship is far more than simply cheering or waving! It takes more than waving hands & palm branches to bring real change.

! It takes more than spreading clothing on the road to bring about revolution.

! Jesus wants more than our waving & cheering – he asks for our complete devotion & commitment!

Even those who wept for him later that Holy Week – were told not to weep for HIM but for themselves.

Jesus doesn’t want our tears of sorrow or regret - he wants our whole-hearted commitment to discipleship – he wants us to take up our cross & follow Him.

Unless WE show the world who Jesus really is – how will they ever know?

To put love into action takes great courage & discipline.

If we’re serious about our commitment to Jesus – then we have an obligation to be his faithful representatives on earth & use every opportunity to offer those we love – & those we meet – the chance to make a decision about how they’ll spend eternity.

Yes we may already be doing this through different acts of kindness & generosity & service.  But of all the occasions we have to draw people to Christ’s love & forgiveness – Easter has to be the most important & most meaningful of all.

!Our whole faith rests on the Easter story!

!Without the resurrection Jesus was just another miracle worker!

But WE believe Jesus was God in the flesh – who chose to break through into our earthly life for OUR sake – for the sake of LOVE.

So it falls to US to tell the story of God’s love – over & over again – so it will never be forgotten – so each generation has the opportunity to hear the resurrection story afresh - & choose life instead of death.

?So who will YOU invite to church this Easter to hear that amazing story?

?Who will sit beside YOU to hear the Easter story of resurrection & hope & God’s love & forgiveness ?

!We have the best news in town!

!Let’s not keep it a secret!            It’s a matter of life -or death!