The Anglican Parish of Kilmore

with Broadford, Pyalong & Tallarook

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - 1st September 2013
Hymns: 474, 679, 629, 617

The Diocese of Wangaratta

Introit Hymn Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God's kingdom, now and forever. 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 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14.11 THE COLLECT O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Lord who lives to intercede for us, now and for ever. Amen.

FIRST READING

A reading from the prophet Jeremiah Hear the word of the Lord , you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel. This is what the Lord says: What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. They did not ask, Where is the Lord, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and utter darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives? I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. The priests did not ask, Where is the Lord ? Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols. Therefore I bring charges against you again, declares the Lord. And I will bring charges against your childrens children. Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this: has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, you heavens, and shudder with great horror, declares the Lord. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Response: Shout for joy to the God of Jacob. Thanks be to God. Psalm 81.1, 10-16

Jeremiah 2.4-13

Sing merrily to God our strength, shout for joy to the God of Jacob. 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I shall fill it.'..............................................R But my people would not hear my voice and Israel would not obey me. So I sent them away in the stubbornness of their hearts, and let them walk after their own counsels............................................R

O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Then I should soon put down their enemies and turn my hand against their adversaries................................R Those who hate the Lord would be humbled before him, and their punishment would last for ever. But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat and with honey from the rock would I satisfy them.................R SECOND READING Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16 A reading from the letter to the Hebrews Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Take my yoke upon you, and | learn from me; for I am gentle and hum- | ble in heart. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! GOSPEL A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not? But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. Then he said to them, If Luke 14. 1-14 Thanks be to God.

one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day? And they could not reply to this. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, Give this person your place, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, Friend, move up higher; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. He said also to the one who had invited him, When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. For the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

THE PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL An Election time Litany Lord of every time and place, God of integrity and truth, we pray for wisdom as we prepare to vote in the Federal election. For this land and the diversity of its peoples, we thank you, Lord. For all who work for peace and justice in this land, we thank you, Lord. For leaders who serve the common good, we thank you, Lord. For robust democracy and freedom to participate in public life, we thank you, Lord. For media scrutiny and open debate, we thank you, Lord. Impart your wisdom to all who propose policy, that their promises may serve those in greatest need. Hear us, good Lord. Hear us as we pray for the world and those in need. Beloved Creator, as the years have passed, our hearts have opened, our minds have expanded. We no longer view the earth as flat or as the center of the universe. So we know that there is much more beyond what we can experience ourselves, and that we have only a small part to play in the great drama of life. Help us to do our part well. Guide us in your ways of justice, of peacemaking, of caring and kindness and mercy, of humility and simplicity; help us to know that

we are still important to you, yet part of something far vastly beyond what we can see or comprehend. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Merciful God, we pray for those the church does not value, for those who voices are not listened to, for those who gifts and vocations are ignored and dismissed; we pray for openness of heart so that all are welcomed into your kingdom, to eat at your table, to hear words of hope and love, and rejoice in the spirit; we pray for all who seek to know you and for all who minister in your name: for our Bishop John, for our parish that we may do what is pleasing in your sight and proclaim your glory in the world. God of grace; hear the prayers of your people. Merciful God, change the hearts of those who abuse and exploit others, that they may hear the cries for justice by those who are exploited to make others rich; those whose lands are stolen or pillaged by the greedy; and those who are deemed small and inconsequential in the eyes the world are lifted to live in dignity and with power. We continue our pray for peace and for the peoples of Syria and Egypt at this time. God of grace; hear the prayers of your people. Merciful God, we pray for the marginalised and neglected in our community; for those in need and those suffering hardship; for the homeless and the unemployed; for the sick and those imprisoned in unresponsive bodies or disturbed minds; for the elderly, those who mourn, for the dying and those who wait with them; we pray care and support for those on our hearts this day and for those who have requested prayer. God of grace; hear the prayers of your people. Merciful God, we give you thanks that you promise eternal life for all your people, we remember with thanksgiving the Martyrs of New Guineau (1942); and we pray that you will welcome the recently departed, for Ronald William Matthews, and for those whose years mind occurs this week. Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them. God of grace; hear the prayers of your people. Merciful God lead us into your ways of care and compassion and hear us was we pray for ourselves as we give thanks for all those who have fathered us; for the sake of your son Jesus Christ our Lord who taught us to pray; Our Father .... Request for prayer from: Heather Turnbull, Chris Schafer, David Flower, Glen Turnbull, Tom Scrivens, Darren Winfield, Norma Hedley, Justin Quigg, Kelly Quigg, Karen Goodger, Michael Farrell, David and Jenny Parsons.

(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: 1st Elsie Jenkins, William Balderson, Thomas Hannam; 2nd Peter Wallder, Trevor Johnson, GayleZolnierczyk; 3rd Melva Wicking; 4th Jane Horwood, Keith Winnell, JohnHazlewood, Brittany Quigg; 5th Marlyn Gordon; 6th Anne Stanmore; 7th Elizabeth Walsh. Saints Days and Holy Days: Mon 2nd Marytrs of New Guinea (d.1942); Tues 3rd Gregory of Rome, bishop & teacher(d. 604), Eliza Darling, pioneer social reformer in NSW (d. 1868).
Reflections on the Readings One word, perhaps, sums up the Lectionary readings this week: humility. In the backgound to the Jeremiah reading the people and the priests had drifted away from their covenant relationship with God and to celebrate and honour the local gods particularly Baal the Cannaite god of fertility. The rulers and priests had done nothing but transgress and the nation had lost its moral compass and sense of commitment because it had exchanged its covenant relationship with God for a deity symbolized by idols. Jeremiah proclaims a moral and spiritual crisis., because pride had lead Gods people to turn to their own resources and reject Gods ways and Gods resources. So too in our celebrity-obsessed world, the quest for recognition, influence, wealth, fame and the praise of others drives many of us. Ultimately, this pride-filled obsession leads us into conflict and destructiveness, as all of life becomes a game of winners and losers. The great narratives of different faiths are also placed in competition with each other for the honour of being the ultimate truth. The priorities of nations are placed into conflict as politicians wrestle to find a place in the corridors of world power, while their peoples needs are used as bargaining chips or forgotten altogether - see todays news on Syria. Values, integrity and fidelity all end up being expendable as success, victory or popularity become the ends which justify any means. And, as this driven, competitive way of being spreads through the world, we all pay the price in increasing rates of conflict and inequality, of personal tragegy and trauma. And of course, those who end up paying the most are those at the bottom of the game the innocent losers. Into all of this a simple word of justice speaks humility can heal our world. As we learn, individually, nationally and globally, to live with simplicity, contentment, respect and integrity and expect the same aon the cusp of an election from our leaders and our corporations the game of winners of losers begins to shift to a playful, collaborative game of shared benefit. And then, our eyes are opened to the fullness of life that is found in the hidden, poor and forgotten places places that the rich and wealthy never see. The proud values of our world have too often and too easily been adopted by people and communities of faith. We give more importance and value to the big, the rich and the successful priests, writers and churches, while ignoring the smaller ones who may be doing far more practical and important work within their communities of touching the poor, the rejected and the suffering.

Worship leaders are the new rock stars, preachers the new motivational gurus, churches the new stages on which slick performances are produced each week, just watch Foxtel. More than this, we compete; we in the Church agonise over how to bring in new people especially the young - to stem the tsunami of peopled desterting the pews. Too often the voices that lead and influence us even in the Church are not those who are the most devoted, prayerful or compassionate, but those who have succeeded at societys game. What would it mean for us, as individuals and as a church community, to take the lowliest seat at the table - to step out of the game of success and winning, and into the world of simplicity, humility and service? In what way would it change us, as community of faith, to give the most attention and energy to the forgotten, the marginalised and the excluded rather than looking for ways to be successful on the worlds terms? What would we look like if we truly embraced humility and simplicity as our primary values? How would we need to change? Questions to help us reflect on what the Spirit is saying to the Church. ! ! ! ! ! Adapted from John van de Laar (2013) http://sacredise.com

Notices
A warm welcome to all our visitors, please join us for coffee or tea after the service.
Parish Monthly BBQ Hosts are sought for September, and November contact Caroline Burge 5782 2180. Helpers for Parish Op Shop: Volunteers to help in the Op Shop on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings are urgently needed - contact Dianne Dixon or Jenny Pearson - this is a vital part of our income raising -please help. Parish Fete: The date for the Parish Fete is October 19th. Planning meeting Thursday 5th Sept @ Caroline Burges home 20 Chrystobel Way, Kilmore Donations for Glen and Catherine Turnbull. Labelled frozen meals required. Please help and contact Caroline Burge. St Matthew's Feast of Title 10.00am Sunday 29th September, only service if the parosh with a bring and share luncheon to follow in Gavan Hall.For more information, please contact one of St Matthew's wardens - Beryl, Bruce or John. Direct Debit Offerings: Parish Account details: CBA Account Name Kilmore Anglican Parish. BSB 063-698. Account Number 1018 4649. Key Register: Parish Council are updating the Key Register of all keys to parish buildings. If you currently have keys to Christ Church, Church House, St Matthew's, Gavan Hall, St Stephen's or The Church of the Transfiguration, please contact one of the wardens. Sharner Mitchell is co-ordinating this. Faculty for erection of Toilet Blocks Christ Church posted on Notice Board at Christ Church.

Parish life this week

Monday 2nd Wednesday 4th Thursday 5th First week of September 10.00am Thai cooking with Dianella residents 7.30pm Building & Property Meeting Church House 10.00am Eucharist St Matthews 10.00am Eucharist Willowmeade 4.00pm Eucharist Dianella 7.30pm Fete planning meeting - 20 Chrystobel Way 10.00am 4.00pm Op Shop Church House 10.00am 12noon Op Shop Church House

Friday 23rd Saturday 17th

Next Sunday: 1st September: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 2.4-13; Ps 81.1, 10-16; Hebrews 13. 1-8, 15-16; Luke 14. 1-14 Christ Church 9am Sung Eucharist St Matthews 11am Morning Prayer St Stephens 11am Holy Eucharist Transfiguration 3 pm No service this day 1st 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 ph. 5784 1246 for details. 3rd Wed of the month: Parish Council Meeting, 7.30 pm venue TBA 4th Thurs of month: 3rd Friday of month: 4th Sunday of month: Christ Church Friendship Group 7.30pm contact Beris Hannam ph. 5723 9737 for program details Parish BBQ - 6.30pm. See Notices for details Church 4 Kids 5-6.30pm @ Christ Church

Parish Diary

Parish Clergy: Rector Fr Kim Benton 9 Union Street Kilmore 3764 Ph 5782 1155 m 0407569343 [email protected] Priest (PTO) Fr John Young 9/40 Powlett Street Broadford 3658 Ph 5784 2224
PO Box 289 Kilmore 3764 www.anglicankilmore.org.au