St John’s Weekly Bulletin – Sunday 15 July 2018

This week as school is in recess, some families are taking a well earned break, making use of this pause in the school year to organize holidays or trips to see family. However, as I’m sure you know if you have ever organized a holiday, such moments can feel like just more work!

If you are anything like me, it can often feel like there are too many things to get done each day. But while working hard and being productive are good, it’s also important to remember to stop and take time to recuperate. With the busy pace of our lives it can be all too easy to miss those little opportunities for us to stop and take stock. Such moments can take many forms of course: they might be a much needed sleep in, or some time away from our regular schedules with family, or perhaps starting that new hobby we’ve been meaning to try, or even simply a chance for us to ‘do less’ for a season; to listen and be still.

Some R&R can be a wonderful restorative, not only for our health but also for our relationships. When we take time out we are also taking time to enjoy – with our family, with friends, and also with God. To get away from what we think we ought to be doing and simply find space for the joy of God’s presence.

We are reminded of this in Luke’s Gospel when Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha. When Jesus arrives at their home, Martha busies herself with all the preparations that need to be made, while Mary sits with Jesus, simply listening to what he has to say. Seeing this Martha exclaims to Jesus “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” and Jesus replies “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset by many things, but few things are needed – indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better”. Sometimes, it is important for us to let go of some of those things we need to get done and simply be for a while. In these moments, we are opened up to all the good that God does for and through us.

I hope you will wonder with me this week at how we might all take the time that God wants us to take – perhaps to pray with someone who is in need, to spend time listening when someone is having a tough time or simply to open space for God to come into our everyday lives and change us, however that might look.

Every blessing for the week to come,

Mark

This bulletin was emailed to members of the parish on Friday 13 July 2018 – if you would like to join the Weekly Bulletin email list, please call the church office on 02 4927 5399 and we will happily arrange this.

Prayer School – Learn how to pray for others!

Are you looking to deepen your conversation skills with God? Do you sometimes wonder how you might better hear God in your life? We’d love for you to join us at St John’s in August for a special teaching event! Please consider coming along and joining with others as we learn about prayer and its power in our lives.

The Australian Prayer Network (APN) will be running a Foundation Level course on prayer at St John’s on the 24th and 25th of August, presented by Pastor Mathew Bolte (www.ausprayernet.org.au). The school commences at 7:00pm on Friday night and continues from 9.00am till 4.00pm on Saturday. The School will run as follows:

Fri 24th August 2018 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Session 1 How prayer works

Session 2 Intercession: A lifestyle

Sat 25th August 2018 9:00am – 4:00pm

Session 3 Understanding the DNA of your

community

Session 4 Spiritual authority the key to breakthrough

Lunch: BYO Lunch, tea & coffee provided

Session 5 How to lead a Spirit lead prayer meeting

Session 6 How to hear God’s voice

Should you have any questions or wish to register please contact Fr. Ken on ken.youman@gmail.com/0438 281 379 or Mark on markthornton@saintjohns.com.au/0403901348.

A Message from the Secretary of the St John’s Women’s Guild – High Tea Raffle

The Women’s Guild would like donations of goods suitable for a raffle for the High Tea to be held on Saturday 4th August. Suggestions include :- wine, chocolates, gift vouchers for Cinema, Hairdresser, florist etc or unwanted gifts.

All donations can be placed in the basket at the entrance to the Church.

Healing Eucharist and Mindfulness Services at St John’s

A reminder that St John’s offers several mid-week services of healing and prayerful meditation. On the first Monday of the Month a gentle service of healing and Eucharist is offered, where we meet the healing presences of Jesus in a real and tangible way. On the third Monday of the Month, we offer a service of Taize meditation. This is an opportunity for mindfulness in the presence of the Spirit, through a series of guided meditations for healing and peace. Our Next service will be on Monday the 18th of June at 6pm. All are welcome

An important Prayer Request for the Tonkin Family

In March of this year, Adelaide Tonkin, daughter of Laura and Nathanael, was baptised here at St Johns. It is with sadness that we learned recently that Adelaide has been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare type of tumour which grows in muscle tissue. Around 15 children a year are diagnosed in Australia.

We ask that you please pray for Adelaide, Pierce, Verity, Laura, and Nathanael, as they continue to care for Adelaide through this very difficult time. We invite you to pray for her oncologist as they decide on a suitable form of radiation treatment, that her doctors are able to source the best possible advice and information on treatment both locally and overseas, but especially pray for Adelaide as she undergoes this treatment, for strength and resilience so that the treatments can occur without delay.

Please keep the Tonkin family in your prayers as we lift them up as a community.

Can you Help?

There are a few important ways you might be able to assist the Tonkin family as they care for Adelaide.

Meals

One way is to assist with the preparation of meals. The family have set up a large cooler box for the delivery of meals at the front of their home and would greatly appreciate anyone who is able to assist with preparing and bring meals for the family. There is currently a roster for meals and if you would like to assist in this way please give Mark or Ken your email address so you can be added to the meal roster.

Clothing

Any donations of suitable clothing would also be greatly appreciated. Specifically Boys size 3 winter and/or summer and girls size 6 winter/summer.

Toys

Like wise, the Tonkins would also appreciate any donations of toys, craft sets, puzzles or other similar items that the family can enjoy. As Adelaide is largely confined to the home during her treatment, anything that you might otherwise give to a local thrift shop would greatly be appreciated to keep spirits up and keep boredom at bay! Should you have any such items of good quality to donate please contact Mark or Ken.

The family have asked only for hand-me-down items, that would otherwise be donated, rather than new items that need to be bought. We will endeavor to provide updates when they become available.

Prayer after our services

The Psalmist reminds us that “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

After each of our services at St John’s we undertake a time of intentional prayer. This is a safe, welcoming and gentle time where we as a community offer prayer for those who need it in our midst. If you would like to be prayed over, or would like a member of our community to hold you in prayer during this time, please contact Fr. Ken Youman.

Rosters:

15 Jul. 2018 22 Jul. 2018
9:00 am
Welcomer Jenny K & Helen C Nona B & Penelope Y
Leader Xander G Sebastian T
Preacher
Communion
Server Josephine T Matthew B
Candles Isobel P & Thomas P Amy D & Josephine T
Bible reading 1 Peter T Joanne D
Bible reading 2 Amanda H Margret Y
Prayers Howard B June W
Chalice Jennifer B & Jenny W Howard B & Dianne W
Kids Church Leader Cathy B Rob W
Kids Church Helper Julie Y
Refreshments Bill D & Kara D Dane T & Sue T
Counters Lance W & Jason T John F & Helen C
Flower Arranger Dianne W Don S
Brass Cleaner Dane T & Sue T
10:45 am
Welcomer *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Leader Mark T Mark T
Preacher Les F Ken Y
Communion Les F Ken Y
Music Leader Mark T Mark T
Music 2
Drums
Prayers Bronwyn D Helen P
Refreshments Rob W Helen P
5:00 pm
Welcomer *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Leader Mark T Mark T
Preacher Rob W Ken Y
Communion Les F X X
Prayers *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Music Leader
Music 2
Kids Church Leader Phil A Lyndsey M
Kids Church Helper Gill S Rob W
Creche Leader Fiona D Ruth W
Creche Helper Gavin D
Refreshments *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Tidy after service
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7

Upcoming at St John’s:

Sunday, 15 July 2018
9:00am Traditional Communion service
9:00am Sunday School: Spirit-Filled Church: Adoption as Spiritual Children
10:45am Baptism of Harper Gilbert
10:45am Informal Communion
5:00pm Kids Church: Spirit-Filled Church: Adoption as Spiritual Children
5:00pm Evening service
Monday, 16 July 2018
6:00pm Taize Prayer Mindfulness group
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
9:30am Morning Prayer
Thursday, 19 July 2018
7:00pm Parish Council meeting
Sunday, 22 July 2018
9:00am Traditional Communion service
9:00am Sunday School: Spirit-Filled Church: Members of God’s Family
10:45am Informal Communion
12:30pm Baptism of Huxton Curnow
12:30pm Baptism of Spencer Caban
5:00pm Evening service
5:00pm Kids Church: Spirit-Filled Church: Members of God’s Family