15th May Bulletin
The Anglican Parish of Tamborine Mountain
15th May 2022
Join us this Sunday at:
St. George’s, Tamborine Mountain St. Luke’s, Canungra
9:30am Eucharist 8.00am Eucharist
4pm Informal all-age service
An Exclusive club?
Since arriving in Australia some things have been refreshingly different and some things depressingly familiar – the weather in particular, nobody told us there’d be so much rain in the rainforest!
On a far more serious note there are depressingly familiar stories coming out of the meeting of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia. Arguments over same-sex marriage and over whether women can be priests, arguments that polarise and lead to the playing of political games to sway votes, with underlying threats that certain churches will break away and go it alone if they don’t get their own way.
These arguments aren’t unique to Australia, playing politics in church is not either but frankly it turns my stomach, and it seems a million miles away from how the Bible calls us to behave.
In today’s gospel reading Jesus speaks to the disciples and says “Love one another… everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus calls us to display love and unity. That’s unity, not uniformity, we don’t have to agree on everything, but we can’t fight and play politics.
Our reading from Acts this Sunday is also fascinatingly relevant. Peter is criticised for daring to share Christian fellowship with uncircumcised people. Those who criticise him have lost sight of what is important – God, not religious rules.
When we raise up our human understanding of rules about how we should behave, those outside the church shake their heads and cry ‘Hypocrites!’
But when we raise up rules, we also raise up barriers; barriers that prevent people from experiencing the love and grace of God.
We need to decide whether rules are more important than grace. We need to decide if we want church or an exclusive club.
Tom
NOTICES…
We have just set up two new facebook pages for our churches. These will replace the current parish facebook page which will soon close.
Give them a ‘like’ and follow us!
www.facebook.com/st.georges.tm
www.facebook.com/st.lukes.canungra
Year’s Mind Anniversaries this month
Mary Newton, Kathleen Weildon, Jacqui Davis
May Retiring Collection: Mercy Ships
Since 1978, Mercy Ships has worked to combat the global surgery crisis of 5 billion people without access to safe surgery, following in the 2000-year-old model of Jesus’ compassion for the poor and marginalised.
This week’s intercessions: Prepared by John N
Let us pray for the preservation of the Earth.
We give thanks for the beauty and abundance of the earth. Give us and all peoples grace to live in harmony with your creation; wisdom and generosity in our use of its bounty.
Lord, in your mercy.... Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for peace and shared prosperity.
We give thanks for the leaders who serve the common good. Give wisdom to those who have responsibility and authority in every land, that we may share with justice the resources of the world and work together in trust.
Lord, in your mercy.... Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for our nation, particularly at the time of this election.
We give thanks for this land and the diversity of its peoples. Grant that we may so honour one another that all may be enriched by our common heritage, and freed from despair, poverty and exclusion.
Lord, in your mercy.... Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the church and its mission.
We give thanks for the good news of salvation for all people. Strengthen us for our work in the world, empower your church to proclaim the gospel in service, word and sacrament. Unite in truth all who confess your name, that we may live together in love to your glory.
Lord, in your mercy.... Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for ourselves and our community.
We give thanks for the fellowship of the communities in which we live and work. We commend to your keeping ourselves and each other, our families, those with whom we work and learn, our neighbours and our friends. Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and one another.
Lord, in your mercy.... Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those in need.
We give thanks that you are the God who brings mercy and wholeness. Comfort and heal, we pray, for all who are in sorrow, need, sickness or any other trouble, particularly............and others known to us who have asked for our prayers. Give to those who care for them wisdom, patience and gentleness and to us all, your peace.
Lord, in your mercy.... Hear our prayer.
Let us give thanks for the faithful departed
We give thanks for your servants in every age. Grant that we, with those whom we have known may be brought to a joyful resurrection and the fulfilment of your kingdom.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers.
Grant that what we have asked in faith, we may by your grace receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Labyrinth Message
This week's labyrinth message for you to "walk with" is : Are you currently intensely irritated by someone or something? They may [ or may not ] have done anything intentionally to "bug you" … but boy they certainly did! And it's even worse when they are in your own faith community? ...We are so different:( How can I go on with "that person" in fellowship?
In this week's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that His call to us is to always love each other .. even as much as He loves us …each of us as His Beloved Ones. I wonder how Jesus sees this situation? Is there a learning or Divine Invitation for me here during this week ?
Emergency Relief @ St George’s
Donations of staple items always received with thanks (NO grains or packet soups) or alternatively financial donations.
Bank Details for EFT BSB 704-901 Acc. No 00015232
Mt Tamborine Law Walk Tuesday 17th May
“The Tamborine Toddlers” will walk to raise funds in support of LawRight, an organisation offering pro bono legal services. The walk will commence in the IGA carpark at 6.30am, walk to the Beacon Rd Lookout and return. Those interested can share a breakfast after the walk, or even just join in for the breakfast. For further information, contact Randal Dennings 0408 878 811.
WEEKLY EVENTS:
Little Lukies Mon 3:00pm @ St Luke’s
Meditation Tue 9.30am @ St George’s
Mainly Music Wed 9.30am @ St Georges
Bible Study Wed 11.00am@ St Luke’s
Emergency Relief Weekly @ St George’s by appt.
Friday Bible Study 1st/3rd Fri 10:00am
PARISH DIRECTORY
Priest-in-Charge Rev Tom Hunton 04 0177 3012
tom.hunton@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Churchwarden Delma McCrae
07 5545 1856 delma.mccrea@live com
Churchwarden Peta Tierney
04 1325 8332 peta.tierney@hotmail.com
Parish Office
Phone: 5545 2919 Monday to Friday 9.30-2.30
Email: tamborinemountain@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Parish Bank Details: BSB 704-901 Account No. 00000450
Readings for this week: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, Rev 21:1-6, John 13:31-35
…And Next Week Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67, Rev 21:10-14,22-22:5, John 5:1-9
We acknowledge and pay respect to the people of the Yugambeh Language Group,
the traditional custodians of this land on which we gather.