31st October Bulletin
31st October
All Saints and
All Souls
Sentence for the Day
And a great multitude, from every nation and tribe and people and language,
cried out with a loud voice, saying,
’Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’
Revelation 7.10
Collect for All Saints Day
We praise you, heavenly Father,
that you have knit together your chosen ones
in one communion and fellowship
in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord:
give us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
you have prepared for those who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. .
Prayer for a New Priest:
We thank you, loving God,
for all your servants, known to us and unknown,
who have departed this life in your faith and fear:
give us grace so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be brought to a joyful resurrection,
and be made partakers of your heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings: Isaiah 25.6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21.1-6a; John 11.32-44
Fr Harry writes:
Concerning Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day:
Halloween
The last day of October marks the beginning in the church of a period known as Hallowtide 'All Saints tide' when Christians remember those who have died.
All-Hallows Eve, or Halloween, October 31 has Celtic origins being originally the feast of Sanhain/Samhain,(pronounced 'sow'inn) the last night of the Celtic year, when all kinds of spirits and unfriendly ghost were thought to roam the earth, creating mischief. The Celts believed that this was a time when the boundary between the spirit world and the earthly world is at its thinnest and when spirits are most likely to be seen on earth. So the Druid priests lit great bonfires and performed magic rites to ward off or appease these dark supernatural powers.
When the Romans invaded Britain, they included elements of their harvest celebrations in which they honoured the goddess of the fruits of trees, Pomona. The two festivals slowly merged.
So, when did Sanhain become Halloween? By the 9th century Christianity had spread into Celtic lands and the celebration became known as the
Eve of All Hallows and eventually Halloween.
All Saints Day, (All Hallows) November 1
The word Hallow means 'Holy', (blessed, consecrated or set apart in a special way) and so 'All-Hallows' or 'All Saints' refers to the Saints—the Holy Ones. Those who died for their faith or who lived extraordinary lives. This day dates back to the 5th century Antioch in Syria when the church dedicated a day to the memory of all those who had been killed for their faith. Until then the church had remembered martyrs on special days of the year, but there became more martyrs than days in the year, and there were some whose names were not known. In 835 the 1st of November was given the title 'All Saints.'
All Souls Day, November 2
In the New Testament, 'saint' is often used to describe all those who are followers of Christ, the people called to holiness in him. Through Baptism we all become members one of another in Christ; members of a company of saints whose mutual belong transcends death.
As All Saints day celebrates men and women in whose lives the Church as a whole has seen the grace of God powerfully at work – then All Souls Day on the 2nd November celebrates the saints in a more local and intimate key. It allows us to remember with thanksgiving before God those whom we have known more directly. Those who gave us life, or who nurtured us in the faith.
Many churches read the names of those in the parish or family members who have died in the Faith as we will be doing on this Sunday – this is called ‘The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed’ and lighting a candle in their memory.
Holy God you have called witnesses from every nation
and revealed your glory in their lives.
Grant us the same faith and love that, following their example,
we may be sustained by their fellowship and rejoice in their triumph; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
With my best wishes, Fr Harry
Prayers of the people Prepared by Peta
Our Heavenly Father, thank you for the earth and its resources which sustain us. We pray for solutions to protect the future of the earth.
Father, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give thanks for your church, the Anglican Communion, the work of Fr Harry, and those who work and minister in your name. We pray for our Nominators as we seek to find a full-time priest for our parish, and for our parish council as we continue to plan and push ahead for the well-being of the parish. We pray that all in the parish will hear the important ministry call to contribute time, talents and means at this critical time when we need everyone’s support more than ever.
Father, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving father, we bring before you all who suffer and are in need. We pray for those affected by war and conflict, by poverty, by sickness and frailty. We pray for communities in need, our neighbours, and especially for. David,……………….and those known to us whom we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts.
Father, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We bring before you Simon and Jude and the faithful saints of every age, and we remember all those who have died and gone to be with you for eternity, sharing in your glory. We remember with love those whom we have lost ....and those whose year’s mind occurs at this time.
Father, in your mercy hear our prayers, and grant that what we have asked for in faith, we may by your grace receive.
Amen.
Year’s Mind Anniversaries this month
Phil Oldenburg, Dawn Page
Hymns
Introit TIS 455 For all the saints
Gradual: TIS 47 Our God our help in ages past
Offertory: TIS 108 Ye Holy angels bright
Post Communion AHB 370 Let saints on earth in concert sing
Recessional: TIS 351 Lift high the cross
Labyrinth Message
This week's labyrinth message for you to "walk with" is : At this time we often reflect upon those who have gone before us and have had a great impact upon our lives whilst they lived. I wonder who stands out in the top 5 list for you?
In this week's Gospel, we are reminded by the raising of Lazarus that Jesus wish is for us all to be together once again … and only He has the ability to do this for His own.
I wonder what it will be like? Why not say a prayer of thanks for the love and support we have received from those who now with Jesus?
Meditation (a weekly thought from Barbara)
Our small community gathers with many other small ones in Meditation, which in turn joins with the whole world and creation. Bring to God our communal prayers for the COP gathering in Glasgow next week.
October Retiring Collection: Canungra Turns Pink raising funds for research into all cancers and to support local families undergoing treatment for cancer.
Donated Market Stall Goods
Baked goods, lemon curd, jams and chutney, trash and treasure, plants preloved, good condition books, clothing and household goods (apart from electrical appliances which we are unable to test & tag) are requested. Please label all baked and bottled goods (with ingredients) and potted plants. Please check if your items will be suitable by contacting Delma or the parish office to be advised when and where to leave goods.
Africa Talks for U3A
Would you like to learn a bit more about Africa? If so, this is your chance. In 1971 John Noble and his family drove from Nairobi to Cape Town, and based on this drive, John will be giving two PowerPoint talks in the Georgian Room at 9.30 am on Fridays 12th and 19th November. Apart from his actual drive, John will talk about mountains, rivers, waterfalls, railways and gold. He will also outline some historical details about the countries and prominent people who have influenced them. Some video clips will also be shown. The talks are free (apart from $3 for tea/coffee) and open to all. If you would like to come, please contact John.
Parish Finances
A copy of the presentation given by the Parish Treasurer, John King, at the Sunday services last week has been included in the weekly email sent with the parish Bulletin. If you are not seeing this weekly email please check your ’Junk’ email box.
Readings for Next Week 7th November 2021 24th Sunday after Pentecost
Ruth 3.1-5; 4.3-17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 923-28 Mark 12.38-44