Anglican Parish of the Otways
Come and join us for a family-friendly service
at any of our various locations in the Otways.
The Anglican Parish of the Otways has been serving
the people of Apollo Bay, Carlisle River, Beech Forest
and Forrest in Victoria, Australia for over 100 years.
All very welcome to enjoy peaceful contemplation
and spiritual nourishment in lovely surroundings! :-)
“He lives” performed by Alan Jackson, with lyrics
Album: Precious Memories Volume II
Album: Precious Memories Volume II
Song How Great Thou Art with lyrics
Artist Chris Rice
Album Peace Like A River: The Hymns Project
Writers: Public Domain, Stuart K. Hine
During social distancing, music
is wonderful way to remain at peace and united.
We hope you enjoy!
Hymn with lyrics
In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) (Secrets Of The Vine Album Version)
Artist: Adrienne Liesching, Geoff Moore & The Distance
with words for you to sing along.
In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) (Secrets Of The Vine Album Version)
Artist: Adrienne Liesching, Geoff Moore & The Distance
with words for you to sing along.
HOME MESSAGE FROM REV JENNY 21st June 2020 4th Sunday after Pentecost Greetings in the name of Jesus. We’ve all had a tough time of it lately, especially with the passing of Geoff and Jean, but what has been wonderful is the resilience and faith I have seen exercised by you all. Distressed as we have been, people have walked boldly in the Lord’s strength. It is a wonderful thing to witness and of great encouragement. I have decided to hold a requiem mass for Jean on Wednesday the 1st of July at 10am. This is primarily for the parish family and friends, because Covid restrictions will prevent most from attending the actual funeral. Please let me know if you wish to attend because seats will be limited. On a brighter note, Julie Towers celebrated her birthday this week and it is Chelsea Davidson’s birthday today, so happy birthday girls. We wish you every blessing for the year ahead. |
Note from home message 21st June: Chris White is very ill in hospital in Melbourne. He is responding to treatment, but slowly. Please hold Chris, Rita and their son Mark in your prayers at this time. I will keep you informed as I receive news.
Note from home message 7th June: "The last thing I want to mention is Bible Study. This begins on Wednesday 10th in St Aidan’s Hall, 11 am. I look forward to this time together. For those who cannot come, I do hope you are enjoying the Bible Reading Challenge material. Looking forward to seeing you all soon Blessings Jenny Phone: (61+) 03 5237 6615 otwayanglicans@gmail.com |
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O God, your Son has taught us that
those who give a cup of water in his name will not lose their reward: open our hearts to the needs of your children, and in all things make us obedient to your will, so that in faith we may receive your gracious gift, eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Amen~ Gracious and Loving God, bless the people of the Diocese of Ballarat and the communities of western Victoria. Guard all our people.
Guide our leaders. Teach us to exercise our freedoms with responsibility for all our neighbours. Bless us with hope and peace, for Jesus’ sake. ~Amen~ |
WHAT'S COMING UP!...
READINGS: Romans 6:12-23 and Matthew 10:40-42
REFLECTION:
This weeks reading from Romans builds on what we looked at last week, That is we are now freed from sin, belong to God and should be who we are, Children of God.
Paul recognizes that the power of sin is still active in the world of the believers, so that Christians are confronted with the real peril of falling back into following the baser instincts of human existence rather than God's will and leadership. In one sense Paul is telling the Romans that God has already rescued the Christians out of the mud and cleaned them off through the bath of baptism, so stay out of the mud, to resist any subsequent urge to return to the mud-bath from which they have already been rescued.
More importantly, however, Paul's teaches that having been "brought from death to life," the Christians have the opportunity to give themselves to God and to live according to God's righteousness.
IN verse 14 Paul is saying there are two ways of living. In one way of there is freedom through grace, God's power at work liberating the believers from their involvements with sin; whereas in another way of forming life, the attempt to live life rightly through the observance of the law, one is left essentially on one's own without God's liberating power. For as Paul the law (holy, just, and good as it is) is impotent to resolve the dilemma humanity faces in relation to sin, while grace is God's power per se at work doing for the Christians what they cannot do for themselves.
Paul's point is that Sin uses the law to deceive humanity into believing that life is manageable essentially on one's own, but we all know the inadequacy of human efforts at godliness which show the need for the power and sufficiency of grace to live obediently to God's righteousness.
Paul goes on to encourage the Romans, and us, to devote themselves to God and God's work in the world so that they may continue to grow in God's grace.
How often do we try to live good lives in our own strength, or long to grow in righteousness in our lives. We can’t do either on our own, and this passage reminds us that we are still vulnerable to sin, but the good news is that God has freed us from the realm of sin as the foundational reality of our lives (verse 22), and God has given us God's free gift of eternal life in Christ (verse 23). And that remains an ancient message that is new every day. And it remains a message that people still find hard to hear. But it remains what we are called to proclaim.
The Lord be with you.
This weeks reading from Romans builds on what we looked at last week, That is we are now freed from sin, belong to God and should be who we are, Children of God.
Paul recognizes that the power of sin is still active in the world of the believers, so that Christians are confronted with the real peril of falling back into following the baser instincts of human existence rather than God's will and leadership. In one sense Paul is telling the Romans that God has already rescued the Christians out of the mud and cleaned them off through the bath of baptism, so stay out of the mud, to resist any subsequent urge to return to the mud-bath from which they have already been rescued.
More importantly, however, Paul's teaches that having been "brought from death to life," the Christians have the opportunity to give themselves to God and to live according to God's righteousness.
IN verse 14 Paul is saying there are two ways of living. In one way of there is freedom through grace, God's power at work liberating the believers from their involvements with sin; whereas in another way of forming life, the attempt to live life rightly through the observance of the law, one is left essentially on one's own without God's liberating power. For as Paul the law (holy, just, and good as it is) is impotent to resolve the dilemma humanity faces in relation to sin, while grace is God's power per se at work doing for the Christians what they cannot do for themselves.
Paul's point is that Sin uses the law to deceive humanity into believing that life is manageable essentially on one's own, but we all know the inadequacy of human efforts at godliness which show the need for the power and sufficiency of grace to live obediently to God's righteousness.
Paul goes on to encourage the Romans, and us, to devote themselves to God and God's work in the world so that they may continue to grow in God's grace.
How often do we try to live good lives in our own strength, or long to grow in righteousness in our lives. We can’t do either on our own, and this passage reminds us that we are still vulnerable to sin, but the good news is that God has freed us from the realm of sin as the foundational reality of our lives (verse 22), and God has given us God's free gift of eternal life in Christ (verse 23). And that remains an ancient message that is new every day. And it remains a message that people still find hard to hear. But it remains what we are called to proclaim.
The Lord be with you.
God answers prayer!
...Can I pray for you?
A Confidential and Free Service
from the Parish of the Otways~ Rev. Jenny
...Can I pray for you?
A Confidential and Free Service
from the Parish of the Otways~ Rev. Jenny
General Weekly Notices
My precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you
During your times of trial and suffering
When you only see one set of footprints ...it was then that I carried you. ~Your Heavenly Father~
When you only see one set of footprints ...it was then that I carried you. ~Your Heavenly Father~
