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! :-)
Quick Note: The landline number at
St Aidan's is currently experiencing difficulties.
Please text or call Rev Jenny on mob 0488 433 023
St Aidan's is currently experiencing difficulties.
Please text or call Rev Jenny on mob 0488 433 023
HOME MESSAGE FROM REV JENNY 18th October, 2020 20th Sunday after Pentecost Greetings in the name of Jesus. I trust you are all well and enjoying the nice weather while it is around. We certainly live in an interesting part of the world when it comes to the weather! Richard and I were lucky enough to see some humpback whales frolicking in the bay on Sunday. What a wonderful sight. I believe the youngest members of our parish were also lucky enough to see them. We have had a couple of birthdays last week. A big happy birthday to Anne Clissold and Janet Anderson. We hope you had an enjoyable day and we thank God for you both. have had some interest in having an outdoor gathering at the church. I plan to organise this as soon as the weather allows, which doesn’t look promising for the next week. |
So, I will let you know as soon as the weather conditions look favourable, and if you wish to join us, please ring me and book. We can only have ten people present so it will be first in first served.
The Anglican Church’s General Synod is conducting surveys to better our response to family violence. If you have had an experience of domestic violence and wish to help build a safer a safer and more supportive church for people who have experienced domestic violence, you can join their research project aimed to help improve church practices. A letter of invitation is linked here If you do not have access to the internet, contact me and I can help you. Please don’t forget that I am here to chat with you, be that via phone or internet, over anything that may be on your mind. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. May the Lord bless you with peace and joy. Blessings Jenny Phone: (61+) 03 5237 6615 otwayanglicans@gmail.com |
|
|
Almighty God,
who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in his gospel the love and healing power of your Son: graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. ~ 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~ |
READINGS: Luke 10.1-9
REFLECTION:
Today is St Luke’s day, companion of Paul and writer of the Gospel bearing his name and the Acts of the Apostles. In our reading Luke describes Jesus sending out 72 disciples in pairs to every town and place that he himself was going to visit. What Luke describes here must have matched in many ways his own experience as a missionary in the company of Paul in their journeys through Asia Minor and Greece and, finally, in Rome.
Jesus begins by reminding his disciples that there is a huge harvest out there and that many workers are needed to bring it in. As he sends them out with a message of love to the world, he warns them not to be surprised if they meet with opposition. They will be like a flock of lambs among a pack of wolves. Luke must have seen this happen many times in the company of Paul.
They are to travel with the absolute minimum of belongings – not even a staff or travelling bag. When they enter any house offering them hospitality, they are to wish God’s peace on that house. But, if they are not accepted, they are to leave without a blessing. And, on their travels, they are to stay in the one house, satisfied with whatever is offered them, they are not to be hopping from house to house in search of better conditions and more comfort.
Once welcomed in any place, they are to preach their message which is twofold. On the one hand, they are to bring healing to all those who need it and they are to proclaim that “the Reign of God is at hand”. How do we proclaim the Reign of God in our communities? When we are people filled with love and compassion, ready and eager to serve each other, attending to people’s genuine needs and in general sharing with each other everything we have.
We are grateful to Luke for the wonderful picture of Jesus he has given us and in telling us how Jesus’ disciples, especially Paul, put the Gospel of Jesus into action and brought the message of the Kingdom all the way to Rome. From Rome it would extend to the furthest corners of our planet.
Let us, too, make the message of Luke’s gospel and Acts part of us and be ready, even in difficult circumstances, to live and spread it in all the situations of our life. Just as God stood by him and gave him the strength to complete his mission so too, we can rely on God to do the same for us.
As we follow Luke’s example in our lives let us remember that many people in our communities, our families, friends, neighbours and work colleagues, need to hear of the love and mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and see this good news reflected in our lives.
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
WHAT'S COMING UP!...
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~
