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
“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 19th July 2020 7th Sunday after Pentecost Greetings in the name of Jesus. By now most of you would have seen the renovations that have been completed on the buildings in Apollo Bay. The hall window is magnificent! It is AGM time, but this year, due to COVID19 restrictions, it will have to work a little differently. Parish Council set the date for August 30th, 11am at St Aidan’s. We can only seat 20 people in our building so you will have to book a spot. However, if you cannot make it but have something you want raised, please put it in writing and give it to Jenny or one of the wardens prior to the meeting. Nomination forms are available for anyone whom you might like to nominate for Parish Council. These are available from Jenny. Reports and minutes will be circulated to all parishioners after the meeting and comments can always be forwarded to the next Parish Council. |
Although we cannot sing in church, we have been blessed with having Nevil Anderson provide background music in St Aidan’s. Thank you Nevil. Your music is really appreciated by all. I must also thank Janet who works to keep the church garden beautiful. It brings much joy to many people.
Finally, “be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6) 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. 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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Saving God, in Jesus Christ you opened for us a new and
living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and 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~ |
WHAT'S COMING UP!...
READINGS: Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-43
REFLECTION:
Ever wonder who you really are? Well today’s snippet from Paul is all about exactly who we are and what we are called to do.
Throughout the gospel story, Jesus is revealed as God’s Son; at his baptism, through his speech and actions, and he cried out to Abba Fa-ther in his most desperate hour in Gethsemane, and on the cross, where the centurion cried out, “Surely this man was God’s son!” Finally, God vindicated Jesus’ obedience in raising him from the dead.
When reading Romans 8, we must keep all this fresh in our minds. What we learn in this chapter is that the Spirit grafts us into the story of Jesus. As our lives bear the marks of Jesus’ life, we too, are God’s be-loved daughters and sons -- those with whom God is well pleased, and upon whom God will bestow God’s glorious, eternal inheritance. We too can call him Abba Father.
This is our identity. Identity, however, is not just who we are in the in-side. Our identity is made known through our actions.
First, our lives as God’s children are made known through our decision to put to death the sinful markers of this age in our lives, We can do this because we are led by the Spirit who units us to the death and resur-rection of Jesus.
Second, our identity is actualized in literal suffering. Verse 16 says: we are children and heirs with Christ, “if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him” (NRSV).
Living in faithfulness to God is not always easy and can cause suffering in many ways. We are caught between the old age and the age to come, and participation in the advent of the new is not always easy. The life of faith is nothing less than entrusting ourselves to this story, Jesus story, and the promises of God.
In verses 18-25, Paul talks about the future of all creation, and that fu-ture is tied to the resurrection life that God is bringing to his beloved children. God’s redemptive work, made known in the life of Jesus, runs through us, and does not stop until the entire created order is renewed. Our call is to become more truly agents of resurrection upon a flourish-ing eternal earth. And we do this as we lay down our lives so that oth-ers might live (2 Corinthians 4:12), and as we treat the earth like an eternal partner in the life that God has in store for those who love Him.
In all of this, the resurrection that we think of as future is forcing its way back into our present. To be adopted daughters and sons of God (8:15) is to have our future hope of adoption through resurrection (8:23) in-trude on our present. This can happen because the same Spirit through whom we are adopted raised Jesus and exalted him as God’s firstborn Son (Romans 1:4)
The Lord be with you.
Ever wonder who you really are? Well today’s snippet from Paul is all about exactly who we are and what we are called to do.
Throughout the gospel story, Jesus is revealed as God’s Son; at his baptism, through his speech and actions, and he cried out to Abba Fa-ther in his most desperate hour in Gethsemane, and on the cross, where the centurion cried out, “Surely this man was God’s son!” Finally, God vindicated Jesus’ obedience in raising him from the dead.
When reading Romans 8, we must keep all this fresh in our minds. What we learn in this chapter is that the Spirit grafts us into the story of Jesus. As our lives bear the marks of Jesus’ life, we too, are God’s be-loved daughters and sons -- those with whom God is well pleased, and upon whom God will bestow God’s glorious, eternal inheritance. We too can call him Abba Father.
This is our identity. Identity, however, is not just who we are in the in-side. Our identity is made known through our actions.
First, our lives as God’s children are made known through our decision to put to death the sinful markers of this age in our lives, We can do this because we are led by the Spirit who units us to the death and resur-rection of Jesus.
Second, our identity is actualized in literal suffering. Verse 16 says: we are children and heirs with Christ, “if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him” (NRSV).
Living in faithfulness to God is not always easy and can cause suffering in many ways. We are caught between the old age and the age to come, and participation in the advent of the new is not always easy. The life of faith is nothing less than entrusting ourselves to this story, Jesus story, and the promises of God.
In verses 18-25, Paul talks about the future of all creation, and that fu-ture is tied to the resurrection life that God is bringing to his beloved children. God’s redemptive work, made known in the life of Jesus, runs through us, and does not stop until the entire created order is renewed. Our call is to become more truly agents of resurrection upon a flourish-ing eternal earth. And we do this as we lay down our lives so that oth-ers might live (2 Corinthians 4:12), and as we treat the earth like an eternal partner in the life that God has in store for those who love Him.
In all of this, the resurrection that we think of as future is forcing its way back into our present. To be adopted daughters and sons of God (8:15) is to have our future hope of adoption through resurrection (8:23) in-trude on our present. This can happen because the same Spirit through whom we are adopted raised Jesus and exalted him as God’s firstborn Son (Romans 1:4)
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~
