Weekly for 26 February 2023 (Lent 1)

Dear People of God

Grace and Peace to you all

This letter is being prepared earlier than usual this week as I will be at Morpeth, exchanging with Val McDonald on Sunday. It will not include the usual sermon: I’ll leave that for Mthr Val to teach you.

Lent is upon us. We usually think of “giving something up” for Lent: it is better to focus on something to improve our spiritual discipline to bring us closer to God, something that will last (hopefully). It might be setting aside some extra time to read something “improving”, or to say Morning and Evening Prayer (if you are not already doing that), or refraining from something which harms your relationship with the people closest to you. “Self denial” actually means setting aside our selfish ways, seeing ourself as the centre of things, to let God be the centre of our lives. That’s what spiritual discipline is.

The new signs are in place at our churches. They look good, although we will have to get a magnetised strip to amend the “winter time” of the Thornton serve on the first Saturday of the month to 5:30pm.

The old email addresses for the parish no longer operate: we found out the hard way when it became clear that invoices from the diocese other than the monthly standing charge were not being paid: they were going to treasurer@btanglican.church and consequently were not received. That has been rectified and we expect shortly to advise new email contacts. In the meantime, do not use the addresses priest@btangican.church, office@btanglican.church, or treasurer@btanglican.church.

I understand that I advised a wrong date for the Annual General Meeting. It will be in St Paul’s on Sunday 19 March at 10:30 following the ONE SUNDAY SERVICE AT 9am.

With prayers for a “good” Lent

The Lord be with you

Fr George

gmainprize@bigpond.com 0410 586 119

PROPERS for Lent 1

Sentence

We do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God

Collect of the Day

Almighty God, whose Son fasted forty days in the wilderness, and who was tempted as we are, yet did not sin: give us grace to amend our lives in obedience to your will, that, as you know our weakness, so we may know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, now and for ever. Amen

Collect of the Season

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our weakness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Readings

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Creation of humanity and consequences of sin

Psalm 32 Blessed are those whose sin is forgiven

Romans 5:12-21 Sin and righteousness

Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus tempted in the wilderness

INTERCESSIONS (Church of England: Common Worship, with local inclusions)

In peace, let us pray to Jesus our Lord, who ever lives to make intercession for us

For the people of Ukraine, of Palestine, Syria, for those displaced by earthquake, fire, flood, or racial intolerance and especially for the people of Türkiye and Syria)

Saviour of the world, be present in all places of suffering, violence, and pain, and bring hope, even in the darkest night. Inspire us to continue your work of reconciliation today.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

For the Church throughout the world, that you will draw it closer into that unity which is your will, and especially for the Anglican Communion: Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; The Anglican Church in Myanmar; our partner diocese of Guadalcanal, for the Australian Diocese of Tasmania; and for the Diocese of Brisbane as they seek a new Father-in-God; for the Salvation Army in Australia, and in this region for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are they prepare to welcome a new Father-in-God

Lord of the Church, empower by your Spirit all Christian people and the work of your Church in every land. Give s grace to proclaim the Gospel joyfully in word and deed.

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer

For the Church in this region and this community: Peter our Bishop, Sonia our Regional Bishop, and Charlie, Bishop for the Coastal Episcopal area; for the Cathedral with Hamilton parish, and for the parishes of Gloucester, Harrington, and Taree. In this parish for our clergy George and Gail; for our Welcomers, and for our Scripture and Prayer readers; and for St David’s Presbyterian Church. For Woodberry Early Learning Centre, Beresfield Pharmacy, Place of Friends, and Coffee on Lawson.

Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, guide and enable all who lead and serve in this community and those upon whom we depend for our daily needs. Grant that we may seek the peace and welfare of this place.

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer

For the sick in body or minds; for the homeless, for people who live with violence or deprivation; for those who are approaching the end of their mortal lives and those who care for them; for those who seek the Sacrament of Unction at our services today; for those who have sought our prayers: Mick Atkins, Stuart McInnes, Derek, the child Zoe, and for those on our regular list, for Jenny, Indi, Barbara D, Val Frazer, Lynn, Betty, Les, Jill, Ann, Daphne, Hope, Bruce, Debbie M, Val D, Beth, Ben, Sammy Jo and Noah. Sue T, Hope, Stacey, Doug, Keith, Geoff and Mary

Great Physician, stretch out your hand to bring comfort, wholeness and peace to all who suffer in body, mind or spirit. Fill us with compassion that we may be channels of tour healing love.

Rejoicing in our fellowship with our Patrons St Paul and St Michael, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and giving thanks for all we have loved and who have passed from this life, especially at the anniversary of their death for Kylie Green, Elsie Cantrell, Heather Hamilton, Ernest Fenly and Richard Ellison.

Conqueror of death, remember for good those whom we love and see no longer. Help us to live this day in the sure and certain hope of your eternal victory.

Let us commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of God, who has promised to hear our prayer: grant that what we have asked in faith we may, by your grace, receive. Amen

Saints and Commemorations of the Week

February 27: George Herbert, parish priest and poet (1633) Three of his works are in our hymnal: “Let all the world in every corner sing”, “King of glory, king of peace, I will love thee” and “Come, my way, my truth, my life”

March 1: David (“Dewi”)Bishop of Menevia, (“Mynyw)” Wales (601) who evangelised his country, and established monastic communities. Symbol is a white dove. Metropolitan Cathedral of Wales is St David’s

March 2: Chad Bishop of Lichfield, missionary (672) Monastic, evangelised Northumbia, Anglo-Saxon. Brother of Cedd, who he succeeded as bishop.