The word Lent comes from the Old English ‘lencten’ meaning Spring and refers to the lengthening of days experienced at this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time for us to reflect on our rebirth in Baptism and engage in spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter. To help us with this task, the landscape of our worship changes. Purple vestments are worn, hymns and songs are more reflective in nature, and the Gloria and Alleluias are omitted. Lent is 40 days long counting from Ash Wednesday (the Sundays are not counted) and comes to its climax with the Great Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Eve. Lent helps us to identify with Jesus, who spent 40 days of fasting and prayer in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. Jesus invites us to ‘come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while’ (Mark 6:31). During Lent we offer Study Groups and prayer as a way of living this season of renewal to the full. The illustration above is one way of representing the liturgical cycle of the church including Lent.

TODAY:

7.00 am Holy Communion Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev’d Canon Dr Murray Harvey

9.30 am Holy Communion Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev’d Canon Dr Murray Harvey

5.00 Lent Study and Devotions

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that

everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)

God of Mercy, you are full of tenderness and compassion,

slow to anger, rich in mercy, and always ready to forgive: grant us grace to renounce all evil and to cling to Christ, that

in every way we may prove to be your loving children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

OUR VISION St Mark’s is a church that welcomes families and people of all ages. We seek to make Christ known by gathering for worship and by caring, sending and giving.

Contacts Church Office: 3862 2221 9.00am-12.00 Mon—Fri admin@stmarksclayfield.org

Postal address: 56 Bellevue Terrace, Clayfield 4011

Rector: The Rev’d Canon Dr Murray Harvey 3862 1411

Deacon: The Rev’d Dr Stephen Lake 3862 2991

Churchwardens: Alex Crawford 32623661 Robert Standish-White 38621186 David Adams 0403666941

MUSIC

7.00AM 100 715 349 334

9.30AM

100 715 556

Sunday 12 March 2017 Lent Il

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

A reading from the Book of Genesis

Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 4So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Hear the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm: 121 APBA page 360

Second Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ 4Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. 13For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Hear the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Lord is a great God. O that today you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory! The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

LENT II This Lent we are reflecting on paintings by German artist and Roman Catholic Priest Sieger Koder. Each one of his pictures is a portrayal of Biblical resonance. The works we will be reflecting on during the next six weeks are focused on the Passion of Christ and originally published as The Folly of God: The Journey of the Cross—A Path to Light. The impact of his paintings may be harsh at first, but if we take time to be still and seek their meaning, we are drawn into the richness of their symbolism. Each week a large original poster of the work will be displayed near the Font (and a small reproduction will be in the Pew Sheet). This week’s painting is entitled Unison, based on Mark 5:21 “They seized a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the countryside, to carry his cross”. Reflection Our streets are crowded with people struggling under the weight they carry. Degradation, desperation, hunger, violence, abuse… Do we have the courage to stop, to get involved? Perhaps we would rather keep our distance. Strangers, refugees? Are they any concern of ours? Who is my neighbour?

What happens around us affects us all in one way or another. Called to be one, our command is to love one another. We owe each other love and support. Simon of Cyrene can inspire us: by accepting to help a stranger, he became as one with Jesus, the Son of God. A Prayer Lord, as we journey help us to see those who stagger along the path of the cross: the refugees, the homeless, the lonely. We ask for strong shoulders on which to ease the load of others and a heart filled with love for all. The Folly of God: The Journey of the Cross—A Path to Light. The Art and Inspiration of

Risk: Through Lent

with Acts

LENT STUDIES 2017 Join us to explore the Christian faith more deeply during Lent. The study is from Theology House in NZ and written by Bishop Victoria Matthews and her team. It is suitable for personal or group study. Covering the six weeks of Lent, the studies offer a brief introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: Risking standing up for Jesus (Acts 4:1-22); Risking following the Spirit’s lead (Acts 8:26-40); Risking welcoming an adversary (Acts 9:1-22); Risking debate in order to seek reconciliation (Acts 15:1-21); Risking rejection for the sake of the gospel (Acts 17:22-34) and Risking the present for the sake of the future (Acts 20:17-38).

More details at: http://www.theologyhouse.ac.nz

Please write your name on the sign-up sheet for one of the groups, as follows:

TUESDAY 10.00am The Sheldon Room SUNDAY 5.00pm In the Church

If neither of these groups suit, the Rector may suggest a house group.

Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ

[Matthew 17:1-9]

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Mission Visits to Western Parishes—May 2017 St Mark’s will visit two parishes in the Western Region in May. Neither parish has a permanent clergyperson and are served by visiting clergy as well as local lay people. Fr Allan Shephard will travel to Tara to conduct services on the weekend of 5-7 May. Those who are interested in joining him should speak to him directly or to Petrea in the Church Office. There will be a visit to a property and to Nursing Homes on the Saturday followed by services on the Sunday morning. The Rector will visit Wondai and Murgon on the weekend of 20-21 May. We did this trip last year and we were very warmly received. The trip includes a meal with local church people at the RSL on the Saturday followed by services at Wondai and then Murgon on the Sunday. Please speak to Murray to find out more. You would need to make your own travel arrangements and book your own accommodation, although we can suggest motels in both places. These visits are much appreciated by the local people and it’s a great way to build up connections between country and city parishes and have fun at the same time!

PRAYER

FOCUS

for this week For St Mark’s Outreach and Mission: The Goodna Parish Pantry — for needy families in the Goodna area.

The Sick: Please use the Intercessions Book for those who you know would like to be named in our Prayers of Intercession.

Anniversaries of the Faithful Departed: Alton Zeistmer Esme Shipham Eric Crooke James Palmer Aldo Vacca George Goodwin Irene Foote Ian Livingston

Wider Mission Focus for this Month: Bush Church Aid Society—For ministry in rural Australia. www.bushchurchaid. com.au

TENNIS COURT Bookings: 0487 789 529 or email: stmarks.tennis@ gmail.com

Lent Studies! Tuesdays 10am or Sundays 5pm or ask for details of a housegroup.

Healing Ministry—Today at both Services At both services today the ministry of Prayer for Healing will be offered. Those seeking prayer for themselves or for another will be invited to come forward following the administration of communion for prayer and anointing with Holy Oil. Please speak with one of the clergy before the service if you have any questions.

Youth & Children’s Ministry Youth Group Fri 24th March 7.00pm; KidsPlus+ Sun 26th.

Ladies Guild The Ladies Guild has asked if the people of St Mark’s can assist in making the monthly Games Days more widely known. There is a flyer in today’s Pew Sheet. Please pass it on to anyone who you think might be interested. It is a great opportunity for fellowship once a month and newcomers can be sure of a warm welcome. Why not come along and join them this Wednesday from 10am?

For the Men of St Mark’s The next gathering at the Albion Hotel will be Thursday 23rd March from 5.30pm in the Cucina Bar.

St Francis College Student Visit Students from college will join us today for worship at

9.30am as part of their Intensive Weekend. They are

looking at different styles and traditions of worship around

the diocese. Let’s make them very welcome.

Hall & Office Closure-Removal of Asbestos As part of the renovation of the Sheldon Room, asbestos has to be removed from the ceiling. This will happen on 20-22nd March necessitating the closure of the hall and office for three days for reasons of Health & Safety. We apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause. More details will be available next week about alternative office arrangements on those days.

Mon 13 10.00 Craft Group Tues 14 8.15 Staff Meeting 10.00 Lent Study Wed 15 10.00 Ladies Guild Thurs 16 8.00 Morning Prayer 5.00 Cathedral Chapter Sun 19 7.00 Eucharist 9.30 Eucharist 5.00 Lent Study

NOTICES

WEEKLY OFFERING SUMMARY

Budgeted Weekly Collection $1,930 Collections Last Week $2,446

DIRECT DEBIT DETAILS Bank: NAB St Mark’s Clayfield BSB 084-004 A/c 50-838-9619

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