Connecting the people of St John’s Elsternwick

MINISTER Rev Philip Liebelt Ph: 9596 4204 | Mob: 0400631264 philipliebelt@gmail.com

LINK EDITOR Cathy McNicol

mcnicolc@hotmail.com

CHURCH OFFICE 567 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick 3185 P.O. Box 4069, Hopetoun Gardens 3162

Phone: 9528 4859 Hall Bookings: Jack Campbell 9523 9228

April - May 2017

\ March 2015

*Inspiring Hope *Embracing Change *Releasing Creativity

This Easter coincides with the Jewish Festival of the Passover, just as it did at the first Easter. Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples on the Thursday night – his last meal before he was arrested, tried and crucified. He turned it into a meal that became our Communion Service.

It would be great to find ways to discuss with members of our community, in a respectful way; what the meal means to us, Christians and Jews. Of course, there would be some hurdles for them to overcome in accepting Jesus, and the authority with which he made that meal about him.

Passover, of course is an annual feast the Jews celebrate to remember the night Moses led the people of Israel, out of slavery in Egypt. The angel of death passed over the Jewish homes, whereas it struck down those living in Egyptian homes, because Pharaoh kept refusing to let the Jewish people go, after promising to do so. It is a very ritualistic and symbolic meal with each dish representing part of the story, and the story retold through a series of questions and answers.

That was the meal Jesus and his followers celebrated in the Upper Room, when he later took a loaf of bread, blessed and broke it, then gave it to them, saying “This is my body ...” And after supper he took the cup; again, giving thanks he offered it to them, “This cup that is poured out for you is the blood of the new covenant... Do this in remembrance of me.”

During the Lenten season, I have been encouraging people to bless and pray for the people of our community. As resources, I have linked a 40-day guide “to help change the spiritual atmosphere of our” suburbs, sent to me by Penny Dimmock (an English woman who visited with her family two Christmases ago); along with an Australian series of Lenten studies on the Beatitudes, “Jesus down our Street.” The first of these has a proclamation, scripture, declaration, blessing and prayer for each of 40 days, in which our local area is to be specifically named. Here are some short extracts.

“In Jesus’ name, I bless the people of Elsternwick to partake of the bread of life. I bless them to feed on Jesus with thanksgiving....”

“Jesus, bread of life, bring the people of Glen Eira to partake of the bread You freely offer. I pray that all resistance to You in their hearts will go, and that they will turn their thoughts and hearts to You.”

“In Jesus’ name, I bless the people of Caulfield South to learn to serve one another. I bless them to watch out for each other and to help others when they need help. I bless them with compassion and the desire to support one another. I bless this community to be a caring community, where no one will feel isolated or alone.”

“Lord, I pray for those who are suffering in this community, who feel isolated and broken, that they will be made known to Your people who live here. That this community will be renowned for the support and love that it gives those in need. Help us to be a servant-hearted people, aware of those who live around us.”

What this might lead to is unknown and acted in faith. It is not assumed hordes of people will suddenly line up at 567 Glen Huntly at 10am Sundays. It may open up conversations that can help people in their faith; or build relationships with people who may find their way to an activity we are offering, or even reconnect with their own place of worship. To this end the less formal approach to the above is to have people: • Pray for their neighbours, or people they meet in the street, the park or the Op Shop. • Do something like praying as we sit in the park that we might strike up a conversation with someone at random, not as an evangelical thrust, just building a new friendship. • Through prayer, finding opportunities to talk to people about our activities, Op Shop, social justice events, or our worship as is appropriate. Or discover new needs that we can meet; new planned activities that we can invite people to, such as our anticipated alternative worship service.

In turn, for some this discipline may change our mindset. Why just 40 days? Why not always be sending “arrow” prayers up whenever we see someone or become aware of a circumstance. This is not a call for us all to be street evangelists as this is not some people’s gift, but we can tell our story and listen to other people’s. For us that story includes what God has done for us in our lives. For them, as we hear of their struggles, it may be extending an offer to help them or find them someone who can.

Maybe, this Lent, then extending into the Easter season, can be a time of change, in the way we as a church or as individuals engage with members of our community.

Lenten and Easter Blessings, Philip

Editor’s Column We have had another couple of busy months with our Annual General Meeting, Church Council Elections, a visit to the Elsternwick Toddler’s Playgroup, SHARE Pancake morning tea, the Wesley Commencement Service, two Side Door Social Justice Hub events with great speakers – Helen Szoke from Oxfam and Tony Nicholson from Brotherhood of St Laurence; Constance’s confirmation and involvement in the Gay Pride street march as well as the usual regular activities. It was great that John and Corienne Lever returned to celebrate their marriage at St John’s 50 years ago and we were saddened by the passing of Norma Ward. Thank you to those who have contributed to this edition of Link and who work to keep St John’s going so well.

Cathy

The S.H.A.P.E. of our Mission For some time Church Council has been discussing the delivery of the ‘Gifts’ program (SHAPE), which I spoke off at my Joint Nominating conversations. Because of the detail in what I have previously delivered, we were struggling to find a way to fit it in a time frame St John’s people could commit to.

S.H.A.P.E. stands for Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience (with most time given to the first group). It is designed to help people understand how they are gifted to best serve the Church. If sufficient St John’s people could commit to doing the program, it may help us reconsider how we structure our Task Groups and who should be doing what jobs.

I have indicated that I am willing to develop a structure that would require less group time, and more “homework.” This would include: 1. Initial Reading delivered at the beginning of a month. 2. A Sharing Sunday delivered in such a way that those not interested in

the whole program would still benefit. 3. A half Saturday workshop delivered enough time after the Sharing

Sunday to allow some worksheets to be done (a couple of weeks). 4. A second Sharing Sunday focussed on hearing what other people see

in us. Again, non-participants can be involved. 5. A commitment by me to meet with each individual to discuss their

findings. 6. A Morning Tea after Church on a normal Sunday to reflect on what

we have learnt from the process. Hopefully the total program could be completed in a couple of months.

With the AGM, Lenten studies and Easter, and the beginning of the Asset Strategy Program (ASP), Council accepted that a start date before the beginning of May was improbable.

A timetable could be 1. April 30th 2. May 21st 3. June 3rd 4. June 18th 5. June 20 –July 8 6. July 9th

The ASP commitments may yet push it further away but hopefully not. Please talk to me if you would like further information about this exciting opportunity for St John’s.

Philip

3 CONSTANCE’S CONFIRMATION

4 GAY RIGHTS MARCH

5 OP SHOP

6 NORMA WARD TRIBUTE

7 PEACEMAKERS 10 APRIL / MAY ROSTER

Social Justice Hub The Australian Jewish Democratic Society is hosting two events with high profile speakers:

• Saturday 15 April 7-9pm – Laila El-Haddad, a chef & journalist from Gaza will speak about: Gaza, Food, Family, and Politics

• Sunday June 4th 7pm – Samah Sabawi, an author & playwright, will launch her book Double Exposure.

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Constance’s confirmation It's not often we can say we've had a perfect day, but with friends, the Lord and Patricia's chocolate cake all in the same place, my confirmation day might have been one. A huge thank you to Philip for putting it all together and to all my friends, both church and outside the congregation for gathering to celebrate and wish me well. I had a wonderful day and have many memories to cherish. Heartfelt blessings to all Constance

Bringing Jesus To Our Community The first meeting of the new Bible Study group happened on a wintry- looking,

stormy Sunday afternoon in February. As Tsai said, “Crazy Summer!”

Six of us got together with Philip, and he introduced us to booklet he had

received named ‘Keep Blessing Your Community’ which is a 40-day prayer guide.

We looked at the significance of “40” in Scripture - must be God’s favourite

number! It is always a significant period of time when God brings about change.

It may be forty years. It may be forty days. There are many instances in the

Scriptures when God has instigated a major change after a period of 40.

The booklet also reminded us that we are a chosen people, a royal

priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (1 Peter 2:9). A priestly duty

is to minister before the Lord, to represent the people before God, and to serve

and worship Him and to pronounce blessings, in His name, on the people. All of us

have that duty before God. When we proclaim who God is, decree and declare His

word, and speak blessings over the people and situations in our community, we

can change the spiritual atmosphere and bring release into the situation that

enables His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in Heaven.

The many blessings found in Scripture, like the Aaronic Blessing, are ours

to speak and Philip challenged us to pray and bless for a 40-day period, over our

community, to bring about a change.

When we met a fortnight later, the group began looking at the Lenten

studies ‘Jesus down our street’, which are based on the Beatitudes. Once again,

the Scriptures are speaking of being blessed – blessed in times and circumstances

that are not considered desirable or worth aspiring to in the world’s eyes. We can

be blessed in the everyday parts of life and humanity of life. We can also seek God’s

blessing for those around us in their humanity of life, as we share our lives with

them, so that all of us can know the grace of God and the richness of His blessings.

We are continuing to meet on Sunday afternoons – but not necessarily

every Sunday afternoon – to study the Beatitudes and God’s blessings. You are

welcome to join us whenever you can.

Helen

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This was by far the largest march to date lasting over two

hours and the event is growing every year. Organisations

such as the Victorian Police, emergency services,

universities, sporting teams, political parties and businesses

dress to impress and show their acceptance and support for

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI)

staff, students, members and colleagues.

According to a report by Farrah Tomazin from The Age

newspaper up to 50,000 people gather for the march. What

an opportunity to witness the unconditional love of our Lord

Jesus Christ! Being so close to the crowd we were able to

hear feedback, all positive. Comments included ‘Wow, how

cool is it that a church is marching?’, ‘It’s great a church

supports LGBTI people’, ‘Go St John’s, your church is

awesome’. I couldn’t even guess how many hundreds of

photos were taken of us marching with our banner. And we

even appeared on Channel Nine that night. The six o’clock

news broadcast to the whole of Melbourne that God loves

all of us regardless of race, age, occupation, wealth, health

status or sexual orientation. Our message was clear.

Everyone is welcome to come and worship with us at St

John’s Uniting Church Elsternwick.

Marching whilst representing our church was an

unforgettable experience. Such a wonderful, loving and

supportive reception we received from the roaring crowd.

Hopefully we have sown some seeds of faith, love, hope and

acceptance with those who have seen our banner.

I would like to thank our minister and council for their

support and well wishes for our first appearance in this

event and hope to instil this and other public witnessing as

regular calendar occasions for our church.

Abundance of love in Christ.

Constance

Even the St Kilda Town Hall was flying the LGBTI flag high.

In 2017, for the first time, St

John’s Uniting Church

Elsternwick was represented

in the Victorian Gay Pride

March. God blessed us with a

stunning day full of sunshine,

rainbows and smiles.

Op Shop As usual the start of the year has meant the Op Shop has been inundated with a massive pile of donations so our amazing team has worked hard to process, price, display the goods. Some of our regular volunteers have moved on to other things or are having holidays so we are appealing for new volunteers, particularly on Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and all day Saturdays. Please ask around to see if you can find anyone who might be interested in joining in the fun.

The valuable contribution our volunteers will be acknowledged through the Glen Eira City Council’s Volunteer Recognition Program during National Volunteers Week (8–14 May). 2000 hours - Geoff Gillan, Keith Stodden

1000 hours - Terry Bacon, John Laverty

500 hours - Sharyn O'Bree, Yvonne Rado, Stephen McMillan, Wayne Hurel, Moya O'Reilly, Christina Chan Tong

10 years - Cheryl Peel

Donations The first round of donations for 2017 has been made to:

UCA Community

Local Connections Uniting Care Community Information Glen Eira

Australia Frontier Services Asylum Seekers Resource Centre

International Uniting World Red Cross

The donations to Uniting World and Red Cross will go toward the Food Crisis in East Africa. Famine has been declared in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and northeast Nigeria for the first time anywhere in the world in six years. The United Nations says the world is facing the largest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War with 20 million people facing starvation. Drought and conflict has prevented people growing food and aid agencies delivering assistance.

We have also donated excess clothes to the Morwell UC Op Shop and Lentara Uniting Care; children’s books to Fiji Book appeal; baby and children’s clothes to St Kilda mums; books magazines and items to people referred by Community Information Glen Eira; fabric to Prahran Mission, books, beads and jewellery items to Headspace; craft, stationery items and toiletries to YMCA; non-perishable food, games, clothing and accessories to ASRC.

Entertainment Books, offering discount are now for sale with the proceeds to be donated equally to Community Information Glen Eira, St John's Fresh Youth Theatre and the Campesino School in El Salvador.

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Norma Ward Tribute

Norma was a presence in the lives of so many people, for so many years. She took an avid interest in her extended family of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews so that in some ways she became the living memory of the Ward family. Born in Fairfield on January 16 1921, Norma was part of the era in which families were rebuilding their lives after the Great War, in which her father Leslie served, only to be confronted by the Great Depression and then the Second World War, in which her father again served. It was this type of adversity which steeled many people of that time to ‘get on with life’ and enjoy family and friends and make contributions where you could. Norma could be described as a ‘witness’ in a generation that saw remarkable technological change … automatic washing machines, mobile telephones, internet, air travel and colour photography. There were two developments in particular which Norma fully embraced – international travel and photography, from the Box Brownie to the modern electronic camera. Around the age of three Norma and her younger brother Alvin and her parents Leslie and Olive, moved from Fairfield to Denver Crescent Elsternwick to what was to become her home for the rest of her life. It was here that life unfolded. The house today is a reflection of the generations who lived there. Growing up there was street cricket with a young lad who was about to become a dashing figure in Australian cricket history – one Keith Miller. Later, when Alvin married Iris Bath, the couple lived in the house until their first child, Judyth, arrived. Some years later, Leslie’s aunt, lived with the family until her death at the age of 102.

Norma started school at Elsternwick State School and from there she went to Mac Robertson Girls’ High School. She then attended Stott’s Business College which provided the foundation for her careers as a book keeper, secretary and in later years accountancy. She had an eye for detail and keeping excellent records which was greatly appreciated both in her professional and volunteer life. In 1937, Norma became a Sunday School teacher, a commitment that she continued for many years. It was a foundation part of her dedication to the church in Elsternwick. Here early life wasn’t without personal tragedy. In 1949 she became engaged to the ‘love of her life’, Edgar, but he died during an operation later that year. In later years, she was also greatly affected by the loss of her brother, Alvin, at the age of 42, her parents, her nephew, Peter, and nieces Judyth and most recently, Glenda. Norma enjoyed to travel. In 1952 she travelled to Rhodesia and stayed with Edgar’s parents and sister Betty, then toured South Africa, England and Europe. She also visited China, New Zealand, Canada and Alaska and travelled widely throughout Australia. On these trips Norma took many, many photographs. Norma had a life-long commitment to volunteering her talents where she could. She was Cub Leader for the Malvern and Caulfield packs, Server at the shop at Caulfield Medical Centre, Treasurer of the Camera Club, Secretary of the Caulfield Historical Society and Treasurer, Secretary and President of the Elsternwick Ladies Bowling Club as well the Synod Archives. At home Norma busied herself with needlework, knitting and gardening. Norma lived a full and rewarding life, touching people in many ways and preferring not to live in the past, enjoying travel, hobbies, giving to the community and a life-long commitment to the church.

Keith Hainsworth, for the Ward family

Peacemaker in South Sudan It is 40°C inside the tin roofed church. Seventy-five men and women, have come from all the neighbouring towns, risking land mines and car-jackings to get there. There is a random mixture of bright African prints and drab western clothes as they all clutch worn Bibles and notebooks. They are sitting in small circles, leaning forward in their chairs, energetic words and animated gestures flying everywhere.

In the vicious and bloody inter-tribal fighting of the past few years, they have seen family and friends killed, watched their homes burnt and livelihoods destroyed. Unimaginable violence and untold grief has left them angry, heartsore and weary.

These men and women come from different tribes in South Sudan, the same tribes that have been fighting each other. They have plenty of reasons to blame each other for the losses they are grieving. But they are also the pastors and elders of the Presbyterian Church in South Sudan, and they have gathered together under one roof, seeking to heal each other’s wounds, hear each other’s pain and pledge themselves as church leaders to live and teach peace and forgiveness to their people.

There is a banner strung proudly across the front of the church.

It’s hand-painted, and written in Arabic as well as English: “Do your best to preserve the unity which the spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together.” Ephesians 4:3 I sit with these men and women in the sweltering heat. I think back to some church meetings I’ve attended in Australia, where the location of furniture, the style of music or the sale of property has caused bitter and longstanding conflict amongst fellow Christians. And I realise that I have never understood what that verse in Ephesians was about.

But on that hot Juba afternoon, I get a glimpse. I see the sacrifice, the huge personal cost, of seeking peace and unity. I see broken traumatised people be the channels of peace, forgiveness and healing for each other. And I see God’s grace poured out, bridging the gap between what mere humanity can manage, and what the Spirit makes possible.

Dr Sureka Goringe, UnitingWorld

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Peacemakers The Uniting Church is a peacemaking church. The Church’s vision is for a world where there is no need for military arms and weapons. In the Assembly statement published by Uniting Justice in 2005, the Uniting Church expressed its hope for the world: “…where conflict is resolved through peaceful means and where people are nations live together in dignity and hope, respecting each other’s cultural and religious traditions and relating to each other as loving neighbours whose future is shared. This hope is based in the understanding that God came in the crucified and risen Christ to make peace and that calls all Christians to be peacemakers, to save life, to heal and love their neighbours.” The Australian Coalition of Christian Peacemakers includes the Peace and Justice Commission of NSW Ecumenical Council, Columban Mission Institute, Pax Christi Australia, Eremos Institute, The Wellspring Community, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and Peacebuilders International. It has said, It was out of the dreadful loss of life of WWI that the legend of ANZAC began. Churches were the first to hold ceremonies to remember and pray for those who sacrificed their lives. Its purpose was to honour the diggers by refusing to glorify war, vowing that there should never be another war. Returned veterans then went on to hold commemoration services and ANZAC Day became a secular event. Sadly, we feel that in recent years ANZAC is increasingly being used to promote nationalism and militaristic war. We question this momentum. Keith Stodden has been peace activist in a number of organisations. He was recently awarded a life membership of the Campaign for International Cooperation and Disarmament for his contributions campaigning for peace and nuclear disarmament since its formation over 57 years ago. Congratulations Keith.

Flying High Spiders I can pick up with my hand and evict; elevators, mice and clowns I’m all good with but the one phobia I have had all my life is the fear of flying. Actually, it’s not the flying I’ve been afraid of, it’s the falling out of the sky like a stone, crashing and dying. Walking onto a plane has always felt like I was entering a metal coffin. I’ve spent a fortune on hypnotherapy to try and get over it without too much success. It’s forced me ditch the plane ticket and drive to Perth, Sydney and Brisbane on more than one occasion. Incapacitating to be sure.

I was brushing my teeth the other day, you know how you contemplate life, the universe and the number 42, when it occurred to me that I no longer have that fear. I was stunned and had to unpack that idea immediately. What an impossible concept. All my life I have either avoided the dreaded flying machine or taken serious amounts of barbiturates or alcohol to force myself aboard to endure the experience.

The answer is simple. I no longer believe that this life is all there is. It’s not that I have a death wish. I’m not going to throw myself in front of a tram anytime soon. But being born again means that I can look forward to something after this fragile body fails me. An eternity with a loving Christ. I’m not sure what form that will take but the promises I’ve read so far in the Word don’t sound too bad.

I don’t want to be a Christian because I’m scared of going to hell and being a kebab on a spit forever. I want to live this life with Christ as my soulmate, teaching and guiding me on a journey of sanctification and making every day better than it possibly could be without him. If that was all there was for my 80 odd years on this earth, that would be enough for me. The promise of a heaven afterwards is just a bonus.

I’m sure as I go on in my journey there will be many other surprising and unexpected rewards to appreciate along the way. Let’s celebrate them daily. Take nothing for granted. Praise the name of Jesus and thank the Lord for his continuous Grace.

Blessings to you all Constance

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Palm Sunday Rally - 2pm April 9th The 2017 Melbourne Walk For Justice For Refugees will be on Sunday April 9 at 2pm, commencing at the State Library (music from 1.30pm). Speakers for the event in Melbourne include:

Nazir Yousafi – Vice President of the Victorian Afghan Associations Network and Afghan refugee

Abdul-Hadi Matar - refugee and Sudanese community leader from Darfur

INTERFAITH PANEL Rev Sharon Hollis, Uniting Church Synod of Vic/Tas Moderator; Rabbi Kim Ettlinger, Jewish Community; and Mohamed Mohideen, President of the Islamic Council of Victoria)

Daniel Webb (Human Rights Law Centre) Jane Wylie (former teacher on Nauru) Chris Breen (Refugee Advocacy Network) Aziz from Manus Island (by recorded audio message). Aziz is a refugee from Darfur in Sudan and has been incarcerated on Manus for just over 4 years. Corinne Grant will be the MC for the event.

Pancake Day

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Maundy/Green Thursday Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus' last supper with his disciples and the institution of the Lord's Supper. Holy Thursday is called Maundy Thursday from the old Latin name for the day, mandatum, meaning "the day of the new commandment", John 13:34. The German name is Gründonnerstag, literally green Thursday, or the day of the green ones, which recognises those who have done forty days of penance and are therefore fresh, innocent and green. It is tradition to eat green foods such as spinach or green soup. – made with zucchini, broccoli, kale, artichokes, fennel. Try your favourite search engine for some very yummy options.

Scone Secret… I hope and pray we have mixing bowls, ingredients and ovens in heaven because Alex’s lemonade scones are too yummy for there to be restricted access to this lifetime only. How good could heaven be without them? With her permission, I can now share the secret of how they are made. Preheat oven to 300˚C (220˚ fan forced) Sift into a bowl 3 cups of SR flour and make a well in the centre Pour into the well 1 cup of full cream thickened cream, 1 cup of lemonade and add a pinch of salt Stir with a knife until combined Kneed a little on a floured surface Roll out to 1.5-2cm thickness Use a cookie cutter or glass to cut out scone circles Brush top of scones with a little milk Bake for 10 minutes Allow to cool a little and go for your life with the jam and cream Constance

Elsternwick

Toddler’s

Playgroup

APRIL 2nd* - Lent 5 9th - Palm Sunday 14th - Good Friday 16th - Easter Day 23rd - Easter 2 30th - Easter 3 APRIL 2017 DATES

Service / Leader Rev Philip Liebelt Rev Philip Liebelt Rev Philip Liebelt Rev Philip Liebelt Cathy McNicol Rev Philip Liebelt WEEKLY EVENTS Cuppa & Chat – Tues 10am Wednesday Lunch 12:30pm

Fresh Youth Theatre – Wed 4pm

2 Communion 2 Tenants afternoon tea 2:30 8 Working bee at 9:30am 9 Walk for Refugees 12 Church Council at 7pm 15 Social Justice Hub 7-9pm 28 Friday Friends - film Risen 29 Prayer Group 10:30am

Birthdays 7 Rex Hanney 17 Jack Campbell (96th) 29 Angela Forbes (60th)

Lectionary Readings

Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45

Matthew 21:1-11 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 Psalm 22

Hebrews 10:16-25 John 18:1 - 19:42

Jeremiah 31:1-6 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-18

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16

1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

1 Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35

Prayer Constance Patricia Jack Cathy Audrey Patricia

Greeter Jane Pam Keith Jane Jane & Tsai Geoff

Reader Audrey Keith Audrey Alex Keith Cathy

Data Projector Cathy Michael Cathy Greg Dustin Michael

Steward/Offering Helen & Colin Lee & Jack Jack & Cathy Cathy & Jack Michael & Colin Helen & Jack

Morning Tea Patricia & Constance Helen & Dustin - Jane & Audrey Alex & Constance Denise & Ray

Flowers Audrey Helen - Alex Jane Audrey

MAY 7th* - Easter 4 14th - Easter 5 21st - Easter 6 28th - Easter 7 MAY 2017 DATES

Service / Leader Rev Philip Liebelt Rev Philip Liebelt Rev Philip Liebelt Rev Philip Liebelt 7 Communion 10 Church Council at 7pm 13 Garden Club, Mini-Fete 21 Sharing Sunday & lunch 26 Friday Friends,

- BTC Hat’s off 27 Prayer Group 10:30am Birthdays 8 Lee Hanmer 11 Alex Elliott 15 Geoff Paterson 16 Lilian Ignatieva 18 Kevin Payne 21 John Brown 23 Greg Smith 24 Michael Forbes (60th)

Lectionary Readings

Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 23

1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10

Acts 7:55-60 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

1 Peter 2:2-10 John 14:1-14

Acts 17:22-31 Psalm 66:8-20

1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21

Acts 1:6-14 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11

John 17:1-11

Prayer Greg Cathy Pam Keith

Greeter Denise Pam Wendy Geoff

Reader Michael Audrey Cathy Colin

Data Projector Cathy Kevin Dustin Greg

Steward/Offering Michael & Colin Lee & Jack Helen & Jack Cathy& Colin

Morning Tea Patricia & Pam Lilian & Jane Alex & Geoff Constance & Wendy

Flowers Helen Alex Jane Audrey

*Includes Holy Communion

St John’s Uniting Church, Elsternwick Roster & diary dates for April - May 2017