THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, GORDON

7 FEBRUARY 2021 SEXAGESIMA—

THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY

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the church website.

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Watch our Sunday 9:30AM service

and monthly Evensong on Facebook—live or later.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00AM Book of Common Prayer, in-person, face masks required

9:30AM modern rite, live-streamed via Facebook

May vary due to direction from NSW Health and the Archbishop

based on coronavirus cases and locations.

Make your health declarations and reservations for Sunday services by

e-mailing or telephoning the church office by Wednesday 5:00PM each week.

Reservations let us have names and contact details ready for NSW Health,

should that be required immediately in the case of an outbreak—

and lets the office know how many order of services to print.

Next EVENSONG 14 March 2021.

The THURSDAY 10:00AM SERVICE remains in recess.

On leaving the synagogue, Jesus entered the house of Simon Peter and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. Jesus grasped her and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

Mark 1:29-31

The same story is recounted in Matthew 8:14-15 and Luke 4:38-39 In Luke’s telling, Jesus “rebuked the fever and it left her”.

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ST. JOHN’S, GORDON

GIVES THANKS

FOR FATHER ERNEST

SERVING AS ACTING RECTOR

FROM AUGUST 2019

TO FEBRUARY 2021

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From The Churchwardens

COVID-19 & PARISH UPDATE

_______________________________________________

2 February 2021

The Rector moves in …

On Sunday, a significant number of parishioners had the opportunity to review

the refurbished Rectory before our eleventh Rector and his family commenced

moving in on 1 February. Without exception—the view was that our refurbishment team under Bill Killinger has done an outstanding job in

renovating and refreshing this beautiful old home, ready for the next

incumbency. Bill has supervised a number of trades and various working bees in this process and completed the work within budget and in time. The

Churchwardens would like to record their sincere thanks to Bill and all those

who worked with him to achieve this in spite of the pandemic restrictions.

The Op Shop …

Last Saturday, our third Op Shop sale was held since recommencement in November. The enthusiasm of the Op Shop team and the customers was

obvious. A number of customers approached both the Wardens present and the

organisers to thank them for facilitating this community event and for their organisation and attention to detail in ensuring it was run safely and effectively.

On behalf of the parish—the Churchwardens would also like to thank the

Op Shop ladies and gentlemen who have run this volunteer-staffed event for so many years, led by June Millar and Rita McColl, and also to Jan McLachlan,

who has taken on the job of organising the staff and planning to ensure it meets

the Warden’s protocols for a COVID-safe and NSW Health compliant operation. Due to the logistics and volunteers required to run this under the

current restrictions— it will continue as a once per month event for the time

being—with the next Op Shop sale to take place on 27 February.

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Bishop Michael’s Bible Study …

Father Robert has asked Bishop Michael to continue his outstanding Bible study

by Zoom on Thursday nights at 7:30PM, which will recommence on Thursday, 11 February after the holiday break. As Father Ernest stated in his sermon last

Sunday—our reference to and understanding of the Bible is critical to the

authenticity and relevance of our faith and the Wardens are committed to

facilitating this through the ongoing scholarship and mission of Bishop Michael.

In this vein, Bishop Michael will be visiting us in-person (COVID restrictions permitting) from 21 March up until Easter Day to further our spiritual mission,

alongside Father Robert.

The Commencement Service …

As advised—the Commencement Service for our new Rector—

Father Robert Happer—will be conducted by our regional Bishop— Bishop Chris Edwards at 6:30PM on Saturday, 13 February. Under God,

Bishop Edwards has provide significant assistance, along with genuine respect

and sensitivity for the specific needs of our parish—to both the nominators and to the Wardens during our search for our new Rector during the most difficult

of periods. We greatly appreciate his leadership in this.

There will be a significant number of invited guests whom we will welcome at

the Commencement Service for Father Robert, along with as many parishioners

as we are able to seat under the current protocols. If you have applied to attend (or would like to attend) - then the office will advise where you will be seated for

the service. The church hall will also be set up with a direct broadcast of the

service, so we anticipate being able to accommodate all who wish to come, either in the church of the hall. The Wardens have also engaged a professional

web-broadcast company to provide high quality coverage to ensure that all who

wish are able to be part of the service, either in-person or at home, may do so.

Please let the office know how you would like to attend by Thursday this week.

Meanwhile, our in-person 8:00AM service and on-line 9:30AM service continue to be well supported each week. The Treasurer will be providing a financial

update this month—suffice to say—we should all be very grateful for the

financial support we have, as a parish community, provided to our church

throughout the pandemic and in the absence of in-person offertories.

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As we enter 2021 and as we wean ourselves off JobKeeper support—the Churchwardens and Parish Council would request that you now prayerfully

consider and review your financial support of our parish as we move forward to

enable us to optimally resource our new Rector and his ministry, as well as our

Christian mission in the wider community.

The Churchwardens Chris Russell AM JK Seo James Winter

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

Sunday, 7 February Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 147:1-6 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

Mark 1:29-39

Monday, 8 February Genesis 1:1-19 Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35 Mark 6:53-56

Tuesday, 9 February Genesis 1:20-2:4 Psalm 8:4-9 Mark 7:1-13

Wednesday, 10 February Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17 Psalm 104:1-2, 27-30 Mark 7:14-23

Thursday, 11 February Genesis 2:18-25 Psalm 128:1-5 Mark 7:24-30

Friday, 12 February Genesis 3:1-8 Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7 Mark 7:31-37

Saturday, 13 February Genesis 3:9-24 Psalm 90:2-6, 12-13 Mark 8:1-10

Sunday, 14 February Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Mark 1:40-45

Monday, 15 February Genesis 4:1-15, 25 Psalm 50:1, 8, 16-17, 20-21 Mark 8:11-13

Tuesday, 16 February Genesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10 Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 Mark 8:14-21

Wednesday, 17 February Ash Wednesday Joel 2:12-18 Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Thursday, 18 February Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Luke 9:22-25

Friday, 19 February Isaiah 58:1-9 Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19 Matthew 9:14-15

Saturday, 20 February Isaiah 58:9-14 Psalm 86:1-6 Luke 5:27-32

Readings from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, bible.usccb.org.

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The OP SHOP SALE that was to be held 13 FEBRUARY has been

CANCELLED. The Churchwardens intend for Op Shop sales to take place

once a month for the time being. The February sale will be held Saturday,

27 FEBRUARY. As the 2021 sale date calendars had already been distributed

far and wide to customers known and unknown, please tell everyone you know

who attends the sales.

FATHER ROBERT’S INSTALLATION AS RECTOR will occur Saturday,

13 February at 6:30PM. Coronavirus means very few may be present, but the Churchwardens have arranged for a simulcast, professionally filmed.

FATHER ROBERT’S FIRST SERVICE HERE AS RECTOR will be Sunday,

14 February at 8:00AM.

PRAYERS OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD has been extended to six weeks.

Week 4 prayers are included along with the usual weekly intercessions page.

G’day, Possums Here is the latest on these other pesky possums who invade our church at night.

The possum repellers are working quite well, but not perfectly, due, I think, to shadows caused by columns and pews to the ultrasonic, sound and light transmissions. The good news, though, is they are working well in the confined space of the organ loft—there are no possums there—great! These repellers only turn on at night and do make quite an audible sound and bright flashes from inside the church. However, I am now trying a new experiment to eradicate the remaining few persistent devils. I shall leave the Nave lights on all night! Do not be alarmed—the lights are LED and therefore draw almost no power. That is a fact! Also, I think a church lit up at night from within is good advertising. Let’s see how that goes before we do the expensive task of looking high and low for the possum entry holes.

Wish me luck, Possums! Bill Killinger

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ASH WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY

7:30PM EUCHARIST LIVE-STREAMED VIA FACEBOOK

Customary imposition of ashes not possible this year with coronavirus restrictions

The local service for the annual WORLD DAY OF PRAYER will be held this

year at Gordon Uniting Church on Friday, 5 March at 11:00AM. Gordon-Pymble Uniting church is hosting the service and the churches participating

include Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian and Uniting Churches of

Gordon, Pymble and St. Ives. The theme of this year’s service, prepared by the

women of Vanuatu, is “BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION”. If you

wish to attend, please register at info@gpuc.org.au or telephone Sue Conde at

Gordon-Pymble Church, 0412 117 076, sconde@bigpond.net.au.

The late John Welch was our representative on and an enthusiastic member of

the KU-RING-GAI INTER-CHURCH COMMITTEE. Our remaining

representative, Shirleyann Gibbs, asks if anyone else would like to join her on

the committee or would like to know more about their work and events. E-mail

her at shirleyann.m.gibbs@me.com.

From Bill Killinger—TREE STUMP REMOVAL

I am looking for two or three fit gentlemen to assist in removing the tree stump

remaining after the storm in November 2019. It is a termite hazard. Insurance will not pay for this, so I am trying to do it with volunteers. Please give me a

call to discuss, 0407 551 600, or e-mail billkillinger@optusnet.com.au.

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C A L E N D A R

Sundays 8:00AM Eucharist,

in-person service, Book of Common Prayer

Sundays 9:30AM Eucharist,

modern rite, live-streamed on Facebook

Bishop Michael’s Lectio Bible Study

resumes Thursday night, 11 February

13 FEBRUARY OP SHOP SALE CANCELLED—

OP SHOP SALES HELD ONCE A MONTH FOR THE TIME BEING—

FEBRUARY OP SHOP SALE DATE IS SATURDAY, 27 FEBRUARY

English Classes have resumed

Father Robert Happer installed as Rector

13 February, 6:30PM, very limited seating, to be simulcast

Father Robert’s first service here as Rector

Sunday, 14 February, 8:00AM

Ash Wednesday 17 February

Eucharist, 7:30PM, live-streamed via Facebook

Women’s Bible Study resumes 3 March, 4:00PM to 5:00PM, crypt,

discussing Ecclesiastes

First Evensong of the year Sunday, 14 March, 4:00PM

Bishop Michael here to lead Lenten mission

21 March through Easter Day

Passiontide Carols Service Sunday, 28 March, 7:00PM

Being on the church e-mail mailing list ensures you are informed promptly of any changes.

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ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH DIRECTORY

754 Pacific Highway (P.O. Box 295) Gordon NSW 2072 Telephone 9498 2744

Website www.stjohnsgordon.org.au

Facebook www.facebook.com/stjohnsgordon and www.facebook.com/musicatstjohnsgordon

Meg in the church office Mondays and Thursdays, Cynthia Thursdays

Church Shop open during office hours

Acting Rector Rev’d Ernest Chau Mobile 0414 549 082 rector@stjohnsgordon.org.au Rector-Elect Rev’d Robert Happer

Parish Missioner Rt Rev’d Dr Michael Hough anathoth.hough@gmail.com

Director of Music Dr Brett McKern 0408 303 225, music@stjohnsgordon.org.au

Asst Dir of Music Nicola Chau

People’s Warden JK Seo good2bfree@gmail.com

Rector’s Warden Chris Russell AM chris@clrussell.com.au

Warden, Treasurer James Winter james.winter@au.gt.com

Parish Council Dr. Janet Long, Parish Council Secretary parishcouncil@stjohnsgordon.org.au

Pastoral Care Cynthia Keithly pastoralcarestjohnsgordon@gmail.com

Pastoral Chaplain Jennifer Lum jennifer.lum@bigpond.com

Safe Ministry Jan McLachlan janmclachlan@bigpond.com, 0408 641 037

Parish Administrator Meg McDonald office@stjohnsgordon.org.au

Pew Bulletin Editor Cynthia Keithly sjgpewbulletin@gmail.com

Organ Replacement Project Dennis Wood 0414 462 201, musicassociation@stjohnsgordon.org.au Westpac Bank Account Name: St Johns Church Gordon / BSB: 032083 /A/C: 810231

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR THE YEAR OF THE OX