My dear Friends,
Paul writes, "Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Lent is the time in the Church calendar when people
reflect on their lives and start making resolutions to give up things.
Resolutions are fashionable, and let's face it they can be useful
if practical. However, so many resolve to give up things, do more
good things in their lives and so forth, but then soon we 'fall'
and it seems nothing much has changed.
The solution for each of us is to have the Holy
Spirit of God working in our lives. We can resolve all we want to
change our bad habits and to do things that are good for us and
others, but it is impossible to do it successfully without God's
help. How God's help comes to us when we are willing to receive
it can be wonderfully surprising. We discover that it comes from
other people who are living on the power of God's love. This is
why community and fellowship are so important. God works in, with
and through us.
Becoming a new creation is another way of saying
"Born again". But it is not a one-time event. It is a
process, a transformation, from living on our own strength to relying
on God's power. When we make resolutions, no matter how genuine
our resolve, we must change. Most of us are resistant to change
and we have great difficulty mustering the willingness. Asking God
for the willingness to change us for the better is an essential
part of the surrender process. Surrender is the beginning of becoming
something new. The old you must die and the new you rises to live
in union with God.
On a practical level it helps when we learn to
do simple things that lead us to this ongoing surrender. Daily prayer
and meditation are important. We all need quiet time when our own
concerns can be laid aside and God can speak to us in the stillness
of our being. This contemplative practice is not enough, however.
We must go forth into action and more action.
The best action we take each day that most helps
us in our process of becoming the new being is in our involvement
with others. How we treat others, especially those who are hurting
and in need of our help, our forgiveness, our mercy and our love,
is the visible demonstration of who we are. As the chorus goes,
"They will know we are Christians by our love." For far
too long the world has seen Christians but not acts of love.
This is the message for us: if we stumble in our
resolutions then we need to recognise it, admit it and begin again.
That's a new way of thinking and acting and a worthwhile way to
observe Lent.
Your friend & rector
Eddie
RELAY FOR LIFE
PORT ELIZABETH
Friday 27thMarch 2009
It’s not to late to form a team! Chat to Sheila Dibben for more
info.
Don’t forget to buy your special bags for the Luminari Lap from
Sheila. These bags are being sold at R 10 each for you to decorate
and put photos or messages on. Sand will then be placed in them,
along with a candle which will be lit as it grows dark. The Luminari
Lap of tribute and remembrance will take place at dusk in memory
of those who have lost the battle to cancer.
Please contact Sheila Dibben
for more information on 041 368-7813.
PHOTOS
We are updating the photos on the notice boards! Please have your
photo taken in the concourse area. Claire Phelps will be taking
the photos over the next few weeks.
Alternatively, if you have a photo with family that you would like
put up on the board, please drop it off at the office.
PROVERBS
SPEECH: THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
Our Bible study group is currently going through
the various 'wisdoms' contained in the Book of Proverbs, and we
recently completed a section on speech.
It has been said that you can tell the true character
of a Christian by how they speak when they are behind the wheel
of their car! This sounds rather strange, but if we are honest with
ourselves, I would guess that a lot of us become 'someone else',
especially when that taxi just stops in the middle of the street
and...
Proverbs warns us against five very specific things
with regards to speech:
1. Lying. (14:5; 15:4; 26:28)
Using our tongue to make other people angry and stir up quarrels.
(15:1; 17:19)
3. Not to speak too quickly, but to 'think before you speak'. (15:2;
28)
4. Speaking out of an ill-temper. (14:17; 15:18)
5. Gossip (17:4; 16:28)
Looking at these areas from a positive perspective,
we see that the tongue can and should be used in ways that bring
peace and blessing, always speaking the truth. To speak positive
words can go against our cultural grain and it can be all too easy
to find the negative. We find it so much easier to complain about
something than say something positive.
A lovely story about a woman who was getting more
and more frustrated with her husband because he refused to join
in with her when she was complaining about someone. She said in
exasperation, “Oh he'll never say anything negative about anyone;
he'll always find the positive!”
What a wonderful thing to have said about one! This
is something that we all need to aspire to. We may never know what
blessing we bring, by a simple positive word spoken to someone at
a particular moment!!
Yours in Christ
Dave Sanderson
The
Bible - explained by a child
In the beginning, which occurred near the start,
there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The
Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one, but I think He must be
a lot older than that.
Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' and someone did. Then God made
the world.
He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were
naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't
been invented yet.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were
driven from the Garden of Eden.....Not sure what they were driven
in though, because they didn't have cars.
Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as
he was Abel.
Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah,
who lived to be like a million or something.
One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but
one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large
boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some
other people to join him, but they said they would have to
take a rain check.
After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was
more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob
his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had
a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.
Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton
Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of
Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten
plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included
frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.
God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti.
Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include:
don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's stuff.
Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and
thy mother.
One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible
guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the
fence fell over on the town.
After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant
with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about
300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but
that doesn't sound very wise to me.
After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets.
One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed
up on the shore.
There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we
don't have to worry about them.
After the Old Testament came the New Testament.
Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in
Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in
a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door!
Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter
of fact, I was.')
During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the
Pharisees and the Democrats.
Jesus also had twelve opossums.
The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that
they named a terrible vegetable after him.
Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached
to some Germans on the Mount.
But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the
Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed
his hands instead.
Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again.
He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum.
His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.
out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after
God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These
plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.
God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then
he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't
lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbour's stuff.
Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humour thy father and
thy mother.
One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible
guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the
fence fell over on the town.
After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant
with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about
300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but
that doesn't sound very wise to me.
After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets.
One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed
up on the shore.
There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we
don't have to worry about them.
After the Old Testament came the New Testament.
Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in
Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in
a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door!
Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter
of fact, I was.')
During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the
Pharisees and the Democrats.
Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus.
Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after
him.
Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached
to some Germans on the Mount.
But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the
Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed
his hands instead.
Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again.
He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum.
His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.
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CALENDAR DATES TO
NOTE DURING MARCH 2009
01 |
Sunday |
1st Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion
Sung Eucharist & Sunday School
Muffins
for Sale after Both Services |
7.30am
9.00am
|
04 |
Wednesday |
Holy Communion - Lenten Service
Holy Communion - Lenten Service |
9.00am
7.00pm |
07 |
Saturday |
Parenting Course - 'Effective Parenting in a Defective
World'
Lay Minister's Meeting |
8.00am
2.00pm
|
08 |
Sunday |
2nd Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion
Sung Eucharist & Sunday School |
7.30am
9.00am
|
09 |
Monday |
Executive Meeting
Parish Council |
4.30pm
5.30pm |
10 |
Tuesday |
Morning Prayer at Lapa Munnik |
10.00am |
11 |
Wednesday |
Holy Communion - Lenten Service
Holy Communion - Lenten Service |
9.00am
7.00pm |
12 |
Thursday |
Holy Communion at Fairhaven - NOTE CHANGE IN DATE |
11.00am |
14 |
Saturday |
Parenting Course - 'Effective Parenting in a Defective
World' |
8.00am |
15 |
Sunday |
3rd Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion
Sung Eucharist & Sunday School
Cake
Sale after Both Services |
7.30am
9.00am |
18 |
Wednesday |
Holy Communion - Lenten Service
Movie in
Conference Room
Wednesday Lunch, Church Hall
Holy Communion at Laubscher Park
Holy Communion - Lenten Service |
9.00am
12.00pm
11.00am
7.00pm |
19 |
Thursday |
Holy Communion at Buffelsfontein |
3.00pm |
21 |
Saturday |
Parenting Course - 'Effective Parenting in a Defective
World' |
8.00am |
22 |
Sunday |
4th Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion
Sung Eucharist & Sunday School
Egg
& Bacon Rolls after Both Services |
7.30am
9.00am |
25 |
Wednesday |
Holy Communion - Lenten Service
Holy Communion - Lenten Service |
9.00am
7.00pm |
28 |
Saturday |
Parenting Course - 'Effective Parenting in a Defective
World' |
8.00am |
29 |
Sunday |
5th Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion
FAMILY SERVICE
|
7.30am
9.00am |
|
|
ADVANCE DATES FOR APRIL |
|
02 |
Thursday |
Making of Palm Crosses |
9.00am |
04 |
Saturday |
Lay Minister's Meeting |
8.00am |
05 |
Sunday |
PALM SUNDAY |
|
| |
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HOLY WEEK |
|
09 |
Thursday |
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Holy Communion, Washing of Feet and Stripping
of Altar |
7.00pm |
10 |
Friday |
GOOD FRIDAY
Children's Service
3-hour Devotional Service |
9.00am
12.00pm |
11 |
Saturday |
HOLY SATURDAY
Lighting of New Fire |
6.00pm |
12 |
Sunday |
EASTER SUNDAY |
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!!! PLEASE NOTE !!!
The date for Iron Man 2009 is Sunday 5th April - PALM SUNDAY!
Please make allowance for the road closures when planning your service
attendance
Thank You...
A special word of thanks to everyone who assisted with and attended
the funeral of Roy Gordon. Your kind words and support were much
appreciated by the family. Janet
AIN'T
He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.
A neighbour watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.
'I've been to Bible School,'
He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'
'M'm very fine way,' the neighbour said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't.'
Thank You
Since Eddie’s appeal for Sunday School Teachers we’ve had a fantastic
response! Thank you! We will have four teams of teachers and assistants.
Each team will be on duty one Sunday in the month. The teams consist
of two adult teachers and two assistants from the youth.
This rotation basis allows everyone a chance to come into the Church
as well. The teachers are a very enthusiastic group & have lots
of new ideas for the year ahead. Please continue to pray for this
vital area of ministry.
FAMILY SERVICE
5th Sunday of the Month
Join us for our first Family Service of 2009 on 29th March. The
children & youth will be participating and assisting in the
9h00 service.
“WHAT DID HE SAY?”
Hopefully these words will be a thing of the past at St. Saviour’s.
Your Parish Council have decided to come into the 21st Century and
update the sound system in the church. The old system will, if possible,
be fitted in the hall so that functions held there will have access
to it.
It was decided at the Council meeting on 9th February to also make
this the St. Saviour’s 70th Birthday project.
As this is a special milestone for St. Saviour’s, we are asking
every member to donate one Rand (or more!) for each year of the
life of the Church. Special envelopes will be provided for this.
They will be available in the concourse area from mid-March ~ keep
an eye out for them. So, you will be able to start saving up for
your Birthday Donation. The donations and sound system will be dedicated
at our special Birthday Service in August.
We hope that you agree this is a worthwhile project and give it
your full support.
The Churchwardens
CONFERENCE FACILITY
Available
for that special function, lecture, or workshop.
Seating 10 to 50.
Contact: Mrs Janet Gordon
at the Parish Office 041 581 5118
Tues - Fri 9 - 1 pm.
IINDABA
DO YOU GET YOUR DIOCESAN MAGAZINE
EACH MONTH?
It's FREE -
available in the concourse
or
READ IINDABA ONLINE AT
www.pechurchnet.co.za/news/iindaba/index.htm
PE Church
Net Newsletter:
Full of LOCAL Christian topics and calendar events -
www.pechurchnet.co.za
Contact
OnLine
WebLog
Are you in touch with events in the Anglican Church?
http://contact-online.blogspot.com/
News and commentary
from around the world
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EUCHARIST
WORSHIP: