The Apostle Peter: Rembrandt, 1632

St Peter's Anglican Church, SOUTHPORT Sunday 20 June & Sunday 27 June 2021 Key Notes Pentecost IV & Patronal Sunday St Peter Once upon a time you received a ‘Key,’ even if just a symbolic version, upon turning twenty one years of age. I’m not certain if that is still the tradition it once was. I don’t know the origins of this tradition but it seemed to me a sort of “welcome to adulthood” symbol and as far as I can remember it was received as an exciting gift – full of the promise of things to come. I think if I could talk to my twenty-one-year- old self I would say “hand it back!” or “don’t be in such a hurry!” Adulthood brings After the resurrection, however, Peter rapidly opportunities but it also brings grows in importance as a leader of the Twelve, responsibilities and the care-free existence and, after Pentecost, risks imprisonment and of an adolescent is soon left behind. The key, death, speaking out boldly in the name of then, is an ambivalent symbol – full of the and proclaiming his belief that Jesus is excitement of new possibilities and the indeed the Messiah and has been raised from burden of responsibilities that come with the dead. He was, as Paul says, one of the these new things. pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9), the rock whose strength and courage sustained the When I gaze upon Rembrandt’s young church as it felt its way beyond the extraordinary painting of St Peter (see the boundaries of the Jewish community. First Cover page) I can’t help seeing that same there was the mission to Samaria. Then, after sort of ambiguity, amplified many time over. initial doubts about the admission of Gentile What a great privilege to be given the keys of converts, Peter has the humility to accept a the kingdom and to be the rock upon which change of heart and to baptise the Roman the Church is built – but what a centurion Cornelius and his household (Acts responsibility! Rembrandt is able to portray 10). this in the most intimate way, so that St Peter is that recognisable archetypal figure Even then, Peter had to struggle with his who is worn down and weary with the inbred prejudices. Paul, writing to the pressures of a faithful but arduous life. Galatians, reports how he felt bound to rebuke Perhaps overshading it all, is the awareness Peter for giving in to the pressure of Jewish of an impending martyrdom. What follows is Christians who wanted him to separate an excerpt from the excellent “For All the himself from the table-fellowship with Gentile Saints” to remind us once again of what we Christians (Galatians 2:11-14). know of St Peter ~ Fr Don

Except for an oblique reference in the first Peter, the rough and impulsive fisherman letter of Peter (1 Peter 5:12) and a possible hint figures prominently in the . He by Paul (Romans 15:20-22), there is no and his brother Andrew were the first of the reference in the New Testament to Peter’s disciples to be called. It was Peter who tried to presence in , but the reports that he was walk on the water and began to sink; it was he there are early and well-attested, and the site who on the impulse of the moment wanted to of his burial under the high altar of St Peter’s build three shelters on the mountain of the Basilica has considerable evidence in its transfiguration; it was Peter who rashly favour. According to tradition he was executed boasted his faithfulness to death and within a during the Neronian persecution in Rome in 64 few hours denied any knowledge of his master. AD.

Around & About

A sell-out Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra concert at St Peter's, Sunday 13 June

Friday 4 June, Celebrating Allen Peter's 70th birthday ~ congratulations Allen! Around & About

Gardeners Extraordinaire!

If you have every wondered how the St Peter’s gardens and grounds always look so tidy and immaculate then wonder no more. It is all thanks to the tireless efforts of Allen Peters (right) and Ian (left), his hardworking sidekick. Every Friday morning you’ll catch them working away to make us all very proud of our Church. Allen is modelling the Hi-Vis shirt and socks that the Parish bought him for his birthday. Well done gents your work is very much appreciated. [Note: if you’re interested in joining the Friday morning “Gardening A-Team” you’d be most welcome. Many hands…]

~RECITAL@ St PETER'S~ Maxwell Hinton Wednesday the 23rd of June, 6:30pm Around & About

WEDNESDAY STUDY ~ 1 Thessalonians

Our Bible Study continues. This takes place on Wednesdays at 11:00. This is a live event, but it is also streamed on Zoom, so please let Christine know in the office - 55583887 if you'd like to attend.

Hospitality and Covid19

As we have signaled on a number of occasions there are too many Covid-safety demands to meet to be able to offer hospitality after Church at this time. Since out hospitality space, the Visitors’ Centre, is deemed ‘a separate space’ it would require a new booking list, more cleaning, a whole lot more work in general (e.g., cleaning tables, crockery toilets etc.) All of which would impose too great a burden on our already hard-working cleaning volunteers. For these reasons Parish Council supports this current approach to safety measures. Yet, for all this, we are a quite intentionally a ‘social parish’ and in ‘normal’ times we do love an opportunity to get together. So, with this in mind why not join us for our BBQ next Saturday 26 June? It’s our hope that we can have similar social events on a monthly basis moving forward. We’ll keep you posted!

Planting Veggie Gardens and a Labyrinth at St Hildas

On Saturday 5 June Fr Don and Jill joined in the gardening at St Hilda's. This is part of an wonderful "Green" initiative at St Hilda's and it involved planting some raised veggie gardens and a labyrinth. Labyrinths have long been used as mediation and prayer tools over the centuries and this labyrinth is also seen as a 'mindfulness' project for the girls. S T P E T E R ' S A N G L I C A N C H U R C H

GET TOGETHER & GAMES S A T U R D A Y 2 6 J U N E - 1 1 A M

J O I N U S T O C E L E B R A T E O U R P A T R O N A L F E S T I V A L PARISH PRAYER LIST Please pray for:

Heidi, Maria, John, Fay, Enoch, Meg & Sue

Readings & Collects Sunday 20 June ~ Pentecost IV

1 Samuel 17: 57- 18: 5,10-16

17: 57 On David’s return from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 Saul said to him, ‘Whose son are you, young man?’ And David answered, ‘I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.’ 18 1 When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he Psalm 133: loved him as his own soul. 4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it R How good and pleasant it is to live in unity! to David, and his armour, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 David went out and was 2 It is like fine oil upon the head successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul that runs down upon the beard, set him over the army. And all the people, even the 3 Upon the beard of Aaron, servants of Saul, approved. 10 The next day an evil and runs down upon the collar of his robe. R spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, 4 It is like the dew of Hermon as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; that falls upon the hills of Zion. 11 and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, ‘I will 5 For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: pin David to the wall.’ But David eluded him twice. life for evermore. R 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. 14 David had success in all his undertakings; for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he had great O God our defender, success, he stood in awe of him. 16 But all Israel storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid: and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them. rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings & Collects Mark 4: 35 - 41 Sunday 20 June ~ Pentecost IV 35 On that day, when evening had come, he II Corinthians 6:1-13 said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they 1 As we work together with him, we urge you took him with them in the boat, just as he was. also not to accept the grace of God in vain. Other boats were with him. 37 A great gale 2 For he says, ‘At an acceptable time I have arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have that the boat was already being swamped. 38 helped you.’ See, now is the acceptable time; But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are and they woke him up and said to him, putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ 39 He woke up and rebuked the fault may be found with our ministry,4 but as wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then servants of God we have commended the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ourselves in every way: through great 40 He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, you still no faith?’ 41 And they were filled with 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of him?’ spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honour and dishonour, in ill repute The Storm on the Sea of Galillee: Rembrandt 1632 and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13 In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

Readings & Collects Patronal Sunday ~ 27 June 2021

Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11

1 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. 3 After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. 6 The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping Psalm 87 watch over the prison. 7 Suddenly an of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He R And of Sion it shall be reported that he was tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get born in her. up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your 1 Her foundations are upon the holy hills: the Lord sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your loveth the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings cloak around you and follow me.’ 9 Peter went out of Jacob. and followed him; he did not realize that what was 2 Very excellent things are spoken of thee: thou city happening with the angel’s help was real; he of God. thought he was seeing a vision. 10 After they had 3 I will think upon Rahab and Babylon: with them passed the first and the second guard, they came that know me. R before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside 4 Behold ye the Philistines also: and they of Tyre, and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel with the Morians; lo, there was he born. left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, 5 And of Sion it shall be reported that he was born in ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and her: and the Most High shall stablish her. R rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’ 6 The Lord shall rehearse it when he writeth up the people: that he was born there. 7 The singers also and trumpeters shall he rehearse: O God, all my fresh springs shall be in thee. R who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to suffer death upon a cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of the enemy: grant us so to die daily to sin that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Readings & Collects ~ Patronal

II Timothy 4: 6-18 John Chapter 21:15 - 22

6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is reserved know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; not only to me but also to all who have longed for his you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my appearing. 9 Do your best to come to me soon, 10 sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son for , in love with this present world, has of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he gone to , to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. 18 useful in my ministry. 12 I have sent to Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you . 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out all the parchments. 14 the coppersmith your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his around you and take you where you do not wish to deeds. 15 You also must beware of him, for he go.’ 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, defence no one came to my support, but all deserted ‘Follow me.’ 20 Peter turned and saw the me. May it not be counted against them! 17 But the whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and through me the message might be fully proclaimed had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me about him?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. me!’ Amen.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS 27 June Brian John Symons given in loving memory by his family Lectionary Readings - 20 June Lectionary Readings ~ 27 June