Sunday 18 & 25 July 2021 (St James)

St Peter's Anglican Church, Key Notes SOUTHPORT, GOLD COAST Fr Don reflects on the roles that the various “Herods” have played in the Gospel story

The Terrible Herods Yes, I know, “The Terrible Herods” sounds like some sort of (23 BC – 18 AD) got the lion’s Rock Band! For my purposes, it is actually a reference to share of his father’s kingdom: it included that wonderful dynasty, “The Herodians” of New and Samaria. After ruling for 10 years, he was Testament fame and notoriety. Our appointed readings removed by the emperor Augustus in 6 AD, over the last month or so bring the brutal actions of that following complaints about his cruelty and, as first century ruling family to our attention. Of course, we alleged by the , his offences against the all know granddad – (b. 72BC - d. 4 Law of Moses. This coincides with the Census of BC) from St Matthew’s account of the nativity (Matt 2): (Luke 2.2) He was replaced by a Roman there Herod expresses a patently insincere wish to pay prefect, and his territory re-organized as the homage to the newborn Christ child, and his monstrous Roman province of Judaea. actions with regard to the “Massacre of the Infants” are · (4 BC – 39 AD) was given the also recorded. There is evidence that as he grew old, Herod the Great became paranoid about his hold on the rule of the region of Galilee. We note that he was throne, so much so as to have two of his sons executed the “Herod” responsible for ’s for allegedly plotting to overthrow him. He was, however, beheading (Mark 6: 14-29). Antipas is the same responsible for the rebuild of the Temple in . A ‘Herod’ whom would denounce as “that popular move on his part. We should note that this Herod fox…” (Luke 13:32). He divorced his first wife to had more than eight wives and more progeny than history marry Herodias, who was already Philip’s wife can accurately discover. (see below). Antipas’ first wife was a Nabatean princess and this action set the Nabatean The dating of Herod the Great’s death is contested by kingdom at war with Antipas. This was a scholars, since it has a great deal to do with dating the disastrous war for Antipas, and it left him birth of our Lord. Most favour the year 4 BC but others vulnerable to the political intrigue of his nephew suggest 1 AD. It is also worth noting that one of the Sons (11 BC – 44 AD). Agrippa was whom Herod had put to death for plotting against him Herodias’ half-brother. He had grown up in Rome was Aristobulus IV, and he was the father of Herodias and was a favourite of the emperor Tiberias. He (’s mother) but more of her later. developed some costly gambling habits and had

amassed significant gambling debt. Herodias So, who ascended the throne when Herod the Great died? persuaded her new husband to provide financial Here it gets a little complicated, but it is worth noting that support for Agrippa. Despite this, Agrippa soon the Herodian line as we call it was always subject to quarreled with his uncle Antipas and used the war Roman control. Hence, the devout Jews of the day always viewed the Herod’s ‘credentials’ with suspicion, after all, with the Nabateans as way of defaming him in just how authentically Jewish could such Romanized Kings front of the new emperor Caligula. He won his be? way with the emperor and ultimately acquired the tetrarchies of both his uncles Philip and Antipas. It After Herod the Great died, and the plan had been ratified was Herod Agrippa whom we learn about in Acts by Augustus Caesar, his Kingdom was divided into four, 12: 1-23 who was a persecutor of the early and was known therefore as the Tetrarchy (“rule of Church and was responsible for having St Peter quarters”). Four of Herod’s progeny became ‘Tetrarchs’ imprisoned as well as having St James (the son of with their own piece of the old king’s realm to rule. ) put to death. These actions increased · Agrippa’s popularity with the Jewish populace.

· (26 BC – c.34 AD), ruled over the northeast part of his father's kingdom from 4 BC until his death in 34 AD. Other than the "The Terrible Herods" fact that Herodias had been married to him first we learn little of Philip in the . Herod Agrippa, through his favour with emperor - not a rock band! Claudius, was able to unseat Herod Antipas and Philip and gain both their tetrarchies.

· Herod the Great’s sister, Salome I (65 BC – 10 AD), was the fourth tetrarch, ruling over Jamnia until her death in 10 AD at which time this tetrarchy was subsumed into the Roman province of Judea.

To sum up just how great a role this Herodian line plays in the New Testament here’s a brief outline: Jesus was born during the time of Herod the Great. John the Baptist was beheaded at Herod Antipas' orders (because Herodias told Salome to make this request.) Jesus would encounter Herod Antipas at the end of his ministry but clearly viewed him as “that fox.” Herod Agrippa would implement persecution of the early church because it kept up his popularity with the Pharisees and local Jewish populace. He had Peter imprisoned and James, the son of Zebedee put to death. A bust of Herod found during excavations in Jerusalem So that’s the “Terrible Herods” – so much more than a rock band!

Just a few points...

We don't need to wear masks in Church this Sunday 18 July (but of course, this could change...)

Christine is on leave for the next 10 days so expect the parish to descend into chaos (!)

We will be trying out some new microphones this week - be patient with us please. Fr Don Please pray for: Gwen Fryer, Meg, Faye, John & Pamela At the Pearly Gates

So, have you heard the one about the Englishman, the Irishman, and the Scotsman who all died at the same moment and found themselves standing together in line at the Pearly Gates? Or the one about the Priest, the Minister, and the Rabbi? Or perhaps the one about the three blondes? Variations on that familiar scenario surely must number in the hundreds, but they all have two things in common. All of them are more silly than funny, and the notions they employ as their stock-in- trade are glaring misconceptions of Christian truth.

Well, what of that? They are just harmless, innocent jokes after all. They are not catechisms. It is not their purpose to be theologically correct. Yet ironically, to In this fortnight's edition of "Key Notes" we thousands of the people who walk or drive past the are delighted to welcome a second church every day, they do teach distorted religious contribution from Fr Dale Huston, retired notions. In our secular world they are the closest thing Anglican priest, living on Vancouver Island many people get to reliable information about what is with Doreen and Bubba (the pug) and regular taught inside a church building. And years of ministering online parishioner! I so enjoyed this second to people in bereavement has taught me that what piece that I could not resist including it in this many people more or less believe, or fear, is not far "Key Notes," after all, in these shut-in-Covid- from what the jokes teach. times it's great to have something interesting to read - Fr Don But there is nothing so devoid of merit that it cannot be used as a bad example. So let me invite you to consider that genre of jokes, and the lessons they teach.

1) The jokes lead one to believe that the decision about whether a soul goes ‘up’ or ‘down’, so to speak, will be made after we die.

Not so! Not even close!

For those who have been baptised, that decision has already been made. In the Sacrament of Baptism one is effectively made “a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of heaven”. (Catechism, Book of Common Prayer) Thus, citizenship in the Kingdom of heaven has already been conferred upon us. We are already in the door, and we exercise our rights as citizens whenever we participate in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It is in the celebration "In the Sacrament of Baptism one is of the Mass that we are caught up in the fellowship of effectively made “a member of Angels, and Archangels and all the company of heaven, Christ, the child of God, and an that we take our places at the heavenly banquet, and that we are granted there a fore-taste of the heavenly inheritor of the Kingdom of heaven.” fare. ~ Catechism, Book of Common Prayer Moreover, our citizenship is irrevocable. It is guaranteed "Apparently, God does not even deign to by the good shepherd who said, “I give them eternal life, appear at the gate to welcome new arrivals. and they will never perish. No one will snatch them from Instead, the responsibility for tight security is my hand”. (John 10: 27-28) relegated to a crusty, and probably bored, celestial civil servant named Peter." 2) The jokes lead one to believe that God is aloof, living in an impregnable fortress whose walls are designed to keep undesirables out. The only Port of Entry is a massive gate that remains locked and barred except for those occasional moments when a successful applicant needs to squeeze in. Apparently, God does not even deign to appear at the gate to welcome new arrivals. Instead, the responsibility for tight security is relegated to a crusty, and probably bored, celestial civil servant named Peter.

Not so! Not even close!

For information about God’s real attitude, the scriptures are a far more reliable source of information than are the casual jokes. Their clear message is that God is anything but aloof and indifferent to us.

That affirmation is first made in the opening pages of the . As the ancient story of Adam and Eve unfolds, the pair originally enjoyed an innocent relationship with their creator, but that trusting bond was shattered by their willful disobedience. So, when the Lord came to walk with them in the cool of the day, their guilt drove them to hide among the trees of the garden. But the Lord searched anxiously for them, calling out, “Where are you? (Genesis 3: 8-9) And God has been trying to call us out of hiding ever since. That tragic, poignant question “Where are you?” is either expressed or implicit on every subsequent page of the Bible.

We hear it in the writings of the prophet Isaiah. “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters … incline your ear, and come to me." (55: 1-3)

It is reported again by the prophet Micah. “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me!" (6:3)

It is reiterated by Jesus. “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11: 28) And through to the final book of the Bible, the risen Christ finds himself locked out and asking to be let in. “Listen!I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you.” (Revelation 3: 20)

In summary, Christian truth is that if an unscalable wall and a locked gate really do exist to separate us from the nearer presence of God, that is not of God’s doing, but of ours.

3) The jokes lead one to believe that our chances of being admitted to heaven depend solely upon how our good deeds in life weigh in on Peter’s scale, or alternately on our skill in correctly answering one of his absurd, trick questions.

Not so! Not even close!

This brings us to the very essence of what we call the ‘Gospel’, the ‘Good News’, the ‘Evangel’. The Good News is that God, in Christ and in dramatic style, severed the Gordian death Knot for us.

We do not comprehend exactly how the death of Jesus ‘worked’ as a saving transaction, except to affirm that the resurrection did not just happen because the conditions of his faith and righteousness were propitious at that moment. What then? Was it a ransom, as some hymns suggest? Personally, I don’t buy that. Did his blood have a purchasing power that sanctifies us? Frankly, that doesn’t turn my crank either.

Mostly, what Christians assert about the resurrection is that it was a God event, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. (2 Corinthians 5: 19) Or, as St. Paul declares with utter simplicity, “God … raised {Jesus} from the dead.” (Colossians 2: 12) I can live with that ambiguity. But mostly I like the Prayer Book’s take on the matter, that on the cross Jesus “made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world”. (Prayer of Consecration) "if an unscalable wall and a locked gate Well, that’s my story, anyway, and I’m sticking to it. No really do exist to separate us from the nearer joking! presence of God, that is not of God’s doing, but of ours." Rev'd Dale Huston For All the Saints St July 22

As is indicated by her name, Mary Magdalene came from the town of Magdala, on the western shore of Lake Galilee. It was a prosperous town, dominated by Gentile interests, and with an unsavoury reputation according to later rabbis. Mary enters the gospel story as one of a group of women who joined Jesus and his disciples during Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, and who assisted his mission out of their own resources (Luke 8:1-3). This information comes only from Luke, who adds that Jesus had healed some of the women, and in particular had driven seven demons out of Mary Magdalene. There is no way of knowing what exactly was meant by this, though tradition has included plenty of speculation.

Such speculation has been fostered by the reputation of Magdala and the common identification (made “official” by Gregory the Great) of Mary Magdalene with both the sinful woman (usually understood to be a prostitute) in Luke 7:37-50 who anointed the feet of Jesus, and with , the sister of . This accounts for the usual representation of Mary Magdalene in western art as a penitent sinner, or as a contemplative, or both. However, neither identification is at all probable. Luke does not name the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, yet names Mary almost incidentally in a different context soon after; and Bethany is just outside Jerusalem, miles from Magdala in Galilee.

What we do know about Mary Magdalene is that she Almighty God, followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem and contributed whose Son called Mary Magdalene to be a financially to Jesus’ cause (Mark 15:4:41; Luke 8:1-3). Mary witness of his resurrection: and some of the other disciples were present at the crucifixion (Mark 15:40; John 19:25), and, after the death of mercifully grant that by your grace Jesus, took spices to the tomb to anoint his body (Mark we may be forgiven and healed, 16:1; Luke 23: 55-24:1). Mary and the other women and may know you in the power of your Son’s reported the empty tomb to the eleven disciples (Luke 24:1-11), though the report was not believed (Luke 24:11). risen life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and In John’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene has an even more reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen prominent role in the resurrection accounts. She is the one who runs to fetch Peter and another and then meets Jesus outside the empty tomb and mistakes him for the gardener (John 20:1-18). Mary Magdalene becomes the first witness of the resurrection who can say “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). Mary Magdalene’s involvement with the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, on the criteria of Acts 1:21,22, would make her the equal of the apostles. St James' Day - 25 July

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were among the first disciples to be recruited by Jesus. They were fishermen on Lake Galilee, and lived either in or near Capernaum (Mark 1:21). Jesus called them, along with Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:14-20). Luke (who does not mention Andrew at this point) adds that they were partners of Peter (Luke 5:1-11). The mention of hired servants (Mark 1:20) suggests a modest family business. James was probably the elder, since he is usually named first.

Jesus, according to Mark, called the brothers, “sons of thunder” (:17). Together with Peter they formed an inner core of disciples. They (and also Andrew) were present at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31). Peter, James and John were the only disciples with Jesus at the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51), at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28), and in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33).

James and John asked Jesus whether he wanted them, in the tradition of Elijah, to call down fire on the Samaritan village which declined to receive them (Luke 9:51-56). They also requested the right to sit on either side of Jesus in his coming glory (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45; Matthew says their mother requested on their behalf). John complained to Jesus about a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name, even though he was not a GRANT, O merciful God, that as disciple of Jesus (Mark 9:38; Luke 9:49), and John thine holy Apostle Saint James, accompanied Peter in the preparations for the Last Supper according to Luke (22:8). leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient In John’s Gospel, James and John were together with other disciples in the resurrection appearance of Jesus unto the calling of thy Son Jesus on the shores of Lake Galilee, in an episode that has Christ, and followed him; so we, striking similarities to their original call (John 21:2). forsaking all worldly and carnal James was executed on the orders of Herod Agrippa in the early 40s AD (Acts 12:1-3), which indicates James’ affections, may be evermore ready to significant leadership role in the early church. James follow thy holy commandments; came to have an association with Santiago de Compostella in Spain. It is possible that James’ bones through Jesus Christ our Lord. were translated to Spain. What is known is that Amen. Compostella became a very important place of pilgrimage and of the cult of St James in the late Middle Ages.

source for this material: "For All the Saints" Readings & Collects Sunday 18 July ~ Pentecost VIII

Jeremiah 23: 1-16 Psalm 23

1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my R The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. pasture! says the Lord. 2 Therefore, thus says the Lord , the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is 1 The Lord is my shepherd, you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and I shall not be in want. you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my and leads me beside still waters. R flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I 3 He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and Name’s sake. they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, missing, says the Lord. 5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; , when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall your rod and your staff, they comfort me. R reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and 5 You spread a table before me Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be in the presence of those who trouble me; called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ 7 Therefore, the days are you have anointed my head with oil, surely coming, says the Lord , when it shall no longer be said, ‘As and my cup is running over. the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me of Egypt’, 8 but ‘As the Lord lives who brought out and led the all the days of my life, offspring of the house of Israel out of the land of the north and out and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. R of all the lands where he had driven them.’ Then they shall live in their own land. 9 Concerning the prophets: My heart is crushed within me, all my bones shake; I have become like a drunkard, like one overcome by wine, because of the Lord and because of his holy words. 10 For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course has been evil, and their might is not right. 11 Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their wickedness, says the Lord. 12 Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall; for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, says the Lord. 13 In the prophets of Samaria I saw a disgusting thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. 14 But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a more shocking thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from wickedness; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah. 15 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘I am going to make them eat wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.’ 16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you; they are deluding you. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. William Wilberforce ~ July 29

William Wilberforce was born into a Yorkshire Negro slaves were useful on the plantations of merchant’s family in 1759 in Hull. He had a fine mind tobacco, sugar cane and cotton, and survived longer but did not enjoy good health. He was educated at than the Highlanders and bondsmen, who had been St John’s College, Cambridge. Left enough money for worked to death in the fields. Tobacco and sugar were an independent income, he was elected to shipped to England, beads to Africa, and slaves, packed parliament in 1780 at the age of twenty-one. He in as closely as possible, to America. Many of the came under the influence of John Newton, the slaves, treated worse than cattle, died on the voyage. evangelical divine. On a visit to Europe in 1784, he On arrival they were deliberately broken in spirit and was converted to evangelical Christianity and a more had no hope of earning their freedom. Wilberforce, serious and responsible way of life than he had led despite his failing health and strength, agitated for an at university. He gave some thought to ordination, end to this. Gradually he persuaded others of the but was persuaded by his friends to continue his disgraceful nature of the slave trade, and became vice- work in parliament, though he declined all president of the Anti-Slavery Society. With his preferments. considerable eloquence and charm he worked on public opinion until the ordinary people of Britain were His abilities as a speaker made parliament a very won over to his views. The slave trade was ended in suitable setting for him to pursue his aims. In 1807. parliament he became a close friend and supporter The Emancipation Bill putting an end to slavery in the of William Pitt the Younger, who was Prime Minister British dominions was not passed until August 1833, a from 1884 to 1801 and again from 1804 to 1806. month after Wilberforce’s death on 29 July. Wilberforce Wilberforce eventually resigned from parliament in was recognised as a strong influence for good in the 1825 because of ill health. nation and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

In 1797 Wilberforce moved to Clapham, and there became a member of the Clapham Sect, a highly influential evangelical group, which included John Venn, the rector of Clapham. Also in 1797 Wilberforce published his Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians. In this popular work he established his position as a leading evangelical. Wilberforce used his considerable influence to organise and legislate for his perception of a Christian society. He gave generous support to Hannah More and her charitable and educational work, and he helped found the Church Missionary Society and the Bible Society. In common with other evangelicals, he wished to see Sunday more devoted to religious observance and was a keen advocate of moral reform. In the turbulent years after the French Revolution and in the period of the Napoleonic Wars, Wilberforce’s concern for constitutional order led him to support some of Pitt’s repressive legislation. However, he also supported some moderate proposals for the reform of parliament and was in favour of the removal of the restrictions on Catholics in England. Above all, he became concerned with the evils of slavery and the slave trade, a trade which earned many a fortune in England and America. July 31

Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in all four Gospels as the person who provided for the burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42- 46; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42). The four accounts vary in detail and in indications of Joseph’s sympathy for Jesus’ mission, but the broad picture is clear. Joseph came from the town of Arimathea, north-west of Jerusalem. He became a member of the Jewish Council, and was sufficiently well-to-do to build a new burial place for himself near Jerusalem. This also suggests that Joseph had moved from Arimathea to Jerusalem and done well there, since any family plot would presumably have been in Arimathea.

The Gospels indicate some sympathy on Joseph’s part for the mission of Jesus, and Luke adds that he had not supported the Sanhedrin in their demand for the death sentence on Jesus (Luke 23:51). In that case, it could have been as a favour to the disciples that Joseph approached Pilate for the body of Jesus and provided it with decent burial. It is also possible that he was concerned for the ritual defilement God of mercy and compassion, that would have ensued if the dead body had your servant Joseph of Arimathea remained unburied (Deuteronomy 21:23). For whatever reason, it was a gracious act, the prepared the body of Jesus for burial memory of which has been treasured by the and provided for it a resting place; church. According to the first three Gospels, the women who had been with Jesus were with give us courage to take risks in your Joseph when he saw to the burial, but John says service and follow Jesus our whole life that Joseph was assisted by . long; through the same Jesus Christ

Around this simple account various legends our Saviour. grew up from the second century, including Joseph’s involvement in the founding of the church in Lydda and the suggestion that it was he who provided for Jesus’ mother Mary after the resurrection. The legend of Joseph’s journey to Glastonbury in England with the Holy Grail is a late medieval invention, fostered by Glastonbury in the interests of enhancing its own declining importance in England. Readings & Collects ~ Sunday 18 July 2021 ~ Pentecost VIII

Ephesians 2: 11-22 Mark 6: 30-56

11 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, ‘Come ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no that time without Christ, being aliens from the leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and compassion for them, because they were like sheep has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its things. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land commandments and ordinances, so that he might create at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54 When they got in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God rushed about that whole region and began to bring the in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid to you who were far off and peace to those who were the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer touched it were healed. strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

Eternal God, author of our life and end of our pilgrimage: guide us by your word and Spirit amid all perils and temptations, that we may not wander from your way, but may run our course in safety until we come to our eternal rest in you; through the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings & Collects Sunday 25 July ~ Pentecost IX ~ St James

Jeremiah 45: 1 - 5 Psalm 126

1 The word that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to R The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad Baruch son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in indeed. a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah: 2 Thus says 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, the Lord , the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: 3 You and our tongue with shouts of joy. R said, ‘Woe is me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ 3 Then they said among the nations, 4 Thus you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord : I am ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ going to break down what I have built, and pluck up 4 The Lord has done great things for us, what I have planted—that is, the whole land. 5 And and we are glad indeed. R you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for I am going to bring disaster upon all 5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, flesh, says the Lord ; but I will give you your life as a like the watercourses of the Negev. prize of war in every place to which you may go.’ 6 Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. 7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves. R

Acts 11:27 - 12:3

11 27 At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. 29 The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; 30 this they did, sending it to the elders by and Saul. 12 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.) Readings & Collects ~ St James

Matthew 20: 20-28

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. 21 And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ 22 But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ 23 He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’ 24 When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26 It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

Bush Church Aid Society Prayer

Lord our God, Help us to remember those who live in isolated and remote parts of our land. We ask you to strengthen and encourage all whose ministries are supported by The Bush Church Aid Society. Refresh them in times of discouragement and loneliness and call others to stand with them in the task of making Christ known. Grant that, through the ministry of Word and Sacraments, through caring service and On Sunday 25 July by support of young people, the message of your redeeming love may be proclaimed and accepted by Fr Mike Uptin, BCA Rep the people of our land. We ask these things through Jesus Christ our Lord. joins us at our 9:30 service Amen.

Lectionary Readings for this Fortnight