Worship We Are in a Very Different Time and We Are All Learning to Adapt to What Might Become the ‘New Normal’ for Awhile

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The Mackay Anglican Cluster

Pentecost 19 10/11 October 2020 Welcome to Worship We are in a very different time and we are all learning to adapt to what might become the ‘new normal’ for awhile. We hope that you will join us for worship each week in one of our ministry centres.

‘Dress: optional’ read the invitation. I only hoped none of those invited was a naturist!

But the fate of the man without the wedding clothes at the banquet which is the subject of this parable was guilty of more than a mere misunderstanding.

Jesus told this parable to bring home the inclusive generosity which is the hallmark of his father’s kingdom. The banquet is prepared in honour of the king’s son; but forget the picture of a modern, romantic marriage. His wedding would have been arranged to cement relations, improve trade, and generally increase the security and prosperity of the people. There is something here for everyone to celebrate. Yet those who are invited – presumably, those who have most to gain – are precisely the people who ignore the celebration.

But the king is determined to proceed; and the hall is filled with those who would normally never even dream of being admitted to such an event. As each one enters, he is given a ceremonial shawl as a sign of honour; and it is for this, his refusal to share in . . . . continued on page 3

Collects, Readings and Intercessions Sentence PLEASE PRAY FOR Our World - for our economy; for the up- coming state elections and for those stand- Matthew 22.21 ing for parliament; for the right balance of justice and compassion in our leaders; for Prayer of the day those searching for a vaccine and involved Almighty and everlasting God, in various trials. in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: grant that your Our Community - give skill, sympathy and Church throughout the world may perse- resilience to all caring for the sick; for vere with steadfast faith in proclaiming those who have lost their jobs, isolated in the cross to be the way that leads to life their homes, struggling with fear, depres- eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, sion and uncertainty; for the Mackay Re- gional Council. who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and Our Wider Church - for the Church of the ever. Amen. Province of Uganda.

In Australia - for the Diocese of Gippsland; Special Prayer for Growth Bishop Richard Treloar, clergy and people. God of Mission, who alone brings growth to your Church, Our Diocese of NQ, - for Bishop Keith; send your Holy Spirit the Ministry Units of Home Hill, Hugh- to give vision to our planning, enden, Injinoo and Hinchinbrook; their wisdom to our actions, and clergy and people power to our witness. Help our churches Our Cluster - our Rector John; for each to grow in numbers, in spiritual commit- congregation in the cluster; for the oppor- ment to you, and in service to our local tunities to share our faith; that our wor- community. We pray through Jesus Christ ship would give glory to God; for the vari- our Lord. Amen. ous activities in the cluster; for our ecu- Reading for this Sunday menical partnerships; for the continuing challenge of “what it means to be church” Exodus 32.1-14 Ps 106.1-6, 20-24 during the pandemic and beyond Philippians 4.1-9 Matthew 22.1-14 Those who are unwell or need support - Readings for Next Week - Pentecost 20 for those having medical procedures; Exodus 33.12-23 Ps 99 healing for those who are journeying 1 Thess. 1.1-10 Matthew 22.15.33 through sickness in body, mind or spirit remembering especially … All items for the Beacon next week (see separate list) need to be forwarded to Kristi Those who mourn - the families of Kevin [email protected] Zunker and Richard Robertson (deadline for articles or notices is by the Wednesday prior to the weekend ) (see the “in memoriam” book)

...... continued from page 1 SUMMARY - PHILIPPIANS 4.1-9 the joy of the king, that he is subsequently excluded.

We, too, are invited to share in God’s joy over the redemption of his creation. One of the ways in which we participate in

this celebration is through our thankful

offering of our time, talents and treasure in our stewardship. Dare we face the fact

that, so often, more is given, both As Paul signs off his letter, he urges the absolutely and in relative terms, by the community to support two women poor in our church than by the rich? named as co-workers, and to be al- Could it be because, like many of the ways rejoicing, praying, pursuing what- members of the church at Philippi, they ever is honourable, pure and praise- have fewer human resources, and know worthy, and – he says – the peace of God will be with them. more clearly the importance of a daily

dependence on God? Picture Pointers

1. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone? Mackay and District 2. When have you said goodbye to someone, for a long time? Mothers’ Union 3. What kind of reassurance gives you Service ~ AGM ~ Lunch peace of mind? 10.00am Saturday 21st November St Ambrose, North Mackay A PERSONAL Lunch to follow at The Grove ($20) PRAYER THIS WEEK All Welcome Numbers required for Booking I do not always know who I am or what I Contact: Deane Bray 4942 1557 want, Lord. I am sometimes happy in my Transport: Helen Mullan 4942 4649 skin and sometimes I just want to leave it all behind. Sometimes I want to be ‘out Subs ($37) and Generosity Gift there’ and noticed and other times I Due at AGM want to be alone and obscure. Some- times, Lord, my tears are of joy and sometimes of sorrow and anguish. But MISSION of the always, Lord, you know my innermost thoughts, even those I do not under- MONTH for October stand myself – help me to rest always in you. Amen.

READINGS - Pentecost 19 - YEAR A READING - Philippians 4.1-9 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understand- ing, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Hear the word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

NOTES ON THE BIBLE READINGS

• There is a sense in this passage of this • There will be times in our lives when we being a final communication from Paul will step out into the unknown, whether to the Philippians, telling them to keep that’s through starting something new, doing the things they have learnt from moving to a new place, going through a him and seen him doing. He encourages bereavement. How can we build a sup- them to choose the true, honourable portive and affirming community that and just way, and to guard their hearts experiences life together, not only and minds against those things that through good times but also in times of could drag them down. His encourage- change and instability? ment to them is that they are doing well, and to keep doing what they’re doing. If A Prayer they have worries and concerns, they We travel the journey of life but do not should share them with God and with go alone. We travel the journey of life each other. And they do not need to with thankful hearts. We travel the jour- worry about anything because the peace ney of life with each other, and with the of God will be with them. Lord, who is always with us. Amen . 4

GOSPEL READING - Matthew 22.1-14 ‘Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaugh- tered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.‘ But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Tuesdays 10:30am at Cursillo Morning Tea th St Ambrose Hall Saturday, 17 October St Charles Hall @ 9.30am Contact Flo Fortescue 4954 0745 All are welcome to join in. WORDS OF WISDOM A fun activity to get older and younger people talking to each other Form pairs of people, ideally an older person with someone much younger. Ask each person to think of a ‘word of wisdom’ they can give to the other. Encourage them to think especially of something that could help us not to worry, or help us to rejoice. This is a very useful tool for bridging the generation gap. Young people may feel older people have nothing relevant to say; older people may feel young ones have nothing worth sharing because they lack life experience. Can they surprise each other? .

Matthew 22.1-14

A SIMPLE BIBLE STUDY WORSHIP ACTIVITY GROUP You can do this at home or with a group St Ambrose Hall - Thurs- of friends - you will need a party popper. days at 3.30pm

The Apostle Paul tells the church at Phi- Contact Sheryl McAuley - 0407120685 lippi to ‘Rejoice!’ And he thinks it is so for further details important that he says it again: ‘Rejoice!’ and COVID-19 precautions. Note that the letter to the Philippians is unusually positive. BIBLE STUDY Paul mentions the words joy and rejoicing 16 times in four short chapters. Yet it GROUP is likely that Paul’s joyfulness here had nothing to do with his circumstances (he Contact Margaret McAuley was under arrest when he wrote it). He for further details. has what some call an ‘attitude of grati- You are welcome to join tude’. either group Listen to this challenge by the 17th- century Lutheran writer, Bengel: ‘The My Offering to God whole of the letter could be summed up Regular giving as “I rejoice…Do you rejoice?”’ is an important part of A more modern writer, Gordon Fee, puts Christian discipleship. it like this: ‘In every truly Christian life the most obvious evidence of the experience There is a way to give regularly either: of God’s grace and peace is gratitude Cluster Direct through WESTPAC and joy.’ With that in mind, buy or find (BSB 034 195 Acct # 893499) or some party poppers the “My Offering” Envelope system (available now - contact Cluster Office). NOW - Invite people to shout out something specific that they are thankful for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS today, and to pull their party popper  Part of the Order of Service in this Beacon is text (making sure that it is not pointed direct- from - A Prayer Book for Australia 1995. ly at someone else!). Broughton Books, © 1995, The Anglican Church of Australia Trust Corporation.  The Bible Readings are taken from NRSV version of the Bible © 1989, Division of Christian Educa- Live your faith - tion of the National Council of Churches of Each day this week, write a note of en- Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights couragement and place it where some- reserved one else will find it – at home, school,  Other parts - © ROOTS for Churches Ltd work, or somewhere else suitable. (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020. Reproduced with permission within Cluster only.

THE CLUSTER THIS WEEK using A Prayer Book Saturday - 10th October for Australia 11.00am - Baptism (St Charles)

6.00pm - Eucharist (St Charles) You can join the Rector on Zoom on Sunday - 11th October [Pentecost 19] - Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.30am each 7.30am - Eucharist (Holy Trinity) week to do the Office together. 8.00M - Radio Broadcast - 4CRM - 107.5FM If you need a loan of a Prayer Book, just 9.00am - Eucharist (St Ambrose) ask, and we will arrange to get a copy to Tuesday 13th October you for the duration of the pandemic.

8.30am - Daily Office - online Join by clicking on the link below 10.00am - Funeral (Holy Trinity) https://zoom.us/j/94770264030 10.30am - Craft Group (St Ambrose Hall) Wednesday 14th October 3.30pm - Bible Study Group (St Charles) Thursday - 15th October Mackay Anglican Cluster 8.30am - Daily Office - online 3.30pm - Bible Study Group (St Ambrose)

Friday - 16th October CONTACT 9.30am - Eucharist (St Charles) INFORMATION

Saturday - 17th October https://mackayanglicans.org.au 9.30am - Cursillo Morning Tea (St Charles) Mackay Anglican Cluster 6.00pm - Eucharist (St Charles) Rector - Rev’d John McKim  0408 188574 Sunday - 18th October Non-Stip. Priest: Fr Henry Kennell [Pentecost 20] - Non-Stip. Deacon: Rev’d Niki Power

7.30am - Eucharist (Holy Trinity) Mackay Anglican Cluster Office 9.00am - Eucharist (St Ambrose) Office Hours: 9am-3pm Monday - Friday Note: For the time being - As numbers 39 Gordon Street, Mackay are limited in each church - could you  07 4957 3341 please phone or email the Cluster office. [email protected]

Holy Trinity, Mackay CHECK out 4CRM - 8am Sundays 39 Gordon Street, Mackay

Next Anglican broadcast - Nov 8 St Charles’, West Mackay If you would like to participate in this 37 McGinn Street, West Mackay or other broadcast opportunities, please contact John. St Ambrose, North Mackay (check Facebook for last Sunday’s service) 28 Glenpark Street, North Mackay