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 Jesus 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 New Testament. 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 Rome, 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 BIBLE 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 Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.