Services for Sunday 5th May, The sixth Sunday of Easter

Hawkesdale         9.00            Sunday Word and Prayer

Warrnambool     9.00            Service with Holy Communion

Ayrford               11.30          Service with Holy Communion

Readings:            Acts 16:9-15

                            Revelation 21:10; 22-22:5

                            John 14:23-31

Sermon:              John 11:47-53

                            “What are we to do so that we can save the Church?”

Again, exceptionally, we are preaching on a text which is not one of the three set readings for the day. 

During the sermon, we will be recounting the following shattering story from Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov:”

'One day, in the 16^th century, Jesus appears in the town of Seville in Spain.  People recognise Him by His deeds and by the love that He radiates. But as the people begin to run after Him, the Grand Inquisitor has Him arrested and interrogated.  “Interrogated” might not be the best word, perhaps, for during the entire interrogation it is only the Grand Inquisitor who speaks, making it clear to Jesus that He is nothing but a stirrer, and must therefore be removed from the scene. The Church, which administers the legacy that Jesus left behind, knows how to deal with the people much better than Jesus does.  The Church knows much better what the needs of the people are.  Jesus would only create mass confusion with His message, and that would not be good for the people in the end, either.'

What Dostoevsky writes here is more than a cheap smear against the Roman Catholic Church of the day.  It goes far deeper than that.  It is precisely the Church that is always in danger of pushing Jesus off to the side, and placing itself at the heart and centre of things, wanting to control everything on its own and all this, of course, in the name of the Lord.

If you would like to hear more, come along this Sunday.

PARISH ASCENSION DAY SERVICE

Warrnambool, Thursday 9^th May, 7.30pm

Ascension is an event in our Lord’s life ranking right up there in significance with Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. It is such a shame that this festival has fallen so seriously by the wayside over the years.  In many of our congregations its celebration (if it occurs at all) is “dealt with” (to quote the words I once heard from a fellow pastor)  on the following Sunday, a practice which in truth is yet another indication of the downgrading and undeserved neglect which this Festival has had heaped upon it. Without our Lord’s Ascension, Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter would be meaningless. It is, therefore, worthy of celebration in a separate service, and we look forward to seeing everyone there.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday

A special lunch will be held at Ayrford after the 11.30 service this Sunday, to farewell Pastor David and Barbara.

The walking fellowship is meeting on Sunday at 2.00, off Henry St in Merrivale. We will walk along the trail observing the watery landscape and abundant wildlife.

Tuesday

Men’s Fellowship is meeting at “Macey’s” at 6.30, for a special farewell meal with Pastor David. After the meal, we will return to the church hall for study.

Wednesday

Confirmation Class is meeting on Wednesday at 4.15.

Parish Camp Planning Committee meets on Wednesday at 7.00