"Come and see," said Philip Welcome to St Philip's O'Connor! Sunday 25 October 2009 Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Readings: Jeremiah 31. 7-9; Psalm 126; Hebrews 7.21-28; Mark 10.46-52 Dear Friends, A very warm welcome to St Philip's on this Sunday morning, this Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost. Today, we hear a gospel passage that brings to an end a significant section of Mark's gospel. It tells of the healing of a blind man, Bartimaeus, in Jericho. This is the final healing story in the gospel, and Mark has included it because of its double meaning. Like the recovery of the blind man in chapter 8, the story of Bartimaeus stands in contrast to the preceding failure of the disciples and symbolises the ability of those who have faith in Jesus to see the truth. The blind man sees something at least of the truth which the crowd is unable to see. The story is an appropriate climax to a section, which has spelt out the meaning of discipleship, but it also points forward to the incidents that follow. Mark's story is a final challenge to his readers to join Bartimaeus in following Jesus on the road, on the way, of discipleship, even though that road leads to Jerusalem and all that happens there. The healing back in chapter 8 is located in Bethsaida; Bartimaeus is in Jericho; they are on the way to Jerusalem. For the recent travellers these are all familiar places: we visited them just about a month ago. So, this coming Thursday evening we will share with you some of the experience. Our story will be about the tour we made, the land and the places we visited; it will be about our experience in visiting the Christian sacred places in the land of the Holy One; and it will be about how our awareness was raised concerning the political situation in a land of occupation. I hope you will be able to join us. Every blessing to you for today, and for the week ahead, Ray Calico bags for Children's Ministry Fiona is chasing calico bags to make children's activity bags for the church. They need to be able to hold a folder - so slightly larger than an A4 page is perfect! If you have some cluttering up your house that you no longer need, please leave them at the back of the church with the children's resources! Pandora's at O'Connor Thank you everyone for all your support this year - thinking about the roster for next year we realise we will need some more help as some of our volunteers suffer with ill heath and can't do their shifts next year. Even if you can only help occasionally or be prepared to go on the emergency roster that would be great -see Margaret Woodbridge, Ann Munro or myself and you will be warmly welcomed. There are always two volunteer staff on at Pandora's so you don't have to cope on your own and our customers are great! Kerry-Anne Cousins. Key Points from October Parish Council Meeting 1. The Rectory is expected to be occupied from about 23 October. Rebecca will start to move her possessions in, and her godson, Asher, will occupy the premises. Asher will meet utility costs prior to Rebecca's full-time occupancy. 2. Rebecca will spend occasional nights in the Rectory over the next six weeks. She is expected to move permanently into the Rectory a week or so before her induction on 1 December. 3. The painting of the outside woodwork of the Rectory is now complete and the locks have been re-keyed. Cleaning inside was a priority at the Working Bee on 17 October. There is then some remaining work to complete over the remaining six weeks. 4. Discussion has begun with Rebecca on a new covenant between her and the Parish. In accordance with Diocesan guidelines, this needs to be endorsed by the Bishop and completed by the time of her induction. The next Parish Council meeting will be 9 November, 7.30pm. WHAT'S ON @ ST PHILIP'S CAMRA Recital by Stephen Anthony Brown This Tuesday, 27 October, 7.30pm: 'Five Knights and a Gondola' Tickets $30 ($25 Concessions), pay at the door. Food @ St Philip's refreshments. Middle Eastern Night This Thursday, 29 October, 7.30pm Tour report from Ray, Erica, Linda & Chris. Drinks, nibbles & presentation followed by desserts (eastern delights) & tea/coffee. Entry by donation. Please RSVP on the attendance sheet on the noticeboard. Garage Sale This Saturday, 31 October, 8am ? 12noon Helpers needed from 6am to setup. A few batches of muffins would be great for morning tea! Donations still welcome, items can be left in the Foyer during the week. All Souls / All Saints Next Sunday, 1 November Royal School of Church Music Next Sunday, 1 November, 3pm Hymnfest & Organ Recital St Philip's O'Connor. Entry by donation, with profits going towards our Organ restoration fund. Food @ St Philip's refreshments. Gospel Music Service Sunday 15 November, 10am St Philip's Twilight Community Fair Saturday 21 November, 3-7pm SKILLS AUCTION There will be a Skills Auction again at this year's Fair. To make this a success, we need donations of skills for auction!! Forms are at the back of the church - please complete one and place them in the box, which is also at the back of the church. If you need more information, please see Fiona or Ben Dyer or contact them on dyerbf@bigpond.net.au TREASURES (Better Bits Stall) Its time again to donate your gold fillings and grandma's pearls to my collection of Better Bits. Any Jewels, Fine china, glassware, evening bags, bits and pieces associated with sewing, doileys, old buttons, vases, candlesticks and all those mistakes that you bought in foreign lands plus any exotica (no, not erotica -its not that sort of stall!) hiding in the attic. Please give them to me personally so any treasures don't get lost. Kerry-Anne Cousins. Christ the King, Sung Eucharist (with incense) Sunday 22 November, 10am Robin Moore's Ordination Saturday 28 November, 11am (St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn) Advent Dinner in the Courtyard & Ray's Farewell Saturday 28 November, 6.30pm First Sunday of Advent Sunday 29 November Rev'd Rebecca Newland's Induction as Rector of St Philip's Tuesday 1 December, 6.30 pm Diocesan Farewell Service for Bishop Allan Ewing & Tricia (St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn) Saturday 5 December 2009, 2.00pm Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday 20 December : Service of Lessons and Carols 7.30pm Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December Family Christmas Pageant 7pm Sung Eucharist 11.30pm Christmas Day Friday 25 December : Eucharist (with incense) 9am PLEASE PRAY FOR: Ecumenical Cycle: The Indian Ocean islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives Anglican Communion: Torit - (Sudan) The Rt Rev'd Bernard Oringa Balmoi The Diocese: Diocese of the Northern Territory: Bishop Greg Thompson Parishes of Cooma: Paul Cohen, Jenni Roberts, Edith Mayhew; Berridale and Snowy Mountains: Carol Wagner; Southern Monaro: Ken Foster, Judy Holdsworth; Cooma Correctional Centre: Chaplain, Jenni Roberts; Snowy Mountains Grammar School: Principal, Andrew Rostron. Pray for: Premier of New South Wales (Nathan Rees), Chief Minister of the ACT (Jon Stanhope), and their respective Governments and the Opposition parties. Those in need: Shirley Barrett, Stewart Barrett, David Marsden, Mervyn McInnes, Helen Gorrell, Paul & Elissa, Melissa & Samuel, Catherine, Joyce Braithwaite, Myrle Bovis. The Departed: David Reid d.22 Oct 1994, Marjorie Sheehan d.23 Oct 2001, Charles William Edwin "Ted" Moore d.31 Oct 2003. The Saints: Simon and Jude, apostles and martyrs; Martin Luther (d.1546) and other Continental Reformers; and All Saints. Prayer from the Ecumenical Cycle: Lord Jesus, the storm is life and life is the storm and there is no escaping it; but what matters is that you are in the storm with us, a beacon and a presence that is sure. THIS WEEK Wednesday 10am: Holy Communion Friday 10am-1pm: Pandora's OPEN Saturday 10am-1pm: Pandora's OPEN NEXT SUNDAY 8am & 10am Eucharist Readings: Isaiah 25.6-9 Psalm 24 Revelations 21.1-6 John 11.32-44 Rosters: Cleaning: Volunteers Flowers: Val Reeves 8am: Sidespeople: Volunteer Reader: ?? 10am: Sidespeople: Chris Cheah & Roger Sharp Bible Readers: 1st ??, 2nd ?? Chalice Servers: Tim Gowty & Denise Manley Morning Tea: Volunteer or no morning tea 10am: St Philip's Team at Calvary Hospital Chapel Weekly Offering/income needed to operate our Parish $2090 per week, excludes rental income. Offerings received 14 & 18 Oct: $814 + EFT $508 = $1322. Shortfall $768 Pandora's income 9 & 10 Oct: $346.75 Twilight Fair Hamper Raffle $30 Items for the Pewsheet and names for the Prayer list (add or remove), please forward to Leighton by Thursday.leighton.ruth@grapevine.com.au or 61617133 www.stphilipsoconnor.org.au Parish Office: P. 6161 7334 F. 6161 7322 E. stphil@grapevine.com.au P.O. Box 6022 O'CONNOR, A.C.T. 2602 Acting Rector (Part time): Rev'd Dr Ray Williamson Hon. Deacon: Rev'd Linda Anchell Wardens: Ruth McGorman-Mann, Denise Manley J.P. & Roger Sharp