"Come and see," said Philip Welcome to St Philip's O'Connor! Sunday 8 November 2009 - Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost Readings: 1 Kings 17.8-16; Psalm 146 James 1.22-27 Mark 12.38-44 Dear Friends, A very warm welcome to you again as we come together for worship at St Philip's on this Sunday morning, the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost. Two of the readings set for today tell stories about widows. In doing so, not only do they remind us of the vulnerable place of widows in those ancient societies, they also illustrate for us the way in which the life of faith is truly lived and how grace is discovered in the places where we think it least likely. Indeed, in the gospel passage it is made clear that the expected places where faith would be lived and grace experienced are often the very opposite kind of places. Why? Because of the human attitudes that prevail. What Jesus severely criticises is false piety acting as a cloak to injustice. Jesus points to the scribes parading their religious superiority and their haughty acceptance of the honours that accompanied it. But it is undeserved, he says, because this external show does not match the quality of their lives. In contrast to this hypocritical lifestyle there stands the poor widow who sacrifices all she has. Both this widow, and the one who appears in the first reading, make extravagant gestures by what they offer; and it is in such generous extravagance that faith is lived and grace abounds. This morning, at our 10.00am Eucharist, it is a very great pleasure to welcome a special group of singers: Anastasia, Gemma, Catriona, Gerard and Peter. They will sing a Bach Cantata, "Make yourself ready my spirit" (mostly during Communion), and a Choral as a Recessional. We are most grateful to them for being with us and contributing so richly to our worship here at St Philip's today. Next Sunday, at 10.00, the Eucharist will be a 'Gospel Service', which means something special in terms of music, namely, that it will largely be African-American music, which Pat is diligently arranging for us. So it will be different from the norm! Why not invite someone to come with you? Every blessing to you for today, and for the week ahead, Ray Bishop Stuart's latest 'YouTube' address can be accessed via our Parish Website www.stphilipsoconnor.org.au. Just click on the Bishop's face! ST PHILIP'S TWILIGHT COMMUNITY FAIR SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 3-7PM 2 weeks to go! CURRIES: Please make a Curry, pop it in your freezer & tell Denise what you have made. BOOKS: any books gratefully received. SKILLS AUCTION: donate a skill, forms available in foyer TREASURES: Kerry-Anne is after any Better Bits! Let's make it the best Fair yet! Weekly Offering/income needed to operate our Parish $2090 per week, excludes rental income. Offerings received 28 Oct & 1 Nov $763 + EFT $508 = $1266. Shortfall $824 Pandora's income 30 & 31 Oct: $740.55 Middle Eastern Night for Middle Eastern Council of Churches $441 Garage Sale $531.15 Food @ St Philip's $921 Church use (CAMRA) $300 WHAT'S ON @ ST PHILIP'S Cross Hackett is holding its Spring Fete this Saturday 14 November from 9am to 1pm. Cakes, jams, crafts, Burmese food, books, white elephant treasures, morning teas, books, 'better bits' and more. Come to the corner of Antill St and Phillip Ave. Gospel Music Service Sunday 15 November, 10am St Philip's Twilight Community Fair Saturday 21 November, 3-7pm 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 Please bring a Salad or Dessert to share. BYO Drinks. Please RSVP on the list in the foyer. 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. Please bring a plate of finger food for Supper. Diocesan Farewell Service for Bishop Allan Ewing & Tricia Ewing (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: Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe; Give thanks for Albert Schweitzer, and other missionaries like him, who devoted their lives to the health and betterment of the people they served and also for the great tropical forest with its many forms of life. Pray for an end to violence and instability in the Republic of Congo. Anglican Communion: Uyo - (Province of the Niger Delta, Nigeria) The Rt Rev'd Isaac Orama. The Diocesan Cycle: The Anglican Church of Australia; Diocese of Bunbury: Bishop David McCall, Clergy and People. St John's Canberra: Paul Black; St John's Care: Bishop to the Defence Forces: Bishop Len Eacott. Pray for: The ministry of Defence Force Chaplains, and the Bishop to the Defence Force. Those in need: Shirley Barrett, Stewart Barrett, David Marsden, Mervyn McInnes, Helen Gorrell, Paul & Elissa, Melissa & Samuel, Catherine, Joyce Braithwaite, Myrle Bovis, Bill Bush. The Departed: Frances Joyce Trivett d.3 Nov 88, Marjorie Gwyneth Dixon d.2 Nov 75, Keith Ashish Huey Sen d.4 Nov 86. The Saints: The Saints: Leo of Rome, bishop and teacher d.461; Martin, bishop of Tours (d. c. 387); Charles Simeon, evangelist (d.1836); Prayer from the Ecumenical Cycle Barriers, walls, and barbed wire mark the frontiers, O Lord. Help us to transform them into places where we can meet, with sincerity, as countries and as persons, so that the world will know that we are Christians by the love with which our actions are marked. THIS WEEK Wednesday 10am: Holy Communion Friday 10am-1pm: Pandora's OPEN Saturday 10am-1pm: Pandora's OPEN NEXT SUNDAY 8am & 10am Eucharist Readings: 1 Samuel 1.4-20 Song of Hannah Hebrews 10.11-25 Mark 13.1-11 Rosters: Cleaning: Helen & Hardy Palethorpe Flowers: Colleen Rischbieth 8am: Sidesperson: Tim Woodburn. Reader: Shane Woodburn 10am: Sidespeople: Grace Barnes & Peter Andersson Bible Readers: 1st Linda Anchell, 2nd Fred Anchell Chalice Servers: Grace B, James Kim & Linda Anchell Morning Tea: James K & Roger Sharp 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