Key NotesSunday 15 , 22 & 29 August 2021~ Pentecost XII, XIII & XIV

Valentin de Boulogne: The Last Supper, 1625

Well, these last two weeks have been significantly impactedby the Covid lockdown. As promised in our last edition of‘Key Notes’ we have made every effort to keep you informedof developments. The latest information that we have is thatwe are allowed back into Church for worship along the samelines as we have been for some months now (i.e., socialdistancing, 1 person per 4 sq m) but we must now all wearmasks.

Last Sunday (8 August) we were not permitted to stream livefrom the Church (nor even pre-record in the Church!) So, Iam very grateful to Luke for his production of a service ofworship for streaming at our service times. Well, done Luke(and Maddie.)

Happy Birthday David and Muriel! You share the samebirthday (14 August) God Bless you both. You will notice that this edition of the “Key Notes” coversthree Sundays instead of the usual two. The reason is thatI’m on leave for 10 days as from Monday 16 August and itseems prudent to cover the extra Sunday (29 Aug) in thisedition.

Before the most recent Lockdown we were planning a BBQin the parish garden for Sunday 29 August to coincide withour traditional Harvest Festival observance. However, in thelight of the recent lockdown, it seems prudent to postponethis a few weeks – so will keep you posted!

Please enjoy our new Wi-fi microphones this week atworship - I did bring these to your attention in the last KeyNotes but because of the lockdown we were not able to“show them off” last Sunday.

Just a few points...

David and Muriel - a birthday picture from a few years back

Our new 4cm x 4cm 'tiny-but-mighty' microphones

Fr Don

SensualityIt was Christmas, and the grandchildren were watchingme open their gift to me.They said I would “really like it”,and I did. It was a bottle of Old Spice After Shave Lotion. Ihadn’t seen that concoction for decades. It was commonin the 50’s and 60’s, and I used it then. At least twentytimes a day the jingle on the radio proclaimed it as “Afresh breeze from the seven seas”. I thanked the children,and they gave a dutiful “Ywelcum” over their shoulders asthey tore back to the tree like lions to a carcass.

New Year’s Day came and went, the tree was put away,the bottle of Old Spice found a place to live in thebathroom cabinet, and time went by. Then one morningas I did my ablutions, the bottle caught my eye. On awhim I retrieved it and dashed some lotion on my face …and in a FLASH, the previous forty years melted away and Ifound myself standing once again at the ten-sink counterin the communal bathroom of my old college residence. Itwas a startlingly vivid sensation. I saw nine other guys alsobrushing their teeth and shaving their faces, and everyface in the long mirror was familiar. Then, as suddenly as itcame, the vision ended, and I was my older self in my ownbathroom once more.

Our senses really do have an evocative power that cantake us off guard and transport us momentarily throughspace and time. A familiar sight can bring unbiddenmemories flooding back. I can hear my mother’s voice inone of the mannerisms my daughter uses when shespeaks. A hint of sage in the turkey dressing is reminiscentof Christmas in the old farmhouse back home. A friendlypunch on the shoulder reminds me of a buddy in highschool. Fleeting though such sensations may be, they canmake us pause. They are fickle, to be sure. They cannotbe induced. But when sight, sound, scent, taste or feeltriggers them, they are authentic, and their effect can beprofound.

Perhaps that is why I differ from the grandkids when theytell my Church is boring.For me, the Liturgy is powerfullyevocative of God. It is rich with a subtle sensuality thatmoves me. It does not strive to make me emotional. Itdoes not try to entertain me. It does not overwhelm mewith raucous music. It does not contrive to conjure up aspiritual experience. In truth, is not that respectfulreluctance to be manipulative precisely what rendersLiturgy boring for the younger generation? But when ourfive senses converge in the Liturgy, when our liturgicalducks are all in a row as the saying goes, it is then thatconditions are ripe for catching a vivid awareness of theliving Christ in our midst.

And converge they can.

Fr Dale, our regularcontributing priest,

reflects on a bottle of OldSpice (and allthings...nice?)

Visually, just being present for a service is a feast for theeyes, with vestments that change color with seasons andfestivals, stained glass windows that tell sacred stories,colorful banners that offer devotional thoughts, the signof the Cross made by the Priest at the Blessing, theProcessional Cross being held plumb straight, and thecoordinated movements and gestures of the liturgicalassistants.

Our hearing is arrested by the sonorous tones of theorgan, the choir, the congregational singing, the peal ofthe Sanctuary Gong, the sight and sound of baptismalwater being poured from the ewer into the font, and eventhe experience of precious silence. They all tell us we arestanding on Holy Ground.

Our sense of touch is awakened by the grip of another’shand at the exchange of the Peace, and by the delicateweight of the Wafer on the tongue.

The sense of taste is engaged at that intense momentwhen a sip of wine touches our lips.

Our olfactory sense also places us in sacred surroundingsby the distinctive ‘church smells’: furniture polish, bees’wax candles, flowers, and on some occasions incense. Within that environment of sense perceptionssimultaneously attuned to God, if we consent to be opento God, the liturgy can open God to us. The combinedevocative power of five senses can trigger a flash ofinsight, a moment of peace, a burst of understanding, aglimpse of glory, the gift of courage finally to acceptsomething we cannot change, or a change of heart. Whenwe share the mutual greeting of the Peace of Christ, thereality of it can become tangible.

That should not surprise us. We have every reason tobelieve that for those who knew our Lord in the flesh,encountering him was an incomparable sensualexperience. His public ministry was replete with appealsto the senses.

Without a hint of excited demagoguery in his voice,people heard him as one who had authority, not as thescribes (Mark 1: 22). Beside the tomb on Easter morning,his familiar speaking of her name awakened MaryMagdalene’s recognition of the risen Lord (John 20: 16).

Sensuality continued

When healing people, Jesus frequently touched them.Consider how powerfully his tactile gift of sightimpacted the man born blind (John 9: 1-12), or how hisshocking touch of an ‘untouchable’ leper (Mark 1: 40-42) conveyed God’s love and acceptance.

Jesus also invoked the sense of taste. He fed 5,000hungry people (Matthew 14: 13-21), and that made animpression.He produced wine for a wedding feast(John 2: 1-11) … roughly 120 – 180 gallons of it!Thatmade an impression too! And, for the Sacrament ofhis living presence with us, he designated theelements of bread and wine and instructed us to eatand drink of it (Matthew 26: 26 – 29).

At the grave of Lazarus (John 11: 34 – 41) Jesussummarily dismissed the tomb’s stench of death, andin the Upper Room he permitted a woman to anointhis feet with a powerfully pungent perfume andcommended her for her generous love (John 12: 1-3). And, figuratively as well as literally, Jesus gave peoplesight. He illustrated his teaching with references toordinary wonders like mustard seeds, trees, flowers,birds, and winds, and his parables are masterfullyartistic sketches of ordinary and unforgettable people. If there is any further doubt about the liturgy’sevocative power, the scriptures themselves attest to itwith the accounts of two Jewish High Priests, Isaiah(Isaiah 6: 1-9) and Zechariah (Luke 1: 8-20), whoexperienced life-changing visions during theemotional intensity of performing their liturgicalfunctions.

But perhaps even more telling evidence of liturgy’senriching influence is that we have been missing itduring the long months of this pandemic, and that weeagerly anticipate a return to ‘Church Normal’. Clearly,we have not been missing something that bores us totears, but something that lifts us up.

Circumstances have taken from us the ability togather, to be a community, and to experience the HolyCommunion in person. Efforts to compensate forthose losses have been valiant and laudable, but theyaren’t the same. Being bereft of the sensual richnessof liturgical services is … well, it’s boring.May it beavailable to us again soon, and may its return strike uslike a fresh breeze from the seven seas.

Dale

The Raising of Lazarus, Guercino, 1619

"I do not write with the expectation

anyone else in the world will everread what I write. It’s something I doonly for myself. Nevertheless, when I

am writing, it helps to anticipatesomeone who, theoretically, might be

interested, and aim at them. So Ivisualize our grandkids. They are

normal, healthy, 21st century youngadults living in an aggressively secular

culture but occasionally havingreligious questions…”

- Fr Dale Huston

Bernard was born in 1090 in the castle at Fontaines,near Dijon. Learning came easily to this intelligent andhandsome young man from a well-to-do family. Adistinguished future seemed to lie ahead, but, whiledrawn to prayer in a time of uncertainty, he made thedecision to surrender his life to the service of Jesus. Hepersuaded thirty companions, including several of hisbrothers, to join him. In 1112 they entered the nearbyabbey at Cîteaux, which was in a state of utter poverty.Benedictine monasticism had been reformed in thetenth century, but Bernard wanted to go further. As anovice he demanded austerities of himself “beyondwhat was human”, and his health broke down.Nevertheless, under his influence, Cîteaux became wellknown as a model monastery.

In 1115 Bernard was sent with twelve monks toestablish a new monastery. He chose a site in the valleyof the river Aube, which he renamed Clairvaux (Valley ofLight), where he became abbot. At first, times were veryhard, but by the time of his death it had become one ofthe chief centres of the Cistercian Order, with sevenhundred monks, and a further 320 abbeys had beenfounded all over Europe, including several in Britain. discipline.

For All the Saints

As an abbot, Bernard was very able, with remarkablequalities of leadership. A spiritual pioneer, writer andorganiser, with a capacity to mould the mind of ageneration, he was a powerful force in the Europe of hisday. Although the Cistercian Order was theoretically aclosed order based on withdrawal from the world,Bernard exercised an enormous influence on the churchin Europe. Many from all walks of life came to him forcounsel and support. He would fearlessly rebuke peopleon moral issues. In particular he attacked unorthodoxtheology and lack of monastic

Bernard of Clairvaux August 20Abbot, Poet

Bernard’s attacks on other theologians and religiousorders were by no means always fair. This wasespecially true of his treatment of Abelard.Nevertheless, he helped to gain recognition for the newOrder of Templars as a body of Christian knights toserve the church during the crusades. He supportedthe crusade against the Albigensians. His powerfuleloquence as a preacher was used most successfully tolaunch the Second Crusade in 1147. It was a disaster,and Bernard was blamed by some. Bernard’sinvolvement in politics has been criticised, but manyother contemporary church leaders were engaged inplots and intrigues.

To Bernard, a deep knowledge of the Bible, loyalty tothe church, and a passionate personal devotion toChrist and his mother Mary were the vital basis of one’scommunion with God. He brought the monks todiscover through prayer that deep, intimaterelationship with Christ which he himself experienced.He inculcated a nobility of spirit won by rigour and self-discipline, yet also with great passion. A clue to this isseen in his monumental exposition of the Song ofSolomon, with its invitation to mystic love, the veryexperience of the love of God.

Through his influence, the Cistercian Order became themost important in Europe. The enormous growth of theorder was helped by the desire of many lay people tofind security and a sense of purpose in a well-orderedcommunity against the surrounding social confusion,but that does not detract from Bernard’s outstandingcontribution. He died on 20 August 1153.

Holy and merciful God, through your Son, the world’s true light,you called Bernard to a passionate zeal

for your truth; enable us to use our gifts for the good ofall, and fire us with a spirit of love and

discipline; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

Source for this material:https://www.anglican.org.nz/Resources/Worship-Resources-Karakia-ANZPB-HKMOA/For-All-the-Saints-A-

Resource-for-the-Commemorations-of-the-Calendar/For-All-the-Saints

"We, the people of Australia, respect and give thanksto all who have served in our defence force and their

families."We acknowledge the unique nature ofmilitary service and the sacrifice demanded of all

who commit to defend our nation."We undertake topreserve the memory and deeds of all who have served

and promise to welcome, embrace and support allmilitary veterans as respected and valued members of

our community."For what they have done, this wewill do.” The family of St Peter’s Anglican Parish

affirm this oath declared in The Australian Veterans’Recognition (Putting Veterans and their Families

First) Act of 2019 which received Royal Assent on 30October 2019.

"FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, THIS WE WILL DO"

St Bartholomew (Nathanael) August24

the Apostle

The identification of Bartholomew with Nathanaelis not certain, but is sufficiently reasonable to justifythe single commemoration in the Calendar. Thename of Bartholomew appears only in the lists ofapostles in the first three Gospels and Acts(Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts1:13), and Nathanael appears only in John’s Gospel(John 1:45-51; 21:2). However, in John chapter 1,Nathanael appears linked with Philip in the sameway Bartholomew is linked with Philip in the otherGospels.

If the identification is not accepted, we knownothing of Bartholomew apart from his being anapostle. Jerome in the fourth century knew of aGospel according to Bartholomew (no longerextant), and according to tradition Bartholomewwas a missionary in India, but none of this can besubstantiated.

If Nathanael is Bartholomew, then we can add thathe came from Cana (John 21:2) and was brought toJesus by Philip (John 1:45). Despite Nathanael’sdoubts that anything good can come out ofNazareth, Jesus hails Nathanael as an Israeliteworthy of the name and promises that he will seeangels ascending and descending on the Son ofman, thus making Nathanael a witness to thefulfilment of the hopes of Israel in Jesus. Nathanaelreappears at the end of John’s Gospel in theresurrection episode beside Lake Galilee (John 21).

For All the Saints ... continued

Almighty and everlasting God, whogave to your apostle Bartholomewgrace truly to believe and to preach

your Word: Grant that your Churchmay love what he believed and preachwhat he taught; through Jesus Christour Lord, who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Augustine ~ August 28Bishop of Hippo, Teacher of the Faith

The most outstanding of early Christian thinkers inthe western church, Augustine had a profoundinfluence on the medieval world, and a continuingeffect even beyond the period of the Reformation.Augustine was born in 354 in Thagaste in NorthAfrica. His parents, Patricius and Monica, wereambitious for him and struggled financially to obtainthe best possible education for him. While atuniversity in Carthage, he developed a deep thirstfor truth, which took him first into Manichaeism, adualistic gnostic system of thought.

In 383 Augustine moved to Rome and soon obtaineda position as professor of rhetoric at what was thenthe western imperial capital, Milan. By this time hehad become dissatisfied with the Manichaeanpseudo-scientific explanations of reality. He wasgreatly influenced by Bishop Ambrose, whointroduced Augustine to Neoplatonic thought and amore spiritualised interpretation of Scripture thanhe had met in North Africa.

Like many of his time, Augustine saw that acommitment to Christianity was a total commitmentto a disciplined life-style, dedicated to God. Hestruggled within himself over the cost of thiscommitment, but was eventually “converted” in 386.Abandoning the prospect of marriage and a brilliantpublic career, he received baptism from Ambrose atEaster in 387. Augustine resolved to return to NorthAfrica and to live a monastic life of contemplationand prayer.

.

While looking for a suitable place for a monasticcommunity, he was made a presbyter by the peopleof the church in Hippo, and became bishop of Hippoin 395, a position he held until his death in 430. Inaddition to his many responsibilities as bishop,Augustine carried on an extensive literary output inletters, treatises and sermons. He wrote at lengthagainst the Manichaeans and became embroiled inmajor debates in the western church over thenature of the church.

The Donatists, a group of rigorists in North Africa,maintained a doctrine of the church as a body thatmust exhibit the purity of its life. Augustine arguedthat the church’s purity is a gift of God, notsomething we attain, and therefore there is room inthe church for the sinner. Augustine entered into asimilar long debate with the Pelagians over thequestion of moral effort and its relation to God’ssaving grace. Where Pelagius was the moralreformer urging responsibility, Augustine was theredeemed sinner who knows that it is all God’s workin us.

Augustine’s most famous works are his Confessions,in which he uses his own personal life as an exampleof God’s working, and the City of God, a workoccasioned by the sack of Rome in 410. This eventshocked both pagans and Christians, whose senseof the favour of the gods or God was bound up withthe city. Augustine answered with a view of thechurch as mingled here with the earthly city that ischaracterised by pride, but at the same time is onpilgrimage to the heavenly city of God that ischaracterised by love.

Monica ~ August 27Mother of Augustine of Hippo

Monica deserves to be remembered as much for herown sake as for being the mother of Augustine. Shewas born in North Africa about 331, probably inThagaste, where she lived all but the last few years ofher life. We know her almost exclusively through theeyes of Augustine, mainly in his Confessions. She hadbeen brought up as a Christian and married Patricius,a provincial with a taste for things Roman and Latin.

Monica inherited the moral rigour of North AfricanChristianity, with its emphasis on the dread of Godand the development of the cult of the dead. In herrelations with Patricius, she showed remarkable skill.He was given to outbreaks of violent temper and wasunfaithful to Monica on occasions, but she eventuallypersuaded him to accept Christianity before his deathin 372.

Monica’s relations with Augustine were much morecomplex. She and Patricius were both very ambitiousfor their brilliant son, and scrimped and saved tosecure the best education possible for him. Monicawas almost obsessively concerned for Augustine.When he became a Manichee for a while, she shuthim out of the house, but accepted the wisdom of abishop she consulted about her wayward son, whoassured her that Augustine was too perceptive to bedeceived for long by Manichaeism, and in God’s goodtime would turn to the truth. So she never ceased topray for him.

Augustine however still felt the need to trick hismother when he left North Africa for Italy in 383,leaving her behind. She pursued him to Rome andthen Milan, where she came under the influence ofBishop Ambrose. She became deeply involved in theworship and prayer of the church. She continued totry and manage Augustine’s life, persuading him toabandon his common law “wife” in order to make amarriage suitable for an up-and-coming man of greatpotential.

Before that marriage could take place, Augustineaccepted a commitment to an ascetic and disciplinedChristian life-style that would preclude marriage.Monica was delighted; her prayers had beenanswered. Augustine was baptised, and shortlyafterwards headed back to North Africa to work outthe consequences of his new-found commitment.Monica, having shared fully in some of Augustine’snew thinking, died at Ostia on the way home in 387.

God of the widowwho would not take “No” for an answer,

as we honour Monicawho prayed for her son, year in, year out,

help us to pray earnestlyand leave the result to you.

Readings & CollectsSunday 15 August ~ Pentecost XII

Proverbs 9:1-61 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her sevenpillars. 2 She has slaughtered her animals, she hasmixed her wine, she has also set her table. 3 She hassent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highestplaces in the town, 4 ‘You that are simple, turn in here!’To those without sense she says, 5 ‘Come, eat of mybread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Lay asideimmaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.’

Psalm 34.9-14: R Taste and see that the Lord is good.

9 Fear the Lord, you that are his saints,for those who fear him lack nothing.10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger,but those who seek the Lordlack nothing that is good. R

11 Come, children, and listen to me;I will teach you the fear of the Lord.12 Who among you loves lifeand desires long life to enjoy prosperity? R

13 Keep your tongue from evil-speakingand your lips from lying words.14 Turn from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it. R

John 6: 51 - 5851 I am the living bread that came down from heaven.Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and thebread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying,‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ 53 So Jesussaid to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat theflesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you haveno life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink myblood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on thelast day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood istrue drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink myblood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the livingFather sent me, and I live because of the Father, sowhoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is thebread that came down from heaven, not like thatwhich your ancestors ate, and they died. But the onewho eats this bread will live for ever.’

Ephesians 5:11-31

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, butinstead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even tomention what such people do secretly; 13 but everythingexposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everythingthat becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,‘Sleeper,awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise peoplebut as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because thedays are evil. 17 So do not be foolish, but understandwhat the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get drunk withwine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songsamong yourselves, singing and making melody to theLord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father atall times and for everything in the name of our LordJesus Christ. 21 Be subject to one another out ofreverence for Christ. 22 Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to theLord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife just asChrist is the head of the church, the body of which he isthe Saviour. 24 Just as the church is subject to Christ, soalso wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved thechurch and gave himself up for her, 26 in order to makeher holy by cleansing her with the washing of water bythe word, 27 so as to present the church to himself insplendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of thekind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish.28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives asthey do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loveshimself. 29 For no one ever hates his own body, but henourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ doesfor the church, 30 because we are members of his body.31 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father andmother and be joined to his wife, and the two willbecome one flesh.’

Everliving God,your Son, Jesus Christ,

gave himself as living bread for the life of the world:give us such a knowledge of his presence

that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life to serve you continually; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday 22 August ~ Pentecost XIIIJoshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel toShechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, thejudges, and the officers of Israel; and they presentedthemselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all thepeople, ‘Thus says the Lord , the God of Israel: Long agoyour ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham andNahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served othergods. 14 ‘Now therefore revere the Lord , and serve himin sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods thatyour ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt,and serve the Lord . 15 Now if you are unwilling to servethe Lord , choose this day whom you will serve, whetherthe gods your ancestors served in the region beyondthe River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land youare living; but as for me and my household, we will servethe Lord .’ 16 Then the people answered, ‘Far be it fromus that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods;17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and ourancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house ofslavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. Heprotected us along all the way that we went, and amongall the peoples through whom we passed; 18 and theLord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amoriteswho lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve theLord , for he is our God.’

PSALM 34.15-22 R Taste and see that the Lord is good.

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,and his ears are open to their cry.16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,to root out the remembrance of them from the earth. R

17 The righteous cry and the Lord hears themand delivers them from all their troubles.18 The Lord is near to the brokenheartedand will save those whose spirits are crushed. R

19 Many are the troubles of the righteous,but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.20 He will keep safe all his bones;not one of them shall be broken. R

21 Evil shall slay the wicked,and those who hate the righteous will be punished.22 The Lord ransoms the life of his servants,and none will be punished who trust in him. R

Ephesians 6: 10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength ofhis power. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, so thatyou may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For our struggle is not against enemies of bloodand flesh, but against the rulers, against theauthorities, against the cosmic powers of this presentdarkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in theheavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the wholearmour of God, so that you may be able to withstandon that evil day, and having done everything, to standfirm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of trutharound your waist, and put on the breastplate ofrighteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put onwhatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel ofpeace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, withwhich you will be able to quench all the flaming arrowsof the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, andthe sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer andsupplication. To that end keep alert and alwayspersevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray alsofor me, so that when I speak, a message may be givento me to make known with boldness the mystery ofthe gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains.Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

John 6: 56 - 69

56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide inme, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me,and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me willlive because of me. 58 This is the bread that came downfrom heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, andthey died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.’ 59 He said these things while he was teaching in thesynagogue at Capernaum. 60 When many of his disciplesheard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who canaccept it?’ 61 But Jesus, being aware that his discipleswere complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offendyou? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Manascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit thatgives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I havespoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you thereare some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from thefirst who were the ones that did not believe, and who wasthe one that would betray him. 65 And he said, ‘For thisreason I have told you that no one can come to me unlessit is granted by the Father.’ 66 Because of this many of hisdisciples turned back and no longer went about with him.67 So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to goaway?’ 68 Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom canwe go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We havecome to believe and know that you are the Holy One ofGod.’

Collect for Pentecost XIII

Everliving God,by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church

is governed and sanctified:hear the prayers we offer for all your faithful people,that in the ministry to which you have called them

each may serve you in holiness and truth;through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 29 August ~ Pentecost XIV

Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9

1 So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes andordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that youmay live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord , theGod of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 You must neitheradd anything to what I command you nor take awayanything from it, but keep the commandments of theLord your God with which I am charging you. 6 You mustobserve them diligently, for this will show your wisdomand discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear allthese statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wiseand discerning people!’ 7 For what other great nation hasa god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever wecall to him? 8 And what other great nation has statutesand ordinances as just as this entire law that I am settingbefore you today? 9 But take care and watch yourselvesclosely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyeshave seen nor to let them slip from your mind all thedays of your life; make them known to your children andyour children’s children—

Psalm 15 R The righteous shall abide upon God’s holy hill.1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle?who may abide upon your holy hill?2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right,who speaks the truth from his heart. R

3 There is no guile upon his tongue;he does no evil to his friend;he does not heap contempt upon his neighbour.4 In his sight the wicked is rejected,but he honours those who fear the Lord. R

5 He was sworn to do no wrongand does not take back his word.6 He does not give his money in hope of gain,nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.7 Whoever does these thingsshall never be overthrown. R

James 1: 17-27

17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, isfrom above, coming down from the Father of lights, withwhom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by theword of truth, so that we would become a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 You must understand this, mybeloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak,slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’srighteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of allsordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcomewith meekness the implanted word that has the power tosave your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and notmerely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any arehearers of the word and not doers, they are like those wholook at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look atthemselves and, on going away, immediately forget whatthey were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law,the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers whoforget but doers who act—they will be blessed in theirdoing. 26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridletheir tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion isworthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled beforeGod, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows intheir distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Prayer of the Day Pentecost IV

Cleanse our consciences, O Lord,and enlighten our hearts

through the daily presence of your Son Jesus Christ,that when he comes in glory to be our judge

we may be found undefiled and acceptable in hissight;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribeswho had come from Jerusalem gathered around him,2 they noticed that some of his disciples were eatingwith defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unlessthey thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing thetradition of the elders; 4 and they do not eat anythingfrom the market unless they wash it; and there arealso many other traditions that they observe, thewashing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5 So thePharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do yourdisciples not live according to the tradition of theelders, but eat with defiled hands?’6 He said to them, ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about youhypocrites, as it is written, “This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;

Sunday 29 August ~ Pentecost XIV

7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human preceptsas doctrines.” 8 You abandon the commandment ofGod and hold to human tradition.’ 14 Then he calledthe crowd again and said to them, ‘Listen to me, all ofyou, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside aperson that by going in can defile, but the things thatcome out are what defile.’ 17 When he had left thecrowd and entered the house, his disciples asked himabout the parable. 18 He said to them, ‘Then do youalso fail to understand? Do you not see that whatevergoes into a person from outside cannot defile, 19 sinceit enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes outinto the sewer?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20And he said, ‘It is what comes out of a person thatdefiles. 21 For it is from within, from the human heart,that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness,envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things comefrom within, and they defile a person.’

Mark 7.1-8, 7.14-23

Lectionary Readings for 15 & 22 August 2021AUGUST 2021

22 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Joshua 24. 1 - 2a, 14 - 18 Ps 34. 15 - 22 Ephesians 6. 10 - 20 John 6. 56 - 69 23 Monday 1 Thessalonians 1. 1 - 10 Ps 149. 1 - 5 Matthew 23. 13 - 22 24 Tuesday BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE AND MARTYR Deuteronomy 18. 15 - 18 Ps 145. 10 - 18 Revelation 21. 9b - 14 John 1. 45 - 51

Of the Day 1 Thessalonians 2. 1 - 8 Ps 139. 1 - 5 Matthew 23. 23 - 26 25 Wednesday 1 Thessalonians 2. 9 - 13 Ps 139. 6 - 11 Matthew 23. 27 - 32 26 Thursday 1 Thessalonians 3. 7 - 13 Ps 90. 11 - 17 Matthew 24. 42 - 51 27 Friday Monica, mother of Augustine (d. 387) 1 Thessalonians 4. 1 - 8 Ps 97. 6 - 12 Matthew 25. 1 - 13 28 Saturday Augustine of Hippo, bishop and teacher (d.430) 1 Thessalonians 4. 9 - 12 Ps 98 Matthew 25. 14 - 30

AUGUST 202115 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Proverbs 9. 1 - 6 Ps 34. 9 - 14 Ephesians 5. 11 - 21 (22 - 31) John 6. 51 - 58 16 Monday MARY, MOTHER OF OUR LORD Isaiah 61. 10 - 62.3 Ps 113 or Song of Mary Galatians 4. 4 - 7 Luke 2. 1 - 7

Of the Day

Judges 2. 11 - 19 Ps 106. 42 - 48 Matthew 19. 16 - 22 17 Tuesday Judges 6. 11 - 24a Ps 85. 8 - 13 Matthew 19. 23 - 30 18 Wednesday Judges 9. 6 - 15 Ps 21. 1 - 7 Matthew 20. 1 - 16a 19 Thursday Judges 11. 29 - 39a Ps 40. 5 - 11 Matthew 22. 1 - 14 20 Friday Bernard of Clairvaux, abbot and teacher(d. 1153) Ruth 1 Ps 146. 5 - 10 Matthew 22. 34 - 40 21 Saturday Ruth 2. 1 - 17 & 4. 13 - 17 Ps 128 Matthew 23. 1 - 12

Lectionary Readings up to 4 September 2021

AUGUST 202129 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Deuteronomy 4. 1 - 2, 6 - 9 Ps 15 James 1. 17 - 27 Mark 7. 1 - 8, 14 - 23 30 Monday 1 Thessalonians 4. 13 - 18 Ps 96. 7 - 10 Luke 4. 16 - 30 31 Tuesday John Bunyan, preacher and spiritualwriter (d. 1688); Aidan of Lindisfarne, bishop andmissionary (d. 651) 1 Thessalonians 5. 1 - 6 (7 - 8) 9 - 11 Ps 27. 9 - 14 Luke 4. 31 - 37

SEPTEMBER 2021 01 Wednesday Colossians 1. 1 - 8 Ps 52.8 - 9 Luke 4. 38 - 44 02 Thursday Colossians 1. 9 - 14 Ps 98. 1 - 6 Luke 5. 1 - 11 MARTYRS OF NEW GUINEA (d. 1942) Zephaniah 3. 14 - 20 Ps 130 Romans 8. 33 - 39 John 12. 20 - 32 03 Friday Gregory of Rome, bishop and teacher(d. 604); Eliza Darling, pioneer social reformer in NSW(d 1868) Colossians 1. 15 - 20 Ps 100 Luke 5. 33 - 39 04 Saturday Colossians 1. 21 - 23 Ps 54 Luke 6. 1 - 5

The flowers in the Church are to theGlory of God and in Loving memory of

Fr Selwyn Hadlow~ Sunday 15 August 2021 ~

Donald Francis Torrington&

Dino Glerean~ Sunday 29 August 2021 ~

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