6 July 2008

Welcome to St Alban’s Anglican Church 

Today's Scripture (HC) : Zechariah 9:9-12    Rom 7:15 - 25a    S.Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Today's Liturgy: 9.00a.m. BCP Matins;   9.30a.m. Holy Communion ;   EP 6.00 p.m.

Tues - Fri 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayer. Summer Schedule from today.

7^th After Trinity

Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

FAITH IN FOCUS: WORRYING TIMES?

The current rise in prices is getting on top of Maureen. She’s on a fixed income and every time she goes to the supermarket she despairs. Everything seems to be pushing her into a corner and she’s not sure just how long she can manage to feed the kids and pay the bills now that she’s been widowed. She doesn’t know where to turn to.

Ken never seems to settle these days. Several years ago he was convicted of fraud and went to gaol for two years. He recently moved into the parish with his family and set up home. They got jobs locally and their children go to the nearby school. He’s deeply ashamed of what he did. He’d do anything to turn the clock back. He feels tied up in knots and his worst nightmare would be if everything went public.

Annie has been a parishioner all her life. People comment on how you can set your clock by Annie’s arrival in church with her prayer book and rosary beads. But in her heart she’s just going through the motions. Inside she feels spiritually dry and it’s hard to get enthusiastic about anything to do with her faith. It’s as if in the last years of her life God is taking all comfort of faith away from her.

Tom is the local GP. He seems to spend hours in his surgery and he loves his job but he’s beginning to feel worn out. With all the paper work on top of his medical work he’s wondering how long he can go on for. He never lets his patients know how he feels, but it’s getting to the point where his lifelong desire to help people in their moments of need is starting to wane. He spends his days telling others not to live such a hectic lifestyle but he knows he’s just as guilty himself.

Joan and Alan are having marriage problems. They got back together after Alan got involved with another woman at work. Things seem a bit better now but there’s also the problem of their three teenage children. If there’s any way they can rebel they’ll find it. Joan’s sick of being called to the school where they’re causing disruption, and Alan’s convinced that one of these days the call will be from the police.

On Sunday morning when Maureen, Ken, Annie, Tom, Joan and Alan settle into their places in church they all hear the same words of Jesus in the gospel: "Come to me all you who are overburdened and I will give you rest".

WORD OF GOD

Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

 

WORD FOR TODAY

The gospel message makes sense of our lives. It lightens the burden, sheds light and guides us through difficult decisions. Jesus’ promise today is the same as always: when you feel overburdened I will give you rest.

 

ACQUIRE INNER PEACE and a multitude of people will find salvation near you. (St Seraphim)

ANXIETY IS THE RUST of life, destroying its brightness and weakening its power. A childlike and abiding trust in Providence is its best preventative and remedy. (Charles Frankel)

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS

Mon: 1 Sam 10: 1-16, Luke 22:24-30, 2 Cor 11: 1-15

Tues: 1 Sam 10:17-end, Luke 22:31-38, 2 Cor 11:16-end

Wed: 1 Sam 11, Luke 22:39-46, 2 Cor 12

Thurs: 1 Sam 12, Luke 22:47-62, 2 Cor 13

Fri : 1 Sam 13:5-18, Luke 22:63-end, James 1:1-11

Sat : 1 Sam 13:19 - 14:15, Lk 23:1-12, James 1:12-end

NEXT SUNDAY : Isaiah 55:10-13, Romans 8:1-11, S. Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23