Trinity Sunday

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who has given us thy servants grace, by the confession of true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech thee, that this holy faith may evermore be our defence against all adversities; who livest and reignest, one God, world without end.  Amen

The Collect - page 214 of The Book Of Common Prayer Canada

Click on image to enlarge.
Our next Anglican Catholic Church Mass will be held at Maitland, NSW. Australia
You are invited to join us for Prayer and Holy Communion on Sunday 2nd June 2012.

A living sacrifice can crawl off the alter

"There is a moment of surrender, and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the alter, so you have to re-surrender your life fifty times a day. You must make it a daily habit." Quote from Rick Warren 2002

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:13(NIV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres

 

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. 
It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. 

1 Corinthians 4:1-8 (NIV)

 You are invited to our Anglican Catholic Prayer and communion. Our next Christian church service is on Sunday 26th May at Taree NSW Australia. Please email for details of time and address.

Are you with me Lord?

Forgive me Lord for I am a sinner,
guard me against my own sinful nature.
Guide my thoughts, words and deeds
to reflect you in my world.
During my trials of life
give me strength and courage,
to face each new challenge
knowing you are with me.
Amen

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31 (KJV)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

On Sunday 26th May 2013 our Anglican Catholic Prayer and Communion will be held at Taree NSW Australia:  
email Fr Matthew Kirby for details of time and venue. (No services will be held at Maitland this week)

Thought of the day

God has placed before you His most magnificent creations. 
The glory of God's work can be seen in the tiniest of His creatures.
They are all around you, but do you take the time to see?
Today, remember to open your heart and your senses to God, 
feel God's presence and appreciate all that He is sharing with you.

Click on image to enlarge.  This is a photograph of Australian dwarf tree frog from our local area.

Sunday 26th May our Anglican Catholic Church Service will be held at Taree, Please contact Fr Mathew Kirby for times and address.

The light of thy Holy Spirit

GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort: through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen

The Collect - page 209 of The Book Of Common Prayer Canada
O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst say unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins, but the peace of thy Church, and grant unto it that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will: who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen

The Collect - page 213 of The Book Of Common Prayer Canada

I believe in one God

I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, who guides my life as I focus on His will and take comfort in his control. He carries me safely through life’s greatest tragedies. THE FATHER ALMIGHTY whom I trust in judgment to guide my thoughts and inspirations. As I see pain and fear fall away, replaced by peace, I gain faith in His love and mercy. He is the MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, AND He surrounds me with the beauty of His creation OF ALL THINGS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE. He is the breath of hope and love in my heart, he is the essence of creativity within my own being.

the Feast of Pentecost

O'GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon thy disciples in Jerusalem: Grant that we who celebrate before thee the Feast of Pentecost may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit, until we come to thine eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

The Collect - page 205 of The Book Of Common Prayer Canada

Join us for Anglican Catholic Prayer and Holy Communion in St Marys chapel at All Saints College Victoria St entrance Maitland NSW Australia, on Sunday 19th May at 11am.

Click on image to enlarge. 

This image is from public domain and shows the Apostles receiving the gift of tongues (Acts 2)

Ablaze with the Fire of Your Spirit

O Lord, 
You have mercy on all, 
take away from me my sins, 
and mercifully set me ablaze 
with the fire of Your Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone, 
and give me a human heart,
a heart to love and adore You, 
a heart to delight in You,
to follow and enjoy You. 
Amen.

And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
Genesis 9:16 (KJV)

Click on image to enlarge. 
Photo was taken at Newcastle NSW Australia.
Join us for prayer at our Anglican Catholic Mass on Sunday 19th May 2013 at St Marys Campus in Victoria Street Maitland at 11am.

Journey back from Synod

Click on images to enlarge

This image was taken on the Father Matthew's return trip from this years Synod. 

It was taken along the Mt Lindsay Hwy just over the Queensland side of the Qld-NSW border in Australia.

Mothers Day this weekend

This Sunday May 12th 2013 is Mothers Day.

The first mothers day was celebrated in 1908 in America When Anna Jarvis held memorial for her mother, She then campaigned to have Mothers day recognised as a holiday. By 1929, to her disappointment, it had been commercialised.

Closer to home, Mothers day in Australia was started by Janet Heyden of Sydney in 1924. She organised school children and businessmen to donate and bring gifts to patients at the Newington State Home for Women. Unfortunately, since then, our Mothers day has also become commercialised.

Last week I was sitting in a friend kitchen. On the table was a lovely card that said "Mother" on the front. My friend grew up in an abusive family and since has worked with many children from sad or abusive backgrounds. Anyway, my friend had spent ages in the store going through all of the verses in the cards. Opening each one she'd read a sentimental and romantic verse about an idealised iconic woman. Closing the card and shaking her head she'd return it to the stand and open the next one. Beside her was a man doing almost exactly the same. Finally they both found something they were comfortable with. Although my friends upbringing was far from idea, she put herself through university and traveled the world. Her hard upbringing gave her a strength and purpose that allowed her to understand and help many young people with behavioral and learning difficulties. Her life became a blessing to many.

We are not "Hallmark" perfect. Each of us is a sinner. Including our parents. Most parents try hard to love and nurture their children, wanting only what is best for them. Parenting is THE hardest jobs in the world. If you want to do something special this Mothers Day, then pray for all of the mothers that need Gods assistance. Pray for all the mums who are scared, lonely, hurting, frustrated, exhausted and in need of love and guidance. Ask the blessed Mary to help them find courage and direction through Jesus. Pray that mothers who are struggling emotionally might use God's love as a model for nurturing and relating to their families.

If you have/had a wonderful mother, or you know of one, don't take her for granted. Instead take the opportunity to thank her, to tell her she is appreciated and loved.

God our Creator, we pray:
for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility ;
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;
for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
for those who have children they do not want;
for those who raise children on their own;
for those who have lost a child;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose children have left home;
and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others. 
Amen.

think, reflect, contemplate, pray

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Something to make us think, reflect, contemplate.
Senor, que quieres que haga?---Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?
Lord am I pleasing you?

Each new day

Each day He illuminates His creation.
Offering a new perspective
in hope that more souls see His beauty.

The wind whispers His gentle voice
to all those who listen
and the seas fill with tears shed
for all those who refuse.

He preforms miracles
before the cold hearts of men
to inspire their hope

Man is but a hollow shell
incapable of true vision
but through the mercy of God

You are invited to join us for Anglican Catholic Communion and Prayer 11am on Sunday 12th May 2013

 

Love each other deeply...

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:8-11 (NIV)

Click on image to enlarge. 

 Photo taken in the grounds of All Saints College - St Marys Campus 
Maitland NSW Australia.

But when he saw the wind boisterous...

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.   Matthew 14:28-33 (KJV)

When your life gets difficult it is easy to feel isolated and defeated, to get self-absorbed and forget that everybody’s life faces times of storm. We cannot simply choose to avoid these times but we can choose where we turn our focus.  Whether our personal storm manifests itself as depression, anxiety, fear, alcoholism, eviction, redundancy, domestic violence, diabetes, hypertension, chronic pain, cancer, heart disease, or some other form of human suffering, it is easy to get distracted from God.

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees...  Deuteronomy 8:11

If we loose the focus on God we find it easily replaced with self-focus. When this happens, in our fear and distress, it is easy to think that we can control the situation by simply trying harder. No matter how hard we try it will never be quite enough because the effect of sin on God’s creatures is exhausting. We also need to keep our eyes on Jesus to draw direction and strength from Him.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27(NIV)

Although we are all sinners we like to believe we try hard to please God. The age old question is 

"Why Me??, why is God punishing me?"

Why? Perhaps there are times when the teacher has to step back in order for the pupil to realise how much he/she has learned. Just like mortal parents the Lord your God disciplines you. Perhaps what you are going through is for the purpose of learning. What it teaches is for the individual to discover. Perhaps it is patience, compassion, honesty, self-discipline, forgiveness or something only you can discover. Perhaps it is teaching you to find the things in your life for which you need to be thankful and to have trust and reliance on God, to take the time to communicate with Him on a heart felt level. When we turn to Him, he does not reveal his plan, he reveals himself. He comes to us as warmth when we are cold, fellowship when we are alone, strength when we are weak, peace when we are troubled, and courage when we are afraid.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Life’s storms come to everyone. Hopefully we pass through them without laying false blame or nurturing bitterness or envy. Hopefully through our sufferings we can see ourselves honestly, allowing us to mature and grow. Hard times often remind us to appreciate those who love and support us.

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.  Deuteronomy 10:17(NIV)

Remember at your darkest moment that even the “perfect” man had to endure the pain of mortal life, through which He gave us the perfect example.

"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."  Matthew 26:42 (NIV)

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The image chosen is a painting of  Newcastle Beach NSW Australia, just as an evening storm is approaching. A magical time to be at the beach, because as the storm approaches everybody leaves and the beach becomes quite isolated. Your senses become alive with the smell of the ocean, your hearing is dominated with the sounds of thunder and crashing waves and your body becomes wrapped in the icy winds and spray of misty water. For that brief moment you become one with the elements, experiencing a small piece of the power and glory of Gods creation.

Image is used with the permission of the artist (Di Mathews).

Keep in step with the Spirit.

O LORD, from whom all good things do come: Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Collect: Page 196 The book of Common Prayer.

Dear friends, we have these promises from God. So we should make ourselves pure — free from anything that makes our body or our soul unclean. Our respect for God should make us try to be completely holy in the way we live. 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ERV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.    Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)

Click on image to enlarge. 

Image Copyright belongs to St Hilda's Parish Maitland NSW.

Join us at the Anglican Catholic Church for Prayer and Holy Communion this Sunday at 11am.