St John’s Weekly Bulletin – Sunday 27 May 2018
This weekend we will celebrate Trinity Sunday, a time when Christians remember the three persons of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We choose this weekend to celebrate the Trinity, straight after Pentecost (when we remember the Holy Spirit first coming to Jesus’ friends) because it is through the outpouring of the Spirit that the church came to know the three persons of God, and developed a way of talking about and affirming our faith that we continue to this day in the creeds we say together on Sunday. Even though the trinity can be a challenging idea, Trinity Sunday is a time for us to remember the awesomeness of God and the unique and incredible ways that God works in our lives when we have been ‘born of the Spirit’. As Jesus’ powerful words to Nicodemus in John’s Gospel this week tell us ‘The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’
Even though the word ‘Trinity’ isn’t found in the bible, we see again and again in the bible that God is known to us in a special way – as Father, as Son and as Holy Spirit. The trinity offers us a way of talking about this relationship; as loved by the Father, as redeemed by the Son and as guided by the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder that we are on an incredible journey as followers of Jesus; to better know the God who is from the beginning (John 1:1), who reveals himself through the Son (Matt. 11:27) and who has sent the Holy Spirit as a guide and advocate for us here on earth (John 16:13).
As we come together this weekend to worship God together we have an opportunity to rejoice in the deepening of our knowledge and love of a God who sends us into the world, by being together, by listening to His word and by offering our prayers to Him. This might be an excellent time to consider how your own relationship can be deepend and might flourish – perhaps by starting or joining a bible study here at St John’s or by learning more about faith by coming aloing to the film screening next Wednesday night at Event cinema’s or by speaking about faith with others over coffee or a meal in the weeks to come. But above all, Trinity Sunday reminds us that we worship an awesome God who loves us and who calls us, so that like Isaiah we might say “Here I am Lord; send me.”
All blessings for the week to come,
Mark
This bulletin was emailed to members of the parish on Thursday 24 May 2018 – if you would like to join the Weekly Bulletin email list, please call the church office on 02 4927 5399 and we will happily arrange this.
Join us for an exciting Trivia Night – Saturday 26 May!
Forget the Logies, the Baftas, the Emmys and everything else. COME ON DOWN for the biggest night in television…. the St John’s TV Trivia night!
Form a team of six friends or come on your own and join other members of the community for a night of fun on Saturday 26th May from 6pm to 8.30pm. Arrive from 5.30pm for a 6pm start and bring your own dinner or nibbles to dine on whilst answering questions about all your favorite shows!
Tickets are available at church this Sunday or you can book online now at www.saintjohns.com.au/rsvp
Where: St John’s Anglican Church Hall, 1B Parry St, Cooks Hill NSW 2300
When: Saturday 26 May 2018, 5.30pm for 6pm start. Evening finishes 8.30pm
Cost: Tickets are $15 per head and $5 for children (a movie and pizza will be held in the church while parents go head to head) available at http://www.saintjohns.com.au/rsvp
For more information please contact Mark Thornton on 0403901348 or markthornton@saintjohns.com.au
An unflinching documentary: ‘For the Love of God’
The Bible society is partnering with The Centre for Public Christianity in the release of their new film documentary called “For the Love of God”. The Newcastle screening will be held at Tower Cinemas 7pm on Wednesday 30 May 2018.
This film has been made so it can be a tool for church outreach and also as an in-church equipping and encouraging event. At the Newcastle screening, the film-makers will be conducting a Q & A session after the film, so bring your questions, and your non-Christian friends who might have questions about the history of the church – the good AND the bad!
The tickets need to be purchased on-line before the event.
https://fan-force.com/screenings/for-the-love-of-god-event-cinemas-newcastle-nsw/
Some members of St John’s are planning on meeting prior to the event for drinks at Foghorn Brewery (opposite the cinema) from 5:45. If you would like more information or are interested in coming please feel free to contact Mark on 0403901348 and remember to purchase a ticket online!
Supporting St John’s Church
We encourage members of St John’s to support the ministry of our parish by giving directly to the parish account, rather than bringing cash to church. If you can do this, our account details are:
BSB: 705-077
A/C: 00040401
Name: St John’s Anglican Church Newcastle
Thank you to all members of our parish who are able to support ministry in this way.
The Hub – A Jesus Community
The Hub are a community of people who exist to encourage, disciple and train each other to live lives for Jesus. Each we through the school term, we come together for KoG (our primary-school kids’ group), Dinner, Worship: Your Way and Youth (our high-school youth group). We encourage you to keep this growing ministry in your prayers and to consider whether you are able to make the Hub everything that it can be. Currently we are looking for people to assist us with the meal we share together on Friday night and would love to hear from you if you are able to be involved. Costs are reimbursable and you are invited to come and join us as we eat, share and fellowship together! If you would like more informaiton or would like to be involved please contact Rob on 0425278063/rob@saintjohns.com.au or Mark on 0403901348/markthornton@saintjohns.com.au.
Flowers in Church
This year, we have had flowers in church for weddings and special occasions only. A good example of this is the beautiful floral arrangement you will see in Church this Sunday, commemorating Trinity Sunday. If you would like to commemorate a special date or a special person by donating a display of flowers to the church, please let Jennifer Benson know on 02 4952 6279.