PEW SHEET 23rd April 2017

HAPPY St GEORGE’S DAY

Heavenly Father, give us the bravery of St George
 to stand up for the truth and the glory of God
 that we have seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
 Give us the strength to overcome
 in our lives and in the world,
 all that is contrary to your rule of justice and love.
 Help us to be good news to the poor,
 proclaim release to the captives
 and recovery of sight to the blind;
 let the oppressed go free, and
 proclaim the good news of God's favour and Jubilee. Amen

MAY a MONTH of PRAYER

The Parish Council have set aside the Month of May for a special focus on prayer in the parish.

We will offer:

The Anglican Prayer Book for Australia for private prayer Thursday 11^th May, 4.00pm at The Rectory

Christian Meditation (2 introductory sessions) Saturday 13^th May and 27^th May, 4.30pm at the Rectory

NEWS FROM PARISH COUNCIL

We are looking for two people who might like to coordinate the collection and distribution second-hand furniture currently undertaken by Twice Blessed Opportunity Shop. Please speak to Rev Jo or a Parish Councillor.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

In Yarram – Coffee Connect, Mondays 3.45pm at the Coffee Palace, currently studying The Gospel of Luke

In Port Albert – Mondays 3.30pm at St John’s Raglan Street, led by Rev. Jo currently studying The Gospel of John; this group is having a short break and will recommence Monday 24^th April.

You are welcome to join a group at any time or if you would like to start another group please talk to Rev. Jo

DINNER CLUB this Monday 6.00pm at

The Commercial Hotel, Yarram

Anglicare Morwell provides food for people in need. As a parish we have agreed that this year our mission giving focus will be toward Anglicare.

Our PLUS ONE BOX is just one way we can help so please remember to add one or more items to your regular shopping list and then pop them in the Plus One Box at Holy Trinity.

Suitable items include:

cereal, UHT milk, tins of vegetables, tins of spaghetti or baked beans, 2 minute noodles, tinned fish. Anglicare says; ‘Often our clients have limitations on the kind of food that is appropriate for them. Many of our clients do not have the skills to bake.’

Please ensure that donations are well within their ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ date. Plus One Box items are delivered regularly to Morwell by a member of the parish who generously undertakes this task.

PEW SHEET 19th March 2017

The Harvest Festival

Sunday 19^th March  10.30am Holy Trinity Yarram The Right Reverend Kay Goldsworthy Bishop of Gippsland will preach and officiate followed by a barbeque in the grounds and hall. Please bring any home grown or homemade produce to decorate the church and for trading table to swap or purchase.

Refreshment Sunday 19th March 9.00am at St John’s

Bishop Kay will preside and bless our Traditional Simnel Cake. Morning Tea following the service.

LENT

5th April 2.30pm Making Palm Crosses with afternoon tea at The Rectory
9^th April Palm Sunday, 10.30am Holy Trinity, Yarram

HOLY WEEK
12th April Wednesday 7.30pm Stations of the Cross at Holy Trinity Hall, Yarram

13^th April Maundy Thursday, 6.00pm a commemoration of Jesus’ washing the disciple’s feet and a fellowship meal to include Holy Communion at Holy Trinity Hall, Yarram
14^th April Good Friday, 11.00am Combined Churches Ecumenical Service at Christ Church, Tarraville followed by morning tea at The Historic Tarraville School House
15^th April Holy Saturday, 8.00pm Lighting of the New Fire and Renewal of Baptismal Vows at St John’s, Port Albert
16^th April Easter Sunday, 9.00am St John’s, Port Albert and 10.30am Holy Trinity, Yarram

Lenten Studies Week 3 Living Water for the World– This year’s study will be Up from the Waters Reflections for Lent Year A by Fr Tony Chiera and Dr Jason McFarland. You may move between these two groups or pop in for an occasional session as both groups are keeping the same schedule of sessions.

The Port Albert Lenten Study Monday 4.00pm at St John’s led by Rev Jo

Yarram Lenten Study Wednesday 7.30pm at The Rectory led by Rev Jo

BIBLE STUDY

 ‘Coffee Connect’ at Coffee Palace, Yarram Monday 3.45pm currently studying Titus 

Soiree at St John’s featuring Affinity Collective Saturday 18th March 5.30pm for 6.00pm tickets $25.00 per person including Chicken and champagne prior to the concert. For tickets phone Barbara 0427 458 919

PEW SHEET 26th February 2017

BLESSING OF THE FLEET

TODAY
Sunday 26^th February 11.30am at The Slip Jetty, Port Albert

• Morwell Caledonian Pipe Band
• Lions Barbeque

Sponsored by: Wellington Shire;

Customs House Inn, Wharf Fish & Chips,

Wildfish Restaurant, Port Albert Café & Wine Bar.

Due to the timing of this event there will be a shortened service of Holy Communion at Holy Trinity commencing at the usual time of 10.30am on Sunday 26^th February.

LENT –

28^th February Shrove Tuesday 6.00pm: you are invited the Rectory for a pancake dinner, burning of last year’s palm crosses and preparation of incense nails. Please add your name to the list at church or let Rev Jo know by phone or email

1^st March Ash Wednesday: Imposition of Ashes at 10.30am and 7.30pm at Holy Trinity, Yarram

Sunday 19^th March Harvest Festival (Mothering/Refreshment Sunday) 10.30am at Holy Trinity Yarram - special guest preacher and celebrant The Right Reverend Kay Goldsworthy Bishop of Gippsland

HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday April 9th 10.30am at Holy Trinity Yarram
Maundy Thursday 13th April 6.00pm Foot washing and meal at Holy Trinity Hall, Yarram
Good Friday 14th April 11.00am at Christ Church, Tarraville Ecumenical Service followed by morning tea at the Tarraville School House
Holy Saturday 15th April 8.00pm at St John's Port Albert Lighting of the New Fire and renewal of baptismal vows

Easter Sunday 16^th April 9.00am St John's Port Albert, 10.30am Holy Trinity Yarram

Lenten Studies – This year’s study will be Up from the Waters Reflections for Lent Year A by Fr Tony Chiera and Dr Jason McFarland $10.00 for study booklets from your Bible Study Leader or purchase a book to study privately.

Please order you book and indicate your preferred group for study using the forms at church.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS 

Studying the Bible with others is a great way to develop our faith and our fellowship. In 2017 Bible Study groups will be continuing across the parish –

·         The Yarram Group ‘Coffee Connect’ Monday 3.45pm at the Coffee Place, Commercial Road Yarram
 

·         The Port Albert Group Monday 20th February 4.00pm at St John's led by Rev Jo

• The Rectory Group Wednesday 7.30pm at The Rectory, Yarram led by Rev. Jo (for Lenten Studies only) 

Soiree at St John’s featuring
Affinity Collective
Saturday 18^th
March 5.30pm for 6.00pm tickets $25.00 per person including Chicken and champagne prior to the concert. For tickets contact Rev Jo

Working Bee at St John’s Port Albert 9.30am Saturday 4^th March,

including a meeting of The Friends of St John’s Inc.

HELPING OUT at HOLY TRINITY

Serving God with Glad Hearts – There a number of tasks that get done week by week by our guilds including: reading the Scriptures, assisting with the power point presentation, providing hospitality after worship, welcoming, flowers and cleaning

If you would like to join one of these groups please speak to Reverend Jo.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS THIS MONTH
Holy Trinity: 12^th March following 10.30am service
St John’s: 5^th March following 9.00am service

PEW SHEET 1st January 2017

EPIPHANY – Christmas begins on Christmas Day 25^th December and the feast continues for twelve days until Epiphany on 6^th January. Because Epiphany falls on a Friday in 2017 the church has moved its celebration to Sunday 1^st January; it’s not until Epiphany that our nativity scene is joined by the figures of the wise men. The Gospel of Matthew’s account of the visit of The Magi speaks simply of ‘wise men from the east’; later the number has become fixed at three probably because of the three gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh. These wise men have also been named – Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

In Western churches, the Epiphany (manifestation) became an occasion to celebrate the visit of the wise men that travelled from the East, following a star to visit Jesus. The importance of their visit is that the Messiah was manifest to the Gentiles. The longed for saviour is not a saviour for the people of Israel alone but for the entire world.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS  
Studying the Bible with others is a great way to develop our faith and our fellowship. In 2017 Bible Study groups will be continuing across the parish –

• The Yarram Group ‘Coffee Connect’ led by Linda Bowden
• The Won Wron Group led by Elaine Wright
• The Port Albert Group to be led by Rev Jo

The Gospel of John – The Way to True Life a Life Guide Bible Study by Douglas Connelly; there are a number of these booklets available for group or personal study $10 per copy. If you are interested please speak to a Bible Study Leader or Rev. Jo


Crossley House Holy Communion resumes Monday 11.00am, 23^rd January
St Elmo's House Holy Communion resumes Monday 11.15am, 30^th January
Midweek Holy Communion will resume Wednesday 10.30am, 1^st February

PEW SHEET 18th December 2016

ADVENT FOUR -

Immanuel; Hebrew for “God is with us”, the name of a child whose birth is symbolic of God’s guiding and protecting presence. (Isaiah 7:14; 8:8 and Matthew 1:23) In ancient times people believed that knowing someone’s name gave you power over them. but it had to be the person’s true name, the name that expressed who they really were. Emmanuel or Immanuel (both spellings are found in Holy Scripture) conveys the truth of God’s promise to us that God will never leave us, through good times and bad God is always closer to us than breathing. God shares our struggles, our loneliness as well as our joy and delight.

Traditional Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday 18^th December  7.30pm at Holy Trinity

This Traditional evening of readings and carols was first begun by the Dean of Kings College in Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, to involve the people of Cambridge in the great sweep of salvation history. The Nine Lessons begin with the story of Adam’s fall, moving through the prophet Isaiah to the annunciation and birth of Jesus. The church always looks fabulous for this event with candles and festive lights. The evening will conclude with sparkling refreshments. We hope you will join us for this very special night.

Celebrate Christmas with us:

CHRISTMAS EVE - 

7.30pm CHRISTINGLE at St John’s, Port Albert
Members of the Port Albert Community have been busy decorating the windows at St John’s for this special family friendly service.
11.30pm MIDNIGHT MASS at Holy Trinity, Yarram
A delightful service of light followed by a bit of Christmas Cheer

CHRISTMAS DAY - 

9.00am Holy Communion as Holy Trinity, Yarram

PEW SHEET 4th December 2016

ADVENT WEEK TWO

THE JESSE TREE – a Jesse Tree was originally a two dimensional representation of the family tree of Jesus tracing his ancestry from Jesse of Bethlehem, the father of King David. Its origins date back to the Medieval Period when many people were illiterate. The Jesse Tree was a kind of teaching aid to help people understand that Jesus was the fulfilment of the prophesy suggested by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. ‘A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.’ (Isaiah 11:1) The Jesse Tree can also be used as a type of Advent Calendar to which a new symbol is added either day by day or week by week. Each symbol helps tell the story of salvation history from creation until the birth of Jesus. We have assembled some 25 Jesse Tree symbols on the tree in the foyer at Holy Trinity. You are invited to turn them over to discover their meaning. For example: Joseph and his coat; A tent and camel; A lamb with a pennant. Each card includes a commentary on the Bible reading, questions for reflection and a short prayer.

DURING ADVENT -

Rev. Jo will host PRAY AS YOU GO at The Black Ram Agar Room on Wednesdays 11.30am PAYG is a simple time of reflection using the daily readings.

EVENING PRAYER DURING ADVENT – you are invited to join Rev. Jo for Evening Prayer 6.00pm each night at Holy Trinity, Yarram.

Yarram Combined Churches Community Christmas Carols – Regent Theatre Sunday 11^th December 7.30pm please make plans to attend. If you would like to offer assistance with taking up the offering, giving out programs, or reading the scripture please speak to Rev. Jo

Parish Council Meeting 7^th December 4.00pm at the Rectory

TODAY St John’s Congregational Meeting following our 9.00am service

Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday 18^th December  

7.30pm at Holy Trinity

This Traditional evening of readings and carols was first begun by the Dean of Kings College in Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, to involve the people of Cambridge in the great sweep of salvation history. The Nine Lessons begin with the story of Adam’s fall, moving through the prophet Isaiah to the annunciation and birth of Jesus. The church always looks fabulous for this event with candles and festive lights. The evening will conclude with sparkling refreshments. We hope you will join us for this very special night.

Christmas is Coming – there are number of Christmas Catalogues from various mission agencies on the Mission Table including: Tear Australia, Christian Blind Mission, Bible League International, and Anglicare Victoria.

Koorong Christmas Catalogue includes lots of good ideas for family and friends

Anglicare invites us to purchase gifts for their annual Toy Appeal. You might consider the following: Lego blocks, arts and crafts materials, board games, baby blankets, educational DVD’s, books, clothing, sports equipment, jewellery, gift vouchers, 2017 diaries.

Anglicare asks that all items donated are new and unwrapped. Most gifts given are for younger children so please do not forget to consider gifts for teenagers.

Please place your gifts under the tree today until Sunday 18^th December.

PEW SHEET 27th November 2016

Advent Wreath at Holy Trinity

ADVENT begins this Sunday Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ in his incarnation, and also looks ahead to his final advent as judge at the end of time.

Recently heard in the shops were these comments as two women were buying a few Christmas Decorations; ‘Each year I am finding it harder and harder to get that Christmassy feeling.’ ‘These decorations are so cute.’ said her friend as she chose a glass decoration with a sparkly little church inside. This Advent we would like to help you to prepare for Christmas; to invite you to share Advent with us; to join us for The Nine Lessons and Carols or The Community Christmas Carols or Christingle, Midnight Mass or Christmas Day. The Church is the place to get that Christmassy feeling. Each week during Advent we will be lighting another candle on the Advent Wreath, a kind of count-down to Christmas. Do come and share all the joy of anticipation with us.

Yarram Combined Churches Community Christmas Carols – Regent Theatre Sunday 11^th December 7.30pm please make plans to attend. If you would like to offer assistance with taking up the offering, giving out programs, or reading the scripture please speak to Rev. Jo

Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday 18^th December  7.30pm at Holy Trinity

This Traditional evening of readings and carols was first begun by the Dean of Kings College in Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, to involve the people of Cambridge in the great sweep of salvation history. The Nine Lessons begin with the story of Adam’s fall, moving through the prophet Isaiah to the annunciation and birth of Jesus. The church, Holy Trinity Yarram, always looks fabulous for this event with candles and festive lights. The evening will conclude with sparkling refreshments. We hope you will join us for this very special night!

Christmas is Coming – there are number of Christmas Catalogues from various mission agencies on the Mission Table at church including: Tear Australia, Christian Blind Mission, Bible League International, and Anglicare Victoria.

Koorong Christmas Catalogue also has lots of gift ideas for family and friends

Anglicare invites us to purchase gifts for their annual Toy Appeal. You might consider the following: Lego blocks, arts and crafts materials, board games, baby blankets, educational DVD’s, books, clothing, sports equipment, jewellery, gift vouchers, 2017 diaries.
Anglicare asks that all items donated are new and unwrapped. Most gifts given are for younger children so please do not forget to consider gifts for teenagers. Please place your gifts under the tree today until Sunday 18^th December.

Christingle Service - St John's Port Albert 7.30pm Christmas Eve family service including; carols, the Christmas Story and making Christingles to take home.

Midnight Mass - Holy Trinity Yarram 11.30pm Christmas Eve followed by sparkling refreshments and Christmas Cake.

Christmas Day - Holy Trinity Yarram 9.00am including Holy Communion

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS  

Yarram Group Monday 3.45pm Coffee Palace Yarram

Won Wron Group 2^nd/4^th Tuesdays 6pm (meal); 7pm for study

The Gospel of John – The Way to True Life a Life Guide Bible Study by Douglas Connelly; there are a number of these booklets available for group or personal study $10 per copy. If you are interested please speak to a Bible Study Leader or Rev. Jo.

Parish Council Meeting 7^th December 4.00pm at the Rectory

St John’s Congregational Meeting - Sunday 4^th December following a shorter service of Holy Communion