Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish us with all goodness,
and of your great mercy keep us in the same;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Stay In Touch
Father Ted Starr - Priest-in-Charge - 0451 929 180 - edward.starr@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Mrs Liz Peters - Rector’s Warden - 0400 844 946
Mrs Gail Symons - People’s Warden - 0409 618 511
Mr Tony Hughes - People’s Warden - 0468 764 009
Zoom Church - 328 492 8300 - 548 747
Readings
for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6; 23-26
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Printed copies of every sermon are on the back table
Giving
Offering - 704 901 - 0000 0780
Building Fund - 704 901 - 0001 4767
Other Stewardship
Cards are on sale at the back of the church.
For Your Prayers
We ask of your goodness, Lord, to comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, and especially Shirley and Alan Kimber, Rosina, Ann, Barbara, Kevin, Ian, Chris, Jeff Byrne, Karne, Greg, Aaron, Joanne, Grace and Faith, Beryl Old, Fr David, Nina, Sophie, Lesley, Helena, Claire, Melissa Cameron, Janice, Carol, Shakiraia and Kristy. Please contact Fr Ted to be on this list.
We also give thanks for those whose year’s mind occurs at this time, and among them Clifford Dittman, Langham Solomon, Reg Smith, Lucy Flude, and Jan Tattam. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Mission and Outreach
Woody Point Special School has been discerned as a focus for our new season of mission and outreach. The yellow lid bins at the back of the church are waiting for your extra groceries to donate to their pantry. Meals which are labelled with date and ingredients, packaged and frozen can be put in the church freezer for collection. For more information, contact Elizabeth on 0404 080 861, or Leisa.
BCA Boxes are due: please leave them on the back table, or hand to Elizabeth.
Spirited Generosity is an ongoing initiative in our parish. Please check the back table for information on our next steps. If anything has been raised in your spirit as a result, please continue the conversation with fellow parishioners, parish councillors, wardens, and Fr Ted.
Ministry During the Week
Mother’s Union: Every third Wednesday at 9am.
Thursday Fellowship: every first and third Thursday from 9:30am to 11:30am. All welcome for a cuppa and a chat. Bring your craft to work on or just enjoy the company.
Caring and Sharing: every fourth Wednesday after Holy Communion.
Bible Study: Tuesdays at 9:30am and Thursdays at 7pm. All welcome; all materials supplied.
Beaumont Aged Care: Holy Communion every third Friday at 10:30am.
Recycling has resumed in the new location: the small white shed at the back of the property. Any questions call Elizabeth Melvin on 0404 080 861
Services: Part of the priestly calling is that clergy “shall unite themselves with the unceasing prayer of the Church on earth and in heaven, being carried by this rhythm of prayer in peace and joy.” Various services throughout the week are offered to this end, and all are warmly encouraged to attend.
The Week Ahead
Tues, 01 Sep
8:00 am - Holy Communion
9:30 am - Bible Study
Wed, 02 Sep
10:00 am - Holy Communion for the Martyrs of New Guinea (d. 1942)
Thu, 03 Sep
9:30 am - Friendship and Craft Group
1:00 pm - Funeral
6:00 pm - Solemn Evensong for St Gregory of Rome
7:00 pm - Bible Study
Sun, 06 Sep
8:00 am - Holy Communion for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
After Holy Communion - Fisher Bag assembling and blessing
Fisher Bags
Welcome • Care • Mission
Our Fisher Bags — Bags of Love are a simple way for our parish to extend Christ’s love beyond our church doors. They are designed to welcome those who are new among us, offer care and encouragement to those who may need a little support, and strengthen our mission of reaching out and connecting with our wider community.
Sunday 6 September — following the 8am service
We would love your help to collate 100 Fisher Bags, ready for our parish to use whenever an opportunity arises to welcome, care or reach out to someone.
Come along and lend a hand as together we put our faith into action — one bag of love at a time.
With thanks Parish Council
A Note From Fr Ted
I would like to thank everyone who supported the Wednesday services over the past fortnight while I have been busy in “conference season”. Fr David, Gail, and the Ladie’s Guild in particular deserve special thanks. I am most of all thankful to God that this parish is so strong in service and ministry. God is good to us.
Growth Committee Update
The Growth Committee have been busy preparing for the second half of this year. Please see information below for events coming up in the life of the parish.
Father’s Day Raffle tickets will be on sale after worship from today onwards and drawn on Father’s Day, 6 September. Tix are $5 for 6. See back table or Liz, Gail or Florine to purchase.
Men’s Breakfast will be held on the church deck on the morning of Saturday, 12 September. Details to follow.
The Blessing of the Pets will be on the afternoon of Saturday, 10 October at 3pm. Donations this year will go to Happy Paws, a community-run animal shelter.
Melbourne Cup Afternoon Tea will be held on Saturday, 31 October from 2pm. Tix are $20 each.
Volunteers will be needed for all of these efforts. Please consider what your role could be, and how you might support these events.
Parish Finances
At the August Parish Council meeting, the Parish financial reports were considered.
For the year to date (January to July) the Parish has incurred a deficit (expenditure exceeding income) of over $44,000. Repairs on the Rectory of about $19,000 (paid during the current year) have been largely financed from funds accumulated in the Building Fund during the previous year. Building Fund Receipts during 2026 total $5,300. The Building Fund has a balance of about $2,200 at end July. This is after Rectory Repairs in 2025 and 2026 of about $21,000 and $4,300 for tree removal at the Church.
On the other hand, the General Account for the Parish is operating at a significant overdraft. As the Rectory repairs have been completed and the Rectory is now rented (at $950 per week), it is hoped that the situation will improve. A concern is that Offerings (Open Plate, Envelopes, Direct Deposit and Parish Direct) to date (this financial year) at $44,242 is $5,458 below Budget (of $49,700).
Prayer Space with Leisa
“His Cross, Our Calling”
Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow him. These are not always easy words, but they are at the heart of discipleship. His cross shows us the depth of God’s love; our calling is to take that love into the world. Following Christ means choosing his way—especially when his way asks something of us.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, you carried the cross for us and now you call us to follow you. Give us courage to answer that call.
When following you takes us beyond what is comfortable, give us faith to step forward.
When doing what is right costs us something, give us strength to stand firm.
When forgiveness feels difficult, teach us grace.
When loving another asks more of us, open our hearts.
When the needs of others interrupt our plans, help us to stop, notice and serve.
And when the road ahead is uncertain, remind us that we never walk it alone.
Lord, teach us that taking up our cross is not about seeking hardship, but about being willing to live differently because we belong to you. May we have the courage to put faith before convenience, compassion before judgement, service before self-interest, and love before everything else.
Do not let our discipleship end at the church door. Send us into our homes, workplaces and communities ready to live the Gospel, to recognise those quietly in need, to speak hope into discouragement, and to carry your love into the ordinary moments of life.
When we stumble, lift us. When we grow weary, strengthen us. When we lose our way, call us back.
And each morning, give us courage to say once again:
Your way, Lord, not mine. Your love, lived through me. Your cross. Our calling. And wherever you lead, we will follow.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
