MAY NEWSLETTER 2026

MAY NEWSLETTER 2026

It’s May already and the month has been a busy as ever, but what a successful and joyous one.

The month started off with a working bee to re-spruce up the Rectory after several maintenance issues had been completed including the structural posts on the back veranda. It included a mow and tidy as well as the garden walls and the single garage being hosed down. The laundry sink was unclogged and a new piece of pipe fitted. Thank you to all who helped. Painting of the new posts and anti-slip on the steps will be commenced shortly.

Within the next week, the keys were given to the agents to have new tenants in the rectory. What a blessing this is, after all the work and compliance certificates that needed to be put in place. We hope the new family will enjoy living in our community.

The following Saturday saw 30 attend the Barnabus Brekkie with over $780 raised for the charity organisation to purchase pigs and hens for local villages in Ghana to help them become self-sufficient. It was wonderful to have a guest speaker who could tell us about their work.

St Peter’s hosted the Deanery meeting in mid-May, with Bishop Sarah Plowman also attending. Morning tea was provided.

The Ascension, Pentecost and the Trinity were celebrated this month, coming into the new season of Ordinary Sundays, a time which Fr Ted reminded us that prayer and thanks for blessings for each other are the confirmation of our faith and eternal hope through God’s grace.

By the time you receive this letter, it will be close to June and the Floral and Art Festival, this year’s theme being “A Picture Paints 1000 Words.” Opening night is Thursday June 18 at 6pm. It usually lasts an hour, with Bishop Sarah Plowman blessing the festival, followed by refreshments. Please come and bring family and friends. Sunday June 21 is the patronal service of St Peter at 9 am ONLY when Bishop Sarah will preside, followed by morning tea.

A large white board is in church for you to nominate to help at seated jobs, selling cards, raffle tickets, and two new fundraisers, “blind date with a book” and special vases for arranging flowers (thank you Vivianne from the Friendship group for the work on the flower frogs). Please keep potting up plants for the Plant stall. It is a great fundraiser and needs plenty of volunteers and pots. Dale Jarman will be organising the kitchen and teas, please see her if you can help. Preparing soups, cakes and slices adding extra options to the Devonshire Teas, was extremely successful last year.

Look out for the JUNE edition of the Redcliffe Guide to give to friends and family. If you are a member of a community group, invite them to the festival and reserve a table for teas. Flyers and posters can be put up in local coffee shops (ask first and they are usually very helpful) and letter box drops when you walk, with or without the dogs.

Every year the whole Parish always pulls together and every year the visitors say what a joyful place and friendly people we are. Thank you all from the Growth Committee and the Parish Council.

Pentecost

Sunday, May 24, 2026

O God, who taught the hearts of your faithful people

by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:

grant to 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 lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the same Spirit,

one God, now and forever. 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 Pentecost

Numbers 11:24-30

Psalm 104:26-36

Acts 2:1-21

John 7:37-52

Giving

Offering - 704 901 - 0000 0780

Building Fund - 704 901 - 0001 4767

Want to give in other ways? Cards are on sale at the back of the church.
Floral Festival Fundraising now begins. Your giving in the brown envelopes now go towards funding this important outreach ministry.

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, Lois, Barbara, Kevin, Ian, Uncle Peter, Chris, Bill Tattam, Jeff Byrne, Karne, Greg, Aaron, Joanne, Grace and Faith, Beryl Old, Fr David, Nina and Sophie. Please contact Fr Ted to be on this list.

We also give thanks for those whose year’s mind occurs at this time, and amongst them Judith Davis. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Flowers this week are for the year’s mind of Sue Howard.

Mission and Outreach

The Brisbane Festival Male Voice Choir has invited us to a Choral Presentation at the Redcliffe Uniting Church, 2:30pm, Saturday 30 May. Admission is free, with donations taken to cover expenses. They are a Christian choir and it looks to be a good way of spending a Saturday afternoon.

Rectory Fundraising envelopes are now in circulation. Almost there!

Meals for Woody Point Special School are starting again. Please label your meal with title, ingredients and date cooked, then freeze it, and bring it to church on Sunday. Meal containers are on the back table. Alternatively, give a monetary donation or supermarket gift card. For more information on both of these ministries, contact Elizabeth on 0404 080 861.

Ministry During the Week

Mother’s Union meets at a new time: Third Wednesdays 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.

Talent Table: every last Sunday after each service.

Bible Study: Tuesdays at 9am and Thursdays at 7pm. All welcome; all materials supplied.

Beaumont Aged Care: Holy Communion every third Friday at 10am.

Recycling will begin again in June. New Location: the small white shed at the back of the property.

Any questions call Elizabeth Melvin on 0404 080 861

The Week Ahead

Tues, 26 May

8:00 am - Holy Communion for St Augustine of Canterbury (d. 605)

9:30 am - Bible Study

11:30 am - Funeral for Joyce Monica Lee

Wed, 27 May

10:00 am - Holy Communion followed by Caring and Sharing. Join the fun and fellowship!

Thu, 28 May

7:00 pm - Bible Study

Sat, 30 May

2:30 pm - Brisbane Festival Male Voice Choir at Redcliffe Uniting Church (free entry)

Sun, 31 May

7:00 am & 9:00 am - Holy Communion for Trinity Sunday

From The Ladies Guild

Please Note: The Ladies Guild will not be holding the May Talent Table, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Prayer Space with Leisa

This week is all about Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came with power and changed everything. This prayer has quickly become one close to my heart—it speaks deeply to me, and I know I will keep coming back to it, and I hope it resonates with you as well.

So let us open our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to come among us as we pray together. Allow its words to draw you into the presence of God. Pray unhurriedly, breathe deeply, and rest in the assurance of his constant presence.

Come, Holy Spirit,
come and fill the hearts of your faithful people,
and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Come as the wind, and sweep through our lives,
removing all that holds us back from you.
Come as the fire, and purify our hearts,
that we may burn with love for you and for one another.

Come as the voice of truth,
and guide us in the way of Christ.

Come as the giver of life,
and renew your Church in faith, hope, and love.

Empower us to be your witnesses,
to speak your word with boldness,
and to live as your people in the world.

Send us forth in the strength of your Spirit,
to serve and love as your faithful people,
this day and always.

Amen.

Floral Festival Updates

There are many ways you can help make this year a big one!

Please Pot plants for the plant stall, and bring to the

Plant Stall on Wednesday, June 17th.

Do you have any empty egg cartons? Could you please save them, bring them to church, and give them to Liz.

We also have a dedicated Facebook page for all Floral Festival updates!

facebook.com/RedcliffeFloralAndArtFestival

Or, search using: #redcliffefloralandartfestival

Young Adult Camp 2026

Young adults from St Andrew’s Anglican Church, South Brisbane and North Pine Anglican Church are warmly inviting all young adults to our upcoming Young Adults Camp, a great opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life, grow together in faith, and build genuine community.

Venue:

Pointro Campsite (Maroon Dam)
532 Burnett Creek Road
Maroon Qld 4310

The camp will run from the afternoon of Friday 3 July through to 11:00am on Monday 6 July, and we’d love for all young adults to be part of it. Please note that main meals will be provided, so just BYO snacks and drinks to keep you going in between. Three nights full stay is $132.50. There are also options for two nights, one night, or day pass. Fr Ted will be attending on the Saturday to preach, celebrate the sacrament and maybe even go on a hike.

Scan the QR Code for booking, and share with anyone you think might be interested.

Article 17: Of Predestination and Election

Predestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through Grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God's mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity.

As the godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God's Predestination, is a most dangerous downfal, whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation.

Furthermore, we must receive God's promises in such wise, as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture: and, in our doings, that Will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God.

This is quite a long Article! So let’s just cover the big theme: God is the first mover when it comes to our relationship with him. This is a great comfort to the Christian, because it means our salvation is not dependant on our fickle nature, nor by our amount or quality of faith. Rather, it is the fact that God first loved us, and that his faithfulness endures forever, that we know we are “delivered from curse and damnation”. This is “full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons”, and we should often turn to God’s promises to us in Christ. The next step is, how do we know this for sure? Do you feel in yourself “the working of the Spirit of Christ”? Specifically, do you feel that, over time, your interest in “works of the flesh” has tended to die off, and that, as you continue in your walk with Jesus, your mind is being drawn up “to high and heavenly things”? The Holy Spirit works over time to bring us to a state of sanctification (that is, “made like the image of [God’s] only-begotten Son Jesus Christ”). Walk with God; walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Reflect on the great change being worked in your soul, and the unspeakable comfort this doctrine brings to you in times of soul distress.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that as we believe your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

to have ascended into the heavens,

so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend,

and with him continually dwell;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. 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 Ascension of Jesus Christ

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47

Ephesians 1:15-23

Matthew 28:16-20

Giving

Offering - 704 901 - 0000 0780

Building Fund - 704 901 - 0001 4767

Want to give in other ways? Cards are on sale at the back of the church.
Floral Festival Fundraising now begins. Your giving in the brown envelopes now go towards funding this important outreach ministry.

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, Alex, Ann, Lois, Barbara, Kevin, Ian, Uncle Peter, Chris, Bill Tattam, Jeff Byrne, Karne, Greg, Aaron, Joanne, Grace and Faith, Beryl Old, Fr David, Nina and Sophie. Please contact Fr Ted to be on this list.

We also give thanks for those whose year’s mind occurs at this time, and amongst them Judith Davis. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Mission and Outreach

The Brisbane Festival Male Voice Choir has invited us to a Choral Presentation at the Redcliffe Uniting Church, 2:30pm, Saturday 30 May. Admission is free, with donations taken to cover expenses. They are a Christian choir and it looks to be a good way of spending a Saturday afternoon.

Rectory Fundraising envelopes are now in circulation. Almost there!

Meals for Woody Point Special School are starting again. Please label your meal with title, ingredients and date cooked, then freeze it, and bring it to church on Sunday. Meal containers are on the back table. Alternatively, give a monetary donation or supermarket gift card. For more information on both of these ministries, contact Elizabeth on 0404 080 861.

Ministry During the Week

Mother’s Union meets at a new time: Third Wednesdays 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.

Talent Table: every last Sunday after each service.

Bible Study: Tuesdays at 9am and Thursdays at 7pm. All welcome; all materials supplied.

Beaumont Aged Care: Holy Communion every third Friday at 10am.

Recycling will begin again in June. New Location: the small white shed at the back of the property.

Any questions call Elizabeth Melvin on 0404 080 861

The Week Ahead

Tues, 19 May

8:00 am - Holy Communion for St Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury (d. 988)

9:30 am - Bible Study

6:30 pm - Parish Council

Wed, 20 May

9:00 am - Mother’s Union Friendly Chats

10:00 am - Holy Communion

Thu, 21 May

9:30 am - Friendship and Craft Group

7:00 pm - Bible Study

Fri, 22 May

9:30 am - Hosting the Deanery Meeting

Sun, 24 May

7:00 am & 9:00 am - Pentecost – wear as much red as you can!

From The Ladies Guild

Please Note: The Ladies Guild will not be holding the May Talent Table, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Prayer Space with Leisa

As we move through this week between Ascension and Pentecost, we find ourselves in a holy space of waiting. The disciples waited prayerfully for the coming of the Holy Spirit, trusting that even in uncertainty, God was with them.

Here is your invitation to pause for a moment. You may wish to use the following prayer during the week – at the beginning or end of the day, or in any quiet moment – allow its words to draw you back into God’s love and presence. As you pray, take your time, breathe deeply, and rest in the assurance that you are never alone.  

Loving and faithful God,

as we journey through this week,

help us to slow down and rest in your presence. 

In the midst of the busyness and demands of daily life,

quiet our anxious thoughts and steady our hurried hearts.

Teach us to pause, to breathe deeply,

And to remember that you are always with us. 

Lord Jesus, you said:

“And remember, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20)

Help us to trust in that promise this week.

When we fell weary, renew our strength.

When we feel overwhelmed, fill us with your peace.

When we feel uncertain, guide us by your spirit.

As we wait for Pentecost,

Prepare our hearts anew for the gift of your Holy Spirit,

That we may live with hope, faith, and love each day. 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Article 16: Of Sin After Baptism

Not every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God we may arise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned, which say, they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

I am very glad this Article exists! It is an important reminder of the reality of the human existence: that we all make mistakes, and all fall into error. Baptism does not suddenly make us incapable of sinning; that only comes after the general resurrection, when we come into the glory of our Father’s kingdom and reign with Christ in our new bodies. Believe it or not, there were (and still are) some Christians who claim that baptism ought to work this way. I think their argument falls flat when we consider the fact that we are destined for glory. That which is to come is so incredible, awe-some, knee-bending and inspiring that it is ridiculous to point at the baptised Christian and say “look, that is the end result of God’s resurrected and glorified humanity”. To be sinless is to be more than just someone who does the right thing all the time. To be sinless is to be without all the side effects of sin, too, like sickness, tiredness, grumpiness, death, and all those other things that are quite clearly not the original creation God called “good”. This just simply is not the case with baptised Christians, no matter how well-behaved they are! Another reason is the one given in this Article: because they would “deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent”. Forgiveness is at the centre of our spiritual life. We need it – we crave it. Human society grows with it, and dies without it. Indeed, no-one can condemn us as strongly as we can condemn ourselves. And so our spiritual forebears put down in black and white in this Article that those who deny forgiveness as to such as truly repent “are to be condemned”. The measure we judge with is the measure we will be judged by (Matthew 7:2). Since we know we need it so bad, it should be easy to follow our Lord’s command: to forgive others, as we have been forgiven. (Matt 6:14-15)

Barnabas Brekkie Message

from the Growth Committee

The Barnabas Brekkie held on Saturday 9 May was a great time for fellowship over a meal of eggs and bacon. But even more importantly, the 30 attendees heard from the National Director of Barnabas Aid in Australia about the significant work it does to support needy Christians in dire circumstances around the world.  And our St Peter the Fisherman Church event raised $725 to boost the many practical Barnabas Aid projects that are providing life-changing help in many African countries.  The Growth Committee thanks all the parishioners who helped to make the Brekkie so successful and who gave so generously.

Floral Festival Updates

There are many ways you can help make this year a big one!

Please Pot plants for the plant stall, and bring to the

Plant Stall on Wednesday, June 17th.

Do you have any empty egg cartons? Could you please save them, bring them to church, and give them to Liz.

We also have a dedicated Facebook page for all Floral Festival updates!

facebook.com/RedcliffeFloralAndArtFestival Or, search using: #redcliffefloralandartfestival

Young Adult Camp 2026

Young adults from St Andrew’s Anglican Church, South Brisbane and North Pine Anglican Church are warmly inviting all young adults to our upcoming Young Adults Camp, a great opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life, grow together in faith, and build genuine community.

Venue:

Pointro Campsite (Maroon Dam)
532 Burnett Creek Road
Maroon Qld 4310

The camp will run from the afternoon of Friday 3 July through to 11:00am on Monday 6 July, and we’d love for all young adults to be part of it. Please note that main meals will be provided, so just BYO snacks and drinks to keep you going in between. Three nights full stay is $132.50. There are also options for two nights, one night, or day pass. Fr Ted will be attending on the Saturday to preach, celebrate the sacrament and maybe even go on a hike.

Scan the QR Code for booking,

and share with anyone you think

might be interested.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Eternal God,

whose Son Jesus Christ is

the way, the truth, and the life:

grant that we may walk in his way,

rejoice in his truth, and share his risen life;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. 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 Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 17:22-31

Psalm 66:7-19

1 Peter 3:8-22

John 14:15-21

Giving

Offering - 704 901 - 0000 0780

Building Fund - 704 901 - 0001 4767

Want to give in other ways? Cards are on sale at the back of the church.
Floral Festival Fundraising now begins. Your giving in the brown envelopes now go towards funding this important outreach ministry.

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, Alex, Ann, Lois, Barbara, Kevin, Helena, Ian, Uncle Peter, Chris, Bill Tattam, Jeff Byrne, Karne, Greg, Aaron, Joanne, Grace and Faith, Beryl Old, Fr David, Nina and Sophie. Please contact Fr Ted to be on this list.

We also give thanks for those whose year’s mind occurs at this time. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Mission and Outreach

Thank You: I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone from our church family for the cards, kind words, and care shown to Gary and me during his cruel illness and following his passing. Your compassion and support have meant more to us than words can express. With sincere gratitude, Colene McKenzie.

Rectory Fundraising envelopes are now in circulation. Almost there!

Meals for Woody Point Special School are starting again. Please label your meal with title, ingredients and date cooked, then freeze it, and bring it to church on Sunday. Meal containers are on the back table. Alternatively, give a monetary donation or supermarket gift card. For more information on both of these ministries, contact Elizabeth on 0404 080 861.

Ministry During the Week

Mother’s Union meets at a new time: Third Wednesdays 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.

Talent Table: every last Sunday after each service.

Bible Study: Tuesdays at 9am and Thursdays at 7pm. All welcome; all materials supplied.

Beaumont Aged Care: Holy Communion every third Friday at 10am.

Recycling will begin again in June. New Location: the small white shed at the back of the property.

The Week Ahead

Tues, 12 May

8:00 am - Holy Communion

9:30 am - Bible Study

Wed, 13 May

10:00 am - Holy Communion

Thu, 14 May

9:00 am - Growth Committee

12 noon - Ascension Day Holy Communion

7:00 pm - Bible Study

Fri, 15 May

10:30 am - Holy Communion at Beaumont

Sun, 17 May

7:00 am & 9:00 am - Holy Communion for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (The Ascension of Jesus Christ will also be celebrated)

From The Ladies Guild

Please Note: The Ladies Guild will not be holding the May Talent Table, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Prayer Space with Leisa

This week, as we continue in the joy of Easter, you are invited to slow down and remember Christ’s promise: that he is with us, and that his peace is given to us. You may wish to use the following prayer during the week — at the beginning or end of the day, or in any quiet moment — allowing its words to draw you back into God’s love and presence. As you pray, take your time, breathe deeply, and rest in the assurance that the risen Lord abides with you always.

 Risen Lord Jesus Christ,
who promised your disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit
and the abiding presence of your peace:
open our hearts to receive your love,
and teach us to keep your commandments with joy. 

Send us your Spirit, that we may not be troubled or afraid,
but dwell in the assurance of your living presence;
strengthen us to love one another,
as you have first loved us,
and to bear faithful witness to your grace in the world.

Abide with us, O Lord,
that our homes, our church, and our lives
may be places of your peace and truth;
through you, who live and reign with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Article 15: Of Christ Alone Without Sin

Christ in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world, and sin, as Saint John saith, was not in him. But all we the rest, although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

There once was a star Rugby player who played for Australia. His teammates gave him the nickname “Nobody” because, as the saying goes, nobody’s perfect. Today’s Article calls doubt on that saying by confirming that, in fact, there was somebody who was perfect: Jesus of Nazareth. The text itself draws our mind to one reason why this is important: since Christ was perfect, he was able to stand before the judgement seat of God and take our punishment. He was without sin and so had no punishment due to him – “the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world.” The eternal punishment due sin was able to be taken by Jesus because he had none to pay for himself. But this is not the only benefit of Christ’s sinlessness. Remember that Christ is the image of the invisible God. And so, we can look at Christ and see God’s perfection embodied in him. There are many ideas floating around about who and what God is like. But we see God revealed in Christ and we see that God is perfect, and perfectly good. Then there is the second half of this Article, which refers to us and the fact that we are “although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things”. We are not sinless. But Christ became like us in every way (except for our sin nature) and so is able to sympathise with us in our weakness. Therefore, we are able to approach the throne of heaven with full confidence that our Lord and our God knows exactly what it is like for us (Hebrews 4:14-16). The Article quotes 1 John 1:8-10 in order to confirm our imperfection – and this just points us back to Jesus, who is perfect, and knows exactly what it is like for us to go through this life and all its trials and temptations, and is always here for us to help us through it all. Finally, there is that bit about how we “yet offend in many things” even though we have been baptised. This is probably in the historic context (a context which persists to this day) of an idea floating around that once we come out the other side of our baptism, we theoretically should be sinless and perfect. It is an idea which, in its original sense is fine, has been taken to its extreme and runs into error. Because while we do affirm that the Holy Spirit dwells within the Christian in a special way, leading them into righteousness, this process is a life journey, not a power switch that suddenly switches on. And so we once again return back to the start: that Christ alone is perfect and without sin, revealing to us God’s perfection and goodness (in which we are called to trust and rely on), his sacrificial death supplying all we need to escape death, and now in his glorified state continually caring for us.