Obedience

is faith in

action.

Greenock Lutheran Parish Bulletin

St. Peter’s Greenock (GR)

St. Michael’s Gnadenfrei, Marananga (M)

Nain Lutheran Church (N)

Sunday 12th September 2021

16th Sunday after Pentecost

Web: www.greenockparish.org Parish Email: greenockoffice@internode.on.net Pastor: Rev Dr Philip Bentley 0490 538 376

Parish Chairman & Nain Chairman: Geoff Saegenschnitter 0409 177 657 St Michael’s Gnadenfrei Chairman: Gavin Luke 0411 597 232

St Peter’s Greenock Vice-Chairman: Mark Kalleske 0417 858 211 Bulletin info to Nola by 5.00pm Wednesday or send to Parish Email by Wednesday.

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Welcome as we share God’s Word through prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

We give thanks to Pastor Philip Bentley for leading today’s services at Nain and at

St Peter’s Greenock. Thanks also to Grant & Cathy Wills for leading the service at

St Michael’s Gnadenfrei Marananga.

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OPENING… Jesus said: ‘If any want to become my followers,

let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’. (Mark 8:34 NRSV)

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PRAYERS… We pray together… Everlasting Father, we give thanks to you today, we bless your name together. You alone are good and your steadfast love endures forever. Your faithfulness endures from generation to generation. As we gather together today fill our minds and our mouths with praise to you. Guard our thoughts and our hearts that we may glorify you in every aspect of our lives. You are the name above all other names, the king above all other kings. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honour, and power and strength, be unto you our God forever and ever. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Prayer of the Day… Lord, we pray that your grace may always go before and follow after us, so that we may continually be devoted to all good works; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Offering Prayer… Loving God, we thank you for giving up your Son for us. Help us to follow his way of obedience and self-sacrifice, willingly serving you and other people. Amen.

PARISH PRAYERS – THIS WEEK …

Pastor Philip & Narelle Bentley; Grant & Cathy Wills (LR – Gnadenfrei, Marananga); Brock Heinze (M); Brian Helbig (GR); Peter Seymon (N);

Those who have lost a loved one, experiencing health challenges, seeking strength and peace.

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TODAY’S PSALM … Psalm 116:1-9

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: ‘LORD, save me!’ The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forevermore. Amen.

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READINGS…

Sunday 12th September – Pentecost 16 (Green) – Psalm 116:1-9 1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a The obedient servant of the Lord 2nd Reading: James 3:1-12 Taming of the tongue The Holy Gospel: Mark 8: 27-38 Christ must suffer and die

Sunday 19th September – Pentecost 17 (Green) – Psalm 54 1st Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20 A plot against Jeremiah’s life 2nd Reading: James 3:13 to 4:3,7,8a The wisdom from heaven The Holy Gospel: Mark 9: 30-37 The servant of all is the greatest

NOTES ON THE READINGS… Sunday 12th September – Pentecost 16

Isaiah 50:4-9a: The first verse (4) characterises a ‘Servant’ of God who cannot be excelled. Yet, for the sake of his servanthood, and because of it, he must suffer. Since the time of Cain and Abel those who serve God can and do suffer at the hands of the unrighteous. Yet in this instance the Servant is willing to commit himself in serene trust to come what may. He is sure of his ultimate vindication. God is stronger than his enemies. In this reading we can see our Lord Jesus here just a step short of the cross. James 3:1-12: People sometimes desire to exercise influence and power in the church through their ability to speak. James points out that the teacher in Christ’s kingdom is using a power to influence which can have eternal repercussions, even in condemnation. Because of human failure, it is essential then that the tongue be subject to the same Christian self-control that

pertains to the rest of the body. Even then, human double-minded openness to evil threatens to permit Satan’s poison to work destruction. Our ordinary everyday speech should be in step with that of our worship. Mark 8:27-38: Jesus from the beginning of his ministry knew of his messianic mission and the necessity of his eventual suffering and death. His question to the disciples revealed that they were beginning to see more clearly who he really was. Yet his private teaching to them concerning the necessity of suffering and death not only startled and staggered them, but was met with vigorous denial. There were two strands of prophecy in the Old Testament scriptures concerning the Messiah, namely, the suffering servant and the triumphant king. Jesus himself could not attain the crown without undergoing the cross. Any would-be follower also needs to join him in suffering, even to death. Yet whatever loss is experienced in earthly terms is more than balanced in the ultimate glory Jesus will share with his own.

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SERVICES: Sunday 19th Sept. (Pentecost 17 – Green)

St Peter’s Greenock 9.00am with Pastor Philip Bentley

Nain 9.00am with Lay Reader

Gnadenfrei Marananga 10.30am HC with Pastor Philip

and guest speaker Ian Townsend (see item 9 in the following notices)

Parish Meeting 7.00pm St. Peter’s Greenock (refer Item #1 below) led by Bishop David Altus

St Peter’s Greenock: Sunday 19th September Flowers – Carol Kalleske Cleaning – Helen Wendt / Ali Barkley Welcoming / Attendance / Morning Tea – Erica & Mark Kernich Readings – Erica Kernich Kids’ Chat – Paula Menzel PowerPoint – Lyn Waldhuter Sound – Lisa Werner Music – Heather, Sally & Megan Stewards –Ashley Klose & Mark Kernich

St Michael’s Gnadenfrei Marananga: Sunday 19th Sept (please advise Lynette of any changes) Cleaning – Sally Pfeiffer Flowers – Sally Pfeiffer Readings – Narelle Bentley Welcome / Attendance for September – John & Mavis Neldner Lunch to follow with Ian Townsend – advise Gavin if you would like to attend.

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TAKE NOTE…

1. Parish Meeting: The Bishop of the South Australia-Northern Territory District, David Altus, has asked to meet with Greenock Parish members at a special meeting on Sunday 19th September 7.00pm at St Peter's Lutheran Church, Greenock. At this meeting Bishop Altus will address some concerns that have been identified about ministry matters and relational issues in our Parish over the past months. At this meeting Bishop Altus will be communicating the path forward that has been agreed upon by District and Parish leaders. Please continue to pray for our Parish, Pastor Philip and Narelle and our leaders at this time.

2. Pastor Philip’s Weekly Sermon is available on the Greenock Parish website or press Ctrl and click on this link (https://youtu.be/6p_6Uv0qG7M)

3. All people attending worship are required to wear a mask (except for reasons as per your COVID Safe Plan) unless they are leading worship, for example reading the Bible, publicly praying, preaching, playing a wind/brass instrument, soloist singing, or are aged under 12 years. When seated or not participating a mask must be worn. Please follow directions for seated Holy Communion, if you choose to partake. Singing is permitted by the congregation, but a mask must be worn – bring a spare mask in a plastic bag and change the mask when it becomes damp. Please do remember that singing is optional. Choirs and bands are permitted if they are wearing a mask at all times. All these changes are challenging, but in all things we cast our anxieties on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). And He always will!

4. Latest LCA e-news: Press Ctrl and click on this link http://lcaenews.online/210831 5. Funday Sunday hosted by Christian communities is on Sunday 12th September at the

Tanunda Oval. Free food, drinks, activities, games. 10.45am family celebration service. 11.30am -3.00pm free fun family activities. BYO chair. More info: Judy 0422 742 984.

6. Movie: Sunday 12th Sept. We’ll be showing Mountaintop. Sometimes, the best place to see the future is on a mountain top. That’s where lawyer turned preacher Mike Andrews life changed, and he has no intention of going back. The last thing he wants to do is return to the courtroom and represent an eccentric old man whose mind is filled with obscure visions and confusing dreams. But when Sam Miller’s visions get personal, Mike discovers there are paths that lead higher than earthly mountains. And roads more dangerous than an icy hairpin on a moonless night. Holy Trinity Church Hall, Nuri, 7.00pm. $5 (includes popcorn and a drink).

7. Greenock Bible Study resuming Thursday 16th September 7.00pm at Helen Wendt’s home. 8. Shoeboxes of Love packing evening will be held at the Gnadenfrei Hall at 7.00pm on

Friday 17th September. All welcome. We aim to pack about 50 boxes this year. If you would like to contribute, and have not been shopping yet, the items most useful for packing are soap and face washer, toothbrush, hair brush, comb, T-shirts, socks and undies, stickers, coloured pencils, eraser and sharpener, pencil case, tennis ball, high bounce balls, skipping rope, yo-yo, cars and farm animals, small musical instruments. Please leave items in the Gnadenfrei Hall or contact Jenny Neldner. Monetary donations will also be gratefully received as boxes cost $10 each to send off. Thank you all very much for your support of this project.

9. Gnadenfrei: At service on Sunday 19th September, Ian Townsend, state manager SA/NT Prison Fellowship Australia will be guest speaker. From their website: “Prison Fellowship Australia acknowledges those affected by crime, both directly and indirectly. We never condone any criminal activity, while remaining committed to walking alongside prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims. We share stories of their journey towards wholeness, to highlight God’s goodness and His desire for reconciliation with both Himself and others.”

10. Prayer Group will meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Helen Wendt’s home in Greenock. Next get together is Tuesday 21st September at 10.00am.

11. St Peter’s Church Council Meeting Thursday 23rd September at 7.30pm in the Chat Room. 12. Gnadenfrei St Michael’s: Members of our Parish were invited to the Barossa Anglicans combined

afternoon service on Pentecost Sunday in May. In response, Gnadenfrei Marananga will host the Barossa Anglicans at a service on Sun 26th September at 4.30pm (Lutheran Liturgy with HC). Our Parish is also welcome to attend. This combined service has been approved by Bishop David Altus and links to St Michael’s Day on 29th September. Dinner to follow at the Vine Inn Garden Bistro in Nuriootpa. RSVP for service only or service and dinner to Gavin Luke on 0411 597 232 by Monday 20th September.

13. Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 7th Oct at 7.30pm at St Peter's Greenock in the Chat Room.