St John’s Weekly Bulletin – Sunday 20 May 2018

And so as we come together to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit with us on Sunday, we remember that the church is to be a place that the Spirit fills up, just as we are filled up. A place where all are welcomed, where all are loved, and where we all have a part to play in God’s mission. Although not every single person is equipped with exactly the same gifts, through the Spirit each of us are, in our own unique ways, made agents of God’s work in the world!

As we prepare for our exciting TV trivia night in one weeks time, as our new Jesus community “The Hub” continues to develop and flourish on Friday nights and as we remain commited to all of the important and God-breathed work that happens here at St John’s, Pentecost offers us an opportunity to consider our own part in the work of the Spirit in fellowship, worship and out reach; a chance to ask ourselves “how am I a part of what God is doing?” and to live life as the body of Christ in the knowledge that His Spirit is always with us.

Grace and Peace this Pentecost,

Mark

This bulletin was emailed to members of the parish on Thursday 17 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.

Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after him:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16–18

And 40 days after Jesus was resurrected (10 days after he ascended into heaven), that promise was fulfilled when Peter and the early Church were in Jerusalem for Pentecost:

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1–4

At St John’s, our worship on Pentecost Sunday reflect the story of this first coming of the Holy Spirit to the early church. We decorate the church with red balloons and encourage our congregations to wear something red to remind us of the tongues of fire that appeared on the heads of those first believers. We also have special worship experiences to remind us of the gifts of the Spirit and His presence with us.

We invite you to be part of the Pentecost experience at St John’s!

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

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/

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.