Deconstructing the Queen’s Funeral — The Pastor’s Heart
Posted on September 20, 2022
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“What can we learn about funerals today from the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, which was watched by around four billion people across the world yesterday.
What worked and didn’t work with the Queen’s funeral? Is there anything our guests would have done differently?
David Peterson is the former Principal of Oak Hill Theological College in London and is now lecturing as an adjunct faculty member at Sydney’s Moore Theological College.
Rachel Ciano lecturers in Christian History at Sydney Missionary and Bible College.
Chris Braga is Senior Pastor of Grace West Anglican Church at Glenmore Park in Sydney’s West.”
Related:
The Queen’s Funeral Sermon: some early thoughts – Andrew Roycroft (via Tim Challies)
The Meaning of Funerals and the Making of History: The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and History on Both Sides of the Atlantic – Albert Mohler, The Briefing, 20 September 2022.
Halloween resource from Matthias Media
Posted on September 20, 2022
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Do you have lots of families in your street going door-to-door at Halloween?
This new tract from Matthias Media might be something you could use!
“It’s Halloween! is a very short tract written in language a child can both understand and delight in.
The tract engages them as they dress up for Halloween and explains the difference between dressing up and the actual horrible things that happen in the world.
With the explanation in place, the contrast is drawn between a mixed world going its own way and a world loved and cared for by God through his Son, Jesus. The tract links to the online version of Who Will Be King.
This leaflet is perfect to give out with lollies and treats to children over Halloween, either to trick or treaters door knocking or at a church event. It assumes no familiarity with Christianity or Jesus, and is suggested for children aged 6-12. ”
Order of Service for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Posted on September 19, 2022
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Westminster Abbey has posted online the Order of Service for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Do pray for all who speak, in particular, the Archbishop of Canterbury as he preaches.
Pray for the members of the royal family, everyone in attendance, and the millions listening and watching around the world, that God’s word, read in the service, will accomplish that which he purposes (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Update:
See also the Order of Service for the Committal at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
In The Valley (Bless the Lord) — new song from CityAlight
Posted on September 18, 2022
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CityAlight has released a new song, In The Valley (Bless the Lord), featuring Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken.
The song was written to accompany the release of a new book by Tim Challies, Seasons of Sorrow, written after the unexpected death of Challies’ 20 year old son Nick in late 2020.
Bishop Mark Calder’s Presidential Address to Bathurst Synod 2022
Posted on September 17, 2022
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Photo: Bishop of Armidale Rod Chiswell with Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder at last night’s Synod service (16 September 2022).
The Second Session of the 50th Synod of the Diocese of Bathurst is meeting this weekend.
This morning Bishop Mark Calder gave his Presidential Address.
He begins:
If we, the people and churches of this diocese, become clear, passionate, and determined about that most privileged work of SHARING JESUS for LIFE, we will be transformed and revitalised.
That’s a huge claim.
Do I have that much confidence in our strategic plan and its implementation? Am I over-confident in my leadership as bishop? A firm “NO” to both of those.
My confidence is in the power of the gospel – because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.1
My confidence is in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit – who testifies about Jesus2 and will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.3
My confidence is in Jesus – the one mediator between God and humankind, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.4
My confidence is in our great God who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.5
My confidence is in you – the clergy and people of this diocese, who are increasingly clear about our calling as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.6
My confidence is in our churches who share the devotion of the Acts 2 church – to teaching, to one another, to hospitality, and to prayer. So may it be, that we too, enjoy the favour of all the people, and the Lord adds to our number those who are saved.7
When the gospel is clearly lived out and proclaimed; when the Holy Spirit does his convicting work; when people grasp the mediating work of Jesus; when God our Father draws people to himself; when we obey our calling and become devoted to all that the Acts 2 church was devoted to; then, we ourselves – our churches – and our diocese – will be transformed and revitalised. …
1 Romans 1:16, 2 John 15:28, 3 John 16:8, 4 2 Timothy 2:5-6, 5 2 Timothy 2:4, 6 1 Peter 2:9, 7 Acts 2:42-27.
Be encouraged to read it all here (PDF file). The text has many Bible references for your edification.
Please pray for the members of the Synod and individual church members across the Diocese of Bathurst.
Two Ways Ministries Forum on The Necessity of the Resurrection
Posted on September 17, 2022
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“In light of the National Day of Mourning next Thursday we will be holding a special Forum on The Necessity of the Resurrection.”
Phillip Jensen writes:
“You may not have been to Forums for a while or you may not be able to get to Forums on a normal Thursday evening but do join us next week, Thursday 22nd September.
The time, location and arrangements will stay the same:
7 pm till 9 pm, Marcus Loane Hall, Moore College.
If you would like to bring your own food to eat dinner beforehand, please join us in the Knox Common Room which will be open with tea and coffee from 6pm and for supper after the Forum.
I hope to see you there, as our nation mourns the death of the Queen of Australia, we consider the resurrection of the King of Heaven.”
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, 2006.
Freedom22 National Conference videos available
Posted on September 17, 2022
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Executive Director of Freedom for Faith, Rohan McHugh, writes,
“For those of you who were unable to attend our Freedom22 National Conference, there are several videos below of the speakers on the day, including Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker, Stephen McAlpine, Mark Sneddon and Mark Spencer.
I would encourage you to take the time to watch them, as they provide helpful context for why religious freedom is at a crisis point in Australia.”
– Watch them at Freedom for Faith’s Youtube channel.
And visit the Freedom for Faith website to learn more.
Clergy shortage, biblical marriage on Melbourne Synod agenda
Posted on September 17, 2022
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“Upholding biblical marriage and parish vacancies will be key issues on the agenda at the 53rd Melbourne Synod in October, according to agenda documents.
Gender balance and the Archbishop Election Act are also listed as priorities for debate, as are Anglican childcare facilities and kindergartens. …”
– Report from The Melbourne Anglican.
St Helen’s Bishopsgate: Mark 10:35-45 — To mark the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II
Posted on September 16, 2022
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Rector of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate on London, William Taylor, marked the death of Queen Elizabeth II with a sermon from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10.
The Queen’s faith — in her own words
Posted on September 16, 2022
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All Souls Langham Place screened this Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at their services last Sunday.
See also:
The Queen and my father Billy Graham: Their unlikely friendship was built on Christ – Franklin Graham.
In Her Own Words: Queen Elizabeth on Her Faith – Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
– “Throughout my life, the message and teachings of Christ have been my guide and in them I find hope.” (Letter to the Lambeth Conference from Queen Elizabeth II, 2022)
Official Cathedral Services to mourn Queen Elizabeth II
Posted on September 16, 2022
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St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney has published details of official services to mourn Queen Elizabeth II.
Update: See also
The funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – SydneyAnglicans.net
The post includes some prayers you could use this week. (PDF)
Loving Jesus exposes our hearts
Posted on September 15, 2022
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“No matter how many times I read Luke’s Gospel, it always impacts me. This is because we meet Jesus as he meets with different people.
Although it is a little hard to choose, I think my favourite encounter is Jesus’ interaction with the woman who was a sinner from Luke 7:36-50. There is so much to unpack in this story, but let me share with you just three things that struck me. …”
– Ben George writes at The Australian Church Record.
Post-Truth Post-Lambeth
Posted on September 15, 2022
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“In August 2022, Archbishop Justin Welby told the assembled bishops of the Anglican Communion at the Lambeth Conference that,
‘I neither have, nor do I seek, the authority to discipline or exclude a church of the Anglican Communion. I will not do so. I may comment in public on occasions, but that is all.’
I was astonished by this. Because it is simply not true. …”
Church Society Director Dr Lee Gatiss spoke at their AGM on 31st August 2022.
Bathurst thanks Sydney Synod
Posted on September 14, 2022
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This video was shown in Sydney synod on Wednesday night 14 September 2022, as part of Bishop Calder’s presentation to thank Sydney for their generous support and humbly ask that it might be renewed.
Much to give thanks for – and much to continue to pray about.
Background:
Sydney helps Bathurst – SydneyAnglicans.net, 15 October 2018.
We see the crowds
Posted on September 14, 2022
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“Representatives of Sydney’s Anglican churches sitting in the church’s parliament have endorsed a three-way approach to an urgent need for ministry in new areas of Sydney.
Following a challenge from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel in his Presidential Address to ‘see the crowds’ of people moving to greenfields areas of southwestern and northwestern Sydney, Synod voted to continue contributing two per cent of parish receipts to a land fund for another 10 years. …”
– Read Russell Powell’s report from Synod at SydneyAnglicans.net, and watch the encouraging 3 minute video – ideal for showing in church!
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…