St Andrew’s Day
CATHEDRAL NEWSLETTER - 30
Saint Andrew (c. 1611) by Peter Paul Rubens, image courtesy ArtBible
Friends in Christ, today is St Andrew's Day. We have no sermons of Andrew recorded, nor any letters he wrote. But as I often mention, when we see him in action, he is introducing people to Jesus: his brother, Simon; the boy with the loaves and fishes, the Greeks who wanted to meet Jesus.
So I hope you join me in praying the 'Collect of Andrew the Apostle', perhaps on a weekly basis and not just annually on 30 November...
Almighty God,
who gave such grace to your apostle Saint Andrew
that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ
and brought his brother with him:
call us by your holy word,
and give us grace to follow you without delay
and to tell the good news of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Now the Bible says to make the most of every opportunity with outsiders (Colossians 4:5). How can you do that with our Christmas events? I reckon asking someone to a Carols or Christmas Service can be the easiest invite of the year. So please make the most of our opportunities, and come yourself.
Karyn and I received a flyer from the local Anglican church near where we live. It was well designed. And I admire the effort that goes into pounding the pavement to do the letterbox drop! In the CBD, we have to pay Australia Post to mail 3500 apartments mainly in security buildings we cannot access.
Some people come as a result. But I reckon the personal invitations cathedral members offer are ten times more effective, because they build on existing relationships.
Can you invite a relative or neighbour? Or friends, club-mates, work colleagues, or international students? A demographer recently noted 39% of us moved in the last 5 years – not counting new migrant arrivals! The point is there may be opportuity, if we are brave enough, to give an invitation!
And can I say, if you are going away, do your best to get to Bible-preaching church wherever you are over the 24th or 25th!
Lastly, here are a few potential conversation starters to consider slipping in there, or at the office party, or wherever you find yourself over Christmas... (And can I say, if you are going away, do your best to get to Bible-preaching church wherever you are over the 24th or 25th!)
Tell me one of your Christmas traditions.
What does Christmas look like for you?
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last Christmas?
(If you are slightly braver… ) Does it matter if we 'keep Christ in Christmas'?
Just listen; and be ready with your own “God bit” for your reply if you can! I hope you can love celebrating Christmas this year too.
Warmly in Christ
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney
P.S. Euthanasia, a.k.a. VAD = 'voluntary assisted dying' became legal in NSW this week. We continue to object to it as as radical departure from Christian ethics that God is sovereign over life and death, and instead supposes that supplying a person with a lethal drug is a form of healthcare.
The Social Issues Committee on which I serve has composed pastoral guidelines for ministers and chaplains. So if there is anything you want to doscuss with one of the ministers, please feel free to make an appointment. However for today, I have struggled to compose a prayer for the various pastoral situations people find them in...
Almighty God, you are sovereign over our going out and coming in, from our first movement in our mother’s womb, through to our final earthly breath. Thank you for sustaining us through every stage of life, and offering us new life in your Son, Christ Jesus, who died for sins and rose again victorious over the grave.
So, loving Heavenly Father, draw near, we ask, to all who experience chronic pain, serious disability, frailty or incurable illness, especially those who are alone or neglected, anxious or depressed. Shine your light into their lives and send your saving grace and peace, particularly if they despair of what remains of life or are tempted by euthanasia.
God of wisdom, we thank You for the dedication and skills of those working in palliative medicine, mental health care, aged and respite care, bereavement support and other such services. Strengthen with compassion and courage all who face difficult ethical and pastoral situations, including those that arise from a conscientious objection to euthanasia.
Holy Spirit, please pour healing strength and peace into the body, heart and spirit of those who suffer. Provide Christians family, friends, neighbours, pastors and chaplains to care and, as they have opportunity, to share hope in our Saviour’s words of eternal life.
Loving Lord Jesus, please draw near to those who are dying. Grant that they may have the opportunity and desire to make their peace with you. May they know the depth of your love, and trust you to the very end of their lives. Amen.