Throughout the month of June, the church is marking a new tradition we're calling Humility Month.
This beautiful initiative was created by a member of our congregation, who prepared a daily guide with rituals, prayers and contemplations for families in our church. It includes simple daily challenges to help us cultivate humility, along with a weekly family activity to teach children the beauty of humility in a practical way.
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
The handbook is shared in the St John's Family group. Ask at the church office or through the St John's app if you'd like a copy.
May God grant us all a spirit of humility and love this month.
Praying on Sunday
Fr Luke and Fr Elijah
This week at St John's
Wed
Early Liturgy, 5 to 7am
Thu
Morning Liturgy, 8:30 to 10am Bible Study, 6:30 to 7:30pm Kids Karate (ages 7+), 6:30 to 7:30pm English Classes, 6:30 to 7:30pm Tasbeha, 7:30 to 8:30pm Babysitting available, 6:30 to 8:30pm Mothers Meeting, every second Thursday (18 June is the next one)
Thursday 25 June
The Fatherhood Fellowship with Fr Luke, 7:30pm
Sat
Divine Liturgy, 8:30am Vespers, 4:30pm
Sun
Divine Liturgy, 8:30am Kids Liturgy, 8:30am (ages 5+ only) The Way: coffee and a chat to delve deeper into our faith, 11 to 11:45am
Sunday 14 June
The Socceroos' opening World Cup game on the big screen in the courtyard, 2pm
The Church is in a period of time known as the Apostles' Fast. This is one of the most ancient fasts that the Church has. You may find it written in Church history as early as the third or fourth centuries. There was already an Apostles' Fast.
There are two things we focus on during this time. One has to do with the Feast of Pentecost that we just celebrated. A part of this fast is to thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is perhaps the opposite of what we're used to doing as human beings, that is, complaining. This is the time of year dedicated to thanksgiving and gratitude to God.
The other focus of the fast is to do what the apostles did. It is a fast in their namesake, and they were known for preaching the Word of God and sharing the faith.
I thought today to focus on one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. HH Pope Shenouda III once said, "Whoever has the Spirit of God dwelling in him has wisdom dwelling in him." It is one of the great markers of a life spent walking in God's way.
Many of us know the feeling of praying for an outcome and not knowing whether we'd get a yes or no from God. We've all been in a situation like that, where we're praying but simply don't know if the answer will be yes. There is one prayer we know for sure, according to the Word of God, that if we pray for it, the answer is always yes. That prayer is a prayer for wisdom. It is one prayer that God never refuses.
St James wrote:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting."
One of the promised answers to prayer is when it is a prayer for wisdom.
Why do we need wisdom in this world? It's because we will face many situations in our lives. Whether it is dealing with someone difficult (some people you may find very easy to get along with, while others you may find difficult), we need wisdom to deal with difficult people. We need wisdom in our families. How will we make decisions for our children? We all need wisdom for these challenges.
Someone who knew he needed wisdom was Solomon. King Solomon's father was King David, the man after God's own heart. The time came for David to depart, and next in line was Solomon. There is a lovely conversation that takes place between the Lord and Solomon.
It comes from 1 Kings chapter 3. Look at this dialogue between Solomon and God:
"The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, 'Ask! What shall I give you?'"
It's a great start. Imagine God did the same for any of us and said, "Ask Me anything. What can I give you?"
Solomon said:
"You have shown great mercy to my father because he walked before You in truth, righteousness, and uprightness of heart with You. You have continued this kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David. But I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart, that I may discern between good and evil."
Solomon can ask for anything in the world, and he begins by saying, "I need help. I am a little child. I do not know how to go out or how to come in. I can't do this without You. It's beyond me."
Then he asks the Lord, "Give me a discerning heart. Give me wisdom."
This is one thing for us to focus on: simply asking for wisdom. We don't know what is happening tomorrow or in the future. What we know for sure is that we need wisdom.
"If any of us lacks wisdom, let him ask of God," and it will be given to us.
St Gregory the Theologian has a prayer for wisdom. He wrote:
"O Eternal Wisdom, enlighten my mind and steady my thoughts. Guard me from teaching what I do not understand and preaching what I do not live. Grant me discernment, counsel, and truth in every word. May I seek not to appear wise, but to be made wise by You."
It is a promise and a prayer answered with yes.
May God give us all wisdom to take with us in every problem we encounter. Amen.
Men
The Fatherhood Fellowship
An evening of prayer, dinner, and an uplifting talk for husbands and fathers.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." (Ephesians 5:25)
Thursday 25 June, 7:30pmThe Fatherhood Fellowship, with Fr LukeWhat it means to be a Christ-centred husband and father. Prayer, dinner, and a conversation on fatherhood, sacrifice and family life.
Parish life
Socceroos on the big screen
We'll be screening the Socceroos' opening World Cup game, Australia v Türkiye, this Sunday at St John's.
Weather permitting, we'll be screening it in the courtyard, so feel free to bring a picnic blanket and some snacks for what will be an awesome afternoon together.
Sunday 14 June, 2pmAustralia v TürkiyeOn the big screen in the courtyard, weather permitting. Bring a picnic blanket and some snacks.
Giving
Make a tax-deductible donation
As we approach the end of the financial year, we invite you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the ongoing growth and care of our Church.
Your donations help us improve your church to cater for the needs of our families. Donations also allow us to help families in need of financial support.
What we hope to do in the next 12 months:
A new kids church
New Sunday School rooms on church grounds
A new Orban (Holy Bread) baking room
A multipurpose sports hall
Donations to the homeless and families in financial distress
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
Please prayerfully consider making a donation before 30 June if you are able to. You can give through the St John's app, or ask at the church office for direct deposit details. Donations to the Building Fund receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Feast
Coptic New Year Nayrouz Procession
Save the date: the Coptic New Year Nayrouz Procession, walking together in faith, departing from St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, Arncliffe, and walking to St Mary and St Mina's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Bexley.
Friday 11 September, 7pmNayrouz ProcessionFrom St Mark's, Arncliffe, to St Mary and St Mina's Cathedral, Bexley.
Notices
Church noticeboard
Early Liturgy
Please join us for Early Liturgy, every Wednesday from 5 to 7am.
Thursday Liturgy
Join us for our weekly Thursday Liturgy: Matins at 8am, Liturgy at 8:30am.
"And one cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!'" (Isaiah 6:3)
Mums who Pray
Join us every second Thursday morning for our mothers' fellowship meeting at St John's. Coffee and breakfast are provided.
The Way
Learn more about your Coptic Orthodox faith over a coffee and a chat, on Sundays at St John's. Topics include Biblical studies, Theology 101, Church history, the spiritual life, Orthodox worship, and contemporary issues.
Women of St John's Retreat
Save the date: the Women of St John's Retreat, 11 to 12 September. Details to follow.
