ANGLICAN PARISH OF MANSFIELD
Rev Dr D. Paul Dalzell
IN THE very early days of the church, pandemics in the Roman Empire were many.
More frequent than they are today, though we have just experienced what a pandemic can do.
Christians were reviled as ‘out there’ and ‘inhuman’ because they refused to participate in the civil society and the worship of the gods that underpinned this society.
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But Christians did much much better during pandemics than any other group.
Why?
Because they cared for one another, across the boundaries of family and class.
Sick Christians were visited and cared for by members of the church.
Other Romans who had no family to care for them, or were so lower class (like slaves) that not many people cared if they lived or died just had to get by as best they could.
The idea that someone would do this, and the power and organisation to do it came from Easter, and Jesus.
The God whom Christians worship is a God who stands with the reviled and offers them love.
This was considered lunacy and weakness to Romans, and most other people including Nietzsche, Machiavelli, and those who believe that political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
But the power of this love is the power to overcome class barriers, race barriers and barriers that are thrown up by the presence of distorting evil.
Easter is not a ‘message’ apart from the worship of God in Jesus.
As the hymn ‘My song is love unknown’ goes, ‘
My song is love unknown–
my Savior’s love to me;
love to the loveless shown,
that they might lovely be…..
Yet cheerful he
To suffering goes
That he his foes from thence might save.
Services:
Maundy Thursday April 17 -7pm – 9pm Holy Communion in memory of the first Eucharist with washing of the feet
April 17 - 18 - 9pm – Midnight Garden of Gethsemane ‘Watch of the Passion’ (Overnight Prayer)
Good Friday (Crucifixion) - April 18 - 9am Solemn Liturgy (with Holy Communion)
April 18 - 11am - Ecumenical Stations of the Cross
Easter Eve (Jamieson)
April 19 - 6pm - Easter Eucharist.
Easter Day (Resurrection)
April 20 - 6am - Easter Vigil (Ceremony of the New fire and first Holy Communion/Eucharist of Easter)
April 20 - 9.30am Festal Eucharist
MANSFIELD CATHOLIC PARISH
Rev George Feliciouz
‘One who hopes lives differently’
After the death and resurrection of Jesus the disciples were filled with fear and doubt.
Thomas is clearly mentioned in the Gospel of John, as the one who doubted, from where we get the adage “doubting Thomas”.
The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke would tell us that it is not just Thomas, but all the disciples of Jesus doubted his resurrection despite seeing the resurrected Lord Jesus face to face.
In our lives we could also go through moments of unbelief, fears, doubts and perplexities.
During these times of self-isolation our future may look bleak but there is always hope.
The risen Jesus whenever he appeared to his disciples always wished them ‘peace’.
We receive this hope and peace from our risen Lord Jesus.
Emeritus Pope Benedict in his second encyclical as Pope, Spe salvi (‘saved in hope’) writes, ‘one who hopes lives differently’.
Dear friends we are called, especially during these times, to be that difference in our homes, families and societies.
Let us strive to be people who live in hope dispersing peace around us.
May the peace and hope of the Risen Christ be with you all.
Happy Easter!
Services:
April 17 Holy Thursday - 6pm Mass of the Lord's Supper at Mansfield followed by Vigil.
April 18 Good Friday 11am Ecumenical Stations of the Cross at Highett Street
3pm - Celebration of the Lord's Passion at Mansfield and Jamieson.
April 19- Easter Saturday Vigil 6pm Mansfield.
April 20 - Easter Sunday 9am Mansfield, 11am Jamieson and 5pm Bonnie Doon.
MANSFIELD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Pastor Nathan Bargebos
Easter Means Life!
It’s strange how Christians from all around the world celebrate at Easter, after all, isn’t Easter the reminder of that moment in history that a man was brutally executed on a Roman cross?
That’s true, but only half the truth, the full story only finds meaning and a reason to celebrate because on the third day that man, Jesus, rose again from the grave.
Many people find this hard to believe, some treat it as a myth, some just write it off as insignificant.
Historians recorded that there were more than 500 witnesses to Jesus being alive even though they had seen him die.
Our modern courts only need two or three witnesses to prove that something is true.
This witnessed fact, that Jesus is alive, means that He has conquered the power of death - that guaranteed ending to all life.
So why is that important to Christians?
It means that when we align our lives with Jesus we also find life, if He is powerful enough to overcome death, then He is also powerful enough to give life.
We spend our whole lives looking for ways of extending our life yet no one is able to escape the inevitable end.
But through Jesus we find the way, the truth and the life, Christians celebrate Easter because His death actually means life!
Join us 10am every Sunday
Mansfield Christian Fellowship
3b Sovereign Court
MANSFIELD UNITING CHURCH:
Dorothy Haensel
Easter is with us again – a time for relaxation and family for some, while others, particularly those who work in ‘caring’ and hospitality find it an extra busy time.
For Christians, it is a very special time to pause, commemorate and celebrate.
Good Friday, or perhaps originally God’s Friday, we commemorate the Crucifixion of Christ – the sacrifice of His life for us, for the love of all humanity.
A time of quiet reflection, and because we know the story, of hope.
Here in Mansfield we join with Christian friends at 11am to walk the “Stations of the Cross”.
Easter Day – Sunday - we celebrate.
We celebrate the joy of the Risen Christ who is with us always.
There is thankfulness.
There is joy.
There is hope.
Who first shared that joy – the women, who went to the tomb early that first Easter morning – their sorrow was turned to joy and they responded by sharing the news with the other disciples.
We today have Good News to share – the presence of the Risen Christ and His message of God’s love.
We invite you to join us for worship on Friday and Sunday at 9.30am
I share a Blessing from our UCA National President, Rev. Charissa Suli,
“May the joy of the risen Christ bring you peace and renew your spirit this Easter!
