15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
6 SEPTEMBER 2026
Dear Friends
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us that we should forgive each other 77 times. In the Bible, numbers always have specific meanings and indirect references that would have been familiar to Jesus’ audience. To number something as ‘seven’ is to describe it as being perfect. When we hear Jesus using this phrase we recall the story of the seven days of creation in Genesis, where, on the seventh day, God looks at the result of his creative love and sees that it is very good. Jesus using some shorthand, says that not only is forgiveness “good”, but that is is a creative act that gives life to the world and gives glory to those who exercise it.
It’s easy to be forgiving in the big picture. We can talk enthusiastically about war, peace, reconciliation, social justice. It can be quite another thing to forgive those closest to us. Sometimes the hardest place to be compassionate and just is in our own homes. If there is a husband, wife, child, parent, sibling, friend or member of our community with whom we are not speaking, then today’s Gospel presents a strong challenge to us right where we live.
Paul’s epistle to the Romans was a source of great disagreement in the Reformation church. The status quo held that it was only intended for the Roman church at the time of Paul’s writing. (Elsewhere in his letter Paul advises that bishops and deacons should be married and have families - not a popular sentiment in the 16th century church), while Luther and the other reformers advocated that its message and intent was universal. There is a certain irony that this letter itself caused so much acrimony and disagreement. Conflict happens in congregations that are alive. It isn’t a sign of failure. The Bible is full of stories of conflict, but many congregations seem to believe that having conflict is bad. This in turn creates dangerous expectations. Any time change is introduced, there will be conflict, anytime the congregation grows…..any time it declines…..or stays the same….In any Christian community, the hopeful possibilities present in conflict will only be realised when we deal with tension in a productive way.
Learning how to act productively in the face of tension is a skill. It requires more than listening to a sermon or reading a reflection. It requires practice, feedback, and more practice. In the face of high levels of conflict, I know that bad things will happen. People will be hurt, lives will be disrupted. In the face of such challenges we should start looking for opportunity. On of the consequences of believing in the resurrection is that God can bring good out of bad, growth out of suffering, life out of death. Where are the people like Peter whose denial can be forgiven and who can become leaders? Or the people like Paul, who can turn from a life of vicious religious persecution (let’s face it, today he would have been called a terrorist) and become one of the greatest servants of Jesus, whom he initially despised?
Looking for the opportunity in the face of conflict requires imagination. We must look beyond the current moment and catch a glimpse of what God is doing in the world. Finding opportunity in the face of conflict is an act of faith. In congregations, most of our conflict is not based in disagreements over our values. Most of the time, people in church share much more in common than those beliefs or practices over which they disagree. Conflict is often focused on ”having my way”. Once we turn from our interests to God’s concerns there is an opportunity to unite.
Some of you might be of an age to have seen that mawkish but extremely popular Hollywood film “Love Story”, with its tagline which resonated throughout the decade, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry”. As worthwhile advice which has has come to us out of popular culture, this sentiment is on a par with “Yabadabadoo”, and yet I am frequently both fascinated and appalled at how ingrained this idea has become. Wedding couples used to scare me by saying something like, “we don’t have to worry about our relationship- my partner always knows what I’m thinking”. The problem with the idea of “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” is that is simply not Christian. For followers of Jesus the exact opposite is true. We seek opportunities to forgive and we look to those we have offended to ask for their forgiveness.
Jesus doesn’t tell us that forgiveness is easy, just necessary. To forgive someone in our family, workplace, our circle of friends, or in our church is not to pretend that a sinful and hurtful situation did not occur, but to face it head-on and demand justice with compassion.
I still wish conflict would go away. I still wish that my wife and family and congregation were always happy and I would never have to work out if I was the cause of their unhappiness. Yet, I know that such wishes are a fantasy. Experience and faith teaches us that unhappiness and tension are facts of life in relationships. Such feelings are actually signs of hope and vitality if seen through the eyes of faith. May it be so for the tensions and conflict that you experience. For when we stand before God with the weakness and sinfulness of our own life, God will not settle old scores, take revenge and exact retribution. Rather, God will be perfectly just and completely compassionate. When we choose forgiveness over revenge and love over hate, we begin to glimpse God’s creative goodness coming to perfection in us, because forgiveness is a participation in the very heart of God.
Fr Michael Faragher
15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 6 SEPTEMBER 2026
SENTENCE: ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name,’ says the Lord, ‘I am there among them.’ Matthew 18.20
COLLECT Go before us, O Lord, with your most gracious favour and further us with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
ROSTER from the new roster, a number of changes so please check and confirm
WELCOME
Igna
MUSIC
Catherine
PRAYERS
Stephen G
MORNING TEA
Chris B
READER
Lainie
LA
Richard P
WED PRAYER LEAD
Dell P
CELEBRANT
Fr Michael
HYMNS AND READINGS
1ST READING
Exodus 12.1-14
PSALM
Psalm 149
EPISTLE
Romans 13.1-10
GOSPEL
Matthew 18.10-20
HYMNS
PROCESSION
111
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
GOSPEL
650
Brother, Sister, Let me serve you
COMMUNION
629
A New Commandment (twice through)
RECESSION
154
Great is Your Faithfulness
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE AND ISSUES WITHIN OUR PARISH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
For all we know and love, in times of sickness or surgery and for all who care for them, particularly:
Andrew Williams, Geoff, Andrew Pratt, David, James, Jim Macintyre, Shelly Higlett. Our hearts go out to Christine and her family upon the passing of David Nickson; please keep them in your prayers. For all who are struggling with big issues in their lives. For young people who are looking for hope and direction for their lives. For those in Columbia, Nepal, and Tibet.
For Archbishop Jeremy and all who are trying in God’s power to lead God’s Anglican Church where God would have us go. That we as God’s church in Moggill, in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, may know and follow God’s plans for us.
Prayers for the People within our Parish Family. This week we pray for Glenys Beaman.
NOTICES
SERVICES THIS WEEK
DATE
TIME
SERVICE
Wed 9 September
8:30AM
Morning Prayer & Bible Discussion
Sunday 13 Sept
8:30AM
Holy Communion & Children’s program followed by Morning Tea
COMING EVENTS
DATE
TIME
SERVICE
Wed 16 September
8:30AM
Morning Prayer & Bible Discussion
Sunday 20 Sept
8:30AM
Holy Communion & Children’s program followed by Morning Tea
Wed 23 September
8:30AM
Morning Prayer & Bible Discussion
PARISH SOCIAL GATHERING! Have Your Say
Parish Council would like to host a social gathering for our parish community in October, before the busy end-of-year season begins. We are considering the following two options and would greatly appreciate your feedback on which you would prefer:
OPTION 1: Quiz Night
OPTION 2: Family BBQ following the Sunday service
Please let us know your preference by emailing the Parish Administrator at moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au or by completing the response form available at the front door of the church. Thank you for helping us plan an event that will bring our parish family together for fellowship, friendship, and fun. We look forward to hearing from you.
CHILDREN’S TALK
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the Children’s Talk each Sunday during our service. This is an important part of our ministry to children and families. If you feel called to be involved, please speak with Angela, Helen, Richard, or Bronwen.
LOW GLUTEN OR GLUTEN FREE WAFERS
We have ‘low gluten’ wafers available every Sunday and are happy to ‘consecrate’ and give them to you but we need to know who would like them. We also have ‘gluten free’ wafers. Asking before the Service is helpful but you can also ask during the distribution of the bread and wine.
ANNUAL PARISH ROLL UPDATE AND CENSUS
We are currently updating our Parish Roll to ensure our records are accurate and up to date. Every year, we are required to review this roll, and your assistance helps us keep our community connected.
As part of this year’s update, we are also giving parishioners the option to provide an emergency contact. If you would like to include the name and phone number of a family member, friend, or caregiver whom we can reach in the event of a pastoral or medical emergency while you are at church, please include those details along with your update.
If your details remain completely unchanged, no action is needed, though letting us know you are still with us is always appreciated. Thank you for your help in keeping our parish records current!
A separate email will be sent to all parishioners. If you have any updates to share, please simply send a return email to us at Parish Administrator. Alternatively, you can fill in a form that will be available at the church starting this Sunday.
PATRONAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATION
Mark your calendars! Our Patronal Festival honouring St Michael and All Angels is coming up soon. While the official feast day falls on Tuesday, September 29, our parish will celebrate this special occasion on Sunday, September 27. Please plan to join us for our service and fellowship as we give thanks for the life and ministry of our community. More information to follow.
CAREFORCE, INALA PANTRY
The volunteers from St Hugh’s Anglican Church at Inala greatly appreciate our support for their work. Food items for Inala Pantry can be left in the marked area in the church for delivery to Inala.
NEXT SUNDAY 16th Sunday after Pentecost 13 September 2026
ROSTER from the new roster, a number of changes so please check and confirm
WELCOME
Lainie
MUSIC
Mardi
PRAYERS
Richard
MORNING TEA
Sam
READER
Anne G
LA
Stephen
WED PRAYER LEAD
CELEBRANT
Fr Michael
HYMNS AND READINGS
1ST READING
Exodus 14.19-31
PSALM
Psalm 114
EPISTLE
Romans 14.1-14
GOSPEL
Matthew 18.21-35
HYMNS
PROCESSION
TBC
GOSPEL
TBC
COMMUNION
TBC
RECESSION
TBC
CHURCH CONTACTS
CHURCH EMAIL moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Follow Anglican News on our Website www.mmcanglican.org.au
CLERGY
Mobile
The Reverend Angela McNeill (Honorary Assistant Priest)
0439 877 057
ajmcneil@bigpond.net.au
The Venerable Michael Faragher
(Locum Priest)
0424 344 273
michael.faragher@gmail.com
CHURCH WARDENS
Mobile
Bronwen Thomas
0448 120 218
bronwen.thomas@sap.com
Helen Donovan
0417 789 433
alheld@bigpond.net.au
Richard Ponsonby
0448 899 801
rbponsonby@gmail.com
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: Natalie Watkins | Mobile 0411 46 1502 | Email moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au (works from The Gap Tues and Thurs)
PARISH COUNCIL SECRETARY: Rob Law | Mobile 0403 842 329 | Email roblaw1512@gmail.com
TREASURER AND HALL HIRE CONTACT: Richard Ponsonby | Mobile 0448 899 801 | Email moggillmtcrosby.treasurer@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY COORDINATOR: Helen Donovan | Mobile | 0417 789 433
MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR: Anne Greenwood | Mobile 0438 201 900 | Email annejeanette1949@outlook.com
READINGS FOR SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus 12.1-14
you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbour in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in 1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
EPISTLE Romans 13.1-10
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; 4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due to them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honour to whom honour is due. 8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet’; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
GOSPEL Matthew 18.10-20
10 ‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. 15 ‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’