God’s wisdom and blessings –1 February 2026
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the business part of the year; it certainly didn’t take long for the traffic to get back to being busy around our schools.
There is much to do within our parish and wider church now that everyone is back at work and we have started the process of completing our Annual Reports and Returns for our Diocese. These aren’t the most fun things that I do but I like the reassurance that getting things ‘in order’ provides. Many of these reports are safety or finance related; be assured that we take both safety and financial matters seriously and ensure that we are compliant with all of the protocols and rules.
As Advance Australia Fair was being played this past week, I reflected, having lived in many countries of the world, how grateful I am for all that we have in Australia, but I want to re-write the song. For me the things for which Australians are called to rejoice are both gifts of our Creator God but at the same time only a fraction of what God promises us. I want to sing, ‘Christians all let us rejoice for …’ and to then add the many things for which we should thank God. Rejoicing is my response to what God offers me; I rejoice for the love, joy, peace, meaning, purpose, hope, mercy, forgiveness, status and again love that I have in God.
It was through Jeremiah that God told us that He has plans for us, plans for good, plans to give us a future filled with hope. I look forward to seeing what God has ahead for us this year; I’m conscious of Nicky Gumbel’s reminder that travelling with Jesus is never boring.
Please note the details in the Notices and on the Notice Boards of, Ladies’ and Men’s breakfasts, Ash Wednesday, Parish Annual General Meeting and our Bishop’s visit.
I have also included details at the back of our Parish Lenten Study book on Joy.
This Sunday Jesus and Paul don’t hold back in their challenge of conventional temple and worldly wisdom; hope to see you in church on Sunday.
Grace and peace and hope and life – let us rejoice,
ROB
Epiphany IV 1 Feb 26
The Sentence
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 1 Corinthians 1:18,19
The Collect
Righteous God, you confound the world’s wisdom by giving your blessing to the lowly, those in pain and the pure in heart: give us such a hunger and thirst for your righteousness, your comfort and your blessings, that in our words and deeds the world may see in us and our hope, the promise of your kingdom, as revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Hymns and Readings – Epiphany IV 1 Feb 26
OT Isaiah 61:1-3 *changed from lectionary
Psalm 28 (APBA p248)
NT 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Gospel Matthew 5:1-12 (Beatitudes)
Hymns
Introit/Processional 134 Praise my soul, the king of heaven;
Gospel 448 Blest are the pure in heart
Offertory 618 What does the Lord require
Recessional 158 God has spoken by his prophets
Roster for 1 Feb 26
Welcome Jill
Music Catherine
Prayers Bronwen
Morning Tea Dell
Reader Helen D
LA Stephen
Preacher Rob S
Prayers for the people and issues within our Parish Family and Community.
For those we know and love, particularly in our families in their times of sickness or surgery and for those who care for and worry about them.
Andrew, Geoff, Paul.
For Church leaders particularly Anglican leaders Bishop Sarah Mullally who becomes Archbishop of Canterbury this week, Bishop Mark Short, Archbishop Jeremy Greaves and Bishop John Roundhill.
For God’s leadership of our lives, families and church this year and that we may be loving, faithful, joyful followers of God’s plans.
Please speak to (or email) Reverend Rob or Reverend Angela if you would like someone’s name added to or removed from the prayer list.
NOTICES
Coming Events
Wednesday 28 Jan – 8:30am Morning Prayer (& Bible Discussion)
Saturday 31 Jan – 7:30am Ladies and Men’s Breakfasts
Ladies – The Reserve, Anstead; Men – Mocca Bella Café Bellbowrie
Sunday 1 Feb – 8:30am Holy Communion Service & morning tea
Wednesday 4 Feb – 8:30am Morning Prayer (& Bible Discussion)
Sunday 8 Feb – 8:30am Holy Communion Service & morning tea
Parish Council Meeting after church
Wednesday 11 Feb – 8:30am Morning Prayer (& Bible Discussion)
Ash Wednesday 18 Feb – 8:30am Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes
5:30pm Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes
Sunday 22 Feb – 8:30am – Holy Communion Service & Parish Annual Meeting
Sunday 8 Mar – 8:30am – Holy Communion Service (Visit of Bishop John Roundhill)
Commissioning Service – The Reverend Katherine Bowyer will be Commissioned as the next Rector of the Parish of St Lucia on Thursday 19 February 2026, 6.30pm
Low Gluten or Gluten Free wafers – We have low gluten wafers available every Sunday and are happy to ‘consecrate’ and give then 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.
For any who can tolerate absolutely no gluten, I am trying to source individually wrapped gluten free wafers which will ensure there is no possible transfer and I will advise when they are available.
Lent Study Books – We have chosen Joy 26 as our Lenten Study Book; we plan to use it in Wednesday Morning Prayer and Friday Evening Prayer and for personal study. Some information from the publisher is at the back of GNT.
We have ordered copies for all who have asked for them plus a few spare (and can order more). These first copies have been paid for by a generous parish donor (as a Lent offering) – who wants this resource to be available to all who wish to use it.
If you are able to donate the cost ($10) or wish to contribute any amount towards our Lent fundraising, please place your contribution in the Lent Offering bowl at the Church entry. We will initially use these offerings to fund additional copies. If you would like a copy, please ask Rob (or you can order direct on-line).
Careforce, Inala Pantry
Thank you to all who have supported Inala Pantry financially and with food and other items this past year!
Future Sunday Services
Hymns and Readings – Epiphany V 8 Feb 26
OT Isaiah 58:1-11 *additional verse
Psalm 29 (APBA p344)
NT 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Gospel Matthew 5:13-20 (Salt & light)
Hymns (Mardi)
1 454 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
2 Light of the world – See sheet
3 599 Take my life and let it be
4 675 Shine Jesus shine
Roster for Epiphany V 8 Feb 26
Welcome Helen S
Music Mardi
Prayers Rob L
Morning Tea Chris
Reader Bronwen
LA Jon
Preacher Rob S
CHURCH CONTACTS
Our Church Email moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Follow Anglican News on our Website: www.mmcanglican.org.au
Clergy:
The Reverend Rob Sutherland, CSC - Priest-in-Charge (part-time)
Mobile 0406 767 757 – Email Rob.Sutherland@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
The Reverend Angela McNeill (Honorary Assistant Priest)
Mobile 0439 877 057 - Email ajmcneil@bigpond.net.au
Church Wardens:
Bronwen Thomas Mobile 0448 120 218 - Email bronwen.thomas@sap.com
Sam Towers Phone - 3202 5196 - Email samantha.towers01@gmail.com
Rob Law Mobile 0403 842 329 – Email roblaw1512@gmail.com
Treasurer (and also 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
Joy 2026 explores the deep, resilient joy that flows from the gospel.
Lent is often associated with penitence and preparation, yet it is the road that leads us to Easter joy. Christians are people of joy - not shallow happiness, but a joy grounded in grace, sustained through suffering, and anchored in the promises of God. This is the joy that Joy 26 seeks to recover and deepen.
Spanning the six weeks of Lent and Holy Week, Joy 26 offers daily Scripture-based reflections from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and an extended two-week journey through Paul’s letter to the Philippians - a letter saturated with joy, written from prison. Each day includes commentary, reflections for personal contemplation, and insights from Anglican bishops, with weekly discussion questions ideal for parish or individual use.