Dear Friends,

“Lord you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.” (Psalm 90:1)

We live in a time of unprecedent challenges. This is the kind of stuff we can put into our journals or diaries for posterities. Never in the history of our beautiful city had we experienced such drastic restrictions and trepidations. Added to that, the shocking and tragic explosion in Beirut seems to exacerbate in our minds the spiralling worsening state of the affairs everywhere.

This is the time when we need to refocus. In trying to communicate the devasting earthly effects of his death to his clueless disciples, Jesus exhort them to redirect their focus from the “horizontal” to “vertical”. He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” (Joh 14:1) In the same way, we need to lift your gaze from this this troubled world to your loving God. Trust your security in your ever-dependent God rather than this transitory world. This is the paradigm shift we need desperately as Christians.

I want to echo encouragement our Dean Andreas gave us a fortnight ago to focus on. They are:

· Pray: Pray daily for those in authority, front-liners, the sick, those who suffer loss, of family bonds to be strengthened, all who worked so tirelessly for our wellbeing and safety, our faith in God, and that you allow let God use you as He wills. Pray for the people of Lebanon.

· Give thanks: Give thanks to God for our Federal and State leaders, our outstanding healthcare system, our support system, our Cathedral community and leadership, and most of all – that our loving God is still in charge.

· Stay positive: Stay positive in this nerve-wracking time of pandemic when it is so natural and easy to fret. Take comfort from the Scriptures (Read again what Moses the man of God wrote in Psalm 90 and 91 to encourage and inspire you.) each day, share a thanksgiving item with someone else.

· Help others: Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Your generosity will enable others to praise God and also good for your soul. Share this E-Newsletter with someone else – so that they too may be blessed by using its resources.

Do let us know how you are doing, particularly if you find the current restrictions difficult for you, or you’d like us to share in a particular prayer concern of yours or a thanksgiving item. Simply email us (welcome@stpaulscathedral.org.au) and we’ll join you in prayer.

In the meantime, rejoice often. Do good. Love outrageously. Enjoy life. Praise God.

Robert Vun

Tips for joining in Worship at home:

• Be ready to go 10 minutes before the service is starting with your computer, iPad or TV set up and connected and volume turned up. The livestream will appear a few minutes before the service is scheduled to begin.
• If you have a printer, you may want to print the Order of Service in advance and have it ready for Sunday Morning, otherwise you can follow along on another device. Do join in the responses and hymns as you normally would.
• If there is problem with the Livestream technology, don't worry! We will record all our services and make them available as soon as possible after.
• You can contribute as part of the offertory by giving online via www.cathedral.org.au/donate

Tips for joining our Zoom Gatherings

• To access the Zoom meetings/gatherings just click the links around the time the session is to begin (9.15 and 11.15am)
• Make sure your volume is turned up on your computer so you can hear everyone.

1. Dail 7018 2005 on your phone
2. You will be prompted to enter the meeting ID, which is:
   9.00am Sunday Morning Tea: 876 1470 2151
   11.15am Sunday Bible Study: 861 8486 5813
   7.00pm Thursday Gathering: 982 2762 2919
3. If the meeting has not already started, press # to wait.
4. You will be prompted to enter your unique participant ID. Press # to skip.

The following commands can be entered via using your phone's dial pad while in a Zoom meeting:

• * 6 - Toggle mute/unmute
• * 9 - Raise hand

Online Resources

Read the Bible With Us

The ministry team of St Paul’s Cathedral has been meeting electronically for morning prayer, during which they remember each member of our electoral roll and other parishioners by name over the course of the week. Know that we are holding each and every one of you in our prayers.

Prayer Points for the Week

The World
Political will in our country to address the issues facing our First Nations people, and act for the benefit of all Australians; the people of Lebanon following the explosion at the Beirut port, comfort for the grieving, healing for the injured, housing for the homeless, provision for those who have lost livelihoods; provision for those affected by severe flooding in southern Japan, Bangladesh and New York state; peaceful and just resolution of the political tensions in Hong Kong, and safety for protesters; wisdom for leaders around the world for determining their community’s response to COVID-19.

Melbourne in Lockdown
Wisdom for our Premier, Dan Andrews, and CHO, Brett Sutton; strength protection for health care workers; parents and children working and schooling from home; those isolated from family, friends and support networks; continued provision for those who have lost their daily work; care of the vulnerable, the aged and the homeless.

The Anglican Communion
Pray for the Scottish Episcopal Church (Bp Mark Strange)

The Australian Anglican Church
Anglican Church of Australia (Primate Abp Geoffrey Smith, General Secretary Anne Hywood, the General Synod & the Standing Committee)

The Diocese of Melbourne
St Michael's Grammar School (Terrie Jones, Principal; Kenyon McKie, Chaplain); St Mark's Dromana (Paul Woodcock).

Those in Sickness or Need
Joan Woodhouse, Simon, Beryl Coombe, Robyn & David Forbes, Judy Clift, Andrew, Lucilia & Carlota Soares, Janet Marsden, Pam Sullivan, Patsy King, Martin Devine, John, Mark Rostoks, Henri-Felix Vinson, Sum Vita, Maria Vonn, Brian, Rose, Kathleen & Samuel Hodgson, Nancy Paterson, Paul Jeya Sorga Kumar, David Ormerod, Helen, Graeme Giles, Eleanor Peeler, Murray Seiffert, Jennie Carolane-Balks.

Recently Died
Peter Longney

Year’s Minds
16      Frank Gaunson (Lay Canon) 1964
17      Tom William Thomas (Dean) 1999
         George Edward Porter (Benefactor) 1906
18      Augustine Bithray Rowed (Canon) 1940
19      Albert Bayne McPherson, Former Precentor, 2011
20      Eric Gross (Congregation) 2003
         George William Torrance (Choir Trainer) 1907
22      George Mottram Guest (Bell Ringer) 1938