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Reflections from Father Keith
Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost. It will be 50 days since the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday and we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. The readings are vivid and exciting.
“And suddenly a sound came from heaven
like the rush of a mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
distributed and resting on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance. “ – (Acts 2:1 ff)
I would have loved to have been there. It must have been so exciting!
When we look at the effects of Pentecost, we can understand that the Holy Spirit is completely and truly God.
As time went by, the bestowal of the Spirit became less dramatic but just as real. Look, for instance, at Acts 19:1-8, in which St. Paul came upon a dozen or so disciples who had never even heard of the Holy Spirit! He baptized them, and, as he “laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” It was the sacrament of Baptism!
Today, when we receive baptism and other sacraments, we are receiving the Holy Spirit! But quietly and in ritual form. Christ and his Father come to dwell within us.
Pentecost reminds us that we should act as someone who has God within us. The Spirit's presence needs to make its way into our actions, our words, our deeds. Whenever we find patches of charity or joy in ourselves, or patience and kindness, or the ability to endure hardship and injuries; when we are tempted toward mildness and modesty, then we can believe that the Holy Spirit is at work within us.
Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful!
God bless, Fr Keith
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Confirmation - 2020 Group
This Sunday we celebrate the Day of Pentecost and we reflect upon the Holy Spirit, who is God and the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. Sunday will also be special for another reason, 25 of our young adults will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
They were supposed to celebrate this wonderful sacrament last year but due to COVID it had to be postponed.
They have been preparing for 10 years for this important day, attending catechism going to church and growing closer to God.
We as a parish would like to congratulate you on your confirmation. May God in all His goodness bless this special day with true happiness, and may you always keep the memory of your Confirmation day. Let your faith be your guide.
Congratulations and best wishes!
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Connect groups pilot is launching...
We know that many in our community are desperately missing the church services and community, drifting away, feeling alone in this lockdown world, busy at work yet something is missing and longing to connect.
What are Connect Groups?
Connect Groups are a place to connect with others in our community, grow friendships, care for each other, pray together, grow spiritually, develop your gifts, experience love and acceptance and be missed when you do not show up. We are piloting Connect Groups as a follow-on from the recent online Alpha courses. Based on the feedback we received from the pilots we are planning to roll this out more widely.
How do Connect Groups work?
We will get to know each other, there will be a talk by a member of the group, some discussion time as well as prayer, praise and worship. The group members will agree on the meeting content. A library of content will be provided to group leaders.
Virtual meetings will be held initially (over Zoom) and we will then work towards a hybrid and/or face-to-face meetings as the world opens up.
Our invitation to you
We are inviting you to register your interest in joining and/or knowing more about Connect Groups and to receive updates on the progress of the Pilot by clicking on the button below.
Once you have expressed an interest, further communication will come from the BCC Connect Groups mailbox.
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ALPHA ONLINE has started
On Tuesday 18 May 183 guests attended Alpha online. Please pray for all the guests and the team. That the Holy Spirit continues to inspire them attend each week and see this journey through to the end of the 11 weeks. We pray that the mustard seed of belief and faith planted on the first evening, takes deep root in rich fertile soil. We pray they come to know Jesus and choose life through a relationship with the Light of the World. We pray for the team who you hand picked to be your reflection to the guests. Fill them. Guide them. Speak through them.
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First Holy Communion
Last Sunday the second group of the 2020 made their First Holy Communion. We know you had to wait a long time for this special sacrament – but it was worth it in the end.
I am sure your parents are very proud of you. We certainly are. We wish to thank the parents and guardians for preparing the children to receive this sacrament.
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Prayer
Thank you for Strengthening me, Lord,
Thank you for coming with me Lord,
Thank you for protecting me Lord,
Thank you for covering me with your precious blood, Lord.
Jesus you are my rock, my shield, my strength, I love you, I need you, thank you for protecting me from the virus that threatens human life, thank you for protecting my loved ones, thank you for protecting all humanity and bringing health to all who have become ill.
Thank you Lord for Placing your Angels around each house, where the family that prays in your holy name takes refuge in your word that is made alive.
We ask that you place a special hand of comfort on the people of the Parish of the Resurrection who have asked for Your help, especially: Brian Richardson, Chipo, Clive Williams, Didi Tomsett, Elizabeth Pillay, Estelle Jacquet, Erica Woxholt, Felix Finch, Gail Solomon, Gillian Green, Goodwill Ntamehlo, Jean Broens, Julie, Luzia Bento, Marilyn, Mary-Anne Alho, Penny Dercksen, Pierre Kedziersk, Quinton, Roland James, Rose Kin, Simon van Wyk, Sister Notburga, Tania Noach, Trevor Fenton and Wayne.
As pentecost approaches, we pray most fervently for Bupe Ruele, Christabel Mwerenga, Christopher Christoffels, Danica De Gouveia, Daniel Antonie, Francesca Galasso, Hlompho Ngobese, Jared Da Silva, Jocelyn Thomas, Kamohelo Buthelezi, Kitissa Sengp, Lembede Mahamba, Leocardia Njawaya, Luke Harvey, Michael Barrett, Nelisiwe Mthembu, Neo Monkhe, Nikhil Maharaj, Nina Amerding, Relebogile Ngobeza, Ruby Campbell, Simon Barrett, Tapiwanashe Mzara, Thabo Ndlovo and Ziningi Mlambo who will be confirmed this weekend.
We ask this in Your precious and holy name
Amen
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Baptism
Arabella, daughter of Ryan and Dani-Leigh Eve, was baptised last weekend.
Welcome to our church.
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In Memoriam
Stanley Jacobitz (17 September 1938 - 5 April 2021)
Emily Weideman (16 March 1959 - 17 May 2021)
May their souls rest in peace
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Digital Snapshot
Click on Picture to Link
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Giving
This faith community is making a difference in the world. Our online and in-person ministries touch the lives of many thousand people.
It is through your generous donations that the Church of the Resurrection is able to offer a wide array of programmes and facilities. Thank you for your regular weekly donations; they make all the difference.
Since we are not collecting weekly donations in church, we are 100% reliant on the money that you give us via channels such as EFT or SnapScan. Every donation counts and is greatly appreciated.
If you're not signed up for dedicated giving but would like to continue to support the parish, you can make donations via snap scan or follow the link online.
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