been As we are blessed with finally easing back into a less COVID-19 dominated season, we are so thankful we are able to plan ahead toward the Easter period this year.
After our celebrations for Easter 2020 were dampened with Victorian Lockdown restrictions and as Christians the Easter period is of such great significance, it feels only too important to ensure we take the time to truly reflect this year. 
To be thankful for the sacrifice Christ made for us all on the cross over 2000 years ago.  Whilst such time has passed, the importance of the events that took place has never been more relevant as it is today.
It is an timeless gift and a lifelong opportunity to grow in the relationship offered to all souls on earth. 
For non-Christians, Easter can often be a time of questioning, what does the meaning of these public holidays have to do with us now? 
Here at All Souls, we make no apologies for taking the opportunity to share the most precious gift we have all been given.  The gift of forgiveness and an offer to eternal life.
We would love to share this with you during our upcoming Easter Services.

Join us at All Souls Anglican Church - 48 Bay Street, Sandringham

Good Friday 2nd April
9.30 am followed by hot cross buns
​Easter Sunday 4th April 
​8 am Easter Holy Communion
10 am Easter Family Service ​followed by Easter Egg Hunt

The Lord’s Supper is a concentrated form of the ministry of Word and Spirit that enlivens and strengthens faith. The Lord’s Supper involves both divine and human action: the risen Lord offers himself in the word of the gospel by his Spirit, and believers participate through call and response, by coming forward and giving one to another, and then eating and drinking in faith. The whole event of the Lord’s Supper communicates Christ, not simply the bread and wine. Without the gospel proclaimed, without the presence of other believers, without faith given by the Spirit, we cannot celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
 
During this period of physical distancing, I have been cautious with our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. I have done this to observe both the directions of our Archbishop and also for theological reasons. 1 Corinthians 11 provides warnings about not treating the supper lightly, including ‘discerning the body’ rightly (11:29). This ‘body’ refers not to the elements on the table but to the gathered community sharing the meal. This is about discerning the real presence of Christ in our fellow believers around the table. The Lord’s Supper is a physical, embodied celebration of our spiritual unity. But while our spiritual unity remains during lockdown, we are unable to physically embody the normal actions of this ritual-meal.
 
On Easter Sunday we lamented that we could not physically feast together as we prayed words from the Great Thanksgiving, with no one sharing the bread or cup. Similarly, when we were able to have up to 20 brothers and sisters physically present some were able to share in the sacrament, yet we continued to grieve the diminished physical presence of that time. While a computer can do a good job of transmitting video and sound, it cannot transmit the physical experience of hugs, handshakes, face-to-face conversation, food, drink, touch, taste or smell. It is very difficult to ‘break the same bread’ and ‘drink from the same cup’ over the Internet. That is why loathe to suggest that we can properly re-member Christ through this Supper when the members of Christ’s body are physically separated.
 
Having said this, other churches do frequently video the priest sharing bread and wine despite the wider church not being physically present. To some extent this is understandable, because Christ does promise to be present whenever two or three are gathered in his name. And I suppose we are still gathering, albeit virtually. So perhaps we can ‘discern the body’ through our online connections even though we cannot fully embody this ritual-meal while physically separate. Yet I still prefer patience, because the command to discern Christ’s presence in our fellow brothers and sisters at the table includes ‘waiting for each other’ until we can all eat together (1 Cor. 11:33).
 
But despite this physical limitation, our spiritual union with Christ and each other remains. Alongside our patience, I encourage you to keep connecting and supporting each other via phone and online, ‘discerning’ the body as best we can. Christ remains present whenever you share with other Christians through prayerful conversation, speaking the word to one another with hearts lifted to the Lord. I have also prepared a liturgy which may assist your practice of spiritual communion at home. You can access it here.

During this time of increased stress and anxiety, I’ve realised the importance of reminding myself of the storyline given by God instead of being consumed by my daily newsfeed. Let me explain…
 
When Coronavirus entered our headlines in February and March, I was happily indifferent to the news. But in the space of a few weeks, my work and responsibilities completely changed. I soon had responsibility to ensure safety through measures like physical distance, extra hand sanitiser, closure of buildings, and closing All Souls’ activities. (Perhaps your life has been impacted far more, through home schooling, separation from loved ones, work stress and other significant changes.) Yet over time, my active involvement in this new storyline of COVID-19 began to shape my heart.
 
Recently I’ve reflected on how I was being internally shaped by this constant barrage of negative news. I began to check the news several times a day, increasingly identifying with the negative storyline of announcements, restrictions and diocesan policies. Gradually, I was becoming more fearful, anxious, stressed and less loving. But by God’s help, I can change this trajectory.
 
God invites us to remember the good news of Jesus repeatedly in our days, identifying with the biblical storyline that Jesus fulfils. I don’t actually need to check the news headlines several times a day or even every day, despite COVID-19 affecting my life. God invites us to keep identifying with a bigger storyline, that has a bigger impact on our lives. Indeed, when I do choose to occasionally check the latest COVID numbers or restrictions, I should do so prayerfully as a participant in Christ’s body and in reference to the Bible's bigger story.
 
Of course, it would be inappropriate to completely ignore the current bad news and restrictions around us. Loving our neighbours at this time includes staying at home, wearing face masks, and keeping the rules. But at the same time, beware that powerful ideologies can undermine our faith. The constant reinforcement of godless perspectives will increase our anxiety, fear, cynicism, negativity and resentment toward others. But as we read the Scriptures and interpret our lives in reference to God’s grace revealed in Jesus, we should seek the Holy Spirit to increase our love, joy, peace, patience, forbearance, gentleness/kindness, goodness, and faith/faithfulness (Galatians 5:22-23). This is something I need to remember amidst these COVID changes!
 
Don’t let the current bad stories and headlines consume you. The story of God revealed in Jesus, experienced through the Holy Spirit is our primary storyline. Remind yourself today of the headline of our faith: Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, a past event that changes the future and incorporates us into Christ’s body and resurrection life through the Holy Spirit. This story invites us to actively participate as Christ’s body as we engage with the Scriptures and pursue the true source of our identity, peace, joy, hope, love and life.
 
Jeremy

Most of us have had experiences that have forever changed our lives, either for the better or for the worse. We didn’t know when we got up that morning that before nightfall, our lives would be different, but that’s what happened. Maybe you were in an accident that left you permanently impaired. Or, positively, may-be you met a person who would become your lifelong friend.

Hearing about the Lord Jesus Christ is just such a watershed experience, whether a person recognises it or not. To hear about the unique person of Jesus Christ and what he came to do is a fork in the road of life. From that point, either you go down the path toward eternal life or you turn away toward the complete opposite. You cannot hear about Jesus Christ and remain the same. He draws a line in the sand. Either you cross that line and receive the salvation he offers, or you stay on your side of the line and eventually face his judgment.

Last week we heard of the necessity to be ready for the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour. Now (Luke 12:49-53) Jesus shows that his purpose was to cast fire on the earth and that fire would cause division, sometimes even amongst family members. So, the disciples need to be prepared for conflict.

Then (12:54-59) Luke records Jesus’ words to the whole multitude, where he chides them for being able to analyse the weather, but unable to recognise the signs of the times, namely that the Messiah is in their very midst.
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Since Jesus draws a line that forces us to take sides, we have to ask ourselves which side we prefer. And your answer is?