For Sunday 2nd December - 8.30am

Happy New Year!

Well at least it will be on Sunday as we begin a new church year with the First Sunday of Advent. The word Advent simply means 'coming' and during this season in the church calendar we look forward to our Lord's coming as a human baby at Bethlehem and also to his final coming as king at the end of time. We also remember the way Jesus continually comes to us in His word and sacraments. Advent is therefore a time of waiting, preparing, and hoping. This involves both repentance and joyful anticipation.

This Sunday we will be reflecting on being prepared for the Lord's return. We will hear His call to "stay awake" as we wait for His coming again. We'll consider what it means to be prepared and awake as I preach on Matthew 24:36-44.

Despite popular opinion, this text is not about a 'rapturing' of all true Christians before the final judgement of the world. It is about ensuring we are ready to receive the gift of forgiveness at the final judgement through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Please have a read of the gospel before Sunday and when you come to verses 40 and 41 consider this more literal translation: 'At that time two men will be in the field, one will be taken away [to prison] and one will be forgiven. Two women will be grinding in the mill, one will be taken away [to prison] and one will be forgiven.'

Being prepared is not about proving our faithfulness and piety. It's about being ready to receive the forgiveness and life won for us on the cross.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am

God's peace until we meet on Sunday,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday the 25th November - 11.00am

This Sunday (25/11) we observe The Day of Fulfilment, the final Sunday in the Church year when we focus on God's 'fulfilment' of his judgment and salvation.

This provides a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on all that Christ has fulfilled for us in His life, death and resurrection as spelled out so beautifully in the second reading: “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

The gospel reading reminds us this redemption brings us the privilege and obligation to serve our new King by making use of our resources faithfully in His service, until He returns to judge the living and the dead.

First comes the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, then comes the opportunity to live and serve as His holy people. When we get this order correct, we can wait fearlessly for Jesus’ return, confident that forgiveness, life and salvation are ours – even though we do not serve Him perfectly in this life.

The readings are:
Jeremiah 23:1-6 The Lord will raise up a righteous Branch
Colossians 1:11-20 The supremacy of Christ
Luke 19:11-27 The parable of the gold coins

Divine Service will begin at 11.00am.

Please remember that our children will be practicing for the Children’s Christmas service during the regular Sunday School time.

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday the 18th November - 8.30am

We had the joy this past Sunday to witness God at work in Holy Baptism. Liliana Jowy received new birth by water and the Spirit and was received into the Kingdom of God in the midst of great joy. Here’s some photos of God's Kingdom coming in our very midst:



We are thankful for the presence of Michael Jang from the Dandenong congregation who translated the sermon and spent time with our African brothers and sisters following the service.

This coming Sunday (18th November) our readings focus on being prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus. This area of Christian teaching is subject to all sorts of false teaching that fills people with dread and fear. To be sure a time of judgement is coming, but the Lord Himself offers hope and comfort through the prophet Malachi when He declares: “But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.”

Judgment has come and gone for those who like Lily, are now in Christ. Our thoughts this week focus on our watching and waiting for the coming of the Lord as we trust in Him for forgiveness and life, and look forward to the perfect healing He will bring on the last day.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday the 11th November - 11.00am

This coming Sunday (11th November) we will be privileged to witness God at work in the baptism of Liliana, daughter of James and Mary Jowy. We will be thinking about what it means that God gives us new birth by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism, and with Nicodemus, we will be asking, ‘How is it possible to be born again?’ As we contemplate these high and lofty things, we’ll be reminded of the Lord’s continued work of regeneration in our lives as we daily return to our baptism in repentance and faith to receive His gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation.

I’ll be preaching on John 3:1-8 and you’ll be able to hear the sermon in English, Arabic and possibly Kiswahili! That’s because pastoral ministry assistant Michael Jang of the Dandenong congregation will join us to translate the sermon for our African brothers and sisters and to assist at the altar.

The celebration of Liliana’s new life in Christ will continue after the service with a shared lunch.

Don’t forget that following lunch, Pastor Allan Heppner from the Victorian District will be leading us in a discussion to consider our future needs to best serve the community to which we’ve been called.

Divine Service will begin at 11.00am.

I look forward to enjoying your company for a VERY full day!

God’s peace,
Pastor Matt