Friday 30 August 2013

Sunday 1st September - 11am

Service time change for this week only!


This Sunday our regular service will be at 11am. At this service we will be joined by pastoral assistant Michael Jang and Stephen Ayom, both from the Dandenong congregation. They will be assisting in the service at 11am and then be leading a service in Sudanese Arabic as we continue to seek to reach out to the growing South Sudanese community here in Shepparton. We will gather for the Arabic service at 1.30pm.

Everyone is welcome at BOTH services. 

It promises to be a wonderful day as we feast on the mercy of the One who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 

Here are the readings:

Proverbs 25:6,7 The wisdom of humility
Hebrews 13:1-8,15,16 Obligations in community, home, and church
Luke 14:1,7-14 Humility and hospitality

God bless,
Pastor Matt

Friday 23 August 2013

Sunday 25th August - 11am


This Sunday our epistle reading contrasts Mount Sinai - the mountain where the Lord gave Moses the Law - with Mount Zion - the city of the living God. This contrast  is presented to us in the most vivid of language. Sinai is remembered as a place where the people were awestruck by the glory of the Lord and terrified lest they be consumed because of their unworthiness. It was a place where God's good and perfect Law left them despairing of themselves and their inability to fulfill it. It was a place that prepared the way for Mount Zion - the place where there is forgiveness and life, where the blood of the Holy Son of God is sprinkled on us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Mount Sinai reminds us of the Law of God and the terror it must strike in our hearts if we are honest about ourselves. But Mount Zion proclaims the Gospel of our Lord Jesus loudly and abundantly that we may rejoice in His forgiving love.

How good it is to come to the city of the Living God and to stand secure in His presence because of the blood of Christ alone.

Service begins at 11am. It will be followed by our half yearly congregational meeting.

Here are the readings:
Isaiah 58:9b-14 The Lord calls on Israel to obey him
Hebrews 12:18-29 Mount Sinai and Mount Zion contrasted
Luke 13:10-17 Jesus heals a crippled woman on the sabbath

God's peace be with you!
Pastor Matt



Saturday 17 August 2013

Sunday 18th August - 8.30am

Service tomorrow will begin at 8.30am

Here are the readings:

Jeremiah 23:23-29 The word of the living God is active
Hebrews 11:29 - 12:2 The great cloud of witnesses
Luke 12:49-56 Jesus the cause of division

Pay special attention to the 'great cloud of witnesses' and think about whether they are the examples of faith that the world would expect. I don't see too many 'holy Joes' in there. Just a bunch of sinners who trusted in the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. Heroes not on their merits, but on the merits on the One in whom they trusted.

See you in the morning as we celebrate the Lord's continuing feast of forgiveness.

God's peace be with you,
Pastor Matt

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Funeral details for Mrs Elsie May Lord

Last Saturday morning at around 3am Mrs Elsie May Lord was called home by our Heavenly Father. After many years of declining health, Elsie was pleased to be on her way home and remained confident of her salvation through Christ alone.

Elsie's funeral will take place on Friday with a grave side service being held at Pine Lodge Cemetery, beginning at 10.30am. This will be followed by a memorial service which will take place at the Numurkah RSL.

All welcome.

Saturday 10 August 2013

Sunday 11th August - 11am

My apologies for the late posting.

Tomorrow's service begins at 11am and we will be joined by more than 20 visitors from the Warracknabeal congregation. Pastor Brett Kennett from the District will be our guest preacher, focusing his attention on the epistle reading from Hebrews 11.

We will enjoy lunch together with our brothers and sisters from the Wimmera so please bring along something to share for lunch.

Here are the readings:
Genesis 15:1-6 Abraham justified by faith in God's promise
Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16 Living by faith in God's promise
Luke 12:32-40 Be ready for Christ's return

Every blessing as you prepare for worship tomorrow.

Pastor Matt