15th September - 8.30am

This Sunday service will begin at 8.30am after quite a few weeks of 11 o'clock services - but don't let that keep you away because this week's readings are full of grace and mercy and the joy of heaven over even one sinner who repents.

The parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin are in focus this week and if we can get past a superficial reading of them, we'll soon realise just how radical Jesus words were to the Pharisees who were caught up in self-righteousness.

Who on earth would leave behind 99 sheep in dangerous territory to seek out that one ratbag sheep who keeps wandering off? Who loves each lamb so much that He will risk all for the sake of even one?

The answer of course is that no earthly shepherd would do such a thing - but the Good Shepherd has and does just that for you and me! He seeks out and saves, He never gives up, and He has you and me in His sights! Not because we've got our act together or look respectable, but because of His great love.

Here are the readings:
Exodus 32:7-14 Moses pleads for the people and the Lord relents
1 Timothy 1:12-17 Gratitude for God's mercy
Luke 15:1-10 The lost sheep and the lost coin

See you in worship.
Pastor Matt

Sunday 8th September - 11am

This week's service will begin at 11am and we'll be joined by a bus load of brothers and sisters from the Wodonga Lutheran Church. Following service we will enjoy lunch together - so for our members - please be sure to bring along plenty to share with our new friends.

This week's gospel reading sounds harsh to our modern ears - Jesus calls us to hate our families, to pick up our cross and to leave behind all our possessions in order to follow Him. This text reminds me very quickly of how poorly I do in the discipleship stakes and how costly my discipleship was FOR JESUS - who forsaking his earthly family, left behind all earthly power and possessions, picked up His cross and died for you and me!

Don't just settle for a skim reading of this text - meditate on it long and hard that Jesus' words may convict you of how you fail to follow, and free you with His faithfulness so that you can be certain of your discipleship because He has secured your forgiveness and salvation.

We'll also enjoy witnessing God making a couple of new disciples as Agech and Kuat Deng receive the gift of holy baptism during the service.

Here are the 3 readings for your preparation.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 A choice between life and death
Philemon 1-21 A personal appeal to Philemon
Luke 14:25-33 The cost of being a disciple

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

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

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

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.

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