Lunch @ Church
Sunday 8th December 2013
Cost – Adults $7- Children $5 Families (2 Adults, 3 or more kids) $30, for a two-course meal.
Booking essential – Please put your name on the register at the counter in the Coffee Shop.
Funds raised will be going to support CareWorks Christmas Appeal, which supports domestic violence victims.
Please bring a suitable unwrapped gift, which will be delivered to CareWorks for distribution.
A quick reminder to everyone that we will be having a shared fellowship lunch after church this coming Sunday, 1st December. Please bring along something to share.
Our special guest preacher will be Churches of Christ State Minister, Greg Elsdon. Pray for the effectiveness of his message, and for David Mills as he leads the service. Pray also for a great time of fellowship, first over a cuppa straight after the service, then over lunch.
The service commences at 10am. All are welcome.
Later in the afternoon the Elders will be having their first official meeting with our incoming minister, Grant Spangenberg. Grant will commence ministry here in February, 2014. Greg Elsdon will again be here to conduct the induction of Grant on February 2nd.
˄TH
Join us as we conduct a short service at Lerwin Nursing Home this coming Thursday. This a regular commitment we make to the folk who are resident there. It is a short service of prayer, readings, singing familiar songs and a short message from the Bible.
The service is at 10:30am on Thursday 28th November. It will be in the activity room there and you can enter via the main entrance and ask at the front desk for directions. Use the car park opposite Murray Bridge South School in Joyce Street.
Leader and speaker this time is Trevor Hampel.
All welcome – bring your singing voices.
˄TH
‘ODIOUS and SOONTOUCHY’
(or Euodia and Syntiche)
Many years ago a friend used these names for the two women in Phil 4:2. These dear ladies seemed unable to get along with each other, even though they worked with Paul in his ministry at Philippi. In the next few verses, Paul gives some guidelines for those whom he wanted to help resolve this situation, including the two women.
Verse 4: Rejoice – was the first step. How can we rejoice when there is such a division? Paul said – ‘Rejoice in the Lord.’ Only the Lord can help solve the problem.
Verse 5: Hope – ‘The Lord is near.’ We are not on our own.
Verses 6 and 7: Prayer – In every situation, give thanks for His promises and this brings us His peace.
Verse: 8 Think or meditate on all that He is, all that is true, pure, lovely, and admirable and the things which are excellent and worthy of praise.
Then, as you recognise these things which are evident in the lives of these women, seek to commend and encourage them as they continue to serve the Lord. Point out those things which divide, but do not dwell on them.
Verse 9: Then, says Paul – Do it. Follow these steps: Put into practice all that you have heard me preach and teach about how to live for the Lord Jesus. All that you have learned, received or heard from me, or seen in me. Follow my example, says Paul.
So, Paul challenges us – are our lives showing to others how God would have us live, especially in our relationships with others?
Verse 20: Paul states his longing for the results of the Church’s witness – ‘To our God and Father be glory for ever.’ Paul knew that on our own, that would be impossible, so he prays that we might know that the only way is for ‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with you all.’
May this be a challenge to us all.
˄OC
We all face difficulties (or trials) in our lives, don’t we? Peter has a very encouraging word for us:
These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:7)
As Stuart Briscoe suggests, Peter was reminding his readers, and us, that there are 3 principal truths we need to remember which will strengthen us in these times.
1. We must not forget what God has done in our lives.
In verse 2 he says: God the Father has chosen us, the Spirit has made us holy, and we are cleansed by Jesus’ blood.
We are safe in the keeping of the Triune God.
2. We need to remember what God has promised to do.
In verse 4 we read: God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children – beyond the reach of change and decay.
No matter what happens to us, nothing would change our promised eternal inheritance.
3. We need to be encouraged by what God was, and is doing, in our lives.
In verse 7 Peter says: God was permitting these trials so that their faith would be tested as fire tests and purifies gold.
Peter’s readers were experiencing trials that often ended in their death – they may have preferred to save their skins rather than test their faith! But he reminded them, and us, that our faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. Their faith was even more valuable than their skin!
What should be our response to these amazing provisions?
Peter challenges us, in verses 13 and 15: Prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; because – just as He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; For it is written – be holy because I am holy.
˄OC
Pastoral Care Team
Pastoral care of the congregation is one of our main priorities. The Elders are willing to pray with anyone who has a special need. This can be before or after worship meetings, or during the week at the church or in homes. An active Prayer Chain is available to communicate any prayer need to as many people as quickly as possible. The message will go out via phone, SMS and email. Contact Trevor Hampel on 0408 839 381 or 8532 3701 to activate the prayer chain.
The Pastoral Care Team meets most Monday mornings at 9:30am to pray for anyone they are aware of who has special needs (eg illness, in hospital, an operation etc). Members of this group are also involved in visitation as needed.
Currently the team is Ted Smith (Elder), Trevor Hampel (Elder), Trevor and Doreen Purdie, Nancy Coleman and Jean Firth. (Nov. 2013)
˄TH
(Previously known as “School Chaplain”)
MURRAY BRIDGE SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Address: 54 Joyce Street, Murray Bridge
Schools Ministry Group, along with Murray Bridge Inter-Church Council, are seeking applications for this 5 hour per week position, commencing Term 1, 2014.
The position, which is initially for the 2014 school year, exists to offer support to students, staff and the school community.
A Job and Person Specification, including details on “How to Apply”, is available from Schools Ministry Group on 8378 6800 or mail@smg.asn.au
Closing date: 5pm, Tuesday 19th November, 2013
For more info go to: www.smg.asn.au
Mt Macedon Victoria
We Remember Them
They came in eagerness
To board the trains and ships
Bound for adventure and excitement
On the battle grounds of foreign soil.
From greenest fields of Flanders
And the hills of Afghanistan,
To the jungles of Vietnam
And the farmlands of Korea.
It was not long before they found
That this was not a game, no fun
Or exciting adventure abroad
But that the killing was for real.
So many vibrant, healthy lives
Snuffed out before they
Had a chance to make their way
In office, factory or farm.
And now they rest at peace afar
In foreign graves so stark,
So plain. We salute their valiant
Sacrifices made for us left home.
Lest we forget.
© 2013 Trevor Hampel
All rights reserved.
Murray Bridge Church of Christ
Friendship Group
The next meeting of the Friendship Group meets tomorrow night at 7:30pm in the Coffee Shop (note change of venue).
Guest speakers will be Trevor and Corinne Hampel talking about and showing photos of their recent trip to Magical Morocco.
All welcome.
TH
