Monday 1st – Friday 5th September
9am – 5pm daily – Christian Bookshop open 32 Seventh street, Murray Bridge

Monday 1st September
7:30pm Home group/Bible study at the home of Trevor and Corinne Hampel

Tuesday 2nd September
9am Pastoral Care -let the team know if you have a prayer need.
1pm CWF – meet at the church before going to Resthaven

Wednesday 3rd – Friday 5th September
Coffee Shop 10:00am – 2pm
Great coffee, milk shakes, light meals and yummy treats
7:30pm Home groups (various locations)

Thursday 4th September
7.30pm Spangers’ home group at Melody’s home

Saturday 30th August
7.29am Men’s Bible Study

Sunday 31st August
10am Worship service. Speaker: Grant Spangenberg. Topic: “The Challenge of Fathering Well”

1. Continue to pray for our church’s election process, as the voting for elders closes today and then nominations for deacons are sought.

2. Pray for the ministry of the Coffee Shop and Book Shop and the ministry that occurs in the course of the week.

3. For what things can you give thanks to God as you ponder issues about which you have prayed?

4. The family as an institution is under attack. Pray for those who openly speak against same-sex marriage.

5. Pray for the innocent people, not only Christians, who have been caught up in the fighting in the Middle East.

6. Libby Frazer jetted off to Canada last Tuesday. Pray for her as she finds her way in a strange country, and for Rob and Kerrie as they adjust to not having their daughter at home.

˄GS

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  John 8: 31 – 32

This verse will be a key verse in the message tomorrow at our worship service.

One of our elders, Trevor Hampel, will focus his message on portions of John chapter 8. The religious leaders of the day brought to Jesus a women caught in the act of adultery. They challenged Jesus about the instruction of Moses to stone such a person, hoping to trap Him. She was enslaved by her sin, but Jesus set her free, refusing to condemn her. At the same time Jesus made the leaders realise their own sinfulness.

Come along and hear this liberating message.

All are welcome; we meet at 10am at 32 Seventh Street Murray Bridge. And we’d love you to linger afterwards for a time of fellowship over a cuppa and biscuits in our coffee shop.

Our worship leader tomorrow will be Trevor Purdie who will be sharing some of his recent experiences on an Emmaus Walk.

Phil Manning will lead us around the Lord’s Table (Communion).

˄TH

Life at Khayelihle Children’s Village (KCV) Zimbabwe

The village has a new vibrancy as broken windows have been replaced and damaged doors mended and painted. Preschoolers are enjoying playing with new hand puppets, musical instruments, books, toys and paints. Older children have appreciated the soccer (“football”) and netball games and interacting with their visitors.

Maintenance tasks, school visits to two primary schools off-site and having fun on-site have kept the Bendigo (Victoria) team busy. The evenings include devotions with the children in each of the KCV houses.
Saturday’s highlight was a braai (BBQ) which included smoked sausages, chicken, salads, cake, ice cream and fizzy drinks. Games, music and movies with popcorn concluded a very special day.

“It is always a blessing to us all to have visitors at KCV,” says Themba Nyoni, KCV Director, “and we are grateful for such a memorable event. Visitors are welcome at KCV because we believe that this helps them to understand our way of life in Zimbabwe. It is also a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn and speak English as well as to meet their sponsors.”

From Global Mission Partners (GMP)

“Give thanks” was the theme for the day

On Tuesday August 12th 2014 a large gathering of ladies came together in the Murray Bridge Church of Christ to celebrate the centenary of the Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF) in the church. The theme for the special day was “Give Thanks”. About 80 ladies attended from all over the state and from other churches in Murray Bridge. Quite a few apologies were later read out, all of them disappointed not to have made it for the day.

Pastor Grant Spangenberg gave a few opening comments and welcomed all present. He then gave thanks for the lunch which had been prepared. After the lunch the ladies moved to the worship centre for the formal part of the day. Current leader of the CWF Corinne Hampel welcomed all present. There followed a series of speakers who reminisced on times past. These included Rae Thompson, Nancy Coleman, Ruth Telfer and Muriel Sumner.

Illustrated talks were also given by guest speakers Karen Bowden speaking about the Bright Solutions programme assisting Christian ladies in Vietnam and Ros Stafford-Green speaking about midwifery training in Sudan. The celebrations ended with the singing of several hymns and in prayer, followed by Nancy Coleman cutting the celebratory cake.

Below are some photos of some of those present. You can see more photos taken on the day by clicking here.

Photo credits: Trevor Hampel

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Some of the ladies present on the day

Some of the ladies present on the day

Some of the ladies present on the day

Current member June Parker chatting with former member Joan Roberts

Member Nancy Coleman about to cut the cake, watched by current leader Corinne Hampel

Pete, Steve and Roger running our fun night

Just over a week ago we had a fun night at church. The purpose was to raise money to pay for the recent repairs to the church roof.

The evening was most entertaining with our hosts and auctioneers Pete, Steve and Roger (pictured) trying desperately to weasel money out of members’ wallets. Various items were donated for the night, including a three course meal for four, a vacuum wielding “slave”, vouchers to a local coffee and cake shop, various vegetables and even several teddy bears.

Possibly the highlight of the evening – or was it a “lowlight”? – was the auctioning of several bags of delicious homemade scones. As these items were snapped up, it was discovered that the scones were, in fact, stock from the church coffee shop! Fortunately my quick thinking wife offered to cook a replacement batch.

During a break in the frivolities Pastor Grant Spangenberg gave an illustrated talk about his recent trip to Israel and Rome.

Everyone enjoyed the evening and $900 was raised towards the roof repairs.

˄TH

Magarey Seminar (Annual Minister’s Retreat)

OPEN MEETINGS

26-27 August 7.30 pm

Venue: Mile End Church of Christ

Guest Speakers: Michael Vanderree and Greg Elsdon

Monday 25th – Friday 29th August
9am – 5pm daily – Christian Bookshop open 32 Seventh street, Murray Bridge

Monday 25th August
7:30pm Home group/Bible study at the home of Trevor and Corinne Hampel

Tuesday 26th August
9am Pastoral Care -let the team know if you have a prayer need

Wed 27th Aug – Fri 29th Aug
Coffee Shop 10:00am – 2pm
Great coffee, milk shakes, light meals and yummy treats

Thursday 28th August
7.30pm Building Management Committee meeting

Saturday 30th August
7.29am Men’s Bible Study

Sunday 31st August
10am Worship service. Speaker: Trevor Hampel Topic: “Set free in Christ Jesus”

1. Give thanks for the schools’ chaplaincy dinner held last Saturday night and pray for our public school chaplains (Christian Pastoral Support Workers) in their valuable ministry.

2. Continue to pray for Christians who are experiencing persecution in many places around the world. Pray for them for strength to stay strong in their faith and the witness which they present.

3. Pray for our churches’ ministers in S.A. and N.T. as they meet this week for their annual Magarey Seminar.

4. There are a number of church ministries to people who live in the outback. Pray for the “flying padres” as they not only travel but conduct services and relate with their far-flung flocks.

5. Pray for those you know who are battling the ills of this time of the year.

6. Our church’s election process is an important time of the year as we seek God’s leading as to whom we should have as our elders and deacons. This is not something we do lightly. Pray that He will have those He wants as our leaders in this place.

˄GS

Welcome everyone to our worship service this morning, part of which will include Ted Smith speaking personally on the subject “The Condition Of My Heart” using readings from Galatians as his starting point.

Set free in Christ

An introductory comment in the Life Application Bible concerning Galatians says, “The Galatians were beginning to turn from faith to legalism. The struggle between the gospel and legalism is still a crisis. Many today would have us return to trying to earn God’s favour through following rituals or obeying a set of rules. As Christians we are not boxed in, but set free. To preserve our freedom, we must stay close to Christ and resist any who promote subtle ways of trying to earn our salvation.”

We worship in freedom

As God’s people this morning we have come freely into this place to worship in freedom. We can praise God that we, in Australia are still able to do this. May He be pleased then with the worship we seek to present to Him today. Leading us as we do this will be Steve Bown, and when it comes time for us to share together at the Lord’s Table (Communion) our leader will be Rob Frazer.

Welcome to any visitors

To anyone who may be present as a visitor it is our pleasure to extend to you an extra special “Welcome!” It is good that you have chosen to worship with us. After the service you are also invited to stay and enjoy a drink and something to eat in our coffee shop.

Benediction:

As we each leave and head into another new week, may grace, mercy, love and peace flow through your life in such a way that you are a blessing to others. Amen.

˄GS

Stay close to Jesus