Monday 23rd February 7:30pm: Hampel’s Home  Group

Tuesday 24th February 9am Pastoral Care Group meeting

Tuesday 24th February 7:30pm Elders’ meeting

Wed 25th – Fri 27th Feb: Coffee Shop 10am – 2pm

Thursday 26th February: Building Management Committee meeting

Saturday 28th February: 7:29am Men’s Bible Study

Sunday 1st March: 10am Worship Service

Sunday 1st March: Junior Sunday School

Sunday 1st March: Young People’s Bible study

Tuesday 3rd March: Friendship Group Ten Pin Bowling at 4pm

Friday 6th March: 7:30pm World Day of Prayer – Anglican Church

Thursday 12th March: 7:30pm Cornerstone Foundation Australia

Thursday 19th March: 7:30pm Open Doors “Dangerous Faith”

Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd March CWCI Convention Victor Harbor

˄TH

WHAT A GREAT DAY OF BLESSING TODAY!

Today was no ordinary day in the life of our church.

Harvest Thanksgiving

Today we had our annual special thanksgiving service during which we gave thanks for God’s provisions over the last year. In our rural city of Murray Bridge only a handful of our regular attendees actually live on farms, but many have some connection to the land, either growing up on a farm, actually relying on some form of agriculture for a living or are employed in farming related activities. Those with a rural background know the importance of relying on God for their income and this brings a great thankfulness for whatever harvest God provides.

Many also have extensive gardens and God blesses these people with vegetables, fruits of many kinds – this is a great fruit and vegetable growing area – as well as a bountiful supply of decorative flowers which can bring so much pleasure. Just a few days ago one of our members brought us a bunch of roses from her garden; their fragrance delights us as we sit at our table.

Baptisms

A delightful part of our service today was to focus on the baptism of two young men. Both of them wanted to be obedient to God and witness to family and friends that they are serious about following in the footsteps of Jesus. One of them is the son of one of our members and he recently witnessed to the other, a friend of his. This second young man is a recent convert, becoming a Christian by trusting in Jesus after a worship service only a few weeks ago. Our time of fellowship over a cuppa after the worship service was a joyous time indeed.

Chinese New Year

Later in the afternoon some in the church were given a special invitation to the Chinese Church service. A group of local Chinese workers has been using our church building for Bible studies and worship services. This one was a special event, celebrating the Chinese New Year. Again, we were delighted that two of the members were also baptised. Praise the Lord.

After the service we all gathered together for a special celebratory dinner. The Chinese people provided their usual fare of wonderful food for the main course, while the Australians provided sweets. What a lovely time of fellowship and blessing.

˄TH

Be Not Afraid

Cast your mind back to last year’s Christmas play put on by our children and young people. Those who were there won’t forget in a hurry Patrick’s angelic announcement: ‘Don’t be afraid!’ For me it was a highlight of the service.

Fear can be a healthy response to many situations. A fear of snakes and some spiders is for our protection. It is wise to be afraid of sharks, the tiny blue-ringed octopus and tigers. I also have a healthy fear of some tools I use, such as a chainsaw. This fear brings a respect for these things – for my own protection.

Obviously there is much fear in our world today. We hear of terrorist threats and plots, and random shootings, of hatred, restlessness and riots and people dying as the result of war, murders or disasters. We hear of plagues and illnesses, financial crises and vast numbers unemployed. In our own land there are people who are afraid of climate change, losing their jobs and their homes, many who fear old age, illness and broken relationships; the list could go on and on.

‘Don’t be afraid’ is a common phrase in the Bible. I read recently that this phrase – and others very similar to it – occurs 365 times in the Bible. I didn’t count them, but that’s one for every day of the year. There is a message there for us: do not be afraid. Get a good concordance and look up the word ‘afraid’ and read through those verses. See how many times that Jesus gently tells his disciples or the multitudes not to be afraid.

The writer to the Hebrews writes: So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6) We need to put our trust totally in Jesus, for he cares for us, no matter what is going on around us. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

TH

The Murray Bridge Church of Christ has been invited by our state office to see if we, as a church, would like to be part of a new initiative involving the health programme Natural Church Development.

The elders believe that there is much to be gained from being part of such an initiative. So that everyone is in the picture, in accordance with certain criteria set down by NCD, 30 people have been approached to complete a survey after the service on March 1st.

Their responses will be sent away for analysis and a report then forwarded to the elders for their consideration. As appropriate, information will be communicated to everyone.

This is an exciting opportunity for us as a church to be involved in as we continue to seek God’s leading with regards to our ongoing mission and ministry.

˄GS

Come along and join with us in a time of worship and fellowship at the Murraylands Homes tomorrow.

When: Tuesday 17th February 2015
Time: from 2pm to 3:30pm
Where: Jean Jarvis Centre, Pugh Avenue, Murray Bridge
Speaker: Ted Smith.

Come along for a time of worship, a relevant message, communion and fellowship over a cuppa afterwards.

Afternoon tea provided.

All welcome.

˄TH

Sunday 15th February: approx. 1pm M.A.S.H. (Meals At Someone’s Home)

Monday 16th February 7:30pm: Hampel’s Home  Group

Tuesday 17th February 9am Pastoral Care Group meeting

Tuesday 17th February 2pm: Service at Murraylands Homes for the Aged.

Wed 18th – Fri 20th Feb: Coffee Shop 10am – 2pm

Wednesday 18th February 10am: Let’s Get Together Craft Group recommences.

Wed 18th Feb: Spang’s home groups (meeting at Jean Firth’s home)

Saturday 21st February: 7:29am Men’s Bible Study

Sunday 22nd February: 10am Worship Service – Harvest Thanksgiving service including two baptisms.

Sunday 22nd February: Junior Sunday School

Sunday 22nd February: Young People’s Bible study

˄TH

This a quick reminder that on this coming Sunday we are having a fellowship lunch after the worship service.

We call this lunch M.A.S.H. which stands for Meals At Someone’s Home. A total of 11 homes will be acting as hosts and everyone has been invited to one of these homes to share in a meal and a time of fellowship. we hope it will be a great time of sharing and getting to know one another.

If anyone has accidentally been forgotten in the organisation of this event, please contact elder Trevor Hampel on 0408 839 381 asap.

˄TH

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Across southern Australia (and beyond!); across denominations;
across all ages, women gather for an inspiring weekend of worship,
prayer, fresh truth from God’s Word, fellowship and fun.

CWCI Adelaide Committee has been a part of the South Australian
scene for 50 years and for many years arranged a city day
convention and a weekend convention.

The Committee now focuses on the weekend convention, held
annually in the beautiful south coast town of Victor Harbor.
We have been blessed, over the years, with excellent speakers
from overseas as well as our own home-grown Aussie speakers.

Why not join us this year for the special 50th celebration!
(Early bird registration closes 13th February.)

For more details and registrations click here.