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Sunday 29 Mar 2015
BUILDING
AND
DEMOLISHING: AND STONES
Nine three-story townhouses are being built
across the road from us. It is fascinating to see
all the different phases of that work as it has
slowly grown over the last 15 months.
First they destroy the
previous house to make
room for what they want
to build. Next they dig out
the soil until they get the
levels for the nine
buildings. Then comes
gravel and stones so that
they will build on a firm
foundation. Then comes
cement and wood and all
sorts of wonderful new
products that create the
shell of the new homes.
This is the normal cheap
way of building these
days. Destroy what you
reject and throw it in the
tip and then build exactly what you want for
yourself.
This contrasts with
another building
project I saw on TV
where they included
many parts of the former house in the new
building. More expensive, more work but
beautiful. Each new house was unique.
Jesus was building something; a new society
made of people. So were
the Pharisees. The
Pharisees did what most
human beings do and
sought to destroy what
they rejected (who they
rejected) so they could
build their version of a
godly community. Jesus
took the harder costlier
path. Look at the
difference between these
two “building methods” in
this story.
The teachers of the law
and the Pharisees
brought in a woman
caught in adultery.
They made her stand before the group
and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman
was caught in the act of adultery. In the
Law Moses commanded
us to stone such women.
Now what do you say?” They were using
this question as a trap, in order to have a
basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write
on the ground with his finger. When they
kept on questioning him, he straightened
up and said to them, “Let any one of you
who is without sin be the first to throw a
stone at her.” Again he stooped down
and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go
away one at a time, the older ones first,
until only Jesus was left, with the woman
still standing there. Jesus straightened
up and asked her, “Woman, where are
they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus
declared. “Go now and leave your life of
sin.”
John 8:2-11 NIV
The Pharisees wanted to build a wonderful
society of people who obeyed God. But what to
do with all those who are disobedient? Reject
them. In this case rejection meant stoning her.
Killing her meant that they wouldn’t have to deal
with her in the new society. They were ready to
build with their stones.
pretend her betrayal of her marriage vows was
in any way okay. Nor did he try to say it was
only a little sin. Instead, he sought to restore her
to community with forgiveness. He built her back
into the Kingdom of God.
To this day, people must choose which method
they will use in life to make this world a better
place. Will you reject and demonise the person
who hurts you and hurts those you love? Do you
want to cut them out of your world like Indonesia
wants to kill off all drug pushers? Do you want to
lynch them like the public want to do with the
rapist/murderer Adrian Bayley? Do you want to
push them out of your world like many people
do with objectionable work colleagues, or
irritating family members? Do you want to just
build a nice comfortable life with people who are
already nice and kind and reject all those who
don’t fit? Or …
Do we follow the methods of Christ?
We lay down our deadly “stones of rejection”.
We acknowledge that we are not without sin,
and that we will be judged if we take up judging.
We seek to restore “sinners” with acceptance,
love and forgiveness in the hope that
repentance will come next. This is what God did
with you on the cross.
Easter offers us a stark choice of lifestyles and
attitudes. On Good Friday, will you stand with
the Pharisees who rejected and killed Jesus in
order to build their godly society or will you
stand with Jesus who rejected no-one from the
Kingdom but forgave all in the hope of bringing
real change in people.
Jesus was building the Kingdom of God, a
society where people were at peace with God
and each other. But he didn’t believe in ‘clearing Who do you stand with? Pharisees with their
the site of the old rubbish’. He didn’t follow the
stones or Jesus with his cross?
method of getting rid of all those who didn’t
already fit and just building with those who were The choice is yours every day.
conveniently readymade saints. Instead, he
Grace and Peace,
deliberately chose the sinners, the godless, the
Graeme
selfish, the disobedient, and even the violent,
and started building the foundation with
forgiveness.
See how in the story, Jesus did not seek to
ACCIDENT
God our father, we are disturbed,
shocked and sorrowed by accidents
that have effected our lives. In the
midst of all this we ask that you heal
The Elders offer the opportunity for you to receive
our hearts, and in particular those who
prayer following the 10:00am service. The prayer may are directly effected. Your word
be for yourself or for someone you know.
promises us that you know when even
a sparrow falls. We know we can't
Just come to the front of the church after the service
and sit in the front row. Someone will be there to pray avoid death but we know if we ask you
will walk through the valley with us.
with you.
Thank you for allowing us to lean on
Glenis H, Elder
you at this time.
PRAYER AFTER THE 10:00AM
SERVICE
DISABLED
AMEN
Ref: http://salvos.org.au/scribe/sites/sclqld/files/
Many amongst us are incapacitated, through
Prayers%20Resource%20Manual.pdf
illness or age, and can no longer do the things
they once did. We don't know the reasons this
has happened and we always have a lot of
questions. However, we do know that you care
T HE LORD’S PRAYER
and understand and you give all the strength to
endure. Lord, you help us to do the things we
Our Father in heaven,
can and give us strength to accept the things we
hallowed
be your name,
cannot do. Lord, you work in our lives and help
your
kingdom
come,
your will be done
us to do whatever you require us to do. I ask
on
earth
as
in
heaven.
Lord that you grant peace to all in this situation
Give
us
today
our
daily bread.
and strengthen them in their resolution to serve
Forgive
us
our
sins
you. This we pray in the name of Christ our
as
we
forgive
those
who
sin
against us.
Saviour,
Save us from the time of trial and
AMEN
deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
Ref: http://salvos.org.au/scribe/sites/sclqld/files/
Prayers%20Resource%20Manual.pdf
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR THE PRESBYTERY OF YARRA YARRA
We pray for congregations and peoples beyond our own doors:
 Kew East congregation and minister Rev. Janice McWhinney.
 Kensingston (Christ Church) in co-operation with the Anglicans and minister
Rev. Dr. Gwen Ince
 Kingswood College, staff, students and families and chaplain Rev. Greg Beck.
 Koonung Heights congregation and their minister Rev. David Carter
THINK A BOUT:
John 12: 12-16
AND A BOUT:
PSALM 118: 1-2, 19-29
JESUS COMES TO
JERUSALEM AS KING
Verses 1-2:
The next day the great crowd that had
come for the festival heard that Jesus
was on his way to Jerusalem. They
took palm branches and went out to
meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!’
‘Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord!’
‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’
Jesus found a young donkey and sat
upon it, as it is
written:
‘Do not be
afraid, Daughter
Zion; see, your
king is coming,
seated on a
donkey’s colt.’
At first his
disciples did not
understand all
this. Only after
Jesus was
glorified did they
realise that
these things had
been written
about him and
that these things had been done to
him.
Ref: New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Give thanks to the L ORD, for he is good;
his love endures for ever. Let Israel say:
‘His love endures for ever.’
Verses 19-29:
Open for me the gates of the righteous; I
will enter and give thanks to the L ORD.
This is the gate of the L ORD through
which the righteous may enter. I will give
you thanks, for you answered me; you
have become my salvation. The stone
the builders rejected has become the
cornerstone; the L ORD has done this,
and it is
marvellous in our
eyes. The LORD
has done it this
very day; let us
rejoice today and
be glad. LORD,
save us! LORD,
grant us success!
Blessed is he who
comes in the
name of the LORD.
From the house of
the LORD we bless
you. The LORD is
God, and he has
made his light
shine on us. With
boughs in hand,
join in the festal procession up to the
horns of the altar. You are my God, and
I will praise you; you are my God, and I
will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD,
for he is good; his love endures for ever.
Ref: New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Fairtrade Easter eggs
can be bought at:
Only Just - Fair Trade
Melbourne - Gifts and
Toys
48 Were Street,
Montmorency.
0413 314 626
Trading hours
Tue to Fri: 9:30am 5:00pm
Sat: 9:30am – 1:30pm
Only Just is a not for
profit organisation which
seeks to help
communities rise out of
poverty by providing a
retail outlet for their
products and by
channelling profits back
into community
development projects
through TEAR Australia.
www.tear.org.au
churches.
We passionately believe
in the power of fair trade
to transform lives. It is
dignified and
empowering. It is
community based rather
than being imposed from
We also seek to educate outside. It strikes at the
and inspire Australian
root causes of poverty,
consumers to use their
namely greed and
purchasing power to
injustice, rather than
transform communities
putting bandaids over
through fair trade. We do catastrophes. And it
this by providing a place involves us, each one of
for people to shop for fair us, everyday making the
trade goods, by attending decision to think before
Fair Trade and
we buy.
Environmental Fairs and
Marguerite
by visiting schools and
together after church at
Bundoora Park in Plenty Road.
Any members of Living Faith
Church are welcome to attend,
The POND+ team has been
but you need to supply your
trialling some new material
own food, tea/coffee, seats etc.
over Term One, and have
This will be a fun gathering to
MARCHING
settled on a Scripture Union
commence
Term
2.
If
the
product called “Light:. We are
GROUP
hoping to begin using it at the weather is unsuitable for
beginning of Term Two. During outdoors, we will reschedule in I would like to thank the
the second week of the school the LFC Hall. Hope to see you marchers for their support in
the last term. We had a good
holidays, Louise will be holding there.
an information session on
If you are interested in working day for our St Patrick’s Day
theme day, and look forward to
Wed, 8th Apr, at 8:00pm at
in our children’s program,
more in the future.
Living Faith Church to share
please contact Pam or Glen
NEWS FROM AROUND
THE POND
her knowledge of this program. Coleman.
If any of the congregation
Pam , for POND+ Team
would like to attend, as well as
the POND+ leaders and
helpers, you are most
welcome.
On Sunday, 19th Apr, the
POND is having a picnic get-
Reminders:
NO Marching
Tue, 31 Mar, or
Tue, 7 Apr
Janette
Easter Services
Australia
ONLY JUST AND
F AIR TRADE
3 Apr
Good Friday 9:30am.
North-East Metro group Is hosting a
Public Meeting with our local Federal MP
The Hon Jenny Macklin
Come and hear our local MP’s view on asylum
seekers and refugees. Jenny will take questions.
3 Apr
Ecumenical service in
front of Watermarc at
11:15am followed by hot
cross buns at All Saints.
5 Apr
10:00am
Join us at
Eltham High School, 30-60 Withers Way, Eltham Easter Day
All are welcome
Service
Thursday 2nd April 2015.
7:30pm for an 8:00pm start. Finish at 10:00pm.
RSVP to confirm numbers to:
[email protected]
DID YOU KNOW?
Over the Easter period and
school holidays Maya Grills is
participating in the U17
Australasian Badminton
Championship. Maya has been
picked to represent Victoria in
the Under 17 Australasian
Badminton Championship.
Here are the details:
 2 sides from New South
Wales
 3 sides from New Zealand
 1 side from Oceania
 2 sides from Victoria
The opening ceremony is on
Good Friday from 2:45pm to
3:30pm at MSAC Albert Park.
and run until Saturday 11th
April, which is the finals day.
The venue is MSAC at Albert
Park and admission is free.
All results are on the following
website www.tournamentsoftware.com.
au and in the search box put
either -
The Li-Ning Under 17
Championships are broken into 2105 Li-Ning Under 17 June
Bevan Trophy or 2105 Li-Ning
2 Sections.
There are 2 Victorian teams
Australasian Under 17
and Maya is playing for Vic
The first is the teams events
Championships, and obviously
Demons. There are 5 boys and which start on Sat, 4th April at
Maya is in either the Vic
5 girls in both sides from
9:00am and go until Tue, 7th
Demons team or in the Girls
Victoria.
April, which is the day of the
Singles, Doubles or Mixed
finals.
They will be playing teams
Doubles.
from:
The second section is the
Talk to me or Micke or Maya if
 South Australia
individual events for Girls &
you want to know more.
 2 sides from Western
Boys Singles, Girls & Boys
Ron
Australia
Doubles and Mixed Doubles
which start on Wed 8th April
 Tasmania
RETIRING OFFERING DAYTIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
FOR VANUATU
There will be another retiring
offering today in support of
our friends in Vanuatu who
are suffering so much after
the widespread devastation
caused by Severe Tropical
Cyclone ‘Pam’. As you might
have gathered from the
extensive media coverage,
an event such as this is
extremely rare in Vanuatu,
and ‘Pam’ was comparable in
intensity to Typhoon ‘Haiyan’,
the one that hit the
Philippines in November
2013.
From time to time our ministers are asked to
conduct a funeral, sometimes for a member or
adherent of our LFC family, sometimes for a
person who has had little or no church
involvement. At such times, there are a number of
tasks that have to be done, and it can make a
stressful day somewhat less so if everything runs
smoothly. That doesn't happen by accident, and
we are seeking volunteers who could be called
upon to help when the need arises.
Are you able to help in some way?
 Become a contact person for the ministers, who
Your donations will firstly go
can then contact other volunteers;
into a Living Faith Church
 Liaise with the medical and aged-care facilities
Vanuatu Crisis Fund, then
will be distributed when more next to the church the day before the funeral to
is known about how they can tell them that the car park will be closed;
best be channelled. Your
 Direct cars into the car park well before the start
generous support will help
the people of Vanuatu to
of the funeral;
recover from this horrific
 Play the keyboard;
cyclone.
 Assist with kitchen duties;
James and Joan
on behalf of Church Council.  Operate the church's sound system;
 Operate the data projection system.
If you feel that you may be able to help, please let
me know. Specifying which role you would prefer
would also be very helpful.
Thank you,
Joan: [email protected] on behalf of
the Ministers and the Communication &
Administration Ministry Group
PALM SUNDAY
WALK FOR JUSTICE
FOR REFUGEES
The Social Justice Committee are
urging people to go on the Palm
Sunday Annual Walk for Justice. And
it’s Sunday the 29th! The annual Palm
Sunday Walk for Justice is supported
by the Uniting Church and the
Victorian Council of Churches. We
usually catch a train from
Greensborough after church.
The walk kicks off this year at 2.00pm
on Sunday 29th March at the State
Library in Melbourne. We are asking
UCA congregations across Victoria to
come with your Congregation’s
banners / refugee support messages,
or to join behind the Synod’s banner.
This year we will be led by our UCA
National Assembly President Rev.
Prof. Andrew Dutney and our Synod’s
Moderator, Dan Wootton.
The UCA contingent will meet
together ahead of the March at
1.30pm at Wesley UCA in Lonsdale
Street and walk down to the State
Library together, with the President
and Moderator leading us. If you are
unable to join us at Wesley, you are
welcome to simply join us at 2.00 pm
at the State Library (the UCA banner
isn’t hard to see in the crowd!)
Helen and Rex
to
contribute
to Church
Life.
You always wanted to write,
right? Right now is ‘the time
to do so!’
The Autumn Edition of our
LFC Magazine is coming but only if you write a story,
or pen a poem, or review a
book, or report on an
activity, or draw a picture, or
send in a photograph, ‘or in
any way produce a piece of
work’ that may be of interest
to all who have connections
with Living Faith Church.
The “Deadline” for
contributions will be on
Sunday, 3rd May.
As always, please email your
article or item to Jacob or
Graeme (see directory), or
hand it to one of us in
person.
Jacob
for the Editorial Team.
STORY OF THE WEEK
AROUND AUSTRALIA
A SIGNIFICANT
DIFFERENCE
Sue was very encouraged to
hear from a member of the
school staff that since being
matched with a KIDS HOPE
AUS mentor, Charlie has consistently smiled and greeted
teachers in the playground.
Beforehand Charlie was consistently found alone, sitting
hugging his knees in a certain
corner of the school at recess.
The difference that can result
from such a small thing as
showing a child some caring attention,
for one hour a week, is significant!
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
This year our Good Friday Service is
on Friday 3rd April, 2015.
SUNDAY @ 6
Please add your name to this special
service roster on the notice board if
you can help on the day.
Living Faith Church
37 Grimshaw St., Greensborough
It will be much appreciated.
Jane
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Last Sunday of the Month 'Men's Breakfast'.
Sunday, 26th Apr at
8:00am
Jolly Miller
Sun, 31st May
Sun, 28th Jun
Sun, 26th Jul
Sun, 30th Aug
Sun, 27th Sep
Sun, 25th Oct
Sun, 29th Nov
Mike and Brian
Due to a few retirements from the Morning Tea
Roster an opportunity exists for you to become a
new member of the Morning Tea Roster.
The duties are “reasonable”, your co-workers
are “terrific”, wages are …”all you can drink and
eat”. Your offer of assistance, once or twice in
the six month period would really be
appreciated.
Please speak to Nola if you
would like to help in this service
to our Living Faith Church
Congregation.
Nola
Join us for this special event by bringing food to share for the evening
meal. Come along, as a family or bring a friend for fellowship,
conversation and worship.
Firstfoot Prints. The epic story of 50,000 years of life in
Australia before white settlement.
4th Episode
Here are the dates for your calendar for the
remainder of 2015:
May:
KIDS HOPE AUS builds caring relationships: June:
one child, one hour, one Church, one school July:
August:
Robyn (Coordinator) September:
October:
November
MORNING TEA ROSTER
Sunday 12th April
6:00pm to 8:00pm.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
GREENSBOROUGH
WAY OF THE CROSS SERVICE
A combined church event for anyone
The front of WaterMarc, 11:15am
Good Friday, 3 Apr
Bring your camping chair and/or picnic
rug. Refreshments at All
Saints, Anglican
afterwards. Come and be
surprised.
Graeme Harrison
Your support and willingness to invite a friend, neighbour or
relative, will be warmly appreciated
Paschal
Dinner/Service
Thu, 3 April
at
6:30pm
at
Living Faith
Church
The Paschal Dinner is a
community meal of the
church that parallels
Jesus' Last Supper with
his disciples. We wash
each other’s hands just
as Jesus served his
disciples by washing their
feet.
It begins at 6.30pm and
people are asked to
bring a plate of either
main course or dessert.
We have some of the
symbols of the Passover
meal that Jesus shared
with his disciples and we
learn how they tell the
story of God's salvation.
We see how Jesus
changed the meaning of
a part of the Passover
meal to become Holy
Communion. And like the
Passover meal we enjoy
food, song and fellowship
in the church family.
Let Glenis Henderson
know you are coming and
which course you are
bringing by signing the
sheet on Sunday or
telephoning directly on
9435 1757.
Everyone is invited and
bring a friend!
Graeme Harrison
CONTACTS AT LIVING
FAITH CHURCH
JOIN THE C AMPAIGN TO
RECLAIM E ASTER
REAL E ASTER EGG
CAMPAIGN
More than 270 million chocolate Easter
Eggs are exchanged every year in
Australia. The Real Easter Egg will be
Website:
the only Easter egg which is made of
http://www.livingfaithchurch.org.au/
Phone: 9435-8797
Fairtrade chocolate, has an Easter
Street Address: 37 Grimsh aw Street,
story booklet and makes a donation to
Greensborough 3088
charity. There are 3 crosses pictured on
Postal Address: PO Box 291,
the box, Mark’s Resurrection text in the
Greensborough, 3088
lid, a free 24 page Easter storybook
with quiz and a 1 metre banner, a high
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE T IMES quality Fairtrade milk chocolate egg
(125g) and a pack of Fairtrade milk
10:00am - All-age Morning Worship
chocolate Chunky Buttons (25g). There
service
is also a donation made to the
economic development charity,
Traidcraft Exchange.
MINISTERS
Graeme Harrison: 15 Eldale Avenue,
Greensborough
Phone: 9434 5502
Mob: 0422 490 323
E-mail:
[email protected]
Glen Coleman: 12 Porter Street,
Briar Hill, 3088
Phone: 9444 9410
Mob: 0414 524 536
E-mail:
[email protected]
Order now at: http://
www.therealeasteregg.com/australia/
index.html
A D ATE TO JOT IN YOUR
DIARY.
On the 26th April we have planned
another Friendship Lunch (Fellowship
in Someone’s Home).
We hope you will plan to attend.
More details after Easter.
MINISTRY WORKERS
Children and Families:
Rob MacDonald
Phone: 9432 3912
Youth and Young Adults:
Glen Coleman
(see above for further details)
Bryan
Pastoral Care
Ministry Group
What’s on this Week At Living Faith Church
Saturday, 28th Mar
10:00am - Music Group 5
Sunday, 29th Mar - Palm Sunday
8:00am - Men’s Breakfast - The Jolly Miller - Contact: Mike Walsh
10:00am - All Age Morning Worship
2:00pm - Palm Sunday Walk - Justice for Refugees - City - Contact: Helen
Walsh/Rex Rouse
Monday, 30th Mar
7:00pm - NO Primary Club - Holiday Recess - Contact: Rob MacDonald
8:00pm - NO Monday Night Life Group - Holiday Recess - Contact: Bryan
Henderson
Tuesday, 31st Mar
9:30am - NO Marching Group in Hall - Holiday Recess - Contact: Janette Temple
11:00am - Ministry Meeting @Manse - Contact: Graeme Harrison/Glen Coleman
1:45pm - Caregivers and Friends meet - Group 1 - Contact: Joan Jasper
Wednesday, 1st Apr
8:00pm - NO Wednesday Evening Life Group - Holiday Recess - Contact: Jacob
de Ridder
Thursday, 2nd Apr - Holy Thursday
6:30pm - Paschal Dinner - LFC Hall - Contact: Graeme Harrison
Friday, 3rd Apr - Good Friday
9:30am - Good Friday Service - Contact: Glen Coleman/Graeme Harrison
11:15am - Way of the Cross - WaterMarc - Contact: Graeme Harrison
Saturday, 4th Apr - Holy Saturday
10:00am - Music Group 1
Sunday, 5th April - Easter Day
10:00am - All Age Morning Worship