5th April, 2015 EASTER SUNDAY Surprised By Life Mark 16:1-14 Abov e my desk I hav e a beautif ul photo, a gift of grace with words captured from an inspirational address by Dr Alv in Jackson . They are words with a deep rhythm. They lift me ev ery time I read them. They are not Dr Jackson’s words. He borrowed them. Some say they are the words of Dr Bob Moorhead, who say s they are the words of a Rwandan man marty red f or his f aith. Dr Bob’s son says the marty red man was found to have them in his pocket … others say it was f rom a martyred Tanzanian pastor. Whatever the anonymous source it captures the robust truth, f eel and walk of Romans 1:16-17. They could be my words, or your words… they belong to all the ‘unashamed of the Gospel. “And so I’v e got a new song. It goes like this: “I am part of the f ellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped ov er the line. The decision has been made – I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, slow down, back away , or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m f inished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tamed visions, mundane - talking, cheap giv ing, and dwarf ed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t hav e to be right, f irst, tops, recognized, rewarded or praised. I now liv e by f aith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and I labour by power. My f ace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heav en, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are f ew, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured back, diluted or delay ed. I will not f linch in the f ace of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I hav e stay ed up, stored up, prayed up and paid up f or the cause of my God. I am a disciple of His. I must go ‘til he comes, Give ‘til I drop, Preach ‘til all know and work ‘til He stops me. And when He comes back f or His own He will hav e no problems recognizing me. For my colours will be clear. giv e up till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes my banner will be clear!”” In lif e we will either walk in the hope, power, joy and beckoning call of resurrection or we will simply circle the old pathways of death in all its pathetic manifestations. John Sharpe Welcome to Ringwood. We are not a perfect church…. But we do love the Lord and seek to take his life, call, ministry and hope seriously. We seek to THRIVE in his favour through an attentiveness to the Word, joining in community, seeking to recognize and exercise our gifts and connection with the wider neighborhood. WORSHIP THIS MORNING Worship Leading: John Sharpe Song Leading: Annora Hummerston Speaker: John Sharpe NIGHT CHURCH - 6.00pm Easter Sunday… Drew and John will be speaking SPECIAL COMMUNION SERVICE There will be a Special Communion Service on Monday 13th April at 11.00am. (Please note the change of date due to the Easter break.) This is a service specifically designed for people who cannot make regular Sunday worship, and particularly those who may be frail aged, or find crowds difficult. The service goes for approximately 45 minutes and is followed by a light luncheon. PIZZA BOXES w ill be available for primary aged children during the 10.00am service. Minutes of the SGM – Sunday, March 22nd, 2015 In accordance with the Church Constitution please note a copy of the minutes from the SGM are currently posted on the General Noticeboard for your perusal/comment for two weeks. NEW LIFE GROUP – WALKING GROUP A few of us had a very pleasant walk last week, and thought there may be others who would like to join us in the future. We'll be walking for about an hour every second Thursday afternoon in varying locations. We plan to meet this Thursday 9 April at the carpark at Cheong Park, Eastfield Rd. Croydon at 1.30, and will walk along the track to Arndale Shopping Centre where we may just have to stop for a coffee break! This is an open invitation for anyone to join us. Please contact Merilyn Sprott for more details: Ph: 97294336 GO THE EXTRA MILE - Saturday, 9th May, 2015 HopeBuilders HopeBuilders International International are are raising raising money money for for the the Uganda Uganda Village Village of of Hope Hope -- aa village village established established to to provide provide protection protection for for orphans orphans where where they they can can be be raised, raised, nurtured, nurtured, educated educated and and loved. loved. The The event event will will be be aa 50km 50km walk walk from from Jells Jells Park Park to to Ferny Ferny Creek. Creek. For For more more details details go go to to www.hopebuilders.org.au. www.hopebuilders.org.au. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Prayer Action: Pray for those still dealing with the deep grief of the murder of Masa Vukotic and for those who provide counselling care and support to her network of friends and family. Uphold those in deep grief over the purposeful destruction of the ‘Germanwings’ flight. Uphold those walking with the inconsolable and broken. Pray for those persecuted, traded and forced into various forms of slavery in the world today. Pray for indigenous communities that are under extreme pressure and being actively dismantled and moved from traditional lands. . Pray for those Asylum seekers who wait in indefinite detention for a humanitarian response from a nation that might have heard the Gospel. Uphold those in our community in transitions in family, health and work. Press into the power, grace and wonder of resurrection … the final word over all that has ended, all that is dead, all that is over. Pray for this deep rhythm of hope to sound in the aspiration, imagination, vision and longing of the human heart. Give thanks for the wider Body of Christ and the million ways that we magnify the wonder of God. Pray for those churches in hard and difficult places. For those who know shame and sin all too well. Pray for our role to deeply walk with Christ and only do what we see him doing …. speak what we hear him speaking and find ourselves manifesting the truth of being a good neighbour and expanding the commandment to love. Give thinks for the surprise of life … for the days when restoration is found. When reconciliation mends families and nations, when friendship covers shame and when the grace of listening mitigates against the pit of isolation and the fear of being alone. Give thanks for the stones that have been rolled away from many of our lives, for the new dawn, the new day, the turning the corner experiences that are the testimony of God’s power and grace. Give thanks for our journey of Easter … and for the remedy for shame, blame and guilt that is mediated from the cross and celebrated in the empty tomb. Give thanks for Christ who lives and who is still bringing new life - today and every day as long as there are days. Give thanks that the Lord has called us for his good purposes. He has given us this history, this time, these resources, the seen and unseen to stand on our ‘Holy Ground’ and give witness to his story in us. Please pray for the Easter Youth Camp. Give thanks for the hard work and organisation that has been done by Adrian and his team. Pray that the weather is kind and a good time will be had by all. Continue to pray for the rebuilding of homes and communities in Vanuatu. Give thanks for the resilience and ‘can-do’ nature of people who find a way to keep reimagining hope and the capacity to start again. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - 12.30-2pm (parents room) In Recess over Holiday Period Resumes … April 22nd The place of Prayer in Work/Life Balance Prayer Evenings with Bronwyn Checkley Thursday, 30th April, 2015 Come and share in this evening where we will explore these questions and discuss ways in which we can learn "to march to the beat of a different drum", to walk at a different pace, even in the context of this fast paced, noisy, competitive and complex 21st Century in which we live. Can we really live our lives from a place of peace and rest and joy even in the midst of the demanding and challenging events of our daily lives - or is this just an impossible dream? Learning to practice the presence of God in our Daily Life ~ Centuries ago an elderly monk, Brother Lawrence spoke these words to a younger monk, who came seeking his wisdom upon these same questions: “For me the time of activity does not differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are together calling for as many different things, I possess God in as great a tranquility as when upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.” “O Lord thou knowest that it is not Thy gifts I seek, but Thee Thyself, and my heart will know no rest, till it has found Thee.” Working hard for God versus living in God Learning to Live from the Centre - our Source ~ Thursday April 30th - 7.30– 9.30pm Cost $15.00 - Supper provided RSVP - April 20th - We need at least 10 people registered to run the program. Please ring the office on 9870 8169 or email [email protected] to register SOME DATES FOR YOUR 2015 DIARY: 17 & 18th April 30th April 9th May 22th-25th May Women of Purpose - Destiny’s Child ‘Work-Life Balance’ Go the extra Mile CAP Budgeting Course NEW PLAYGROUP TO START IN TERM 2 After much prayer and conversation it’s great to be able to announce a third playgroup will be operating from Term 2 on Wednesday afternoons from 1.45pm – 3.15pm. Sue Tregenza, ably assi sted by Liz Grayden will be facilitating this new group. Registrations are now open, so if you have friends or family who might be interested, let them know. You can register by contacting Linda Mill on ph 9870 8169 or email: [email protected] Women of Purpose Upcoming Event Human trafficking and sexual exploitation of young women has been hidden for many years. But there are several groups helping to overcome this devastating trade, and to provide freedom and hope to many of the girls who have been trapped in this lifestyle. Helen and Ian Yarrow from our church have become involved with one of these groups, Destiny Rescue, by visiting Thailand and sponsoring some of the girls who have been freed from slavery. We would like to support what they are doing, by raising our level of awareness, by being prayerful, and by raising funds to contribute to this mission. To do this, we plan to show the DVD Street Dreams, a documentary which “tears down the facade of some of the world’s most exotic tourist locations, revealing an industry that thrives on manipulation and destruction.” If we were to show it to a large number of people, the licensing cost would be prohibitive. We have therefore decided to have at least two showings in homes – one on Friday evening 17 April at Heathmont, the other on Saturday afternoon 18 April in Warranwood. Depending on the level of interest, we have a third home available, also on the Saturday. Helen will be available at each screening, to share her experiences with us, and to let us know more about Destiny Rescue. There will be no charge, but if you feel you would like to make a donation it would be gratefully received. Supper/afternoon tea will be provided. Space is limited, so ladies, if you are interested in coming, please ring Merilyn Sprott on 0429 145 270 to reserve a seat. Accommodation is needed for a young Austrian lady in her mid 20’s who will be working with Operation Mobilisation for 12 months as a graphic designer. If anyone is able to provide board for her please contact Trish Sonsie 0421 011 871 for more information. OXFAM WALK Hi there! Talk about a challenge! In April four members of our community: Elissa & Gary Scott, Geoff Martin and Fiona Phillips will be walking 100km to raise money and awareness for Oxfam Australia. The event is Oxfam Trailwalker. Teams of four enter this event and have 48 hours to walk or run the 100km trail. It’s very likely that they will walk through the night (with little or no sleep) until the end. The event raises vital funds for Oxfam Australia. The team has set a goal to raise as much money as they can to help some of the world’s poorest people! They have been training hard and hoping that you might consider supporting them in this amazing challenge. If you would like to donate then go to: https://trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/team/home/19439 and give online. The team is also much in need of prayerful encouragement and would value prayer support as they continue to train but particularly over the event weekend 10th-12th April. Thanks heaps! Penny Martin (on behalf of the team)!! Mission and Evangelism The Mission & Evangelism committee would like to remind all members of the church, of the families that are financially supported on a monthly basis from the M & E budget and that ask that you remember them in prayer. YWAM Newcastle (Stephensons) $250 per month YWAM Thailand (Stephen & Ruth Devenish) $125 per month Global Interaction Indonesia (Matt & Tash Sharpe) $125 per month Operation Mobilisation (Sonsies) $125 per month CAP (Christians Against Poverty) $50 per month One off distribution of funds has also been made for the following: Blessed Feet for DVD distribution $300 Op Shop to purchase suitable Tracts $200 Brian & Araceli Steain to assist with cost of clothing Philippines $200 Matt & Tash Sharpe to assi st with airfares & initial costs $200 Stephen & Ruth Devenish to assist with airfares & initial costs $200 Global Mission Partners for where most needed. $1000 These are all part of our family here at Ringwood so please keep them all in prayer that God would keep them safe & bless their every endeavour for His Kingdom. Ian Hughes To order copies of the sermon on CD, please find an order form in the attendance register. Leave in the register and these will be processed and available, usually within one week. If you would like to offer a donation to this ministry, please place this in the offering bowl. Financial Snapshot of Tithes and Offerings Budget $ 44,461 Feb-15 Actual Difference $ 43,098 $ (1,363) Year to Date Budget Actual Difference $ 421,807 $396,995 ($24,812) This is the first monthly Tithes and Offerings summary to be reported in the Breaking News. As previously reported we continue to be significantly behind our year to date figures. If you would like to know more information, please contact one of the members of the FGA Committee. Ken Morton, Dave Moody, Sandra Punithan, Russell Cheal, Mark Travill, Michael Campbell or Anne Morley Worshipful, faithful and regular giving to God’s w ork … consider I authorise Ringwood Church of Christ, 13 Bedford Road, Ringwood 3134. to charge my credit card for $_____________ being my offering for today. Or My regular offering amount of $____________ to be debited from my credit card each week/month. (Please circle the appropriate option) Visa Direct Debit or Internet Banking Ringwood Church of Christ Inc. Mastercard NAB BSB: 083 343 Account No: 89 395 1419 Card No: Name on card: ______________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________________ Card Expiry Date: __/__ Contact No: _________________________ Birthday Greetings - April Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday 7th Elisabeth Moss, Julie May ers 8th Laurie Prentice, Gary Scott 10th Maureen Spencer, Keith Hickin, Faith Hummerston 11th Anne Morley, Amy Nettelbeck Next Week - 12th April WHEN WHEN WHEN THE THE THE UNIVERSE UNIVERSE UNIVERSE CHANGES CHANGES CHANGES JOHN JOHN JOHN 21:1 21:1 21:1--14 14 -14 Drew Nicholls Ben Graham-Nellor Ben Graham-Nellor Gray Starkey Andrew Archibald, Caroly n & Leah Burnett, Cathy Glov er, Maureen Spencer, Gwen Thomas, Julia Fullerton Band: Chris Sharpe, Dan Graham-Prowse, John Sharpe, Cameron Palmer, Darren Ev ans, Ian Homewood Singers: Julia Waterhouse, Dale Stev ens, Gina Herft Audio: Neal Glov er Projection: Tony Twining Morning Tea: Fran & Graeme Collings Communion Preparation: Cathy Glover Flowers: Welcome : Wendy Twining, Ashton Devenish, Christine & Laurie Prentice Offering Counters: Stewart Drummond, Russell Cheal NIGHT CHURCH: ‘What Now? Witness’ Speaker: John Sharpe Leader: Alex Murray Speaker: Worship/Communion: Song Leader: Bible Reading: Communion Helpers: Op Shop: Wednesday/Thursday (In recess - Returns 15/4) Oasis Meals: - Thursday (In Recess - Returns 16/4) NOTICEBOARD: Anzac Centenary Concert - Songs of the World War Years. 26th April, 2.00pm SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES 8.30am Communion/Study 10.00am Worship 6.00pm Evening Service
© Copyright 2024