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CHURCH
SHARING THE LENTEN JOURNEY
!
4th SUNDAY OF LENT
Guest Preacher:
Ray Simpson
COLLINS STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday March 15, 2015
PASTORS LETTER
Friends,
Welcome to another Sunday at Collins Street.
Many of you know that Brenda and I have been in the process of selling our
home. Brenda’s move to Queens College will see us in based in Parkville
later this year. The whole business of relocating is fraught with challenge.
We’ve all experienced it, some more routinely than others. In the last few
years a number of you have moved house after decades of life and family in
one place. Shaking the roots free in order to replant them someplace else
requires a bucketload of energy. In most case, there’s a mix of anxiety and
anticipation. There is both the grief of letting go and the excitement at what's
around the corner.
2015 at Collins Street marks the beginning of significant change for us. We
have some important decisions to make together about the future of Central
House. More importantly, we are beginning to dream together about God’s
leading into the future. No doubt, churches like ours have an extraordinary
history. We have much to treasure about who we are and how we have
become the community we are. The challenge for us is being sure to honour
our past while embracing the future with confidence and vision.
As we continue our 40 days of discernment, I pray that we will hear the
voice of God and have courage enough to respond with willing hearts.
Peace be with you,
Simon
PASTORS
Simon Carey Holt & Carolyn Francis
WELCOME
VISITORS CARDS: If you are
visiting with us today, we are glad
to have you here. If you are
comfortable doing so you can leave
us a record of your visit by filling in
the visitor’s card included with your
bulletin. Simply place it in the
offering bag as it comes by. And if
we can be of further
encouragement to you, you have
only to let us know.
CAR PARKING: The Royal Lane
car park offers discounted parking
to people attending CSBC on Sun
mornings. Parking between 10am
and 1pm is $10. To take advantage
of this offer, have your parking
ticket stamped in the narthex before
you leave. Stays longer than 3
hours attract the maximum
weekend rate of $12.
KIDS@COLLINS: There is
an organized program for children
aged five and over during the
morning service. After the passing
of the peace the children are invited
to come and sit in the front row.
Following the children’s time they
will move up to level 4 of Central
House just behind the sanctuary.
For children under five, there is a
play area in the narthex.
CSBC ON FACEBOOK: CSBC has
its own Facebook page. If you are a
Facebook user, just ‘like’ the page
and you’ll be kept up to date.
TODAY
10.30AM: Today, the fourth Sunday
of Lent, we are honoured to
welcome Ray Simpson to our pulpit.
Ray is in Australia for a number of
teaching events, including the launch
of his book, coauthored with Brent
Lyons-Lee, Celtic Spirituality in the
Australian Landscape. Ray is the
Founder and Guardian of the
International Community of Aiden and
Hilda in the UK and leading authority
on the Celtic faith tradition and its
contribution to Christianity.
NEXT SUNDAY
10.30AM: Next Sunday, the fifth
Sunday of Lent, Carolyn will lead us
in reflecting on the Church as a
people of wisdom.
NEWS & EVENTS
COMMUNITY LUNCH: Next Sunday
March 22, we are holding our 4th
Sunday lunch in various homes across
the city and everyone is welcome to
join in! Sign-up sheets are on the
noticeboard in the narthex. For more
information, contact Kirsty Brown. If
you don’t get to see her this morning
you can contact her via email
[email protected] or
mobile 0410 510 305.
OPEN TO GOD: the guided reflection
for the Lenten season, 40 Days of
Discernment, is available in the
narthex. It’s not too late to join us in
this intentional period of listening to
God and for God’s leading in our
church.
Address: 174 Collins Street Melbourne Ph: 03 9650 1180
Web: www.csbc.org.au Email: [email protected]
SUNDAY NIGHT DINNERS: Our
fortnightly dinner for our neighbours
is on again next Sunday night,
7pm in Credo Cafe. Everyone is
welcome.
Mark Holt has returned from Africa
where he met with the GIA team based
there, while Peter and Rosalie
Hearne are back from a much needed
break on the Victorian coast.
ART EXHIBITION: Our 3rd annual
art prize and exhibition
Feast•Pray•Love concludes this
weekend. Coinciding with
the Melbourne Food and Wine
Festival, this year’s exhibition
theme has been THE GOOD
EARTH. Full details of the
exhibition can still be found at the
exhibition website
feastpraylove.com and our
heartfelt thanks to Tara Watson,
Yelena Young and Anne Junor for
their tireless work in organising and
hosting the event.
Norm Chapman was hospitalized last
week and has been diagnosed with a
condition that is ongoing but treatable
with medication. Remember Norm and
Lynne in your prayers.
WALK FOR JUSTICE FOR
REFUGEES: On Palm Sunday
(March 29) we will again be joining
the annual march through the city in
support of asylum seekers and
refugees. The gathering begins at
the State Library at 1.30pm. Last
year an estimated 8,000 people
participated. The march gives us
opportunity to protest the Australian
government’s harsh and unjust
treatment of asylum seekers and
refugees and to do so together.
FOR OUR PRAYERS
Howard and Josephine Grey are
still travelling in South America,
while Thomas and Theresa Cheok
depart for the same part of the
world this week. Keep both couples
in your prayers.
In her role as Clinical Officer and
Chaplain Coordinator for the State
Emergency Service, Joy Etwell will be
away for the next two weeks providing
training around the state for volunteer
peers and chaplains. Pray for Joy in this
important role.
Our prayers are with Toni Bywaters
whose father has now passed away, and
with Roger Pope who lost his mother
this past week.
Brenda Holt’s service of installation as
Dean of Queens College is planned for
this afternoon. Pray for Brenda in this
new and challenging role.
Remember Fraser Goff and Katherine
Dobson as they discern the timing and
nature of their work in East Timor.
BIBLE READINGS
Mon: John 6.1-15
Tues: John 6.16-27
Wed: John 6.27-40
Thurs: John 6.41-51
Fri: John 6.52-59
Sat: John 6.60-71
Sun: Mark 8.31-9. 1