CHURCH @ HOME

It was a smaller service this week due to the long weekend and folks taking the opportunity to go away but it was a service choc-full of blessings, challenges and encouragement. We learnt a new song called 'Yet not I but through Christ in me', James focused us as we shared communion together, Harry continued his series on Ecclesiastes with a sermon entitled 'The right use of wisdom in the cycle of life' and Sylvia brought us the bible reading from Psalms. We hope you are encouraged as you watch this service. Psalm 102:25-26a - Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will remain.

We thank the Lord for the freedom we have to meet as a body, be taught the word and fellowship together. Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

This Sunday James took us through Acts chapters 13 &14 where Paul and others find them selves persecuted, attacked and in Paul's case even stoned but through it all they were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit... A Challenge for us all to live like that! James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

This week was a little different as we had many people, including James our Keyboard player, away so we sang along with songs recorded in previous services and James pre-recorded the leading of the service. It was unique but still a time of blessing and encouragement as Harry began a new series on Ecclesiastes. Matt 6:34a Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

Psalm 75:1 - We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. This week Rob Taylor brings us a message from Matthew 6 on the Lord's Prayer encouraging us to focus our daily prayer life and pray every moment deepening our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Leigh and Tamara Filmer came and shared with us this week about the 10 years they were in Nepal working with INF. Then Leigh brought us a message from Isiah 61 challenging us to live a life that makes society understand that Jesus had a ministry of both words and actions both motivated by love. The challenge to us is to live this out in our daily life. John3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

As things recommenced for term two we came together to worship the Lord as one body. James continued the sermon series on Acts - chapter 10 this week, Cornelius's conversion and Peter's vision. James challenged us to realise God is calling us to participate in growing His kingdom. Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

As we pause and reflect on the sacrifice made for us by all the soldiers on ANZAC Day we also reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ when he gave His life for us at Calvary. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Rob brought us a sermon from Matthew 16 leaving us with a warning not to be looking for signs and wonders because we have already had the most spectacular sign - the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Mark1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”