CHURCH @ HOME

May God Bless you this New Year's Day and throughout 2023. The service this week was led by James who also brought the sermon. He was joined in leading the morning's music by Hannah and Geoff. Hannah did the bible reading from Psalm 140 and Ross led the communion before James took the bible reading for the morning and delivered a message on it entitled "Experiencing relationship with God". Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Our Carols Celebration this year was one with a difference as we took the approach of a family get together rather than a pre-prepared program so there is a lot of fluidity to the event, but the goal was to celebrate the birth of Christ as a family which we certainly did! there were items by Sarah, Geoff & Michelle and Marcia and our Kids church led the room in a Christmas song featuring Aussie! Aussie! Aussie Oi! Oi! Oi! our pastors Harry and James shared throughout the morning about the true meaning of the celebration, and we joined our voices in song as we sang Carols and celebrated our Saviour's birth! Isaiah 9:6 Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is givenand the government sall be upon his shoulder and his name sahll be called wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

We gathered for a brief service on Christmas morning as we focused on the true meaning of the day. James led the service with Sarah, Hannah, Shona and Marcia leading the mornings music. Marcia also sang a solo, James led us around the communion table then Rob brought us a sermon on Isaiah 9:6. Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

We kicked off the Christmas season by meeting in our decorated chapel to worship the Lord together. Marcia led the service and the music team of Ben, Jaden and Shona. Sarah read us the linage of Jesus as the bible reading and James took us to the communion table reminding us once again that Jesus made everything right for us at the cross. Christ cancelled the record of debt that stood against us and made us right before God. Harry then continued his sermon series on 1 John this time focusing on recognising real believers as TRUE children of God. 2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Rob Taylor brought us the sermon this week from Galatians entitled “Fallen from Grace”. Before that Darren led the service with the music team of James, Sarah, Bel and Shona with Oliver reading the second half of Psalm 139 for us. We apologized for the synchronization issues that occurs towards the end of this service video... working on the problem Psalm 139:22-23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Marcia and James led the music for the morning with James also leading the service. Tanya read us Psalm 138 which took us nicely into communion also led by James. Kelvin led a time of thanksgiving and prayer for the needs in our fellowship before Harry brought us the second half of the sermon from 1 John chapter 3 that he preached last week about the love of God. This week he covered the topic what hinders God’s love. Psalm 138:7 - Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.

Geoff led the service and also the music team this week with Sarah playing flute, Ben on guitar and Michelle on vocals. Harlan led communion and was assisted in distribution by Steven Mc and the Osborne Family. Andrew also read the Psalms. Harry continued his sermon series from 1John this week starting chapter 3 with a message entitled "Aiming at right things: Keep discovering God's Love". 1 John 3:1 - See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Marcia led the service this week with James, Geoff and Michelle joining her to lead the morning’s music. The service took a the theme of the goodness of God including new song we learnt based on Psalm 150 - Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord! Shona read the Psalms to us and Geoff led communion before James brought the sermon continuing his series “The story of the Kingdom” this week focusing on the entire story of Joseph and how God uses evil for His purposes. Psalm 136:26 - Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.

This week was Operation Christmas Child Shoebox collection day so a sizable portion of the service was given over to that but we still had the usual components in our service. The service began with prayer, the reading of the Psalms and was led by James. He also led the mornings music with Hannah and Sarah. The Communion message was brought to us by Kelvin before Harry continued his Series from 1 John with his message this week from Chapter 2 and entitled “Aiming at right things”. Psalm 136:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.