CHURCH MATTERS for Sunday 18th March 2012

Ellery Creek Waterhole - Ian Irwin

BUNYAN’S CATECHISM

Why is it necessary to be saved?

Because man, by sin, has brought himself into a state of captivity and misery.

Romans 3:23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

 

BIBLE READINGS:            Exodus 37:1-29 (p.91)

Hebrews 8:1-6 (p.1188)

SERMON POINTS

THE WORK OF JESUS PROPHESIED IN THE TABERNACLE FURNISHINGS

The Ark of the Covenant - His Body

The Memorial Table - His Supper

The Lampstand Of Seven Lamps - His Spirit

The Altar Of Incense - His Prayers

6.30pm Worship

Stuart

Isaiah 28:23-29 (p.702)

John 15:1-5 (p.1068)

The Parable Of The Farmer

Final Hymn: 39 Eternal Light, Eternal Light!

WHAT’S ON

Sunday 18th 

St Stephen’s Worship – Stuart Andrews – 9.00am – 

Annual Congregational meeting, in the hall, after the service

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm 

Monday 19th 

Playgroup – Church Hall – 10.00am

Tuesday 20th  

Removal of Church Pews - 9.00am

Morning tea at Kootingal – 10.00am

Wendesday 21st 

Moonbi Craft Group – 10.00am

St Marks Committee meeting – 2.00pm

Thursday 22nd 

Replacement of Church Pews

Coffee House for David Rixon Benefit

Friday 23rd     

Prayer Cuppa Office – 9.20am

Musicians – 10.00am

Saturday 24th  

Prayer Breakfast – 7.30am

Choir – 8.45am

Sunday 18th   

St Stephen’s Worship – Graham Philp – 9.00am 

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

Walcha – Stuart Andrews – 9.30am

Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm

MOONBI

The Moonbi congregation are having their quarterly morning tea at the Kootingal Motor Inn on Tuesday, 20th March, commencing at 10.00 a.m.

Cost is $10.00 per head. Come and join us, and bring a friend. Please advise David or Jill if you are coming, Phone 67605369.

 

ST. STEPHEN’S COFFEEHOUSE TO BENEFIT
DAVID RIXON MEMORIAL FUND

The St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church Ladies' Evening Fellowship will be hosting a folk music coffeehouse benefit for the family of Senior Constable David Rixon, who was recently murdered in the line of duty in Tamworth. The concert will run on Thursday 22 March, from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. The local Christian community is invited to participate together in fellowship with this inter-church event, expressing compassion, solidarity and support for the Rixon family.

The all-ages event, to be held at the church hall, will feature a range of talented local acoustic performers who are all donating their talents in aid of the David Rixon Memorial Fund, the police-sponsored account set up for donations to the family of slain Tamworth policeman David Rixon.

Entry will be by gold-coin (or larger) donation, with delicious home-made refreshments created by the church ladies available for sale. All proceeds will go to the David Rixon Memorial Fund.

The musical line-up will be announced next week. More performers are welcome, and donations of food and items to auction are also welcome – please contact Bird Jensen on 0408 075 959, or Stuart on 6765 8754.

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT NEWS

·        The floor of Church and foyer are to be stripped and re-polished. We need volunteers to remove the smaller pews on the MORNING of Tuesday March 20th and replace them on Thursday night March 22nd. Kelly’s' will strip and re-polish that side and the foyer on the Wednesday and Thursday. The pews need to be removed in the morning because we can have the broken ceiling panel repaired before Kelly's strip and re-polish the side. We need volunteers again to do the same for the larger pews on the right hand side of the Church on Tuesday March 27th and replace them on the evening of Thursday March 29th.  See Brian or Ted or Stuart.

·        Working Bee at Scots Moonbi Saturday 24th March 8.30am to plant out agapanthus bulbs - donated by Peter and Heather Bowden.

WHEELCHAIR NEEDED

Pam Stewart needs the loan of a wheelchair for a trial, to help take her husband David to appointments.

SURVEY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

Help Barnabas Fund keep the plight of persecuted Christians before our Federal government. Christians are being slaughtered in several trouble spots.

ELECTRICITY INTERRUPTED

from 8.30am to 3pm Wednesday 21^st March at St Stephen’s

MY CHINA MYSTERY

Marion’s biography of her parents’ China years is now at the printer. We are planning a book launch soon at St Stephen’s. Our choir is practising the two songs mentioned in the Prologue that Marion’s parents used to sing when she was a small girl. More choristers are welcome.

PWA EASTER SERVICE

This annual event will be held on Tuesday 3^rd April at 10.00am in the Church, followed by morning tea in the hall.

OUR NATIONAL JOURNAL

AP now comes free four times a year with the Reformer’s Bookshop Catalogue. It is a smaller production but reaches many more people. If you would like it delivered to your home contact AP, PO Box 4014, Croydon Hills Vic 3136. Phone 03 9005 8256 Email: manger@ap.org.au

 

BIBLE READINGS

Website: http://readthebiblein1or3years.wordpress.com/

We recommend you will get most out of these readings if you make a note of something to remember each day.

Sunday 18^th March Exodus 35

This first earthly Tabernacle is a copy of the real one in heaven – Hebrews 8:5, 9:24. Put all this together with the fact that the New Testament calls the Church the Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit, and that we are called to be builders of this spiritual Tabernacle. Should we offer anything less to this great building today anything less than the best of who we are and what we have in time, resources, encouragement and labour?

Monday 19^th March Exodus 36

Every skilled person worked on the Tabernacle. What skills are necessary to be builders in the body of Christ the Church – at St. Stephen’s? They will be common and ordinary skills!

Tuesday 20^th March Exodus 37

The Ark, the Table, the Lampstand and the Altar of Incense – all have great symbolical importance and can teach us much about the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very word Ark should alert us to start with Noah. Inside the Ark is safety from judgment!  The Atonement Cover exactly covered the box – atonement is only for those inside the Ark. None inside shall be missed! Jesus is the DOOR!

Wednesday 21^st March Exodus 38

Women gave their mirrors to make the Altar Of Burnt Offering. This was a precious gift. Mirrors were made of polished bronze. Their labour was not in vain in the Lord! Their example should encourage us in our greater building of the Church, the Tabernacle of His body.

Thursday 22^nd March Exodus 39

When you read this chapter, one refrain keeps coming through: they made … as the Lord commanded Moses. As the chorus says: Trust and obey, there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!

Friday 23^rd March Exodus 40

The Tabernacle was set up and it and its contents together with Aaron and his sons (after being washed with water) were anointed with oil. The anointing of the Spirit follows Moses’ anointing – the Glory covers the Tabernacle and fills it. The priest is the Anointed/Christ/Messiah of the Lord. The priestly work precedes that of the King. This is the pattern of Jesus’ ministry. He accomplished His priestly ministry at Calvary. When He returns, it shall be as King!

Saturday 24^th March Leviticus 1

Leviticus is a book that looks at the question: how may a person be clean before God? The burnt offering was wholly consumed on the altar. Nothing was eaten. The offering had to be without defect. All of this helps us understand the meaning and purpose of Jesus’ death.

Sunday 25^th March Leviticus 2

Grain offerings were often given in thanksgiving – i.e. they were offerings from your first fruits in the harvest. Only a portion was burnt on the altar. Most was given to the priests for their sustenance. Such were their memorials – transient reminders of eternal Glory.

FOR YOUR PRAYER

THEME: Jesus’ Return

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.- Irish hymn

CHURCH MATTERS for Sunday 11th March 2012

BUNYAN’S CATECHISM
What is Man?
A reasoning creature so made by God.
Scripture: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

BIBLE READINGS:   
Exodus 33:7-23 (p.87)
1 Corinthians 3:10-17 (p.1129)

SERMON POINTS
PUBLIC WORSHIP FOCUSES US WITH THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
Value Communion With God
Make His Presence With Us Your Constant Request
Ask God To Show You His Glory

WHAT’S ON

Sunday 11th
St Stephen’s Worship – Stuart Andrews – 9.00am – PWA Dedication
Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am
Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm

Monday 12th
Playgroup – Church Hall – 10.00am

Tuesday 13th 
Bible Study in Hall – 9.30am
Irwin’s BIble Study – 7.30pm

Wendesday 14th
Men’s Bible Reading Group – 11am

Friday 16th   
Prayer Cuppa Office – 9.20am
Musicians – 10.00am

Saturday 17th 
Prayer Breakfast – 7.30am
Choir – 8.45am

Sunday 18th  
St Stephen’s Worship – Stuart Andrews – 9.00am – AGM after Service
Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am
Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm


MOONBI
The Moonbi congregation are having their quarterly morning tea at the Kootingal Motor Inn on Tuesday, 20th March, commencing at 10.00 a.m.
Cost is $10.00 per head. Come and join us, and bring a friend. Please advise David or Jill if you are coming.

ST. STEPHEN’S COFFEEHOUSE TO BENEFIT
DAVID RIXON MEMORIAL FUND
The St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church Ladies' Evening Fellowship will be hosting a folk music coffeehouse benefit for the family of Senior Constable David Rixon, who was recently murdered in the line of duty in Tamworth. The concert will run on Thursday 22 March, from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. The local Christian community is invited to participate together in fellowship with this inter-church event, expressing compassion, solidarity and support for the Rixon family.
The all-ages event, to be held at the church hall, will feature a range of talented local acoustic performers who are all donating their talents in aid of the David Rixon Memorial Fund, the police-sponsored account set up for donations to the family of slain Tamworth policeman David Rixon.
Entry will be by gold-coin (or larger) donation, with delicious home-made refreshments created by the church ladies available for sale. All proceeds will go to the David Rixon Memorial Fund.
The musical line-up will be announced next week. More performers are welcome, and donations of food and items to auction are also welcome.

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT NEWS
•    The floor of Church and foyer are to be stripped and re-polished. We need volunteers to remove the smaller pews on the MORNING of Tuesday March 20th and replace them on Thursday night March 22nd. Kelly’s' will strip and re-polish that side and the foyer on the Wednesday and Thursday. The pews need to be removed in the morning because we can have the broken ceiling panel repaired before Kelly's strip and re-polish the side. We need volunteers again to do the same for the larger pews on the right hand side of the Church on Tuesday March 27th and replace them on the evening of Thursday March 29th.  See Brian or Ted or Stuart.
•    Working Bee at Scots Moonbi Saturday 24th March 8.30am to plant out agapanthus bulbs - donated by Peter and Heather Bowden.

WHEELCHAIR NEEDED
Pam Stewart needs the loan of a wheelchair for a trial, to help take her husband David to appointments.

PETITION FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
Help Barnabas Fund keep the plight of persecuted Christians before our Federal government. Christians are being slaughtered in several trouble spots.

ELECTRICITY INTERRUPTED
from 8.30am to 3pm Wednesday 21st March at St Stephen’s

MY CHINA MYSTERY
Marion’s biography of her parents’ China years is now at the printer. We are planning a book launch soon at St Stephen’s. Our choir is practising the two songs mentioned in the Prologue that Marion’s parents used to sing when she was a small girl. More choristers are welcome.

BIBLE READINGS
Website: http://readthebiblein1or3years.wordpress.com/
We recommend you will get most out of these readings if you make a note of something to remember each day.

Sunday 11th March Exodus 29:1-37
Aaron and his sons were consecrated with blood and oil. Blood is for cleansing from sin and oil for the necessary work of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist’s words “He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire”(Luke 3:16) contain the same twin priestly works of Christ necessary for us to come before God.

Monday 12th March Exodus 29:38 – 30:10
The Altar of Incense stood right before the curtain that divided the Holy of Holies from the body of the Tabernacle. When the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies once every year, this altar became one with the Holy of Holies as the curtain was opened. The High Priest anointed this small altar with blood and offering incense on it, prayed for the whole people of God. See Hebrews 9 & 10.

Tuesday 13th March Exodus 30:11-38
When reading verses like verse 29, think of what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:16-23. Holiness is not magic. God tells us unequivocally that all aspects of our worship must be holy as He is holy. It is our responsibility to ensure that we treat our worship with special care.

Wednesday 14th March Exodus 31
When you read the descriptions of Bezalel and Oholiab, it should change our appreciation of all our ordinary crafts. There is a greater purpose for our gifts in needlework or woodwork than just our own enjoyment. Here they are used to help others worship God. Gifts should bless and help others.

Thursday 15th March Exodus 32
Thirty-five verses are spent on this incident. It is meant to stand out in our minds and hearts. This is a most important lesson to learn for every generation. From this passage and others like it, our forefathers taught the Regulative Principle of worship to our Church – do in worship only those things that are commanded! We should not worship God wholly according to our own ideas and inclinations!

Friday 16th March Exodus 33:1 – 34:3
Another name for the Tabernacle is the Tent of Meeting – personal communion has always been at the centre of God’s purpose and desire for us. Meditate on the value of God’s presence to St. Stephen’s!

Saturday 17th March Exodus 34:4-35
There are many lessons in this chapter. Consider the relationship of these three great feasts – Passover, The Feast of Weeks and The Feast of Ingathering (also called Feast of Tabernacles) with the three great foci of the New Testament – Crucifixion/Resurrection, Pentecost and the Marriage Feast of the Lamb at the end of the harvest of the world.

Sunday 18th March Exodus 35
This first earthly Tabernacle is a copy of the real one in heaven – Hebrews 8:5, 9:24. Put all this together with the fact that the New Testament calls the Church the Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit, and that we are called to be builders of this spiritual Tabernacle. Should we offer anything less to this great building today anything less than the best of who we are and what we have in time, resources, encouragement and labour?

FOR YOUR PRAYER
THEME:  Marriage
Success in marriage
Is not finding the right person,
But becoming the right person.

CHURCH MATTERS for Sunday 4th March 2012

BUNYAN’S CATECHISM

Q: How does God the Holy Spirit save you?

ANSWER: By His illumination, by His renovation, and by His preservation.

SCRIPTURE:  2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

BIBLE READINGS:           

Exodus 26:1-6,20-37 (p.79)

Hebrews 9:1-15 (p.1189)

SERMON POINTS

GOD’S PROVISION FOR COMMUNION WITH HIM

Worship God According To His Pattern

Walk The Open Way Into His Presence

Be Cleansed That You May Serve The Living God

 

6.30pm Worship

Stuart

Isaiah 5:1-7 (p.679)

John 15:1-5 (p.1068)

The Parable Of The Vineyard

Final Hymn: 355 Come Risen Lord

WHAT’S ON

Sunday 4th 

St Stephen’s Worship – Stuart Andrews – 9.00am - Communion

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

 Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm - Communion

Monday 5th 

Playgroup – Church Hall – 10.00am

Tuesday 6th  

PWA – 9.30am

Wendesday 7th 

Moonbi Craft Morning – 10am

Men’s Bible Reading Group – 11am

Thursday 8th – Waugh’s Bible Study - 7.00pm

Friday 9th    

Prayer Cuppa Office – 9.20am

Musicians – 10.00am

Saturday 10th  

Prayer Breakfast – 7.30am

Choir – 8.45am

Sunday 11th   

St Stephen’s Worship – Stuart Andrews – 9.00am – PWA Thanksgiving Service

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm

 

BIBLE READINGS

Website: http://readthebiblein1or3years.wordpress.com/

We recommend you will get most out of these readings if you make a note of something to remember each day.

Sunday 4^th March Exodus 23:10-33

The Sabbath principle worked too for the land – it had to lie fallow every seventh year. It is only in the last one hundred years that we have come to understand again that this is a good idea. The three great festivals are paralleled with the three great events of Jesus’ ministry:– His death and resurrection - Passover, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit - the Feast of Pentecost celebrating the beginning of the harvest, and the Marriage of the Lamb – the Feast of Tabernacles at the end of harvest.

Monday 5^th March Exodus 24

When you read verse 15, look at one of the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration – Moses, the cloud and the top of a mountain. Moses stayed with the Lord on the mountain for 40 days at the beginning of his ministry – even as Jesus stayed in the wilderness for 40 days at the beginning of his ministry.

Tuesday 6^th March Exodus 25

Verse 1 gives us the Biblical principle for giving – as our hearts prompt us. A generous spirit or its lack is a good indication the condition of the hearts of the Church. Giving should never be compulsory in the support of gospel work. The Biblical principle of the tithe is still a voluntary action.

Wednesday 7^th March Exodus 26:1-30

When reading these passages from Exodus, it is a good idea to read chapters 9 and 10 of Hebrews for a New Testament perspective. One instructive lesson is that if God took such excessive care for this small mobile Tabernacle, how much more care will He be taking over that more glorious Tabernacle –the body of Christ, the Church.

Thursday 8^th March Exodus 26:31 - 27:19

The Tabernacle was beautiful from the point of view of the needlework and associated craftsmanship put into its construction. All the basic colours were widely used – red, blue and yellow (gold), with silver and purple dashed everywhere. God is also pleased with beautiful human art!

Friday 9^th March Exodus 27:20 – 28:14

Right throughout the Old Testament, oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. These lamps were to be kept burning as a visible sign to Israel that the presence of God’s Spirit is the greatest blessing. We should do nothing to grieve the Spirit!

Saturday 10^th March Exodus 28:15-43

The breast-piece of the High Priest was worn over the heart. Read Hebrews from chapter 4:14 to chapter 8. It is very heartening to realise that Christ carries us over His heart!

 

Sunday 11th March Exodus 29:1-37

Aaron and his sons were consecrated with blood and oil. Blood is for cleansing from sin and oil for the necessary work of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist’s words “He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire”(Luke 3:16) contain the same twin priestly works of Christ necessary for us to come before God.

FOR YOUR PRAYER

THEME:  Security

Though danger lurks on every side,

In Christ our Lord we will abide;

Our God is strong, our hope is sure,

In Him alone we are secure!  Fitzhugh

 

CHRISTIAN LOSES HIS BURDEN AT THE CROSS

John Bunyan

   Now I saw in my Dream, that the highway up which Christian was to go, was fenced on either side with a Wall, and that Wall is called Salvation. Up this way therefore did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.

   He ran thus till he came at a place sloping upward, and on that place stood a Cross, and a little below in the bottom, a Sepulchre. So I saw in my Dream, that just as Christian came up to the Cross, his Burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the Sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.

   Then was Christian glad and light, and said with a merry heart, “He has given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.” 

   Then he stood still awhile to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the Cross should thus ease him of his Burden. He looked therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks. 

   Now as he stood looking and weeping, behold three Shining Ones came to him and saluted him with “Peace be to you!” 

   The first said to him, “Your sins be forgiven.” 

   The second stript him of his Rags, and clothed him with a Change of Clothing.

   The third set a mark in his forehead as well, and gave him a Roll with a Seal on it, which he told him to look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the Celestial Gate. 

   So they went their way.

Who's this? the Pilgrim. How! 'tis very true,

Old things are past away, all's become new.

Strange! he's another man, upon my word,

They be fine Feathers that make a fine Bird.

   Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on singing,

Thus far did I come laden with my sin;

Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in

Till I came hither: What a place is this!

Must here be the beginning of my bliss?

Must here the Burden fall from off my back?

Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?

Blest Cross! blest Sepulchre! blest rather be

The Man that there was put to shame for me.

CHURCH MATTERS for Sunday 26th February 2012

[photo:B Clark]

Not all the blood of beasts
On Jewish altars slain
Could give the guilty conscience peace
Or wash away the stain.

But Christ, the heav’nly Lamb,
Takes all our sins away;
A sacrifice of nobler name
And richer blood than they.

My faith would lay her hand
On that dear head of Thine,
While, like a penitent, I stand,
And there confess my sin.

My soul looks back to see
The burdens Thou didst bear
When hanging on the cursèd tree,
And hopes her guilt was there.

Believing, we rejoice
To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice,
And sing His bleeding love.

 

BUNYAN’S CATECHISM

How does God the Son save you?

By His righteousness, death and blood and life.

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 13:11,12 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood.

 

SESSION

Due to Stuart being absent 21^st, Session will be held on Wednesday night 29th.

 

CHOIR

Choir will recommence on Saturday 3rd March to start practising for Easter. Please join us if you are able.

 

MOONBI

The Moonbi congregation are having their quarterly morning tea at the Kootingal Motor Inn on Tuesday, 20th March, commencing at 10.00 a.m.

Cost is $10.00 per head. Come and join us, and bring a friend. Please advise David or Jill if you are coming, Phone 67605369.

 

BIBLE READINGS

Website: http://readthebiblein1or3years.wordpress.com/

We recommend you will get most out of these readings if you make a note of something to remember each day.

Sunday 26^th February Exodus 17

Water from the Rock is another of the great themes and metaphors of the Bible. Salvation comes from unexpected places. People did not expect the Water of Life either to be found in Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Rock on which we stand. Sing or say out loud one of the great hymns that uses the Water from the Rock theme.

Monday 27^th February Exodus 18

Moses can take advice from his father-in-law. This is a characteristic of good leadership – a teachable spirit. (2 Timothy 2:2) This chapter is one of the foundational chapters for understanding the eldership – their role and function within the people of God.

Tuesday 28^th February Exodus 19

The history of exodus is important in understanding the theology being taught through that history. God saves Israel by His grace through their faith in Moses - justification. The Red Sea comes before Mount Sinai. The Law, and especially the Ten Commandments, were given after Israel had been saved, not before. They have to do with how we should live as God’s people, with sanctification. The Ten Commandments were never intended as a means of justification or salvation! Pharisees always get it wrong.

Wednesday 29^th February Psalm 1,2

Leap year again. The theme of Psalm 1 is the Law of Moses (The first 4 books of Genesis – Deuteronomy), and that of Psalm 2 is the Prophets (Joshua-2 Kings, Isaiah-Malachi [but not Daniel]). These two psalms sum up much of the Old Testament teaching.

Thursday 1^st March Exodus 20

Do you know the Ten Commandments off by heart? Every Christian should learn them, together with Jesus’ summary in Luke 10:27. It is important that we realise that 75% of the words of the Ten Commandments are taken up with the first four! We should give a similar weight to our relationship with God!

Friday 2^nd March Exodus 21

A lot of the laws in the Books of Moses are case law where cases are tried by judges on legal precedent and on the explication of basic principles (here the 10 Commandments). Case law is different from statute law, where each situation is covered by a rule. Case law often tells a tale – as here with Hebrew servants.

Saturday 3^rd March Exodus 22:1 - 23:9

Compensation and restitution were the rules of ancient Israeli justice. If someone was caught stealing your DVD, he, or his extended family, had to pay you back double. Financial liability meant that extended families policed their own members. We don’t get this standard of justice today!

Sunday4^th March Exodus 23:10-33

The Sabbath principle worked too for the land – it had to lie fallow every seventh year. It is only in the last one hundred years that we have come to understand again that this is a good idea. The three great festivals are paralleled with the three great events of Jesus’ ministry:– His death and resurrection - Passover, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit - the Feast of Pentecost celebrating the beginning of the harvest, and the Marriage of the Lamb – the Feast of Tabernacles at the end of harvest.

WHAT’S ON

Sunday 26th 

St Stephen’s Worship – Glenn Mercer – 9.00am

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

 Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm

Monday 27th 

Playgroup – Church Hall – 10.00am

Tuesday 28th  

Bible Study – 9.30am

Irwin’t Bible Study – 7.30pm

Wendesday 29th 

Men’s Bible Reading Group – 11am

Friday 2nd   

Prayer Cuppa Office – 9.20am

Musicians – 10.00am

Saturday 3rd  

Prayer Breakfast – 7.30am

Sunday 4th   

St Stephen’s Worship – Stuart Andrews – 9.00am

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm

CHURCH MATTERS for Sunday 19th February 2012

...by grace you have been saved through faith...

[Carrick-a-reed by Margaret Badger]

 

 BUNYAN’S CATECHISM

How does God the Father save you?

By His grace.

SCRIPTURE: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

 

BIBLE READINGS

Exodus 14:1-31 (p.67)

John 19:28-37 (p.1073)

SERMON POINTS

SALVATION ALWAYS WAS-IS-WILL BE BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Humanity’s Helpless State

- Trapped By Pharaohs, Geography, and Sin

The Crisis Of Faith We Face

-         Being Trapped With Moses Not With Pharaoh

The Grace That Delivers Egypt & Israel

-         “It Is Finished!”

6.30pm Worship

Stuart

Mark 4:26-28 (p.994)

The Parable Of The Growing Seed

Final Hymn: 474 Rise Up, You Saints Of God

 WHAT’S ON

Sunday 19th 

St Stephen’s Worship – Stuart Andrews – 9.00am

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

 Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm

Monday 20th 

Playgroup – Church Hall – 10.00am

Tuesday 21st  

Dorcas – packing and morning tea, during morning tea, enjoy devotions with Lyn Cooper. 9.00am – 11.30am

Wendesday 22nd 

NO Men’s Bible Reading Group 

LEF-AGM, Planning, ‘forget-me-not’ – 7.30pm

Friday 24th  

Prayer Cuppa Office – 9.20am

Musicians – 10.00am

Saturday 25th 

Prayer Breakfast – 7.30am

Sunday 26th  

St Stephen’s Worship – Glenn Mercer – 9.00am

Scots Moonbi Worship – Gordon Dandie – 9.00am

Evening Worship – Stuart Andrews – 6.30pm

WHO’S WHO IN THE BIBLE

is a Bible Reading system of short passages – 4 to 6 verses – of Bible characters. It is suitable for school aged children or anyone wanting to know who’s who in the Bible. There are sheets in the foyer. Share them with someone you would like to introduce to Bible reading.

http://proverbsofahmaandrews.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/whos-who-in-bible-for-february-2012.html

NEW BIBLE READING WEBSITE:

http://readthebiblein1or3years.wordpress.com/

 

PWA DORCAS MORNING TEA & PACKING

Tuesday 21st February 2012

PWA invites you to their Dorcas Morning – 9.00am for packing and 10.30am morning tea. (Gold coin donation for Dorcas)

 

LADIES EVENING FELLOWSHIP

Please join us as we begin the year on Wednesday night 22^nd February in the Church hall at 7.30pm.

We are a fairly relaxed group and you would be most welcomed.

We will be discovering who our ‘Forget-Me-Nots’ were for 2011.

 

CHOIR

Choir will recommence on Saturday 3rd March to start practising for Easter. Please join us if you are able.

 

YOUR SPARE MAGAZINES

A local lady who cares for her infirm, elderly mother on a pension (who has difficulty walking) would love to get her mum some magazines to read. They are on a very tight budget, and can’t afford magazines at the newsagent. If anybody at St Stephen’s gets magazines at home, and is willing to share them once they have finished reading them, please leave them at the church and they will be collected and delivered to these ladies each Sunday.

 

SEWING PROJECT

Bird is looking for some help with a sewing project – ten cotton dresses made from the same simple design. She has all the material, sewing thread, several sewing machines and overlockers. Bird can do the overlocking, but needs help with the straight sewing, cutting and garment assembly due to her eyesight. She is happy to pay anyone willing to assist. Please ring Bird if you like to sew!

 

 

BIBLE READINGS

Website: http://readthebiblein1or3years.wordpress.com/

We recommend you will get most out of these readings if you make a note of something to remember each day.

Sunday 12^th February Exodus 1:1 - 2:22

Much is sometimes made of the lies of the mid-wives to Pharaoh. Whatever we think of their actions, God commends these women for fearing Him and so saving lives. Moses birth and life up to 40 years of age are given briefly and succinctly.

Monday 13^th February Exodus 2:23 - 3:22

The next 40 years are also passed over in a few short verses. The refrain of the next few chapters is that God hears their cries, is concerned and acts. When God acts in salvation, He sends a saviour. The burning bush is the symbol of our Presbyterian Church.

Tuesday 14^th February Exodus 4

Moses does not want to be the saviour of Israel. He tries various excuses before he states categorically in verse 12: Please send someone else to do it! God does not let Moses off the hook, though He makes Aaron Moses’ spokesman. Righteousness is expected of a Saviour. Moses has deliberately neglected the covenant sign of circumcision for his own sons (this neglect is akin in seriousness to spitting on the cross today).

Wednesday 15^th February Exodus 5:1 - 6:12

At the start, every time Moses obeys God’s commands, everything gets worse! There is no great revival, only a long hard time of frustration, rejection by the Church, and overwhelming opposition from Pharaoh. God expects Moses to live by faith in His Word. He gives Moses a daunting commission in 6:11. If God were not God, faith would be folly!

Thursday 16^th February Exodus 6:13 - 7:25

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? (Revelation 21:27) This question highlights the importance of genealogies in the Bible. It was very important that your name be written in the BOOK! Such books were kept in Jerusalem up to its destruction in 70AD. This is why no Jewish opponent in the First Century ever disputed Jesus’ position as Son of David. The Books were there in Jerusalem!

Friday 17^th February Exodus 8

Egypt rejects the government of God. God withdraws His government (in nature) over Egypt and the ten plagues fall upon Egypt. In the Biblical perspective, natural disasters come as a consequence and corollary of Adam’s rejection of God’s government over his life, of Adam’s original sin.

Saturday 18^th February Exodus 9

The first five plagues fall upon Israel too. They have to share the boils, livestock dying, the flies, gnats and frogs, the water turning into blood. We too have to share in the disasters that fall upon our people, even as Jesus shared. Faith is no lucky charm, but a trust in the person and character of the Lord.

Sunday 19^th February Exodus 10

The great paradox in Exodus is where it says Pharaoh hardened his heart (9:34), and I the Lord have hardened Pharaoh’s heart. (10:1) God is totally sovereign in all things. We are totally responsible for our actions/lives. In the dimensions of eternity, both statements are equally true, though mutually exclusive in the dimensions of our existence.

FOR YOUR PRAYER

THEME:  Aging

Growing old but not retiring,

For the battle still is on;

Going on without relenting

Till the final victory’s won. – Anon.