The 46th Psalm shows us that we are not alone in our experience of the past few days. Throughout the ages, God's faithful people have sought to understand and renew their understanding of God in the face of calamity. In this song the poet praises God's steadfast love even in the midst of earthquake. The psalm doesn't deny the obvious trauma of such an event. But the psalmist does invite us go deeper than our circumstances; to rest our hearts upon God whose purpose for humankind and the earth is ultimately characterised by life and abundance.
The psalmist sings:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake
in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble
with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city;
it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar,
the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice,
the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
- Psalm 46
In the midst of our circumstances try taking some time to quietly read this psalm. Then spend 5 minutes allowing God to silently penetrate the anxiety of your heart with a peace that surpasses all rational understanding.
This Sunday in the Parish of Fendalton
All Worship in the St Barnabas' Hall
The Church building has been damaged in the earthquake and Medbury Hall is still off limits. Therefore all our worship gatherings will take place this Sunday in the St Barnabas' Church Hall. Please notice we have made changes to service times so that all the congregations may be accommodated.
8am Eucharist
9.15am Choral Eucharist
10.30am Lifestreams Worship
5.30pm Living the Life
7.00pm Antioch
Our thoughts and prayers are directed toward you all at this time. If you would like a visit or just talk and we have not contacted you yet, please let us know - we will be glad to visit.
With God's blessing of peace,
Andrew
Lifestreams' Roster
First Reading: Peter Moore
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— 12 a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them.
22 "For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good." 23 I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. 25 I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. 26 I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger. 27 For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. 28 Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.
Gospel Reading: Mary Cropp
Luke 15:1-10
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Assistants: Assistants away. Would you like to help assist?
Ministry of Healing: Stephanie Sturge, Mary Cropp
Sides people: Peter Moore
Welcomers: Stephanie Sturge, Claire Cambell
Prayers: Would you like to lead prayers?
Kidzone:
Bubbles: Christine Fokkens, Kate Adams
Splash/Xstream: Sheena Maxwell, Chris Saunders, Anthony Fokkens
GRID: Monica Coulson
Morning Tea: Dave and Andrea Ramsell
Look forward to being together with you all this Sunday.
God bless!
Andrew
The psalmist sings:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake
in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble
with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city;
it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar,
the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice,
the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
- Psalm 46
In the midst of our circumstances try taking some time to quietly read this psalm. Then spend 5 minutes allowing God to silently penetrate the anxiety of your heart with a peace that surpasses all rational understanding.
This Sunday in the Parish of Fendalton
All Worship in the St Barnabas' Hall
The Church building has been damaged in the earthquake and Medbury Hall is still off limits. Therefore all our worship gatherings will take place this Sunday in the St Barnabas' Church Hall. Please notice we have made changes to service times so that all the congregations may be accommodated.
8am Eucharist
9.15am Choral Eucharist
10.30am Lifestreams Worship
5.30pm Living the Life
7.00pm Antioch
Our thoughts and prayers are directed toward you all at this time. If you would like a visit or just talk and we have not contacted you yet, please let us know - we will be glad to visit.
With God's blessing of peace,
Andrew
Lifestreams' Roster
First Reading: Peter Moore
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— 12 a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them.
22 "For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good." 23 I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. 25 I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. 26 I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger. 27 For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. 28 Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.
Gospel Reading: Mary Cropp
Luke 15:1-10
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Assistants: Assistants away. Would you like to help assist?
Ministry of Healing: Stephanie Sturge, Mary Cropp
Sides people: Peter Moore
Welcomers: Stephanie Sturge, Claire Cambell
Prayers: Would you like to lead prayers?
Kidzone:
Bubbles: Christine Fokkens, Kate Adams
Splash/Xstream: Sheena Maxwell, Chris Saunders, Anthony Fokkens
GRID: Monica Coulson
Morning Tea: Dave and Andrea Ramsell
Look forward to being together with you all this Sunday.
God bless!
Andrew