How time goes by! I realise we only have three more weeks among you all here in the parish of Fendalton. I hope we can celebrate some of the time we have shared together as a congregation on the 21st November following worship with a shared lunch .
And as always, if you'd like to catch up please call me to arrange a visit, ph. 0212014798.
A Few Words
"Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you." - Paul to the Philippians
Is Christianity just about being forgiven and making sure we have somewhere to go when we die? Or is there something more?
Christianity is in the best sense of the word, a tradition, a way of life. That is, something which is learned, imitated, caught or practiced by being passed on from one person to another, from one generation to another.
Something life giving and life changing.
Throughout history Christian message about God and Jesus and the church's faith and practice has been called Apostolic tradition - that is, the particular approach to life that has been passed on from the time of the apostles. And of course the apostles in turn imitated what they had seen and learned from Jesus - that is after all what it means to be a disciple or an apprentice.
There is something more to Christianity than going to heaven when we die.
Jesus invites us to live lives shaped by God's future here and now. The apostle Paul encourages us to express our faith through lives of meaningful work here and now. This Sunday at Lifestreams I'd like to explore some of what it means to to put the invitation of Jesus and the encouragement of Paul into practice in our lives - here and now.
God's deep blessing be with you,
Andrew
Meanwhile this coming Sunday's roster:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
The Gospel reading: Peter Moore
Luke 21:5-19
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." 7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" 8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, "I am he!' and, "The time is near!' Do not go after them. 9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." 10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. 12 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Kidzone
Bubbles: Charlotte W. and Penny C.
Splash/Xstream: Sheena M.,Jonathon B. and Anthony F.
GRID: Angela B.
Morning Tea: Linda Adams, Gillian Perano
Thanks for helping out with worship. I have really valued the contribution made by everyone over the past two years!
May the light of Christ continue to guide your way,
Andrew