Anna, the children and I have returned from holiday on Thursday and look forward to catching up with many of you this Sunday at Lifestreams.
Time, Talents, Treasures
This Sunday we continue our series of talks about Christian stewardship. These talks are being shared at all St Barnabas' worship services. Last Sunday at Lifestreams Paul talked about our stewardship of time. This Sunday I will explore the use of our God given talents.
There are study guides prepared by Alister available for anyone who would like to delve deeper; please let me know if you would like one and I will make some available on Sunday as well.
St Barnabas' Week of Prayer
As we journey through this time of transition as a parish community we invite you to join together for a week of prayer. We are seeking the fellowship and guidance of God's Spirit as we search for a new vicar, youth minister and the next step for Lifestreams' congregation. Our parish week of prayer will begin tomorrow evening at 5pm with a time of worship and prayer in the St Barnabas' sanctuary. St Barnabas' will be open throughout the week until 9pm each day, and for set times of prayer throughout the day. Prayer aids and Bible readings will be available. See this week's pew sheet for times.
Lifestreams' Congregational Vision
It is an amazing gift to have so many wonderful insights from our sharing two weeks ago of what we value about Lifestreams. Youth ministry, Community and Worship are highly valued and that is a sign to me of vitality and hope. Angela Brown has kindly transcribed all the sticky note feedback and we will make a copy of this available to everyone next week. I am working through all the feedback and will include a copy of my reflection on the insights and broad picture provided by our sharing in next week's Lifestreams e-news.
For Meditation and Reflection
From The Message by Eugene Peterson
Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:1-2
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
So may each of your moments, hours and days be graced with the presence of God.
In Christ
Andrew
Time, Talents, Treasures
This Sunday we continue our series of talks about Christian stewardship. These talks are being shared at all St Barnabas' worship services. Last Sunday at Lifestreams Paul talked about our stewardship of time. This Sunday I will explore the use of our God given talents.
There are study guides prepared by Alister available for anyone who would like to delve deeper; please let me know if you would like one and I will make some available on Sunday as well.
St Barnabas' Week of Prayer
As we journey through this time of transition as a parish community we invite you to join together for a week of prayer. We are seeking the fellowship and guidance of God's Spirit as we search for a new vicar, youth minister and the next step for Lifestreams' congregation. Our parish week of prayer will begin tomorrow evening at 5pm with a time of worship and prayer in the St Barnabas' sanctuary. St Barnabas' will be open throughout the week until 9pm each day, and for set times of prayer throughout the day. Prayer aids and Bible readings will be available. See this week's pew sheet for times.
Lifestreams' Congregational Vision
It is an amazing gift to have so many wonderful insights from our sharing two weeks ago of what we value about Lifestreams. Youth ministry, Community and Worship are highly valued and that is a sign to me of vitality and hope. Angela Brown has kindly transcribed all the sticky note feedback and we will make a copy of this available to everyone next week. I am working through all the feedback and will include a copy of my reflection on the insights and broad picture provided by our sharing in next week's Lifestreams e-news.
For Meditation and Reflection
From The Message by Eugene PetersonPaul's Letter to the Romans 12:1-2
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
So may each of your moments, hours and days be graced with the presence of God.
In Christ
Andrew