News...

This week's news

From Simon’s desk...
I have recently begun studying a Masters in Theology, on a very part time basis.  Last week I wrote my first essay in three years, in the essay I compared three different theologians’ views on the relationship that exists between Justification by Grace and Judgment according to works.  While each of these theologians had very different views on how justification worked and on what would happen on the last day when each of us stands before Jesus our judge, what I took a great deal of consolation in was that each of them had virtually the same understanding on their need for God.
Each of them understood that no   person can be justified before God unless they have their faith in Jesus Christ, and that no person can have faith in Jesus Christ unless God gives them that faith.  Each of these theologians put their faith in God, they all understood that faith was not a decision to believe that God was real or an acknowledgement that Jesus really died, they knew that it is a gift from God that enables us to turn from living our lives our own way and to live Gods way.  They understood that it is God who can change our attitude we cannot do it on our own. 
This is very exciting news and yet so easy to assume.  The reason why the first step of Connect 09 is to pray rather than encouraging everyone to join a local group or to put on an event is that our neighbours, our friends and our families will only become Christians if God gives them his spirit, if he gives them the gift of faith.  We need to pray, and ask God that he would save the people around us and then we need to put our faith into practice and tell people why we are Christian.  We need to tell people the truth of what God has done in our lives and what he can do in theirs.  So after the service why not go to the prayer meeting and pray for your family, your street, your workmates and your classmates and ask God to give them his spirit and you the opportunity to tell them what God has done for you.

BCA Box Opening
Bring your collection box from now until 20th September. Give to Rosemary at 8am , an usher or warden at 10am and Louise at 7pm.   BCA boxes are a great way of supporting Bush Church Aid as they facilitate ministry in isolated areas of Australia. If you would like a box please contact the office.

Tin Bin Food          
Many people in our community struggle during winter & Anglicare needs our gifts to      support them. Please give generously, including:  ·Jams & spreads (not peanut butter)  ·Long life milk (1 L) ·Rice and pasta ·Pasta sauces (chicken tonight etc)  ·Coffee & tea (packets of 50 tea bags)  ·cakes and puddings. Tin bins are located in the foyer of the Church and Centre.

Prayer Points

  • Pray for Bruce and Jodie Chapman as they minister to the Youth of Darwin and the Northern Territory.  Thank God for the Youth Surge event at Darwin that involves 7 churches.  Pray for safety as they travel to Tasmania and Sydney in September.  Pray that young people would attend the combined churches event in September.
  • Pray for David and Corinne serving in the Red Sea region. Thank God for the people who are showing an interest in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that God would be the focus of the believers especially during Ramadan and this time of economic hardship.
  • Pray for our friends and neighbours that God would be working in their hearts.  Pray that God would provide an appropriate event for us to invite them to during our AFES mission this year between the 3rd and 7th of December.
  • Pray that Students from Adelaide Universities would want to come along and help us to reach out to our community during mission week this year.
  • Pray for the people of St Pauls Riverstone that they would have energy to keep serving without a full time minister until the Elliotts come in December.
  • Ask God to comfort, strengthen & deepen the trust of those who are sick, grieving, or in special need at this time including Joy, Marj, Joyce, Gordon, Cath, Ethelrose, Colin, Wendy, Jini, Joan.
  • Pray for our missionaries.

Prayer for our world
Micah Challenge
Lord, we come to pour out our grief at the suffering in our world – the physical pain, spiritual poverty, political oppression and economic injustice.  Dear God, remind us to hunger for your righteousness and mercy so that through us you can change the lives of people near us and around the world through our prayers, words and actions.  Amen
Connect 09
Father God, we praise you for your love for all people and for sending Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. Help us to share this love with others. We pray for the people of our city and beyond. By your Spirit prepare their hearts to respond to your Word and put their trust in you. As we connect with them, may they connect with you, and find the joy of sins forgiven and life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

In 2005, 10.1 million children died before their 5th birthday, mostly from preventable causes. Half a million women die each year during pregnancy or childbirth, almost all of them in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Pray for girls and women in places of danger and poverty for whom pregnancy is a fearful time.
Psalm 82:3-4 says, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”