Quick notes for this week

14 Nov Quick notes for this week

I’m back…again!

The annual worship planning retreat with the LifeWay leaders went very well. I’m excited about the worship plan for the year ahead as it points us toward deeper faith & extended discipleship & wider witness here and beyond! There’s much to be thankful for…not the least safe travels. When you have time let me tell you about my adventures in driving both to & from Sydney this week. YIKES!

Anyway…this week…

1. Zoom Bible Study Catch-up  (Daniel 6 & Psalm 101:1-9)
   Friday 15th November 2024  @ 1:00 p.m.
   Join Zoom Meeting  —  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83006349720  —  Meeting ID: 830 0634 9720
2. Living Water Prayer Morning  – Saturday 16^th November 2024 @ 10:00 a.m. At Paul & Philippa’s place.
3. Sunday is a Morning Tea Sunday! You know what to do. 😉
4. I’ve already mentioned we’re starting to plan for Christmas…yes I know…It’s only November…but…

• Christmas Eve is Tuesday, 24th December – Worship will most likely be at 7:00 p.m. Ask Liz or Philippa how you can help out! We really need a musician to lead the carols!!!!
• Christmas Day is Wednesday, 25th December – Worship will most likely be at 9:00 a.m. A few more hands here too would be great! Talk to Liz and Philippa.

Let’s talk 2025…

• • I’d like us to pray ourselves into the new year. The last Sunday of 2024 is 29^th December & the first Sunday of 2025 is 5^th January…if you’re around between those two Sundays, I’m wondering if a few of us can get together to pray for all that God has given us in 2024 & to be ready to receive & share his gifts in 2025. I’d like us to start a pattern of praying ourselves into each new season. Talk to me and we’ll work something out.
  • UnEarthed: Uncovering stories of Faith in Australia – Thursday 27th February 2025 – This citywide multi-church evangelism event will be a FREE event for you, your families, and friends held at the Range Function Centre. Please note that date! This is going to be HUGE for our city as many of the churches are finally working together to see Christ’s kingdom reach wider than any individual church can stretch. It’s going to include Karl Faase, Colin Buchanan (and his adult country repertoire) and special guests from the Faith Runs Deep documentary interview series. All-Australian stories of faith in Christ from the length & breadth of this sunburnt country…the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit.

That should get us up & running toward next week…but there’s also…I was reading Acts 23 this morning. Paul is on trial before the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem & as he makes his first defense he says, “I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!” (Acts 23:6b)

Now…in that context Paul uses that declaration of hope in Christ’s resurrection to set himself firmly among the Pharisees & turn them against the Sadducees who did not believe in resurrection. He wanted to split the jury…if you will. But in reality, the resurrection overthrows the whole High Council because Pharisee & Sadducee alike screamed for Jesus’ death. The resurrection is the final victory that nothing can destroy & the powers of the world (Jewish or non-Jewish or raw pagan) one & all rage against it and against all who claim Christ’s resurrection as their final hope & ultimate joy. Our lives are a daily witness to that final victory…we do it well or poorly…but every day we are “on trial” before a watching world about our final hope & ultimate joy. Let’s make sure it’s the resurrection the world sees as we move through our day.

See you Sunday!

John