ZOOM RETURNS!!!

11 Sep ZOOM RETURNS!!!

Happy Wednesday y’all!

It feels great to be back in Wagga again after the 2^nd of 5 outings planned for the final half of the year. I’ve never been away this much this often…not sure I’ll pile it all on like this again…we’ll see.

Anyway…as the headline says…ZOOM Bible Study Catch-ups are BACK! And there are other cool things as well…

1. Zoom Bible Study Catch-up – This is the next to last instalment of our depth study in Jeremiah…Chapter 33. Huge thanks to Mark Woodhouse for bringing God’s word this week!
   Friday 13th September 2024 @ 1:00 p.m.
   Join Zoom Meeting  —  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83006349720  —  Meeting ID: 830 0634 9720
2. This Sunday is a Morning Tea Sunday! You know what to do.
3. Some dates we need to keep on our calendars:

• 22^nd September – Special Guest Rev Brendan Handel – He’s joining us to help us get ready for a BIG city-wide interchurch evangelism event at the Range Function Centre, 27^th February 2025. I’m excited that we can welcome Brendan to share God’s word with us. (I’ll even be there too!)
• 22^nd September – 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. @ St Alban’s Anglican Church Kooringal (w/ afternoon tea) – the information session & launch of the “Faith Runs Deep” Event again with Rev Brendan Handel and leaders from the Christian churches & schools from across Wagga Wagga. I’m hoping most of our Steering Team & any interested others will be there.
• 29^th September – Wagga Intersport Lake to Lake Fun Run & Ride – Our annual opportunity to serve our community by hosting a water station for the athletes & their dogs (yes, sometimes folks bring their dogs along & we have bowls for them too) The streets around the Hall will be blocked off starting from about 8:00 a.m. So all hands on deck by 8:00 to set up our drinks station. We’ll continue in the Hall with Lunch & Worship together starting at 12:00 noon. This is a full day but great fun.
• 6^th October – Living Water Fellowship AGM – Immediately following worship. We’ll grab some morning tea & get stuck into our essential business. Reports should be out before the day & we’re going to take some time during the budget discussion to really plow into what is becoming a looming large scale financial shortfall. We can’t simply pass the budget & then not fund it. The mission here is ours entrusted to us by God…and if we are really going to be sustainable into the future, there’s something for each of us to pray for & give toward into the next generation. Bring your questions and a renewed commitment to Christ’s work in our city.
• 3^rd November – Living Water Church Picnic immediately following worship at the Botanic Gardens. Think how much fun you’re going to have riding the little trains!!!! Details will be forthcoming.

That’s probably enough for our diaries! I’ve shared with a few people a Bible verse that really caught me yesterday morning in my devotions…Proverbs 18:10-11

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. ¹¹ The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.

What struck me is the contrast between reality & illusion. Verse 10 notes the reality of God’s strength to protect & defend & keep safe his people. In the Father, especially by the work of the Son we enjoy a secure dwelling in God’s presence. Verse 11 paints the contrast between what is found outside of trust in God & faith in him alone…it’s fake…illusory…untrustworthy…only in the thoughts & imaginations of those who choose other securities or safe spaces. And, while this proverb highlights the imaginary strength of wealth, it’s not just money that’s a fake security.

I heard a presentation the other week where the point was made: “we always live into the image of something.” We are always shaped by our history, experience, intention, mentors, friends, etc…We always become a reflection or “image” of what shapes our lives. Even if we don’t want to sometimes…we act out what’s been planted into us. If that identity (what we live out) is fake, untrustworthy, ungodly, unbiblical, not from Christ…it’s only possible outcome is collapse because it’s an illusion or an imaginary state of being. Only an identity & way of living as a beloved child of God & disciple of Jesus living into him and his way in this world lasts & ultimately produces lasting “fruit.” Any other identity or expression of self is imaginary…fake…and will not abide the leap into eternity. I’m convinced that’s the heart of the Great Commission…to invite everyone we know who’s living in insecure illusion to join Christ in real fellowship with the Father in life that never ends.

Be blessed this week as you do just that.

John