From the Mitchell’s

As you all know we have a number of missionaries whom we pray for regularly. These prayer notes come from the Mitchell’s and give an insight into life for them in their difficult situation.

In these comments we see their growth in learning a foreign language their delight in the depth of faith of their friends and the difficulty of family life in a foreign land. They write,

‘Our most exciting time of year ministry-wise has been this last week. As a family we served at a camp for Church Planters and their families. These families work all over our local republic in varied and difficult situations. We had met them all the year before and were very excited to fellowship with them again (our language being much better this year!). They teach us heaps about love and servant hood.

We have been praying that God would work in our family - growing us together in love and respect. This summer has been a great time to see God

answering this. It's really special all being together for these months. The girls are soon to return to Germany. ‘ Stephen

24 HOUR PRAYER VIGIL

The Parish Council believes that a 24 hour prayer vigil at St. Peter’s is an important ministry at this time in our parish’s life.

The Vigil will be held from Friday September 5th at 7.00pm through to Saturday September 6th at 7.00pm.

The vigil will begin with a time of worship and close with a time of worship. Our hope is that we can have at least one person praying in the church throughout the 24 hours.

Our intention is to pray for every business and community organisation in Eaglehawk. The purpose being to pray that our community will be open to hearing and receiving the message of teh Gospel of Jesus and that they will respond with repentance and faith.

As such this is an important element of our outreach strategy for the coming 12 months. Nothing can be achieved in Jesus name without a thorough dependence on the Lord in prayer. Please support this prayer event. Stephen

THE SUBWAY PHILOSOPHY

During our holidays we went to Subway to buy our lunch. On one of those occasions we were sitting at some seats, which enabled us to see behind the counter. Written on the counter for only the staff to see was the following sign

‘Remember the 2 minute rule—smile’

It strikes me that as Christians; there is a joy in knowing the Lord and experiencing his love and mercy that should permeate our whole lives.

Sometimes the worries and trials of this world lead us to a sense of sadness and solemnity.

Paul calls us to ‘rejoice in the Lord always.’ - Philippians 4:4. In doing this it may be helpful to remember the 2 minute rule and smile. It is hard to be sad when we are smiling. Stephen

THE ISSUE OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE CHURCH

Over the last few weeks the Anglican Church has been rocked by the splitting of the church over the issues of first the blessing of same sex marriages and secondly of the appointment of an openly gay bishop ( though he is now celibate).

I am saddened by the Diocese of Westminster in Canada, who have chosen to bless same sex marriages against the clear will of the majority of the worldwide Anglican Church.  Such action can only cause division.

As I read the scriptures, the only relationship which God has blessed for marriage is that of a husband and wife.  In every place in the bible where homosexual actions are spoken of these are spoken of as contrary to God’s will.

For people who have homosexual leanings, feelings or even an orientation, I believe the Bible calls them to be celibate. The Bible also seems to me to clearly say that marriage is the only appropriate place for sexual relations and so single heterosexual people are also called to be celibate until marriage.

God made us male and female so that we could be companions one for another and experience a special kind of intimacy.  That mutual companionship is what marriage is all about.  Two men or two women are never called to such an intimate relationship, even though they can and do have good companionship relationships.

So what of the appointment of a Gay Bishop in England. It would seem to me that if the person in question has now chosen a celibate life and has truly repented of His past life then he is a brave man who is living honestly and with integrity.  Whether this is the case or not, I am not sure.

The key issue in all this is the Anglican Church is a biblical Church and we must live, act and move only in accord with what the God says through His word.            

                     Stephen

Some thoughts about the bible

I received these three quotes about the bible on the internet this week.  They are encouraging and remind us of the importance of the scriptures

“The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home” (Augustine of Hippo)

“The Bible is not only a book which I can understand, it is a book which understands me.” (Emile Cailett)

“Nobody ever outgrows the scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

            These three quotes give us some helpful reminders concerning the bible.

            The first helps us to see that the author of the bible is the Lord himself.  He inspired those who wrote.  The thoughts and words were implanted in the minds of the writers and they wrote God’s message to us.  We too are destined to live our eternity in heaven with the Lord which is our true home.

            The second helps us to understand how we are to read the bible.  We should expect that as we read we will see the Lord reveal things about our nature which help us to understand ourselves.  The bible is a life-changing book.  So often when we read it, especially if we are consistent in our reading we will find the word speaking to our very situation.

            The third helps us to understand that we will never finish reading the bible.  No matter how much we read.  No matter how many times we have read various passages, we can always learn more from God’s word.  Our situations are always changing, so each time we read the bible we come to it differently and it will speak to us again and again and again.   

                                                                           Stephen

June 15^th

24-Hour Prayer Vigil

            On Monday evening at our Mission-planning meeting we decided not to run a week long mission this year.  However instead we decided to run a number of outreach activities.

            These included a number of outreach church services on Sundays to which we can invite our non-church friends. We hope as part of this to run a Youth outreach event.

            Other activities we hope to be involved with will be running a joint event with the Community Health centre, and a debate or question and answer evening.  We also hope to run another  ‘In loving memory service.

            Probably the most important undertaking was to plan a 24-hour prayer vigil.  This will take place from Friday September 5th at 7.00pm through to 7.00pm Saturday September 6th at St. Peter’s. 

            The aim of the Prayer Vigil is to pray for our community.  Our hope is that we will have someone inside the church praying at all times during the 24 hours.  Our desire is that we develop our passion for prayer and our passion for those who do not know Jesus in our community.

            I hope that you will set this weekend aside and go the extra mile in offering to pray for an hour at some time during the 24 hours.

            Please remember too that we have numbers of other regular opportunities to pray for corporately in our church. There are our Tuesday and Thursday morning prayer meetings, our fellowship Groups, and of course the prayer chain, Why not consider being involved more deeply in the prayer opportunities of our parish

Stephen

June 8^th

The Value of Vital Worship

           Adrian Lane, in a recent article spoke of his experiences overseas, where he visited many lively, growing, churches. He noticed that one thing in common with growing churches was that, ‘they loved to worship God and it showed. There was a flow and smoothness tot the Sunday worship and a lack of self-consciousness about meeting with God’ (Essentials May 2003).

           I’m sure that most of us would say that we enjoyed coming to worship, but does it show? Do we come with an enthusiasm to worship the Lord with all out heart, Sole, Mind and Strength? Are we a people who are unafraid to get lost in worship so that we leave behind some of our inhibitions?

             Enthusiasm for the Lord is infectious. Out love for the lord needs to show on our faces as we worship and as we meet with those who are new in our Church.

            Today we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. On the first Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came, there was set free, a boldness and joy which was infectious and many people joined the believes.

             When a visitor joins us for worship they will gain an impression of the life of our church from our attitude to, and enthusiasm for worship.

             Today as we celebrate Pentecost may the Lord who sends His Spirit to us, fill us with a sense of ore and wonder and joy as we worship him.

                                                          Stephen