Offence

It has now been a year since we did our sermon series “Giving up our offences for Lent”, it was a challenging series wasn’t it.  Please don’t forget the Dad joke, “Don’t take a fence, because its stealing.”  Yes, being offended steals your joy, steals your peace and steals a piece of life away from you.

For me anyway, this last year, I had many opportunities to take offence at other people or to put forgiveness into practice.   Sometimes, unfortunately, I did “take the bait” and get caught being offended at others.  We all certainly had plenty of time and opportunity this year to get upset and offended at all sorts of people and things: politicians, spouses, children, teachers, police, Karen’s (not our Karen), Internet speeds, masks, toilet paper hoarders, this list can go on and on.  

So, today I am not going to wonder if you got offended this year, but rather assume you would have at some stage.  And because of this assumption, I am going to encourage us again to “let go” of our offence and give it to God.  

Psalm 55:2 encourages us to “cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you”, I’m not sure if you ever considered being offended a burden, but it surely is.  When we are offended we carrying around angst or bitterness or anger toward another person or entity and this is a burden that will weigh us down.  By casting these things onto God in Jesus, we are able to let go of them and so be free again.

I pray we all will be free of offence again today, knowing that through the cross, the power of sin has been broken and its hold on us no longer has to be the final word.  Forgiving and forgiveness are truly possible thanks to Jesus.  May we know this freedom in our lives again today..

God Bless
Trev

Annual Meeting

This Is to give notice that our Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday the 21st of March 2021 at 1pm.

Registrations as a member for voting will be received up until Sunday March 7th. 

Lent study

We are holding Lent studies at the church up until Easter from this Wednesday 17th February at 7pm and Thursday 18th at 10am.  Please contact Bertram if you intend to come 0469 295 162. This study is a series on Spiritual Disciplines, which has been prepared by the new Arch Deacon of Bendigo, George Hemmings.  

CMS – Josh and Steph Mckenzie in Bendigo

Steph and Josh Mackenzie and their two children Ezekiel (5) and Eleanor (3) are our new CMS link missionaries. In July this year they will be heading to Numbulwar, which is in South East Arnhem land (see above) to work as church support workers.

They will be around Bendigo until then and would love to come and visit your bible study or other ministry during the week (prayer groups, craft groups, etc). They can share what they are doing (this could be 10 minutes or an hour), run a topical study on mission or just come along to meet you and spend some time getting to know you all.

If you are interested in them visiting your group, or just having a chat to learn more about what they are doing feel free to contact them by phone Josh 0407521919 or Steph 0448019456 or by email at jsmackenzie@cms.org.au.

Confirmation and baptism


The Baptism and Confirmation Service will be on Sunday the 14th of March at the family Service. 7 young people will be baptised and/or confirmed.  This is an exciting time in the life of our church and these young people.  Please pray for them as they continue their faith journey. 

New Children and Youth Minister

It was announced a couple of weeks ago that Andy Ellis and his family: Mary-Anne, Abigail and Stephen will be coming at the end of November to head up the children and youth ministry within our Parish. Please pray for them this year. Theyir family will be coming to our church some time during second term, this will enable us to meet them ahead of time, and them us.

Way of the Cross

Due to Covid safe restrictions that have just passed onto The Way of the Cross committee, it has now been decided to postpone again until next year.  In July/August, no doubt we will make another request for people to join for next year.  I look forward to many from HT being involved.

Men’s Breakfast planning

For those interested – a planning meeting for the Strathfieldsaye Men’s Breakfast will be held at Strathfieldsaye Community Church on Saturday 6^th March at 8am. Restarting the breakfast again in April and what form it might be will be discussed .

No food or drinks this time. Contact- John Davis H: 5443 2026

Life FM Secretary

Life Fm is looking for a volunteer to take up the role of their secretary. This role would take from, 4-6 hours pers week. Talk to Trev if you would like more information about this.