GRAIN SHED
AS the days are getting warmer and longer, coaxing nature to come out in its full force and beauty, let’s take time out to stop and look around… how amazing is God’s creation!
‘By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen’. Hebrews 11:3
And then we turn our eyes to the situation in Afghanistan, and be encouraged to pray for this country, its people, as they need our prayers.
‘The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed’. Psalm 103:6
Tonight our youth meet at 7pm here at the Grain Shed for a 40hr famine.
Then at 10am Sunday our doors are open with Pastor La’Mont on the platform continuing with his series ‘Great things to come’.
Grainshed kids are also on – for those unable to attend, our service is live streamed on our Facebook Grain Shed Church page.
This Monday mainly music welcomes mums/carers with their young children who are not at school age for a fun interactive music and play session starting at 9.30am until 11am.
On Thursday our craft ladies meet at 10am.
And yes, it is that time of the year again, Samaritans Purse Shoeboxes are available here at the Grain Shed.
Operation Christmas Child is a hands-on way to bless children in need around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies and other fun gifts.
They are collected and distributed to children in over 100 countries in the name of Jesus Christ.
Return date is the first week in October.
Save the date as well, on Saturday September 11 we will be having our Spring Blossom Picnic.
UNITING
HOW would you respond if you were given a second chance, a realisation that past mistakes would not be handed down to the next generation?
The Psalm for this Sunday is Psalm 84 and is written by the Sons of Korah.
Who are the Sons of Korah you ask?
Well, Korah was someone who had a special role to play in the life and worship of the Israelite people as he was from the family line of Levi, who were the priests.
Korah led a minor rebellion against Moses over a theological dispute (Numbers 16:3). Moses told Korah that God would settle the dispute, so they assembled outside the place of worship, called the Tent of Meeting, for that purpose. The ground opened up and swallowed Korah and his followers. Then fire consumed another 250 men. (Numbers 16:31-35). Korah’s sons, however, didn’t die. Some became warriors, some became gatekeepers, and others contributed to battle by standing their ground and singing and praising God.
The Sons who took that second chance and used it to praise and worship God have been credited with many of the psalms we read today.
They chose to live out of the second chance they were given.
Psalm 84 was written many generations later while the Sons were on pilgrimage to the Temple built by Solomon.
The Temple was a place of worship, of safety and security where the love and mercy of God could be encountered.
The psalm recognizes that the pilgrimage may be difficult, like going through a desert, but that their God would strengthen them and bring about life and hope.
It celebrates their arrival at the Temple as they write about wanting to serve God alone.
The Sons took their second chance and made good use of it.
Sometimes we need to recognise our second chances.
The ground may not literally open up but sometimes circumstances can feel this way.
Our faith can be the rock on which we stand, giving us the opportunity to give thanks and make new beginnings.
ANGLICAN
THE Anglican Car Boot Sale will press pause for the time being given the growing concern regarding COVID-19 around the country and the added burden on Ron and the team to make sure everything complies with regulations.
Ron and the Parish Council have agreed that it is time to be cautious.
Last month’s sale was cancelled at the last minute due to lockdown number five.Also last month the Mothers’ Union meeting was cancelled; happily this week members were able to gather for the Wednesday service and cuppa.
The Nyah West OP Shop sale, with a bag of clothes available for $5 during August continues with lots of winter stock available.
And continuing the feature of hearing an account of someone’s Spiritual Journey during the meeting, with the greatest interest we followed the steps of our Rector, Peter.
Those who were away can catch up from anyone present on the day.
We also look forward to hearing from others of our clergy team in future gatherings.
Our proposed ‘Christmas in July’ luncheon of course couldn’t happen, and not in August either.
It may yet melt into our AGM in November – who can tell?
Meanwhile we rejoice that we can still gather for Prayer, Praise and Proclamation this Sunday, at least for now.
The people of our world certainly need to know that others are concerned for them, especially victims of war, flood, fire and famine, and not least, earthquakes.
What a palette of disasters in the midst of a pandemic!
News networks ensure that people are made aware of everything going on at every moment, an overload of repetition in the hope that people will stay safe.
We pray for those in sickness and need of every kind, and those who risk so much to care for them.
