GRAIN SHED
AS we enter this busy time of the year, our thoughts and prayers go out to all the farmers and their families, and the local businesses.
With all the challenges of getting workers which are needed in the area, these words of Scripture come to mind:
“And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ Luke 10:2.”
Of course in Matthew, we see that Jesus identifies himself as the “Lord of the Harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38).
People without Christ are like sheep without a shepherd.
Without Christ, unbelievers have no hope of eternal life.
There is a need now more than ever for people to come to know the Lord of the Harvest, the Good Shepherd, Emmanuel, our Savior – Jesus Christ.
He is ushering in a new age, a time of swift abundant harvest.
The countdown is on – seven Sundays until Christmas, and with our Christmas Hamper appeal, we would really appreciate donations of non-perishable food goods or tax deductible monetary offerings which you will be able to be make online on our website www.thegrainshed.org.au from next week.
Let’s make this year as successful or even better than last year’s 420 hampers.
Also we are partnering with Anglicare again this year with our empty Christmas tree, so come by and help it overflow, and between these two actions, bless those in need in our local community.
All goods and gifts can be dropped off throughout the week at the Grain Shed between 9am to 5pm.
Grain Shed youth meet tonight at 7pm and welcome all Grade 6s to join in for the rest of Term 3.
Contact Liz for more information on youth@thegrainshed.org.au
We are offering three church service times at present, Friday night at 5pm with the recording of our online service, and Sunday 9.30am and 11am.
As numbers are limited, bookings are essential.
For those unable to join us, our online service is broadcast at 10am Sunday on our Grain Shed Church Facebook and Youtube pages.
Our Grainshed Kids program continues online due to the restricted numbers and can be found on our Grain Shed Church and Grainshed Kids Facebook pages.
The Mainly Music team welcome parents/carers with newborns through to preschool to join in for an interactive music session followed by morning tea and play from 9.30am – 11am.
The cost is $5 per family.
Contact Robyn if you would like to know more: robyn.carson@thegrainshed.org.au
On Thursday at 10am our craft ladies meet.
UNITING
AS things begin to open up across the state, the sense of anticipation for the future is rising.
People are planning longed-for travels and speaking more hopefully of being with families.
At Swan Hill UC, groups are beginning to meet back together, and gathering for worship together has been widely appreciated.
There remains however, a sense of caution as we begin to understand that we need to learn how to live in a world where the virus remains.
Caution is a good thing.
The yellow lights on our traffic lights tell us that we need to prepare to stop.
Being cautious helps us to pause and be aware.
One of the things that was initially appreciated by many was the slowing down of the pace of life for a while.
Perhaps this is important to remember, and to recognise that resting is an important part of keeping us healthy.
For some, it took a pandemic to make them pause.
Resting well is something that we have been created for.
The Bible tells us that God rested after his creating and took time to pause and enjoy the life created.
Resting is important for restoring our souls, reawakening our imagination, refreshing our joy in life.
The time to rest is varied in our lives today.
There is not a day set aside to not work as there once was.
This means we each need to be attentive to when we take time to rest, giving ourselves permission to cease doing so that we can be refreshed.
After all, if God can do it, so can we!
ANGLICAN
YESTERDAY many will have paused for a minute of silence at 11am to reflect on the sacrifices of all the men and women who have served Australia in times of war.
“Lest We Forget.”
In these troubled times we need to pray daily for those still serving in other ways, some in protective clothing in hospitals and hospices, some in uniforms of the SES, police officers, and ambulance officers.
Concerning health measures, Government COVID officers have already inspected another church in our Diocese of Bendigo.
Our Parish COVID-Safe plan has been updated for this.
People rostered for duties such as Eucharist assistant or reader will automatically be included in the 30 permitted to attend services at 9.30am Sunday or 10am Wednesday.
On this basis, regular attendees will be invited every second week.
There can be another ten or twelve people accommodated at that midweek service.
There is flexibility for people to swap for a special occasion, however please be mindful that Peter will have the task of adapting the list on Friday.
Intermittent restrictions to the Boot Sale and Cottage Craft Market has caused last minute cancellation more than once.
The team of volunteers have been doing some ‘fine tuning’ of the set-up and clear away routine for the third weekend of each month.
The post-sale sort and repacking will now wait for some willing helpers to assist the stalwart boys after 11am on the Sunday.
There will be a sale on the 20th of this month, and another in December, so maybe there will be some willing hands to commit to these final two events for 2021.
Last Sunday we celebrated All Saints Day, for those living and departed, and all left the service singing “That Song” on the way to morning tea.
