ANGLICAN
TODAY at 10am there will be a preliminary meeting at the Anglican function centre on Splatt Street, where people from local churches will prepare for the World Day of Prayer service on March 4.
There will be two district services on that day, at 10am in the Anglican Church in Swan Hill, and in the Uniting Church, Nyah West, at 10.30am.
Everyone is welcome to attend either gathering.
The service booklet is free, as are the refreshments to follow, but an offering will be collected during the service.
Fifty persons are permitted just now, but in three weeks it would be great to see easing of restrictions in March to allow larger numbers.
Prayer should not be the “Last Resort” but always accompany all the practical aspects of dealing with our planet’s afflictions.
Matthew speaks about some of these in Chapter 24 of his Gospel. Just the first eight verses sound very current; further verses even more so.
Next Wednesday, February 16, Mothers Union members and friends will attend the 10am midweek service, and welcome Andrew our new Diocesan president to the parish.
Following the MU meeting at 11am a light luncheon will be provided for $5.
MU was begun as a spiritual and practical resource for mothers in the early 20th century, but is inclusive of fathers, godparents, and all carers for children and young people.
GRAIN SHED
‘IN the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 NIV
As 2022 unfolds in front of us, this scripture now more than ever, calls us to be lights to a world struggling against physical and spiritual forces like never before.
Especially with COVID, our presence as lights for God is so important. it is little acts of faith that most show others of God’s love and provision for all of us.
Some ways we can be lights to the world today include encouraging others during their trials and hardships through phone calls, text messages, or face-to-face interaction.
Other ways could be using our skills and talents for the community or in ministry, such as being part of the worship team, working with children, helping the elderly or simply by doing acts of kindness.
Being a light means allowing others to come into contact with that light through service and connection, offering the opportunity to share with them how you have the joy of Jesus to help you through the trials and heartache.
As we shine our lights, let us be thankful for the opportunities we have to be these beacons of hope for people and glorify God in heaven.
Tonight our Grain Shed Youth meet at 7pm. This is open to all secondary students and is a great way to meet others and have a ball while learning more about Jesus. Contact Liz at youth@thegrainshed.org.au.
This Sunday our doors are open to all with the service starting at 10am. Pastor La’Mont will be sharing a message ‘Launch out to the deep’. We look forward to seeing you and having a chat over a nice drink afterwards.
The Grainshed kids desk will be open, too, so if you have children aged two and over up to grade six come along and register so that they can be part of it.
For those unable to attend, our online service is found on our Grain Shed Church Facebook page and YouTube channel in the afternoon.
Monday mainly music kicks off for 2022 and the team is so excited. 9.15am check-in desk is open for registrations with the session starting at 9.30am.
This is such a fun, interactive musical program followed by morning tea and play for mums/carers/grandparents with all children not of school age. Babies included. Contact 5032 9449 for more information.
Thursday our craft and create ladies are in from 10am. Sure to be lots of chatting over coffee and cake while creating.
Save the date: Vision Sunday, February 20 at 10am followed by a luncheon.
UNITING
HAVE you ever thought about God being the one who searches for us?
We often read accounts of the way in which Jesus attracted people to him, and if you are like me, imagine that there is some mystical magnetism that draws people to him.
It is important to remember that God desires relationship with his creation that is why he came to us in Jesus.
There is a Jewish saying that says: “The task of the storyteller is to make a place where wisdom, like a shy animal, can come out and graze”.
What a good storyteller Jesus was. He used parable and story to speak with his disciples and the many who stopped to listen.
Jesus spoke in response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and teachers in the crowd. He creates a place for the wisdom to be free to graze.
I like the idea that wisdom grazes. For me, this means that it is nurtured in the hearts and minds of those who take time to consider it.
In this way wisdom grows, in the individual and also in community.
There are many references to God being the one who searches. God has always sought those who were good paddocks for wisdom. He called Noah, Moses, David and prophets like Elijah and Elisha; and Jesus spoke to those who were ready to hear the desire of God in a new way.
Jesus speaks so that wisdom may come to graze in the minds and hearts of those listening and are ready to feed it.
God searches for the rich paddock of our hearts and minds, so that his desire for our lives can be known.
Wisdom is a shy animal, it does not boast or bully.
But, it transforms the paddock it is given to grow in. So how are your paddocks today? Have you allowed God’s wisdom to find nurture?
The Swan Hill Uniting Church is in Beveridge Street.
Our congregation meets every Sunday at 10am.
