Uniting
AS I was driving to a little-known town in the Mallee region, I was driving on a particularly straight stretch of road, you know the ones. I could see the horizon go on forever, crystal blue sky meeting the horizon into what seemed like eternity. It made me feel quite small in the scope of the big picture that is our world, that is God’s world. I have felt the same way in a huge crowd of people, trying to move and negotiate my way through a crowd, my path often blocked or simply being pushed along by the crowd.
And I know that for many people that they feel small and perhaps even insignificant in our world. Illness and disability often make people feel small and insignificant, and if there is stigma attached, then they may feel like they don’t matter at all
Fortunately, my smallness, our smallness is not a problem for God.
Easter, that is fast approaching, is a reminder to remember and celebrate a god who was willing, as a show of love, to bring healing and wholeness to each individual person on the planet. Individuals matter to God and God’s plan of redemption is for each individual person to grab hold of no matter who you are, where you have come from. Whether rich or poor, healthy or unwell, the love of God is an Easter gift to each individual person.
We matter to God.
However you celebrate the Easter weekend, may you be reminded and may you have time to celebrate and give thanks that in our world we matter and may you find hope and peace in smallness.
Anglican
IT has been a busy period over Lent and for many after two years of so little of normal activities are finding they are tired as we get to this Holy Week. However the effort to find some momentum and energy to attend the Lenten studies on the First Letter of Peter has been rewarding. Not only did folk get to know the message of the letter, it was great to get to know others in the group at a deeper level.
Over Good Friday and Easter day there are a wide range of choices to mark these highly significant occasions in the Christian year. Anglicans will be gathering at Christ Church Swan Hill on both days and some will attend the ecumenical gathering for the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at the park in Nyah West, as well as the dawn service by the river at Nyah on Easter morning.
One of the Easter traditions for some Christians is to renew the promises made at their baptism. At Christ Church we will recommit to ‘turn to Christ’ and to serve God faithfully as members of his church.
Looking further ahead, don’t forget to mark 10am June 5 in your diary for the centenary of All Saints Nyah West. We are still collecting any photos or memorabilia of All Saints for a display on the day.
Grain Shed
HOLIDAY season is back in swing with a mix of hot cross buns, chocolate Easter egg hunts and many going camping. Wherever you go, whatever you do, we wish you a happy and safe Easter break.
Our services being held over this Easter weekend are Good Friday 10am and Easter Sunday 10am. We look forward to seeing you and why not invite a friend to come and share the good news?
Our Easter Hope Challenge saw 437 bags of delicious Anzac biscuits going out to those in the community in need. A big thank-you to all who helped in the making, packing and distributing.
Easter was the beginning of hope for all! That hope continues on to today and in the future.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16 NIV
