Home » Opinion » Thank God for the rain

Thank God for the rain

GRAIN SHED

THOSE who come from a farming background will be singing with joy after the beautiful rain of late.

Maybe less for the temperature drop, though. As we go through different seasons including trials and triumphs, heartaches and joy, our God created these different seasons so we would learn to rely on Him.

God is faithful, and in these seasons, He is moulding us into who we are meant to be. He is the Creator of all things good. He allows everything to work together to achieve His master plan. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

This Sunday at 10am, Pastor La’Mont starts a new teaching series – Knowing God.

This week is identification: What it means to identify as a Christian and how should I see the new Christian-me.

Sunday, June 13 is intimacy: The deeper layers of a relationship with God and its fruit in everyday life.

Sunday, June 20 is integrity: The Biblical fair dinkum person.

Enjoy real, practical, and biblical discussions on these foundational issues in Christian discipleship. This will make you grow and see new heights in your journey with Christ.

Why not sign up at the Growth Group desk in the foyer and join one of our existing Growth Groups for these three weeks to be part of a discussion on these topics?

Why not get a friend or two and create your own group for these three weeks using our discussion questions at the Growth Group desk in the foyer. Please join us during these three Sundays and bring a friend.

Tonight at 6.30pm our youth meet with a delicious dinner before continuing their Youth Alpha series “The cross and why did Jesus die?”

For all secondary students looking for a fun activity mixing with others while learning more about Jesus, contact Liz, youth@thegrainshed.org.au.

Monday is mainly music, open to all with little ones not at school, from 9.30am to 11am.

Thursday at 10am, our craft ladies meet with a good cuppa and some funny tales while putting their hands to work.

CCVT is running a Safe Church Awareness Workshop. Have you registered as it is recommended that all leaders and volunteers attend a Safe Church. It is a prerequisite to ministry in the local church.

Refresher course is Friday, June 17 and workshop course is Saturday, June 18.

Contact reception for more information and how to register.

UNITING

THIS week we reach Pentecost in the Church calendar.

The symbol we see at this time is often fire, but the sound of wind, a roaring wind, was an important element in the account in the book of Acts, chapter two.

The sound of a roaring wind drew people out, piqued their curiosity, got their attention.

Note that it was the sound of roaring wind, not the physical presence of wind. God knew how to get their attention.

How has he grabbed your attention lately?

Sights, sounds, aromas, tastes, textures and temperature. You engage with the world around you every day with these senses, but have you stayed curious? Do you stop to appreciate the natural world in a fresh way each day?

For the people at the time of Pentecost, the phenomenon of fire and wind were seen and heard in ways that made them wonder.

These new experiences helped them to stop and listen. What they heard coming from the mouths of the men from Galilee was not what they expected.

They heard their own languages being spoken, telling them of the love of God and all that Christ had done.

This week, as the weather changes, as nature catches our attention, take time to stop and listen, to drink in the sights and stay curious. You may find something unexpected.

The Swan Hill Uniting Church is in Beveridge Street. Our congregation meets every Sunday at 10am.

All are welcome to join in conversations about life with our small group on Wednesdays at 10am.

Digital Editions


More News

  • Fire, heat blamed for late arrival times

    Fire, heat blamed for late arrival times

    SWAN Hill passenger train services recorded their lowest punctuality ever in January, V/Line figures show. Reliability on the line was 85.1 per cent, while punctuality dropped to 63.5 per cent,…

  • Getting Lake Boga tourism on track

    Getting Lake Boga tourism on track

    A LONG-closed train station at Lake Boga has become the focus of a renewed push to bring rail passengers to the lakeside town. Glenda Booth, a longtime resident and secretary…

  • Portraits of many paths

    Portraits of many paths

    AN inspiring new exhibition celebrating the stories and faces of people from diverse cultural backgrounds will be showcased at Swan Hill Library and Robinvale Library throughout March. Portraits of Many…

  • Mayor demands drought declarations

    Mayor demands drought declarations

    FARMERS are at breaking point, and now the Balranald mayor is demanding stronger action, calling for formal drought declarations and direct subsidies as the dry tightens its grip. Louie Zaffina…

  • Delegates give council a voice

    Delegates give council a voice

    A THREE-member delegation from Swan Hill Rural City Council will be sent to the nation’s capital in June for the national local government conference. Chief executive Scott Barber said the…

  • Welcome drench in Swan Hill

    Welcome drench in Swan Hill

    SWAN Hill was drenched on Sunday when the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 42.6 mm of rain in a single 24‑hour period. It was a remarkable total for a time of year…

  • Boardroom decision for Mallee mine nears

    Boardroom decision for Mallee mine nears

    AFTER years of planning and approval processes, VHM Limited chief executive Andrew King said the company behind the Goshen mine was “well on the way” to making a Final Investment…

  • Milestone celebrated

    Milestone celebrated

    MARKING a milestone of creativity and community spirit, the Mallee Artists of Swan Hill celebrated their 25th anniversary with a lunch at the Woorinen South Community Centre last week. Founded…

  • Almond harvest begins

    Almond harvest begins

    THE almond industry has begun its harvest season and is projected to yield more than 169,000 tonnes. Last year the almond industry took in 155,697 tonnes, which was above estimates…

  • V/Line service on track

    V/Line service on track

    THE future of the Swan Hill passenger train line is secured despite passengers being told by V/Line staff they could be ushered onto buses in the next 12 months. Passenger…