ANGLICAN
ANGLICANS in Swan Hill have two parish events coming up in the next few weeks.
On July 31, being the fifth Sunday of the month, there will be a combined parish service at 11am and the venue this time will be the Lake Boga Fire Brigade (meeting room) in Station Street, Lake Boga.
It has been more than four years since we last held a church service there. There will be a bring and share fellowship lunch after the service.
Whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month, we endeavour to move around the parish area which encompasses Tresco and Lake Boga in the south, Ultima in the west and north to Nyah, Nyah West Piangil and in fact almost to Boundary Bend. We are hoping to hold the October 5 Sunday service at the Pioneer Settlement chapel.
With the recent announcement of our Rector taking up a new appointment, there will be a farewell service and bring and share lunch at Christ Church on August 14.
This will also be a parish service at 11am.
There is another Lego challenge being set by the Diocese of Bendigo. The challenge is to retell one of Jesus’ parables in Lego.
The format can be a model, a diorama or a stop-motion video or any other Lego format you might think of.
Entries or questions to George Hemmings at archdeacon@bendigoanglican.org.au.
GRAIN SHED
CHANGE is all around us in the sights, smells, sounds and feel of each day as winter slowly unwraps her icy fingers from our part of the world.
The days are lengthening, the nights are shortening.
There are fresh, new, fragrant scents in the air and the birds, lizards and insects are becoming more active.
There’s the laughter of children playing in the street and a feeling of expectation in the atmosphere.
This anticipation of better, warmer days ahead is also how we, as Christians, feel about the hope of Jesus in our lives.
Jesus said, “I have come so that they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.” (John 10:10 NIrV)
Tonight at the Grain Shed, our Grain Shed Youth meet from 7pm-9pm for a night of Lego fun. For more information, contact youth@thegrainshed.org.au.
This Sunday at 10am, Pastor LaMont will be speaking about ‘The Secret to Happiness’ from Philippians 4:10-20. If you are unable to attend or would like to re-watch Sunday’s message, go to the Grain Shed Church page on Facebook or YouTube.
Our Grainshed Kids onsite resumed last Sunday for all children aged 3-12 years. This week, the children will be discovering how Jesus gave us a great example of gentleness with the way He treated children.
Jesus was concerned for the children. He cared about them, even though the disciples would have chosen to send them away. To Jesus, every person is valuable and loved.
As we go through our week, may we be reminded to live with gentleness. Let our gentle actions and words make a difference in the world around us.
If you are unable to attend in person then check out our Grainshed Kids online experiences. You will find the links on our Grainshed Facebook Page every Friday or Saturday.
Our mainly music program will be on Monday from 9.30am-11am. Jessie will lead the pre-schoolers and parents in a fun time of singing, dancing and rhymes followed by some morning tea and playtime. If you would like to know how to register for this program, contact Robyn via reception@thegrainshed.org.au.
For more information about any of our Grainshed Kids programs, contact us at kids@thegrainshed.org.au.
On Thursday at 10am, our lovely craft ladies will be working hard on their sewing whilst enjoying a cuppa and a chat.
If you would like to know more about any of our activities, then please contact reception@thegrainshed.org.au.
UNITING
ONE of the most debilitating problems we live with is our busyness. Busyness is just another form of addiction.
One writer has called it a cult of our western living. It has almost become a symbol of status in our lives.
Another writer states that busyness prevents us from being creative and innovative. It stops us from learning new things. This means that busyness prevents us from hearing and processing what God is saying to us.
We need to create those spaces and times where we slow down, breathe, and take time to listen. Like any other relationship, if we do not take time to maintain that relationship, we will slip away from one another.
Have you ever considered that God could feel rejected?
Perhaps it is because of Jesus promise that he will never leave us or forsake us, that we take his presence for granted. The reality is that God has always desired to be with his created people. The first story in Genesis gives us a picture of the relationship God desires with us and for us.
Distractions can come in many guises. The Israelites in the Old Testament book of Amos had become distracted with their comfortable, self-sufficient lives.
They no longer sought God as their provider, comforter and guide. The people had forgotten God.
Not all busyness is physical though. Jesus names this in his interaction with Martha in the New Testament. Martha had invited Jesus to her home but then became so busy that she had no time to sit with him. He says to her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed”.
Martha is someone we can all relate to, isn’t she? We can all relate to the everyday business of cooking, cleaning, medical appointments, friends and family needs, and getting jobs done, but how often are we too busy in our minds?
We need to bring our busy minds to Christ, as well as our physical bodies. Christ came as the visible likeness of God to show us again what matters most. God desires our presence. Will you sit with him?
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.
