Dear Friends, It was wonderful to have a break over the last two weeks; to have time away as a family at Culburra Beach relaxing and reading books and celebrating Grace’s 18th birthday! It was also good to hear John preach on the 5th July on those very apt words for us, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” (Matthew 11: 28) Or, in the words of The Read more…
Dear friends It was great to have a “live” congregation in the church again last Sunday, even though numbers were still restricted and only A-H’s were invited. 32 attended, with others joining in via Zoom on 65 devices. If you missed it, the recording is available on our website at https://youtu.be/DaZTnhrzHEc I led the service and preached on “You’re Invited” (from Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30). I shared the invitation that is extended to all — to joy through the mourning of Read more…
Dear friends For last Sunday’s service a number of tricky technological changes were trialled in preparation for having an in-church congregation again this coming Sunday. Thanks to Steve Blackburn and Bruce Frazer especially for all their set-up work. While the changes worked better than expected overall, we will keep working on a couple of issues to ensure a quality experience for those in the church as well as those joining in remotely via Zoom. One different aspect of last Sunday’s Read more…
Dear Friends, I am putting the ‘PS’ up front – so you all see it! As we are returning to larger gatherings from Sunday 5th July (just half of the congregation each Sunday) we decided to make that first Sunday with our Covid Safety Plan a little more straightforward by not having communion that day. Instead we are celebrating communion this Sunday – so please have some bread and juice ready at home this Sunday, 28th June! Last Sunday I was very fortunate to have the chance to reflect on the Read more…
Dear friends Last Sunday’s service included reflection on Psalm 116, especially the opening verse – “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.” Our mini-choir presented two related songs – “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice” and “I love the Lord, he heard my cries”. I’m not sure how well they came across on your Zoom, but I had the privilege of being in the church and it was absolutely beautiful. Thanks Read more…
I couldn’t decided whether to start this week’s ‘Sunday to Sunday’ reflection with, “Sunday afternoon turned out to more eventful than I thought it would be…” or “On Sunday afternoon I ended up at the Covid 19 clinic in Weston Creek!” Both are true. Seventy minutes before Sunday’s church meeting I was cleaning the kitchen and impaled the end of my finger on the Tupperware chopper (those blades are sharp!) We applied three band-aids (but they were a band-aid solution!) and the wound kept bleeding. Read more…
Dear friends Last Thursday (28 May) was the 20th Anniversary of the Reconciliation Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and yesterday was the end of National Reconciliation Week. Belinda reflected on this in her Sunday-to-Sunday email last week and also in the service on Sunday. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2020 was “In This Together”, a theme that continues to be very relevant even after the week has finished. So let me tell you a bit about the painting Read more…
Dear Friends, I had one of those frustrating days yesterday. I was looking at the Common Grace materials for National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), and their call to those who took part in the Walk for Reconciliation in 2000 to send in photos and stories for the 20th anniversary of that event (today – the 28th May 2020). (Photo: Rick Stevens, Sydney Morning Herald) And I can see my photo clearly! In it is my mother and I Read more…
Dear friends Last Sunday was our Annual Thanksgiving Day when we launched our Thanksgiving Offering. John Lewis from Baptist World Aid was our guest speaker, via Zoom from Newcastle. He brought an up-date on BWA’s ministry in various parts of the world, but especially in Bangladesh. Out Thank Offering will be used to help communities in that country deal with the devastating affects of Coronavirus. John Lewis spoke on 2 Corinthians 1:1-17, emphasising that God is a God of comfort Read more…
‘Safe as houses’ was the theme last Sunday; that rather than promising us the relative physical security of a house, Jesus, in John chapter 14, promises we will always find a home, a dwelling place, with him, a place of shelter to which we are called to invite and welcome others. It was the message Jesus gave his disciples in uncertain times and it continues to both a comfort and a challenge to us in uncertain times. And the uncertain Read more…