Service times November 2010

Service times for November and December 5 are as follows:

7th November - Service with Communion (11am)
14th November - Service with Communion (8.30am) guest preacher Pastor Graham Zweck
21st November - Service of the Word(11am)
28th November - Service with Communion (8.30am) guest preacher Pastor Allan Heppner
5th December - Service of the Word (11am)

God bless you all,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 26th September - 8.30am

This Sunday service will begin at 8.30am as we continue our journey through the gospel of St Luke. This week we'll be hearing the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31) and considering the cautions Jesus' presents to us in this vivid account of life and death.

Rather than using this text to go down the path of moralism, we will consider what it was that plugged the rich man's ears to the Word of God which offered to save him from the torments of hell. And we'll also be thinking about those things that plug our ears to the Word and close us off from God's grace. Without His life giving Gospel active in our lives, showing true mercy is never high on our list of priorities.

See you Sunday.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 19th September - 11am

This Sunday worship will begin at 11am.

I'm planning to preach on the gospel reading from Luke 16:1-13, the parable of the shrewd manager and offer the reflections here from our LCA worship resources:

Jesus is talking to the affluent here, people who are so wrapped up in their pursuit of money and consumer material goods that they don't bother giving time to pursue their eternal welfare before it is too late. This illustrative story does not praise dubious practice in business. Jesus uses the astuteness of the dishonest manager as the quality to be emulated by Christians when addressing their spiritual needs. The children of light (disciples of Christ) are not as industrious by and large at pursuing eternal life as the children of this world are in getting ahead! The second comparison is in faithfulness of stewardship. Christ makes the point that Christian service needs to be directed single-mindedly to the Lord, not mixed also with material greed.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 5th September - 11am

This Sunday service begins at 11am in Echuca. Given that Sunday is Fathers' Day, the gospel reading from Luke 14 is likely to challenge us as Jesus declares that whoever follows Him must hate their father, etc.

Rather than closing our ears to this difficult reading, there is much blessing as we consider how Jesus calls us to keep our priorities in check as we walk as His disciples. It's essentially a first commandment text reminder us to fear, love and trust God above all things!

Please note that because it is Fathers' Day we will not be holding our regular monthly luncheon this week.

See you Sunday.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 29th August - 8.30am

This coming Sunday (29/8) is the fifth Sunday of the month and falls out of our regular pattern of service times. Worship will begin at 8.30am and will include Sunday School as usual.

Here are the readings for your preparation:

Proverbs 25:6,7 The wisdom of humility

Hebrews 13:1-8,15,16 Obligations in community, home, and church

Luke 14:1,7-14 Humility and hospitality

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 8th August - 8.30am

Sorry for the late posting this week.

Service tomorrow will begin at 8.30am.

See you then.

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 1st August - 11.00am

This Sunday service begins at 11am and will be followed by a shared lunch. I look forward to being together in worship once more, receiving the rich mercies from our Lord through Word and Sacrament.

Here are the service details and a reflection from the LC-MS worship department:

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26
Colossians 3:1–11
Luke 12:13–21

Faith in Christ Is Rich toward God

To live for earthly things “is vanity and a striving after wind,” and work that is driven by such vanity “is an unhappy business” (Eccl. 1:14; 2:23). The man who lives like that has nothing to show for “all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun. . . . All his days are full of sorrow” (Eccl. 2:22–23). So, too, your “covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5), makes a god out of that which cannot give you life or happiness. For “one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). But “Christ who is your life” (Col. 3:4), in giving you Himself, gives you all the wealth of heaven. Instead of striving to lay up treasures for yourself, be “rich toward God” in Him (Luke 12:21).

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For the 4th & 11th & 18th July

Service on the 4th July will begin at 11am.
(followed by a shared lunch)

READINGS:
Isaiah 66:10-14 Rejoice with Jerusalem
Galatians 6:7-16 Do good to all
Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Jesus sends out the seventy

Service on the 11th July will begin at 8.30am.

READINGS:
Deuteronomy 30:9-14 A call to obey God whose word is very near
Colossians 1:1-14 Paul's thanksgiving and prayer
Luke 10:25-37 The parable of the good Samaritan

Service on the 18th July will begin at 11am.

READINGS:
Genesis 18:1-10a A son promised to old Abraham and Sarah
Colossians 1:15-28 The supremacy of Christ; Paul a servant
Luke 10:38-42 Jesus visits Mary and Martha

For Sunday 27th June, 8.30am

Oops, I did it again! No, I'm not promoting Britney Spears' ditties, I'm apologising for neglecting the blog again for the last month or so. But knowing that I'm forgiven by grace through faith in Christ our Lord, I'm not going to dwell on my failings!

Instead I'm going to tell you to come along and receive this same gift at worship this Sunday which will begin at 8.30am.

We will commemorate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession - the central document of our Lutheran Confessions and one of the clearest expositions of the true Christian faith ever penned.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:12-16

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 30th May

This Sunday we have planned a parish service which will take place at the home of Roger and Lyn Reid, a place known as Moroco West Station, approximately 25 km east of Mathoura. Service will begin at approximately 10.30am - but please be flexible as we have a couple of bus loads coming from Shepparton.

A light lunch will be provided after the service.

If you would like directions or more info, please give me a call on 5821 5206.

Hope to see you there.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

They're all here...finally!

Melania's sister, brother in law and nephews and nieces finally arrived this morning, landing in Melbourne at 5.05am. At last this family which has been separated for 17 years can start to make a life together again. Thanks to all those who have supported them and are continuing to do so in so many ways.




The quality of this video is not the best due to some problems converting it, but you get the idea.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 16th May - 11am

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 1:12–26
Revelation 22:1–6 (7–11) 12–20
John 17:20–26

Jesus Is with Us in His Holy Christian Church

On the night when He was betrayed, Jesus interceded for His Church--for His apostles and all who believe in Him through their word--that all of His disciples “may become perfectly one” in the Father and the Son (John 17:21–23). For Jesus became flesh and dwells among us in order to reveal the Father and His name, to share with us the glory of His righteousness, and to bring us to the Father in Himself. As the Father loved the Son from “before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24), so He loves the whole world (John 17:23, 26). Through the apostolic witness to the baptism, cross, and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:21–22), the Lord gathers His disciples throughout the world “with one accord,” as one body in Christ (Acts 1:14). And so with one voice and by one Spirit, His Bride prays, “Come!” (Rev. 22:17). And He comes to us. He gives us “the water of life without price” to wash our robes and quench our thirst (Rev. 22:17); and he feeds us from “the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit” (Rev. 22:2).

from http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=16736

Service will begin at 11am

A joyful reunion

Melania is reunited with her mother after 17 years of separation!

Melania's brother and sister were only babies when she was separated from them. The younger two boys were not even born - so it was a reunion and an introduction!

For Sunday 9th May - 8.30am

In order to ensure I'm keeping up with posting, I thought I'd publish next Sunday's service times without too much comment this week!

Service next Sunday will begin at 8.30am.

Here are the readings for your preparation:

Acts 16:9-15 Paul takes the good news to Philippi
Revelation 21:10,22 - 22:5 The new Jerusalem
John 14:23-29 'I am going to the Father'

God's blessing on your week,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 2nd May - 11am

Jesus Turns Sorrow into Joy

On earth “you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20). Already the Spirit grants you peace and joy through the forgiveness of your sins. For by the cross of Christ, “God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). His Gospel is “a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household” (Acts 11:13–14). He gives freely “from the spring of the water of life” (Rev. 21:6), “and death shall be no more” (Rev. 21:4). He dwells with His people, adorning His Church as a bride for her husband, “making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). Therefore, as the Son of Man is glorified by His cross, “and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31), so He is glorified in us by our “love for one another” (John 13:35), which His Spirit works in us by His grace. (from www.lcms.org)

Service this Sunday will begin at 11am and will be followed by a shared lunch.

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 25th April - 8.30am

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep
(from http://www.lcms.org)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from the Father and became flesh among us in order to rescue us, His sheep. He laid down His life for us and took it up again in order to give us eternal life. By the preaching of His Gospel, He calls His sheep to Himself and keeps them with Him forever. As they hear His voice and follow Him, “they will never perish” (John 10:28), for “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand” (John 10:29). In the same way, faithful pastors (literally, “shepherds”) “care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood” (Acts 20:28), “testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Therefore, with all the company of heaven, the Good Shepherd gathers his flock in worship, as they cry: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10).

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday.

Come and listen to the voice of your Good Shepherd as He calls you to eternal life through the forgiveness of your sins.

Divine service begins at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 18th April - 11am

I must apologise once more for getting out of the habit of updating the blog each week. I'm afraid it has slipped off my regular routine and I usually only think of it when it's too late for the week. I will make every endeavour to 'get back on the horse' from next week!

In the meantime, service tomorrow is at 11am and I look forward to seeing you there.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Holy week service times

Service times for holy week are as follows:

Maundy Thursday: Service with Communion; 8pm
Good Friday: Service of Word and Prayer; 8.30am
Easter Sunday: Service with Holy Communion; 11.00am

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 10th January - 8.30am

This Sunday as we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus, we will be thinking about the way His baptism shows how completely He identifies Himself with us sinners. As He is baptised by John, Jesus reveals how far He will go to save us and the Father and the Spirit proclaim their love and approval of all that He is about to do.

For us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus, this Sunday brings great hope as we are reminded that we are incorporated into the Body of the One with whom the Father is well pleased.

Service begins at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt