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