In early January, Morning Church brainstormed some of the many sites our members are using for their Bible reading this year. Here’s a bit of a snapshot of what was suggested….
Over the next 2 weeks, the Synod of our Diocese will meet. So, what is a Synod? Essentially it is a meeting, pretty much like a ‘parliament’ (held over 5 afternoons and evenings each year) for representatives of the many churches which make up the Diocese of Sydney. My wife Pru and I have been elected to represent our parish, together with our Senior Minister Kerry Nagel.
We meet to make Ordinances (‘rules’ for the good government of our churches) and to discuss matters of mutual interest. In the words of one member: ‘There will be moments of high tension and interest, speeches of passion and times of sheer boredom when you will wonder: Why am I here?‘
The Bible studies which begin each session will be given this year by our former Senior Minister, Stephen Gibson. We have already been sent an initial few hundred pages of agenda and other documents! Some of the matters on the agenda include the consideration of a study into effective church planting, financial matters, policy for dealing with allegations of unacceptable behaviour, response to the Syrian refugee crisis, authorisation of lay ministry, whether marriages should continue to be conducted if same-sex marriage should become legal, and many other issues as well.
It is a tiring, but worthwhile time. Please pray for us, that the decisions made will not just be useful and practical, but that they will serve to assist the proclamation of the gospel.
Philip Selden
There has been much debate over many years regarding the exact meaning of 1 Peter 3:19. Even Martin Luther commented, “A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the New Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means.”
Below is an article written by Tony Payne of Matthias Media who’s conclusions are, in my view, helpful and well worth considering.
http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2000/03/on-the-trail-of-the-spirits-in-prison/
The challenge was put out there this week to write a Psalm of your own (it was on the front of the news sheet if you missed it!). Below is a Psalm, written by one of our Morning Church members, Sarah Jones, at a difficult time of grief in her life.
Enjoy….
Be merciful to me oh Lord,
For I am in distress.
My eyes grow weak with sorrow,
My body longs for rest.
My anguish is consuming
And my strength is failing me.
Grief has overcome me,
I am adrift at sea.
Turn your ear to me Lord,
Come quickly to my rescue,
I trust in you, my fortress,
Be my rock of refuge.
Now I commit my Spirit,
Into your loving hands.
Deliver me in your righteousness,
And help me understand.
Lead me now and guide me,
As I solely lean on you.
When I am weak, then you are strong,
So show me what to do.
So I praise you through my tears,
Knowing you are in control.
My hurt is overwhelming,
Through my body and my soul.
Your unfailing love can save me,
A love that knows no bounds,
You’ve redeemed my soul, oh God of truth,
And turned my life around.
I’ll walk with you now slowly,
As your will unfolds for me,
And I pray for peace and shelter
From this pain inside of me.
You’re faithful to your promises,
Upholding those who fall.
Your strength and comfort prop me up,
You listen when I call –
Out of the depths of darkness,
And unrelenting night,
Will you lift me up on eagles’ wings,
And give me back my sight?
Six weeks to go until we depart for Uganda. (more…)
