Getting Connected - Living Faith Church

Sunday 20th Mar 2016
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT !
SHAPE: Now is the Time to Act!
The one expression that would drive our lecturers
crazy when I went through Minister training was
this, “my ministry”. It irritated them because the
emphasis was almost always on “my” rather than
“ministry”.
“What’s the
difference?” you
might ask.
Ministry (or any act of
Christian service) is
about what God is
doing in someone’s
life and we offer our
hands, feet, speech
and resources to help
Jesus carry that out. It’s God’s ministry not my
ministry.
Often when people say “my ministry” what they
actually mean is those particular acts of Christian
service that I like doing.
And I ask God to bless
my ministry which I offer
to God. In this understanding, I am the centre of
attention helping out God, but in Jesus’
understanding God is at work and we humbly and
selflessly offer what we can. It is humble because
we know that Jesus gave us everything on the
cross and any service that we offer in response
comes nowhere near the size of that offering of
love and service. Ever
noticed how hard it is
to boast of my ministry
when speaking of the
Cross?
The SHAPE Course is
coming to an end and it
has encouraged us to
examine how God has
made us and equipped us, so that we join God in
Jesus’ ministry in the world. All this focus on self is
not meant to make us think of my ministry but
rather how I fit into God’s purposes for this world.
By looking at my SHAPE I should get a better idea
of a matching shaped ministry/ministries that God
has prepared me for.
To use a football metaphor; if I
am tall and fit the coach will
probably choose me for the
ruck, but if I am small and fast
and can run all day, the coach
will probably want me in the
midfield, but will never put me in
the ruck. The ruck and the
midfield are not better than each
other, but do different things on
the same team. Our team is the
Jesus’ Kingdom of God.
The last session of the book
challenges us to take a “90 day
challenge”. This is the challenge
to those who have examined
their SHAPE and realised there
are different sides to them that
they could be offering to God
and want to try out something
different in serving God. And for
others it is the sudden
realization that their strengths
and gifts don’t match the areas
of service they are now involved
in and they need to change to a
better fit ministry.
supervision (no-one should be
tossed in at the deep end and
left to flounder). Now is the time!
Change is inevitably risky and
you may be worried that you will
end up with egg on your face
because you tried out a different
way of serving God and you
were mistaken because it turned
out to be not a good fit for you.
That does not matter because
the very act of trying is an act of
faith that is holy in God’s eyes.
Like parents urging the child to
take their first steps, God is
happy with a few falls on the
way to learning how to walk!
Work with the person
responsible for that ministry to
see if you are a good fit for it.
And if you are not, make sure
you humbly listen to the person
in charge of that ministry
because it is better to accept a
difficult truth for a day than to be
left in painful ignorance for a
lifetime. And if the person in
charge believes you are in the
right ministry but you need
training to develop your skills
then be humble and fit some
training into your busy schedule.
Training not only makes your
ministry more fruitful and
enjoyable for the recipients, it
also re-energises your own
enthusiasm for ministry and
service.
pages of the LFC Directory to
see who is in charge of the
relevant ministry and arrange a
time to have a coffee and a
serious chat with them.
If your SHAPE leads to ministry
in the community or in the wider
church, then please note the
same principles apply that I
have mentioned; it is God’s
ministry not yours, humility,
speaking with the one in charge,
supervision in a trial period,
training as required, and the
willingness to hear that it may or
may not be the right ministry fit
for you, and enjoying working
with God in something really
meaningful. These principles
also apply if the ministry God is
calling you to is a paid
profession.
Now is the time to act, because
there is no greater joy in life
than joining God in changing the
world in your small corner in a
ministry that matches your gifts,
passions, personality, abilities
and experiences. Jesus did not
die just to forgive sins, he rose
from the dead so that you could
experience the New Life of
selflessly serving God and
loving others; this is joy and it is
yours.
If either of these is you then I
encourage you to talk to
someone who is in charge of the
ministry that you either want to
go into or want to leave. Now is
the time! Do not wait another
month because by then you will
have relaxed back into old
habits and the insights you now
May you find your place in
have will begin to fade. Talk to
God’s Kingdom purpose again
someone and see if you can
and again,
If your SHAPE leads to ministry
have a trial period with help/
Graeme
in LFC then look in the front
PRAYER AFTER THE 10:00AM
SERVICE
The Elders offer the opportunity for
you to receive prayer following the
10:00am service. The prayer may
be for yourself or for someone you
know.
Just come to the front of the church
after the service and sit in the front
row. Someone will be there to pray
with you.
Glenis, Elder
precious about our self-time,
but seek to gain by giving, just
as you did in your ministry of
service.
May we rest from idle
busyness, and engage with
doing what matters.
Teach us the way of balance
and focus, that we might live
well and live abundantly.
Remind us to stop and smell
the roses.
Rest us in your Sabbath.
Hold us in your will.
Speak to us your way.
This we pause to pray.
This we ask in the name of the
Christ who teaches us.
Amen
Vaeluaga
Wed, 23rd Mar
PRAY
God the peacemaker
Your arrival rekindled the spirit
of life
You gave hope and joy for the
needy
We were shouting and dancing
in the streets
Spreading fabrics and palm
branches
Welcoming the King that
comes in the name of the Lord
By Rev Dr Apwee Ting
By Rev Jon Humphries
From “Daily Prayers for
Lent”
Sun, 20th Mar
PRAY
Rest up
Our Lord of our fife,
Teach us the art of ‘not doing.’
Help us not to do religion out of
habit or routine.
Help us stop buying into
consumerism and the injustice
it creates.
Help us stop the cycle of waste
and degradation that afflicts our
planning.
May we never just go along
unthinkingly with what others
are doing or where they might
be leading.
May we not tire of doing good
and may break from being
Mon, 21st Mar
PRAY
Lord Jesus, teach me to focus
my sight towards your will and
teach me to be happy in the
depth of my relationship with
you. Amen
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed
be your name,
By Revd Gaby Kobrossi
your kingdom come, your will
Tue, 22nd Mar
be done on earth as in heaven.
PRAY
Give us today our daily bread.
Gracious God; the challenges
Forgive us our sins as we
of navigating the intricacies of
forgive those who sin against
the new mission tapestry often
us.
points us to the old and familiar Save us from the time of trial
responses – “I do not know
and deliver us from evil.
who you are talking about!”
For the kingdom, the power,
Forgive our weariness.
and the glory are yours now
Forgive our doubt.
and for ever. Amen.
Forgive our lack of faith.
In Christ, we have been
forgiveness – therefore repent!
Amen.
By Rev Temukisa Amituana’iVaeluaga and Rev Sani
house of the Lord we bless
you.
The Lord is God, and he has
Some of the Pharisees in the
made his light shine on us.
crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, With boughs in hand, join in the
rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell
JESUS COMES TO
festal procession up to the
you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep
horns of the altar.
JERUSALEM AS KING
quiet, the stones will cry out.’ You are my God, and I will
After Jesus
praise you; you are my God,
Ref: New International
had said
and I will exalt you.
this, he went Version - UK (NIVUK
Give thanks to the Lord, for he
on ahead,
is good; his love endures for
going up to
ever.
T
HINK
A
BOUT
:
Jerusalem.
As he
Psalm 118: 1-2, Ref: New International
approached Bethphage and
Version - UK (NIVUK))
19-29
Bethany at the hill called the
Mount of Olives, he sent two of
WOMEN CAN ALSO
his disciples, saying to them,
‘Go to the village ahead of you, Verses 1-2
MAKE DECISIONS
and as you enter it, you will find Give thanks to the Lord, for he
I am brave to speak in front of
a colt tied there, which no one is good; his love endures for
people. I feel I am equal to
has ever ridden. Untie it and
ever.
men. Women can also make
bring it here. If anyone asks
Let Israel say: ‘His love
decisions – Rita Sarmenta
you, “Why are you untying it?” endures for ever.’
say, “The Lord needs it.” Those
Rita is the widowed mother of
who were sent ahead went and Verses 19-29
nine, was shocked and
Open for me the gates of the
found it just as he had told
humbled when she was asked
righteous; I will enter and give to stand for the Village Chief in
them. As they were untying
thanks to the Lord.
the colt, its owners asked
a village outside Dili, the
them, ‘Why are you untying the This is the gate of the Lord
capital of Timor-Leste.
colt?’ They replied, ‘The Lord through which the righteous
On International Women's Day
may enter.
needs it.’ They brought it to
a recent report says that in
I will give you thanks, for you
Jesus, threw their cloaks on
Timor 86% of women aged 15
answered
me;
you
have
the colt and put Jesus on it. As
to 49 believe that a husband is
become
my
salvation.
he went along, people spread
justified in beating his wife.
The
stone
the
builders
rejected
their cloaks on the road.
has become the cornerstone; Worse still, more than one in
When he came near the place the Lord has done this, and it is four women consider marital
where the road goes down the marvellous in our eyes.
rape permissible. Feto Forte
Mount of Olives, the whole
The Lord has done it this very Nasaun Forte - strong women,
crowd of disciples began
day; let us rejoice today and be strong nation and Timor-Leste
joyfully to praise God in loud
(our near neighbour) needs
glad.
voices for all the miracles they Lord, save us! Lord, grant us
that strength, as one of the
had seen:
poorest countries in Asia.
success!
‘Blessed is the king who comes Blessed is he who comes in
Darrel
in the name of the Lord!’
the name of the Lord. From the
THINK ABOUT:
Luke 19: 28-40
‘Peace in heaven and glory in
the highest!’
T HERESA SAYS
T HANK YOU
PASCHAL DINNER/SERVICE
THU, 24 MARCH
AT LIVING FAITH CHURCH
AT 6:15PM
Theresa and her five children are so
excited that Living Faith Church has
assisted them in securing a house to
rent in Greensborough.
The Paschal Dinner is a community
They are currently packing and
meal of the church that parallels Jesus'
endeavouring to move in the next week Last Supper with his disciples. We
or so.
wash each other’s hands just as Jesus
It has been wonderful to see the
served his disciples by washing their
Church and also the Interchurch
feet.
Council in action, participating strongly
We have some of the symbols of the
in the community joining God in his
Passover meal that Jesus shared with
mission and making such a difference
his disciples and we learn how they tell
to a family who probably had little hope the story of God's salvation. We see
of such a move without our help.
how Jesus changed the meaning of a
Not only have we secured the home for
them, but there have been many offers
of wardrobes and furniture. Also Tucker
Club and Diamond Valley Community
Support are there for them.
part of the Passover meal to become
Holy Communion. And like the
Passover meal we enjoy food, song
and fellowship in the church family.
It begins at 6:15pm and people are
Thank you for the little acts of kindness asked to bring a plate of either main
that we see day by day.
course or dessert.
Joy and Graham, Nola and Robb, Let Glenis Henderson know you are
Irene and Stewart. coming and which course you are
bringing by signing the sheet on
Sunday or telephoning directly on 9435
T ASTY GIFTS
1757.
FOR INMATES
In a recent edition of the
Diamond Valley Leader
newspaper our very own
Nola was featured taking
an enormous tray of biscuits from her
oven. Great picture!
Of course the biscuits are on their way
to prisoners through Prison Fellowship
Victoria.
Congratulations Nola for bringing this
activity to the notice of our wider
community in the Diamond Valley.
Everyone is invited and bring a friend!
Graeme Harrison
A HEARTFELT
LETTER FROM A
FAMILY TO A
MENTOR
PIGEON HOLE
CHANGES
Members of the Communication &
We don’t really know where Administration Ministry Group have
to begin to thank you for all relabelled the pigeon holes in the foyer.
you’ve done, and for all you
are to us.
They have deleted some labels, added
You came into Samantha's some labels, and changed the position of
life at a time when she
some.
needed strength and
support, and have been
If corrections or changes are needed
with her ever since. A loving, caring,
would you please contact Joan, Bruce or
guiding light in the life of a child who
Julie.
was losing her way.
Dear Marnie,
We are so grateful for you, for
volunteering your time and sharing
your life with Samantha.
We wish you all the very best for
whatever journey you take next.
Love, Sally, Wayne, and especially
Samantha.
KIDS HOPE AUS builds caring
relationships:
one child, one hour, one
Church, one school
Robyn
Joan
WOMEN CAN
ALSO READ
SCRIPTURE IN
MANJAK
Reading Scripture in
Manjak Reading
Scripture in Manjak
(rather than French) is
like seeing by my own
lamp now - Manjak
speaker (Senegal)
Wycliffe Today is the
magazine of Wycliffe
Bible Translators
Australia, National
Office, 70 Graham Road,
Kangaroo Ground VIC
3097. Their internet site
is www.wycliffe.org.au
Copies of the Summer
2016 issue can be
picked up from the table
in our foyer. The
magazine shows the
number of possible
aspects you can donate
to, including projects you
can volunteer for.
Maybe a gap year? You
will be changed forever!
Maybe in Papua New
Guinea or some South
Asia country. A strong
theme and importance of
this edition is that literacy
and numeracy inherently
bring greater and better
choices for those who
learn to read the radical
teachings and actions of
Jesus in their own
language. To read is "a
lamp to my feet, a light to
my path" (Psalm
119:105). Kangaroo
Ground is a nice,
leisurely afternoon drive
from the general area of
Greensborough or
nearby suburbs.
CONTACTS AT LIVING
FAITH CHURCH
INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN'S
LENTEN Money
DEVELOPMENT
Boxes
AGENCY
International Women's
Development Agency
(IWDA) is the leading
Australian agency
entirely focused on
women's rights and
gender equality, tackling
issues of power, money
and security, across Asia
Pacific.
You can support IWDA
by cheque/money order,
credit card, sent to
IWDA, Reply 64 Flinders
Lane Vic 8009.
Darrel
People can return their
money boxes for Lent
Event this Sunday into the
offering bowl (if not in a
box it needs to be clearly
labelled for the counters),
and also on Easter Day.
Graeme
Come and celebrate Palm
Sunday at Messy Church at
Watsonia Uniting Church, 71
Devonshire Road, Watsonia.
Sunday, 20th March, 4:00pm6:00pm
Website:
http://www.livingfaithchurch.org.au/
Phone: 9435-8797
Street Address: 37 Gri msh aw Street,
Greensborough 3088
Postal Address: PO Box 291,
Greensborough, 3088
Office Email Address:
[email protected]
SUNDAY WORSHIP T IMES
10:00am - All-age Morning Worship
service
MINISTERS
Graeme Harrison: 15 Eldale Avenue,
Greensborough
Phone: 9434 5502
Mob: 0422 490 323
E-mail:
[email protected]
Glen Coleman:
Mob: 0414 524 536
E-mail:
[email protected]
Story, craft, music, cooking plus
a delicious meal.
ARTICLES FOR
GETTING CONNECTED
For children of all ages and their
families, people of all faiths and
none.
Articles or information for publishing in
Getting Connected, should be sent to
Getting Connected by
Enquiries to Margie Dahl on
0403 625 122, or
[email protected]
[email protected]
6:00pm on Thursday evening.
Email
SUNDAY 10:00 AM SERVICE
If you have trouble seeing words on the overhead
screen, copies of the songs are available from the
steward‘s table as you come in to worship. The
sermon is also recorded each week. If you want a
copy for someone who cannot attend church,
please speak to the person managing the sound
system.
Childrens’ Ministries:
Creche: For under 4’s in the Playgroup Room.
The Parent/Carer needs to sign children in/out. If
you require this service please talk to a Steward.
POND: For 4 year olds to Grade 6 on the stage
area at the back of the Hall. Children will be
supervised until collected by Parents/Carers.
THUNDER: Secondary aged children in the
Youth Room.
Children will leave to go to their ministry areas as
directed during the worship service..
If you are going on holiday or need to
communicate a concern or prayer request, please
speak to the Elder-in-charge
LADIES NIGHT O UT 2016
Godfathers
106 Mountain View Road,
Briar Hill
7:00pm
The dates for 2016 are:

17th May

19th July

20th September

15th November
EASTER EVENTS
AND SERVICES
Thursday, 24th March:
6:15pm - Paschal Dinner
Friday, 25th March:
9:30am - Good Friday Service
Sunday, 27th March:
10:00am - Easter Sunday Service
Look forward to seeing you at our May
night out.
Anita and Leanne
8:00am, Sunday, 3rd April at
Missing Bean Café
The next will resume on the last Sunday:
Sun, 24th April
Palm Sunday,
Sun, 20th Mar, 2:00pm
State Library
Walk for
Justice for
Refugees
GREENSBOROUGH I NTER CHURCH COUNCIL:
FINALIST
The Greensborough Inter-Church
Council (GICC) submitted a Grant
Application with Leader to obtain
funding assistance for the running of
the Annual Carols service. This year
will be the service's 90th anniversary.
All members of our congregations are
encouraged to get their voting fingers
well oiled.
Rex
Therefore we have arranged for a
“SPECIAL” morning tea on Sunday 20th
March after the morning service and if
anybody wishes to contribute or donate
some money to help Maya, it would be
greatly appreciated.
together on wet
days. If you are thinking of joining us or
coming to have a look please check
with Janette first to make sure we are
there on that day.
There will be no
Marching on the
Maya has been selected to play for
29th March and
Victoria in the Australasian Under 17
the 5th April 2016
Badminton Championship to be held in due to school
Perth from 26th March to 2nd April. As a holidays.
result Maya is looking for some
Also the Marching
personal financial support.
Group will not get
Ron, Micke & Maya
GICC has been advised they have
been short-listed as a finalist.
Meeting at Wesley Church
at 1:15pm and walking to
State Library.
MARCHING NEWS
Janette
Looking forward to some lovely
munchies!
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Usually the last Sunday of
the month, but this month
only it will be…...
PERSONAL HELP FOR
MAYA
You can only vote for GICC Christmas
Carols event at http://
www.leaderlocalgrants.com.au/.
Congregation members can register
and vote up to 10 times.
Graham
SUPPORT MAYA
TODAY
T UCKER CLUB
We were notified this week that Tucker
Club has been nominated by Diamond
Valley Community Support for a
Banyule Community Group Volunteer
Award. The nomination recognises the
value of Tucker Club, and the friendly
meal and great atmosphere that has
developed through the work of the
Tucker Club volunteers.
Congratulations to everyone for your
nomination, and we look forward to the
award ceremony on Wed, 11th May.
HOSPITALITY APRIL
In taking up the challenge to use the
gifts and abilities that we have
discovered from the S.H.A.P.E.
course, the Pastoral Care Ministry
Group would like to encourage you to
make April a hospitality month.
Invite someone, or a family, who you
do not know very well from the
congregation:
 for a meal,
 a cup of coffee,
 a walk,
 a bike ride,
 a play in the park or
 to an event, and then let us know
who you invited.
The Pastoral Care Ministry Group
Anita would like to hear about your event.
Bryan
Pastoral Care Ministry Group.
LENT 6
A COUPLE OF
THINGS I FORGOT TO
OLD ROAD - NEW
MENTION IN MY
UNDERSTANDING
WE HAVE MET
MANY PEOPLE WE
ARE SUPPORTING
IN LENT EVENT
2016
PRAYER:
God, we know that we
often see your people in
other lands and situations
as in need of what we
have to offer:
development,
democracy, social
services, even
Christianity and faith. Yet
we are sharing stories of
partners, not inferiors.
People of strong and
vibrant faith with dynamic
worship and hearts filled
with praise and
commitment often in
unimaginable
circumstances.
Remind us how much we
too have to receive, to
learn, and to celebrate
from our sisters and
brothers in every land
and of every language.
Guide us by your Light!
Guide us by your Spirit.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
SERMON LAST
WEEK…
F
irstly, if you have a look
at the reading from 2 Cor
1:1-10 you will see that
Paul and Timothy had
experiences far beyond
anything that the Corinthians
had so far encountered in their
shaky beginnings. These
unique experiences inform Paul
about who he is, give him
reason to push on with his
mission and draw him ever
closer to God, increasing his
love and hope for, and with, the
Corinthian church. While the
Corinthians have not had the
experiences of Paul and
Timothy they are certainly
aware of the hardships and
frailty that faith in God brings
from time to time. As a result
they are able to empathise with
Paul and so their prayer life
takes off and becomes an
experience they can draw on in
their own sufferings and as a
way of connecting their past
(before Christ) present and
future. While God didn't cause
the circumstances, because
Paul and the Corinthians were
clear that God was at the
centre of what they were trying
to achieve together, God was
able to use those experiences
to teach, grow and encourage
all of them.
S
econdly, I only half
explained Thankyou.
This social enterprise
company was founded with the
clear aim to reduce and
eliminate global poverty. 100%
of their profits (monitored
closely within the business, and
by laws without) go to funding
projects that improve living
conditions for some of the
worlds poorest. Profits from
their water sales fund water
projects, from their body range
fund health and hygiene
projects and from their food
range fund food projects. Each
individual product can be
tracked by the consumer to the
project it funds via their
website. The book, Chapter
One, tells the story so far, a tale
of experiences that have
shaped the enterprise thus far
and that are leading them into
the future. Profits from the book
will fund two future areas; one,
developing baby products from
which the profits will help fund
maternal health projects; and
two, taking Thankyou to New
Zealand, building it there from
the ground up, increasing the
opportunities to change the
world.
Glen
KINGDOM PRAYERS
T UESDAY, 22ND M ARCH
7:30PM-8:00PM
WORSHIP CENTRE
What’s on this Week At Living Faith Church
Saturday, 19th Mar
10:00am - Music Group 3
Sunday, 20th Mar - Palm Sunday
10:00am All Age Worship
Monday, 21st Mar - Monday in Holy Week
7:00pm - Primary Club - Venue: Hall
7:45pm - Monday Night Bible Study Life Group - Contact: Bryan
Tuesday, 22nd Mar - Tuesday in Holy Week
9:30am - Marching - In Hall - Contact: Janette
10:00am - Tuesday Playgroup - Contact: Bill
11:00am - Ministry Meeting - Manse - Contact: Graeme/Glen
1:30pm - Codgers - Contact: Stewart
7:30pm - Kingdom Prayers - Contact: Graeme/Glen
8:00pm - Elders’ Meeting - Contact: Janet
Wednesday, 23rd Mar - Wednesday in Holy Week
2:00pm - Caregivers and Friends meet - Group 2 - “Rozzi’s Café” - Contact:
Janet or Jacob
8:00pm - Manse Lenten Study - Contact: Graeme H
8:00pm - WEBS Life Group - Pre-Holiday Recess - Contact: Jacob
Thu, 24th Mar - Maundy or Holy Thursday
9:30am - Thursday Playgroup - Contact: Natalie
1:00pm - Friendship Centre - Hall - Contact: Brian/Bruce/Graham
6:15pm - Paschal Dinner at LFC - Contact: Glennis/ Graeme
8:00pm - Thursday Night Life Group - Contact: Jeremy
Fri, 25th Mar - Good Friday
9:30am - Good Friday All Age Worship - see Roster attached
Saturday, 26th Mar -Holy Saturday
10:00am - Music Group 4
Sunday, 27th Mar - Easter Day
10:00am All Age Worship