In Matthew chapter 11 verses 2 to 11, we find John the Baptist doubting that Jesus is the One promised and foretold by the prophets, the shoe laces of whom he was unworthy to tie. Gill Varcoe shared that we were looking at two comings, first the babe at Bethlehem, second, the coming of Jesus to reign the world in justice and peace. John had moved from a wide wilderness of wonder in God, to a dungeon of doubtfulness. John asked his disciples to question Jesus, “Have we got it wrong, do we look for another?” Jesus told John’s disciples to report the good things that were happening; “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor”, – what further proof did John need. Are we like John? Are we complacent, just accepting what is happening around us now, not taking up what Jesus started 2000 years ago and the Holy Spirit is continuing? Be assured, God is working. We need to be patient, and look for the miracles that are happening and stand firm in Jesus Christ. We need accept that God works in different ways, not necessarily how we would have Him work. Don’t grumble about what others are doing in God’s kingdom, but praise God that His gospel is Bing proclaimed. Grumbling has destructive consequences, stunting kingdom growth, so don’t do it. If a monarch is coming to visit, the place is cleaned up. So too, we should have our place cleaned up for the coming of Jesus, so we are ready for His reign. Shake off complacency and be ready for Jesus, moment by moment. Do we want our church to be seen that Jesus is here, because “the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor”? Who would Jesus have a beer with? Jesus offended people; who would He offend to-day? Jesus targets our idles, the things we cherish the most, because He wants all of us, not just the bit we want to give Him. Confess, repent, and be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Experience His peace, joy and beauty around us. Why? Because Jesus does not want us to be blind, lame, diseased, deaf, dead, and the gospel not proclaimed. So, people are not healed when prayed for; it doesn’t mean God is not working. In 1994 in Toronto Canada, one in ten prayed for were healed. They did not loose hope or focus and persevered in prayer, so by 2014, six out of ten were healed. Do not accept our limitations, but with determination, persist in banging on the doors of heaven in prayer. Keep on risking ourselves for God. If things don’t happen, ask “why God?” Teach us Lord. We need the faith to do what Jesus did. The authority He has given has never been rescinded, so we need to take it up. We need faith to step up to work with God. Our spiritual road comes full of potholes, which God wants to make smooth, with our help. God, reveal to each of us where our potholes are so that we can allow the Holy Spirit to fill them and make us whole and smooth. May we have God’s peace in us as we experience the signs of His kingdom in the church.
We put these in each week to remind you of the ways you can practically pray for our fellow members of F5 and our wider community.
- Those who are unwell or going through difficult times. Especially: Gordon, John, Alison and Robert, Grant and Denise, Roger, Rebekah, Phileppa
- Pray for all members of our State and Federal governments that they will make wise decisions. Pray for refugees, our national health system which needs serious changes
- For those impacted by fires throughout Australia and for safety for emergency service workers and firemen in all these areas. For those who have lost family members, homes, livestock.
- For those who are homeless and hungry esp as Christmas approaches; and for those who provide services to them including Anglicare and Baptist Care.
- Sally and the Binda Parish churches, Gill with the Marulan church and with her duties in Goulburn, Kenneth and Karen at Collector. Pray also for other clergy in our local churches. Pray for the selection for new clergy in Goulburn
- For Robyn and Paul as they pastor F5 and F10.
- For the work in Kisoro
- Little Sheep and 3D Kids team members, the children and their families.
- Weekly activities of F5 Refresh Ministries (see below)
- Pray for Mick and Jen, for the SRE teachers and schools of this region. Pray esp for Pat, Helen and Anne. Pray for favour in the schools and continued financial support of SRE.
- For Mick and Ange,Sarah and Ben and Gill and Rocky Hill Church.
- Pray for Geraldine as she leads the Ladies Bible Study
- Pray for Deb as she does our admin
- For the pastoral care workers in our hospitals, especially Fai and Caroline
- Pray for Bishop Mark Short, and for Bishop Trevor as they work in the diocese and for Archdeacon Carol Wagner, to be consecrated Assistant Bishop.
Bishop Mark’s Christmas Message
At Christmas God shows a fractured world what it takes to be a generous host and a gracious guest. The recent Australia Talks survey found that almost half of Australians experience loneliness at some time. Contrary to popular expectation, some of the loneliest Australians are not older people living in remote locations but younger people living in inner city suburbs.
Generous hosts and gracious guests have the potential to transform this situation. Generous hosts create comfortable space for people to connect. They take the initiative in welcoming newcomers into neighbourhoods, workplaces and community groups. They help people feel at home and look for ways for them to celebrate together.
Gracious guests enter unfamiliar space for the sake of connecting with others. They love saying ‘yes’ to an invitation, and help neighbours and colleagues feel that their hospitality is noticed and valued. The amazing news of Christmas is this: God becomes our gracious guest for a time so that He might be our generous host for eternity.
Think of the first Christmas. Here is Jesus, God the Son, becoming a guest in our world. First in His mother’s womb, then in a feeding trough He moves into our neighbourhood. God becomes one of us, receiving food and drink and companionship from His creation.
That is not the end of the story. Jesus also comes into our world so that He might be our host. Entering into a creation gone astray from its maker, He offers hospitality and table fellowship to all as a sign of God’s coming Kingdom. In His life, death and rising again He does all that is needed to welcome us home for eternity, if we say ‘yes’ to His invitation.
On behalf of the ministries and agencies of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn I wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Christmas season. You are very welcome to join us at church so that together we might make space to connect with God.
| Monday | 10am – 12.00 | F10 | In recess |
| Wednesday | 9.30am – 11.00am
3.30pm – 5.00pm |
Little Sheep
3D Kids |
In recess
|
| Thursday | 10am-12.00
|
Meeting in the Mall for coffee and donuts | In recess |
| Friday | 2.00-4.00pm | Bible Study for Women | In recess |
| Sunday | 5.00pm
5.00pm |
F5 Service
Rocky Hill Church |
Christ Church, 130 Addison St
East Goulburn School May Street entrance |
