DON’T KNOW WHEN, SO WATCH, WAIT AND BE READY.
Advent, the start of a new year in the Christian calendar. So much to do with little time, things have to be prepared and organised, or what is supposed to happen when, won’t. We like deadlines and due dates to cope with the ever-increasing commercial pressures, particularly the count-down to Christmas day. A conflict between the nativity narrative and the day we get stuff. Sally shared some amazing insights into the bible passages set for Sunday. They don’t seem to be advent type passages, rather giving a picture of the second coming of Jesus Christ. In our work-a-day world, we have “to do” lists, with the urgent things on top and the less important at the end. As priorities or due dates change, so the list changes, some things even dropping off. We function better with deadlines and due dates,
so we can get everything done that need to be done, even if it is at the last minute. In Matthew 24:36 to 44, we are given a “don’t know when” due date, for the “coming of the Son of Man, Jesus”. Saint Paul, in Romans 13: 11-14, tells us what we should not and should be doing in preparation for the “second coming”. Jesus tells us how it will happen, but not the when. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He was focused on the task, “setting His face towards Jerusalem”. Jesus was pressed in on every side, large crowds following Him, eagerly demanding His time. He would break away from the pressure of activity and spend time in prayer with the Father, refocusing on the mission. Jesus shows us how to live whilst waiting, as He goes ahead to prepare a place for us. Jesus confirms this by saying, “if it were not so, I would not have told you”. Jesus give us a mission whilst waiting – “preach the gospel and make disciples”. There is so much on our “to do” list to be ready, that we fuss about getting exhausted and loosing focus. God quietly says that there are some things we cannot do, we need Jesus to do it for us. We need to accept the fact that He paid the price for all people for all time, so when He returns, we can see Him face to face. We need to put aside differences, be united as one, love one another, love God, wait and be ready. We have a choice, slumber or be ready. “And do this, understanding the present time: the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans13:11). What are the things we need to clear out and get rid off so we are ready? Reflect on this, give things over to Jesus that need giving over for Him to deal with, do it now.
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, Phileppa (surgery on knee)
- 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 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.
- For Peter Mylonas as he prepares the Carol Service in Belmore Park and for Sally and Kenneth as they prepare carols at Binda and Collector
Call to Prayer for Goulburn
1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month
8 am at St. Nicholas Church Hall, Kinghorne St
| Monday | 10am – 12.00 | F10 | Christ Church |
| Wednesday | 9.30am – 11.00am
3.30pm – 5.00pm |
Little Sheep
3D Kids |
Contact Sally Cullen
|
| Thursday | 10am-12.00
|
Meeting in the Mall for coffee and donuts | Paul and Robyn will be in the mall |
| Friday | 2.00-4.00pm | Bible Study for Women | 13 Wright Place
(Geraldine 0450230194) |
| Sunday | 5.00pm
5.00pm |
F5 Service
Rocky Hill Church |
Christ Church, 130 Addison St
East Goulburn School May Street entrance |
