BURWOOD-MT WAVERLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST

Transcription

1 BURWOOD-MT WAVERLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST Interim Minister - Andrew Boutros Trainee Associate Pastor (Pastoral Care) Gail Wing-Tang 280 Highbury Road, Mount Waverley. Vic Phone: Office: , Mobile: andrew@truesuccess.com.au The BMW Messenger Volume 53 Issue th April, am Sundays WELCOME To our Service today and we especially welcome any Visitors who are worshipping with us. We pray that your time with us is enjoyable and a blessing to you and that you will be blessed as we worship our Heavenly Father in spirit and truth. 15 th April, st Sunday after Easter 10.30am Morning Worship and Communion Service Theme: 10 Commandments 7 & 8 God s Order in Marriage. God s Order in Ownership Readings: Acts 5:1-11 and Matthew 19: pm BMW after Church Service Cuppa and Fellowship. Following the service you are invited to stay and share with us over a Cuppa the joys of Christian hospitality and fellowship. Our Vision Statement: Burwood-Mt Waverley Church of Christ is Christ-centred in its teaching and worship, and is committed to introducing people to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Do you have the niceness gene? A scientific study I read about this week suggests that people who demonstrate a greater level of measurable kindness also possess on average more receptor genes for oxytocin and vasopressin hormones in our system. Is kindness then genetic or environmental or something else? It is clear that some people are more predisposed to showing kindness. The article interviewed people who had cared selflessly for sick relatives for many years and one who had donated blood regularly for over 50 years. What drives them? I have met many people and tend to see the good in most, but there are some that are just good souls They are genuinely kind and enjoy helping others selflessly. Others are kind but their kindness is something learned. Our temperament plays a part in what we find naturally easy or challenging, even in how we relate to the world around us. It led me to consider character traits and whether they are learned or intuitive?? I thought about the fruit of the Spirit, one of which is kindness. We know that the Holy Spirit empowers us to be able to naturally produce the traits of love, joy, peace, patience and so on. That does not guarantee good character yet some without the Holy Spirit seem to naturally demonstrate good character. What does this all mean? There are three dimensions to character 1. There is a skill dimension that involves practice and effort. 2. There is a supernatural dimension that the Holy Spirit provides to enable us to reflect Christ s character in our lives 3. There is a physical dimension, as the study demonstrates, which give us a level of natural skill in demonstrating healthy character. We are all made in God s image but living in a fallen world. It makes sense that there will be hallmarks of God s spirit within every human being that can be fostered or ignored. As we strive to live lives that honour God we need to make sure all three are considered. It is not enough to ignore one. We need to be disciplined and learn behaviours of good character, We need to be continually empowered by the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives. We need to recognise areas that we struggle in and pay particular attention to those. There is no excuse for poor character even if we find it difficult. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4:31-32 (NIV) Andrew Boutros

2 CHURCH NEWS AND EVENTS SERVICE PLAN Today 15 th April, st Sunday after Easter Sunday President: Carole Bennett Readers: Marj Birkett and Ian Birkett Pastoral Prayer: Helen Tesoriero Children s Talk: Michael Wing-Tang Maintenance: Nathaniel Daniels Set up Roster 15 th April Helen and Joseph Tesoriero (Lorraine) BIRTHDAYS Happy Birthday to those who are celebrating their birthday this month. April Gail Wing-Tang May God Bless You on Your Birthday WEEKLY ACTIVITIES TUESDAY Sunbeamers Playgroup for children and babies 0-4yrs is held every Tuesday morning during school term commencing next Tuesday 17 th April.. Session - from 9:30am 11:15am. Playgroup is held in the Playgroup Room at the back of the Church. Please contact Amanda for further details. Bible Study is held every Tuesday afternoon, at 1.30pm at Carole s home and will resume on Tuesday next on 17 th April. All welcome to attend this friendly group for a time of studying the bible, prayer and fellowship. FRIDAY Kid s Club there will be no Big Fish Club for the remainder of this term and will resume on Friday 20 th April at pm (the first week of term 2). Come for games, stories, craft, and lots of fun. Cost $2.00. Bring a friend or several friends! All welcome and the more the merrier. PRAYER POINTS ** Please pray for our Church here at Burwood Mount Waverley for the Leadership, members and young people. **We continue to pray for members of our Church family who are unwell and unable to come to Church Jack W., Doreen H., Jean G. Lord, we pray that they and their families and Carers may feel God s healing touch upon them, and His comfort and peace. ** We pray for Jess Y. in Albania keep her safe as she continues God s work with the Albanian people. ** Please pray for all who were involved in the organisation of the various Easter Services. ** Please pray for Phil Plotnek who was our Guest Speaker last Sunday and who had his Message interrupted with the fire. **Please pray for the Fire Fighters who attended to the problem at the Church last Sunday and making sure everything was safe for the members thus avoiding a more serious situation. ** Please pray for the Tesoriero family Helen and Joseph as they head overseas today for six weeks holiday and Gaby and Matt as they keep things running smoothly at home. **Please pray and thank our good neighbour Mike (who lives next door to the Church) for his help last Sunday, firstly with calling the fire brigade and then doing a check of the church electrical system. ** Special Thank you to ALL who helped last Sunday and again during the week to ensure that we have the power back on for today s service Pray for our Church Please take some time out of your busy schedules and when you have your daily prayer time think about our Church and spend some time especially praying for our Church here at Burwood Mount Waverley. Let us also pray for the Leadership of our Church and pray for guidance and wisdom. MESSAGES FROM THE BOARD 1. If you have any matters of concern that you would like the prayer group to pray for, please contact Gail Wing-Tang and these will be passed through to the prayer team. 2. Is there anyone interested in teaching Sunday School? Please see Michael Wing-Tang as soon as possible. This is an important part of ministry, and it is essential to nurture our children in Religious instruction.

3 Monash City Church of Christ What s on at Monash Community COC in April?? 6pm Sunday Services: - April 15 th - Healing service - April 22 nd - Building the body of Christ- Fuelling Revival 6(8 part series) - April 29 th - Prayer stop Notice for Coming Weeks 22 nd April, nd Sunday after Easter 10.30am Morning Worship and Communion Service Theme: 10 Commandments 9 & 10 Truth and Authenticity Readings: John 8:42-47 and Philippians 4: pm BMW after Church Service Cuppa and Fellowship. Following the service you are invited to stay and share with us over a cuppa. Peter Broadbent will be Guest Preacher on Sunday, 29 th April Bib le Verses for the Week But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (The N.L..T.) Watch and be ready, for you do not know on what day the Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42, 44 Thoughts for the Week There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Edith Wharton SERVICE PLAN Next Week 22 nd April, nd Sunday after Easter Sunday President: Mark Lermonth Readers: Grace Catros and Natalie Wing-Tang Pastoral Prayer: Steven Catros Children s Talk: Joseph Tesoriero Maintenance: Brenton Purdie Set up Roster 22 nd April Marj and Ian Birkett March Eternity has arrived. Yes, the latest issue of this Christian newspaper has arrived at BMWCC. The following articles may catch your attention! ipulpit is coming to a church near you Local Christians plan a loving response to atheists A Lenten reflection by Tim Costello A centre lift-out on Christian holiday camps Should schools be classified as charities - a debate Leave buns for Good Friday (hot cross buns, and other Easter items explained) A major article on the Faith and Science of Michael Faraday April Eternity has also arrived last week!! This issue is 16 pages and 9 of them are devoted to atheism. I found one of these pages interesting - an article on the ten key propositions for atheists and Christians. In addition, there is a long article (3 pages) about Elvas Jenkins who is well-known as the soldier whose life was saved by a New Testament in his pocket. He was a deeply committed Christian, and his life story is fascinating. You are welcome to take as many copies of these two issues as you can use. We receive 80 copies each month, far more than we need!! (This should change to a more reasonable number soon.) Prayers for the Week "Lord, I love you and I need you, Come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, my finances, and all of my friends, In Jesus' name. Amen." Quaker Open Day Sunday, 22 nd April 2012 at Australian Volunteers International building, Kerr Street Fitzroy. Commencing at am Worship, pm Simple lunch and chat, pm Speakers, discussion and questions, pm Tea, coffee and chat. Further details (03) , (03) NOTE: If you use the Long Life milk from the kitchen cupboard please ensure that you replace it the following week Funny: A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'honour' thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?' Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'

4 To all churches: Your last opportunity to join together in an Indigenous Preamble Regional Conversation before the AGM in May: When: pm, Monday April 23, 2012 Where: Hosted at Footscray Church of Christ Hall, Footscray Church of Christ, 252 Gordon Street, Footscray. Please RSVP by Wed 18 th April To: At the 2011 All Churches Summit/Annual General Meeting a Motion was put forward proposing a possible Indigenous Preamble to the Constitution of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania Inc. Delegates present deferred a decision on the Preamble (see below), and a commitment was made to re-send the document to churches for consideration, and also to hold several regional conversations around the theme. After the AGM, Past Conference Presidents Robyn Millership and Merryl Blair, and Ian Smith (Minister, Thornbury) offered to lead these conversations. We have held conversations in Shepparton, Warragul and Geelong so far and this final one is in the metropolitan region. Please share this invitation with your members and encourage them to attend and participate. Attached please find a copy of the Motion re the Preamble as presented to the 2011 AGM, and also a copy of a recent Statement of Reconciliation from the Australian Baptist churches. Discussion on the evening will revolve around the idea of a preamble, its purpose, its content, and possible alternative ways to achieve this purpose. From the Draft AGM Minutes: After a healthy discussion about the Preamble, its contents (including some specific concepts and wording), the need to be united on the matter if possible, and in recognition that churches needed more time to consider it as a possible Preamble to the Constitution, it was agreed to set the Motion aside. Later Delegates agreed to the following process. Resolved per Constitution : That the AGM as assembled permits the alternative Motion 13 be introduced. New Motion 13 Resolved: That the Preamble to the Constitution discussion paper presented in advance of the 2011 AGM be circulated for discussion among affiliated churches with the intention to adopt a document at the 2012 AGM. The AGM noted that this would include the opportunity for regional or other conversations, as well as local church engagement of the notion of the Preamble. Paul Cameron, Executive Officer, C of C. 1st Floor, 582 Heidelberg Rd, Fairfield Vic 3078 (03) pcameron@churchesofchrist.org.au WHY DID JESUS FOLD THE NAPKIN? Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this... The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!' Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because... The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!' -- Author Unknown Funny: Washing Your Own Hair - My 7-year-old often asks for help in washing her long hair. One day I said, "You really need to learn to do this by yourself." "I know," she replied. "I don't want my husband to laugh at me when you have to come over and wash my hair every day."

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