Good News Week 2007 #1 Meeting Ray Galea

Good News Week 2007 is Coming!
Sun August 26 to Sun September 2

Ray Galea from Multicultural Bible Ministries is coming
to join us and speak at a series of hospitality events designed
to introduce people to God!

Ray says:

I am married to Sandy and have three children James 17, Amy 15 and Madeleine 12. I am the senior minister of St Alban's Anglican Rooty Hill. I also have a special brief to work cross culturally among second generation Mediterranean and Middle Eastern people in the west of Sydney. This work comes under the title of the Multicultural Bible Ministry (MBM). Prior to attending Bible College, I worked as a Social Worker in Wollongong for three years. I specialised in Marriage and Family Counseling. I love reading, eating Middle Eastern food, listening to Bob Dylan and watching films set in New York.

Pray for Ray that he prepares his talks well!

Pray for our congregations that we might get involved in these events!

Pray for opportunities to invite someone along to a GNW2007 event !

Check Ray out at Multicultural Bible Ministries

(Download one of his talks to listen to him speak!)

http://www.mbm.asn.au/index.php?cat=1

More info on GNW2007 Coming !

Get on Board

Gavin

Simply Christianity: The Course

Simply Christianity was the Australian Christian Book of the Year in 2000.

One of the reasons people sometimes avoid looking into Christianity is that there are so many Christianities on offer, each with their spin on things, their own rituals and practices, their own religious package. But just imagine we were able to get beyond this--to strip back all the rituals, myths and dogma; to put to one side the hair-splitting and disagreements; to get beyond all the trappings of 'religion'--what would we find? If we were to go back to Jesus himself, to the biographies about him contained in the New Testament, what would we discover Christianity to be about? That is the project of this book and this Course. It aims to present simply Christianity, by reading and reflecting upon the ancient biography of Jesus written by Luke. John Dickson has put the course together.

We are running Simply Christianity: The Course

5 Weeks from Thursday April 30th with Gavin Parsons 7:45pm.

This is for people seeking to understand the central teaching of Christianity and for christian people wanting a refresher in the essential teaching of Christianity. It is a chance to ask hard questions about Jesus! For more information or to sign up contact Gavin at the church office 9381-2640 office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au

Prayer Points from Dongara

Dear prayer supporter,

Thanks again for your partnership in prayer for the Lord’s work in Dongara and Mingenew.

Things seem to be rolling along for us up here. Easter was a great time to remember the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. The church was packed with visitors, some of whom we’re continuing to follow-up. We also had heaps of visitors come through our home, some staying with us and others elsewhere. It was a great blessing to see so many friends and family.

We’re continuing to get to know people better and settle into life in Dongara. We’ve seen a few changes already (which weren’t pushed by us but seemed to be where the church was heading), especially to our services, including service times, more modern songs, kid’s talks, crèche and kid’s church.

As a result of moving Dongara church to 9am (rather than 8am) and offering kid’s ministry, we’ve seen two new families start coming to church. This has been very encouraging and provides a larger basis to growing more of a family ministry.

Our Bible study, which Matt leads, continues to be a great source of encouragement. A good number are consistently attending and eager to grow together. We’ve just finished Colossians and are about to start Exodus. We’ve also floated the idea of running “Introducing God” at both Dongara and Mingenew which will hopefully take shape next term.

Corinne and Penny have been making great contacts with young mums from playgroup. Corinne hosted a card-making party at our place which was a good opportunity to get to know some of them better. BBQ’s at different people’s places have been a good way to get to know some of the blokes too.

Life continues to be busy and enjoyable with all sorts of church and community activities to get involved in. Kate and Sam have settled in well. Kate loves having Sam in her life and has learned to show her love in a more gentle way. Sam is sitting up and developing well. Kate even taught him how to clap!

If you want to catch up on more Malcolm family life happenings then check out our blog site at:

malcolmsindongara.blogspot.com


Yours in Christ,

Matt and Corinne Malcolm (and Kate and Sam!)

Thanks and Praise

· For Easter services – for time to stop and remember Jesus’ death and resurrection, and for good numbers
· For the changes to service times and how they run
· For the new families at church
· For Tyler, Penny and Elijah Swartzentruber – who continue to be a great support and encouragement to us – for Tyler as he works at Geraldton Grammar school
· For Gary and Joyce Hamersley and their great support and encouragement. (Gary is Honorary Assistant who lives and works in Mingenew)
· For Corinne and Penny making great contacts with young mums through playgroup


Please ask God:

· For faithfulness to Jesus and to his gospel truth
· For good habits of Bible reading and prayer together as a family and individually for Matt and Corinne
· For Sam to sleep through the night (now only feeding once at night)
· For godliness in our tiredness
· For both centres to adapt well to service times changes
· For the new families at church– that they might keep coming and grow in the truth of the Lord Jesus
· For our continued meeting of people from the community, that we might be a light among the darkness
· For the Swartzentrubers and the Hamersleys
· For our next Men’s breakfast – May 12th – Jeremy Rice from the Cathedral will speak to us
· For future discussion about the direction of the Parish under God

Gone Fishing !

The Parsons are going fishing for the School holidays! (Dongara & Kalbarri...)
the 10am blog will be a little quiet...ok a lot quiet for the next couple of weeks !

Who is Ray Galea ?
Good News Week #3 is coming This August !

Cheers

GP

Perth Children's Convention Workshop!

If you are a parent, grandparent, anyone who tells stories to children, and especially if you teach or would like to teach children in Sunday School, schools or Beach Missions, you are invited to the Perth Children's Convention Workshop on Saturday, 26th May.
Our speaker is Sandy Galea, who has been involved in children's ministry in Sydney for over 20 years.
She will be showing us how to tell Bible stories in such a way that children are able to grasp their central point, as they fit into the overall context of God's plan.

For further information, and registration, go to http://www.ccowa.org/ and follow the links to PCC.

Luke "Words of Passion" series available

Words of Passion - Luke 19-24

All talks for the Luke series are available in CD format or MP3 for ordering. To order please contact the office: 93812640 or office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au


or download them directly from the St. Matt's website
http://stmattsshentonpark.org.au/o/content/blogsection/6/83/

28/1 “Blessed is the King who comes…” Luke 19:28-48 GP
4/2 “The Stone the builders rejected…” Luke 20:1-18 KDR
11/2 “Render unto Caesar...” Luke 20:19-26 KDR
18/2 “He is not the God of the dead…” Luke 21:1-38 KDR
25/2 "They will see the Son of Man coming..."Luke 22:1-23 KDR
4/3 “Do this in remembrance of me…”Luke 23:24-38 KDR
11/3 “Who is greater?”Luke 23:39-53 GP
8/3 “Remove this cup…”Luke 23:54-71 GP
25/3 “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Luke 23:1-25 GP
1/4 " Are You the King of the Jews?"Luke 23:1-25 GP
6/4 "Father, Forgive them...Luke 23:26-56 Good Friday KDR
8/4 "He Has Risen"Luke 24:1-36 Easter Sunday KDR
15/4 "Forgiveness will be proclaimed"Luke 24:36-53 NG

in Second Term We are looking at the book of Micah and then a topical series on The Holy Spirit stay tuned ! A study Book will be available for Micah for individual use or small group use.

Enjoy! GP

"Are you the King of the Jews?"

The trial of Jesus brings the political tensions of Jerusalem into focus. Luke 23:1-25 records the trial before Pilate. “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.” So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

Observe three times Pilate declares Jesus innocent of the charges of treason:
“I find no basis for a charge against this man.” V.4
“…he has done nothing to deserve death…” V.15
“Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty” V.22

But the particular crowd of followers incited by the Religious leaders
brought political pressure to bear on Pilate to bring about the death of Jesus.

“Away with Jesus! Release Barabbas to us!”
“Away with Jesus! Release Barabbas to us!”

“Crucify him! Crucify him!”
“Crucify him! Crucify him!”
“Crucify him! Crucify him!”

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

...and their shouts prevailed!

What is God doing in the trial of Jesus before Pilate?
What’s your response to Jesus in this scene?

God uses the actions of corrupt and evil people to bring about his purposes.

The early church recognize God’s sovereignty behind the political machinations of Herod and Pilate which saw Jesus the innocent man crucified!

Try their prayer…Acts 4:27-28

Sovereign Lord,
….Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness… Amen
GP