We have three big events this weekend, and we’d love you to join us.

Firstly, on Friday night at 6.30pm our highschoolers are heading up the escarpment for a Youth Event in partnership with Robertson Anglican (64 Hoddle Street). If you need a lift, then be at our church at 5:45pm.

Secondly, on Saturday morning at 8am our guys are joining together for a Men’s Breakfast at James Rosten’s house, as we hear from our visiting Canadian men. For more details (and to tell us you’re coming) click this link.

Thirdly, at our 5pm Saturday service we’re having a special Canada Night, which will be followed by Canadian food and games as we hear from our Canadian visitors about what it’s like to be a Christian in the land of ice hockey, maple syrup and moose.

During our two church services, we’ll be hearing the next instalment from our ‘Hope Beyond Chaos’ series in the book of Judges, as I look at chapter 5, where we read of the ‘Chorus of the Saved‘. We’ll also have a question and answer time as I share my thoughts on these beauties from last weekend:

1 How would an Israelite be protected in the Passover if they couldn’t afford to sacrifice a lamb?
2 What is “the unforgivable sin”?
3 Does God “give” or “allow” sickness to happen to people?
4 Why does God kill people in the Bible when he’s supposed to be full of forgiveness and grace?
5 What is a ‘latrine’?
6 Since Catholics believe different things and pray to Mary, will they go to Heaven?
7 Why do we have a question time?

So, we’d love you to come at 5pm on Saturday night for an all-age service (with creche, kids’ programs, dinner, and youth group), or 9am Sunday morning for a more classic Anglican service (with tasty espresso coffee at morning tea).

Grace and peace, Jodie.

This Saturday there’s something even more important than voting! Come along to hear God speak to you and us as we listen to his word, the Bible, and enjoy food, friendship, and the experience of coming together to enjoy a rich relationship with Jesus.

Our talk this week continues our ‘Hope Beyond Chaos’ series as I teach us about the humorous story of Eglon, and the slightly-underwhelming (but enormously encouraging) story of Barak. The title is ‘Holy Laughter and Lightning’, from the Old Testament book in the Bible, Judges chapter 3:12-4:24.

We’ve also got a bunch of questions that you asked from church last week, which I will answer during our church services. They are:

1 Why did God pass over the houses of the Israelites at the Passover?
2 Why does God ‘give’ cancer to people who don’t deserve it?
3 How can someone ask for forgiveness after they’ve committed suicide?
4 Is it a sin to be angry at God?
5 Why does God make us wait for his answer to some prayers, and how do we gain patience?

So what are you waiting for? It’s a great week to come along for the first time, or bring someone for the first time. We meet at 5pm on Saturday, which is followed by a tasty meal then youth group (for high-schoolers), and 9am Sunday for a slightly-more ‘classic’ Anglican service, with awesome espresso.

See you this weekend, God willing!

Grace and peace, Jodie.

We’ve started our new series ‘Hope beyond chaos’ and it’s a fresh reminder that when things go sour, God stays sweet. If you’ve never joined us before, then come along this Saturday night at 5pm or Sunday at 9am and hear from the Old Testament book of Judges how God continues to be faithful and kind to his people, even when we fail to follow him as we ought.

I’ll be speaking on the topic ‘The Cycle of Salvation’ and it’s all about God’s faithfulness. You can read ahead from Judges chapter 2 verses 5 to chapter 3 verse 11.

If you’ve been following the news from our church then you’ll know that we’re hosting three Canadian Bible college students for the month of May, and you can meet them on Saturday night. They’ll be leading our youth group this week after church on Saturday, so it’s a perfect time for new teenagers to come along.

After a week with no questions, we’ve got ten! Here are the questions you’ve asked from response slips and emails, which I’ll answer during our church services this weekend:

1 Why did you say that we are by-products (that is unintentional) of God’s salvation, considering creation and the cross?
2 How is it possible that the tribe of Benjamin failed to drive out the Jebusites when they had already been completely destroyed?
3 When we ask God for guidance how does he answer and speak to us?
4 How are we sure of God’s guidance?
5 If we want to gain money in order to give it away then is it wrong to want a business to grow?
6 Is there any sin that God won’t forgive?
7 Does God ever stop forgiving us?
8 How can I feel God’s peace?
9 How can I be assured that I am going to Heaven?
10 If you claim to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you of it?

So, come and join us this weekend on Saturday at 5pm for an all-age service with creche, infants and primary programs, followed by dinner then youth group. Then on Sunday at 9am we have a classic Anglican service followed by a delicious morning tea with espresso coffee.

Jodie.