What's On at St.Matt's
Regular St Matt's Events can be found here!
Men’s Dinner Night …..At the Commo...
Recommencing February 2012
Please contact Graham Trevaskis on 5258 2093 for more details
Issues of TMA (The Melbourne Anglican) available in the hall each month.
Children in school years kinder-Year 7 are invited to attend our Sunday Kidz program.
Notices
BREAKFAST CLUB..
Most weeks itstarts with the smell of toast wafting through the auditorium, 27 very excited children, our volunteers, and one volunteer parent.
Usually the volunteers are run off their feet ,
especially on Monday morning.
Urgent help is needed, especially on Monday mornings,
even as late as 8.30am (to help clean up)
Please see Bob Seaton (5221 3015), if you would like to help or have any questions
KYB New Series
The Know Your Bible group will begin a new study in the book of James 19th October. James’ letter speaks of ‘new birth’ (1:18) and the importance of accepting and doing what the Bible says (1:21-25). There is also helpful advice about trials, temptations, the prevailing class system, the power of the tongue, riches, wages, true wisdom, causes of conflict and unanswered prayer.
The study will held in the church hall at 2pm.
All are welcome to come along and hear an introduction to the book, look at the study booklets ($7.50), share a cuppa and have a chat. We hope you can join us.
For more information please contact Jan Whitehand 52485085
OP Shop
We need your unwanted Bibles
I am delighted to let you know that we have had an increase of people requesting Bibles. We usually give them away.
If you have any you would like to donate that would be great. It would be a blessing for someone who may be searching for answers. Pray that the bibles that go out from here will be a changing point in peoples' lives.
Thank-you for your continued prayers and support of this Ministry into the community.
From The Vicar
January 2012
Welcome to St Matt's and Happy New Year! If you are visiting, please make yourself known to those around you – we'd love to get to know you better.
January is our Season of Rest & Abiding where we each find ways to reconnect with our family, friends, People of Peace and especially our wonderful God. Join us as we listen to him speak through the words of scripture; in particular, 1 John. We will be looking at a passage from one chapter in each week of January. May I encourage you to read ahead in advance and come prepared to engage with your mind as one of our summer preachers brings “fresh bread” to us each week. (Please see the reverse side of this sheet for a reading guide. Don't forget, when reading the bible, these helpful questions: What does the verse say? What does it mean? How does it apply to me?) Here's a snapshot of what's ahead:
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
As you spend time with God, please do be listening for ways in which He might be asking you to serve in the coming year. Around the church and making Sundays happen this year we will be looking for people who can help by reading the bible, leading us in intercessions, welcome people at the door, staffing the kitchen for tea & coffee provision, cleaning, etc. There’s a lot to do and we need everyone to take part in order for us to operate smoothly. Please, if you think you can help in some way, either email or phone the office and let us know. My thanks in advance for those who feel able to contribute in this way.
But also be listening for how God might be calling you to “proclaim the Word of life”, in other words, tell people about Jesus. We have positioned ourselves very well in the last few years so that many of our folk are bale to have faith conversation with other folk who don’t yet know Jesus personally. Recently a number of us are finding the Lord opening doors for our message. The Lord is moving amongst us and raising us up as a church that is amongst His people wherever they are. Maybe there’s a Mission Cluster you’d really like to be part of or maybe God is calling you to stir and start a new one: pray earnestly into this and see what the Lord would have you do.
I have also been greatly encouraged by these words from Micah which we read in preparation for Christmas:
Micah 5:4 “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.”
2012 looks like being another exciting year for our church as we continue on our way of discovering what it means to be a missional church. We are, now, different to most other churches (in our emphasis) and I believe we are being called to even more. We’ve shown ourselves able to embrace change and withstand trials – all of which stands us in good stead for the next part of the journey. And this is because Jesus stands firmly beside us: with us; for us – so that His name will be known in our community and for His glory.
As usual, we will have shortened services over the summer and most of the other regular meetings will recommence in February. My thanks go to the various preachers, musicians and kitchen workers who have offered respite to those of us on the regular roster, enabling us to rest also.
God bless, Ian.