Important notice re new church duty rosters:
The new church duty rosters are shortly to be compiled. Just another gentle reminder to members to kindly consider in some capacity being part of the
church duty roster team, particularly with flowers.
For those members who continue to serve in this manner, your valued contribution is a blessing and much appreciated!!
Anyone wishing to serve in some capacity, either current or new, with the various rosters on offer, are encouraged to contact either the Roster co-ordinator,
Robyn Young by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , phone 03 52811587 or email the church office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
no later than next Sunday (4th May 2014).
Second Sunday of Easter
27 April 2014
¯ THIS MORNING'S HYMN'S OF PRAISE:
95, 765, T 437 (P/Ps 16), 88.
FIRST BIBLE READING:
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
'Peter gives witness that God raised Jesus'. (NIV)
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd...
'People of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:
"I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence".
'Brothers and sisters, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
SECOND BIBLE READING:
1 Peter 1: 3-9
'New birth through the resurrection of Jesus '(NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
GOSPEL READING:
John 20: 19-31
'Thomas sees the risen Christ and believes'.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
NOTES ON THE READINGS:
1 PETER 1: 3-9:
Christ's resurrection is the divine miracle which assures his presence and power to encourage Christians triumphantly to hold firm to their faith regardless of suffering which may come because of it. This suffering can then be seen more as a testing of their faith as they are guarded from its destruction. The outcome is the joyous realisation that their salvation and the reality of their heavenly inheritance is being powerfully confirmed.
JOHN 20: 19-31:
The peace between God and his foremost creature, established and pronounced by God in Jesus' resurrection, is now declared by Jesus to the assembled disciples. They are directed to pass it on in declaration of that same forgiveness in the absolution. Any who refuse that forgiveness still live under condemnation. Despite his initial misgivings and stated doubt, Thomas receives the same gracious affirmation of the Lord eight days later. He could not but make the strong confession now that Jesus is 'my Lord and my God'. Those, like us, who believe through the testimony of others are truly blessed.
Bible readings for Sunday 4th May 2014:
Acts 2: 14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1: 17-23, Luke 24: 13-35.
Rite of Confirmation:
Bradly Blackwell, Lachlan Horan, Jonty Lotait,
Lottie Noller, Tyler and Brayden Phillips, Adam Schwarz and Ashleigh Skilton
are to be confirmed next Sunday.
Announcements:
1. This week in the Lord's Service - 27th April - 4th May:
Tuesday - 7.00 pm - Combined meeting of Church Council, Deacons. Worship Team and other interested members, (including those
persons involved/ interested in our Youth Ministry) to reflect/discuss vision for future spiritual direction of 'Our Redeemer' congregation.
All interested are encouraged to come along!
Saturday - 10.00 am - 11.00 am - 'Sing - along' time to learn songs. 11.00 am to 12 noon - Choir practice.
Next Sunday - 9.30 am - Public Divine service -
2. Araluen 500 Cards Camp 2014:
The Araluen 5oo camp is on again from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th July. Please see notice board near kitchen for details/application form.
Coming up for your diary:
Sunday 4th May - Sunday School resumes.
Thursday 8th May - 10.30 am - Ladies Fellowship.
Tuesday 20th May - 12.30 pm - Kaffeestunde
Thursday 29th May - 2.30 pm - Worship service with H.C., followed by fellowship afternoon tea.
Friday 30th May - 9.30 am - Worship Team.