Sunday 18th June 2023 – Third Sunday After Pentecost

REFLECTION

Imagine that you need a well-deserved holiday and a friend of yours invites

you to Paradise Island resort in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean (south of

India). What lies ahead is just amazing – beautiful weather, peaceful setting,

crystalline aqua blue lagoons, five-star luxury hotel services... There’s just

one thing you need to know – the plane will go from Melbourne to New

Zealand first (in the opposite direction) and then to the Maldives.

Sure enough, your trip will be long and tiring and you will waste some time

but the destination will be the same you will eventually land in the Maldives

and go to Paradise Island. In the same way, if you’re a Christian (if Christ is

your Lord and Saviour), you’re on your way to the best time of your life in

heaven but the road/trip will not be easy. Sometimes, you will even wonder

if you’ll get there one day. In other words, is our hope really sure? In Romans

5:1-11, Paul answers this question with a resounding yes for three reasons:

-We have peace with God in the present despite our past (v. 1)

-We have hope in the future despite our sufferings (v. 2-4)

-We have a sure hope because of God's love (v. 5-11)

HYMNS FOR THIS SUNDAY

MP 7 All creatures of our God and king

How deep the father’s love

TIS 429 Break now the bread of life

IS 155 How great thou art

VICAR’S LONG SERVICE LEAVE

Please be advised that our Vicar, Graeme, is on Long Service Leave from June 13th until September 18th. Rev. Ian Oates will be the part time Locum in his absence working with our Curate Jonathan and associate priests George and Oyem.

SRI LANKAN HOPPER NIGHT

Unfortunately we have had to cancel this event

PRAY FOR SUDAN

Please pray for peace in Sudan and for the safety of its people as this terrible conflict extends. Many of our South Sudanese brothers and sisters have family in the conflict zone and sadly some have already lost family members to violence. Please pray also for their consolation in the sad time.

FELLOWSHIP LUNCH

We will recommence our Fellowship lunches at the Dandenong Club on Wednesday 21st June at 12 noon. Please place your name in the porch or call Margo 0419888426

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

25th June– 4th Sunday After Pentecost

Genesis 21.8-21; Psalm 86.1-10, 16-17; Romans 6.1-11; Matthew 10. 24-39

LAWN MOWING ROSTER

16th June Rusty

23rd June Samoan Community

This week we continue to pray for

Mike; Mark; Clovis; Rose; Eva; Cecil; Stanley; Nigel; Russell; Josie, Kevin; Joanne, Eve, Lynette, Danny, Esme, Michael, Charles, Edward, Tyrone & Sylvia.