Sunday 1st June 2025 – Seventh Sunday of Easter

REFLECTION: Acts 16:16-34 “What must I do to be saved?”

In today’s reading from Acts, the Philippian jailer asks Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” How would you answer that question? Paul answers him: “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” We see today that Paul and Silas are described as slaves of the most-high God who proclaim a way of salvation. This message of salvation brings freedom. We see how they free the slave girl from an evil spirit. We see how God frees Paul and Silas from their imprisonment. And we see how the Philippian Jailer is freed from death and despair and given new life in Jesus. Here is an outline of the message:

1. Even the Spirits recognize the message of salvation Paul brings:

a. These men are slaves of the most-high God (16)

b. They proclaim to you a way of salvation. (17)

2. A message of salvation for those imprisoned:

a. A slave girl imprisoned by a spirit of divination (18)

b. The owners of the slave girl imprisoned by greed (19)

c. Paul and Silas are imprisoned because of lies told against them (20-24)

3. Christ sets us free and saves us:

a. The prisoners are set free by a mighty earthquake (26)

b. The jailer is about to kill himself when he asks “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (27-28)

c. The jailer believes in Jesus Christ and is set free forever

To think about:

Jesus sets us free and gives us the gift of salvation but sometimes we struggle to be free. Is there something holding you captive that you need to be released from?

HYMNS

TIS 596 Fill my whole life, O Lord, with praise

MP 387 Jesus we celebrate your victory

TIS 619 Have faith in God my heart

TIS 590 What a friend we have in Jesus

WEDNESDAY GROWTH GROUP

Would you like to grow in your Christian Faith? Each Wednesday night we meet in the supper room to read, chat and pray together. We are currently doing a new 7 week study on Luke 9-12 called “Following Jesus”. We would love to have you come along at 7:30 on Wednesdays.

BUILDING FUND PROGRESS

When we started planning for the new Parish Centre back in 2020, we had the finance for the building covered. Steep rises in the cost of construction and long delays in obtaining permits have caused considerable price rises. We are still $160,000 short of the estimated final cost and we invite you to consider contributing to our building fund to enable us to complete this beautiful new project debt free.

HYMNS WE LOVE

This Sunday at 2:30pm in the church. A program where sing some of our favourite hymns and hear the back-story to one of them in a short video presentation. The program will go for about an hour and then we will move to the hall for a delicious afternoon tea and a time of fellowship. This is a Hope 25 outreach activity so please invite others.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 8th June: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:26-36 Romans 8:14-17; John 14: 8-17.

NEXT SUNDAY IS PENTECOST SUNDAY

You may like to follow the tradition of wearing red. Also, we will have a double baptism in this service.

YOUNG ADULTS AND YOUTH BIBLE STUDY

We are starting a youth and young adults Bible study on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm in the church hall! We want it to be a place where you can grow in your faith and get to know Jesus better. Open to anyone year 9 to mid 20s (but flexible) - speak to Anna or Martin for more info! We will kick off on Wednesday June 4th.

ELECTION OF NEW ARCHBISHOP

Please see the separate media release announcing the election of Bishop Ric Thorpe from London as our next Archbishop of Melbourne. We thank God for Bishop Ric and look forward to his ministry amongst us.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GARDENING, CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Over this last period a number of long-standing hard-working volunteers have had to take a step back leaving many gaps to be filled in the areas of gardening, lawns, maintenance and cleaning. Who will take their place? At the moment a lot of work is falling onto the shoulders of a few. If you can help, please speak to Michael Willis or Graeme.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 7th June – Rusty

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR:

St James the Great Anglican Church St Kilda East; Hope25: outreach in agencies and sector ministries; Theological Colleges, Church Schools & Church Kindergartens; Archdeaconry of Essendon; St Peter’s Bundoora-Confirmation Service; Redemption Church Craigieburn–Pastoral service ; St Phillip’s Collingwood–Pastoral service; Dame Phyllis Frost Centre Ravenhall– Pastoral service; St Paul’s Frankston–Pastoral service;The Anglican Church of Korea; Diocesan Administrator Bishop Genieve and all our Bishops in their ministry this week

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Anthony, Nisha, Mike, Cecil, Ruth, Eva, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Natasha, Patty, Melenny, Monty, Noel, Dean, Amy, William, Chelsea & the ‘Family of Mulai”.