Sunday 20th April 2025 –Easter Sunday

REFLECTION: Luke 24:1-12 “A Messy First Easter”

Life can get messy. Sometimes not everything goes how we would like it to go. The accounts we have in the four gospels are messy and reflect the bewilderment and confusion of the witnesses to the resurrection. But at the same time, there was sheer joy and ecstasy as they realized that Jesus really was alive, and death had been defeated! If you lived then and were told that Jesus has risen from the dead after all that you had seen them do to him, how would you have responded? How do you respond today to the good news of Jesus resurrection? Here is an outline of this morning’s message.

1. An embalming with no body

a. They came to finish embalming his body

b. There was no body, but there was an angel

c. “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

2. Bewildered women witnesses

a. They were puzzled

b. They were full of fear

c. They were women witnesses in a man’s world.

3. Disbelieving Disciples.

a. They heard the message of the women, but they did not believe them

b. Peter got up and went to the tomb and was amazed.

c. Where would you stand?

TO THINK ABOUT

What about you? Will you remain with scoffers this Easter who say that it can’t be true, or are you ready to have your whole life turned on its head?

Happy Easter

We wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter. Thank you for coming to worship with us this Easter. May each of you know the joy and peace that comes from knowing the risen Lord Jesus in your lives.

UPDATE ON BUILDING PROGRAM Things are advancing well with the construction of the new Parish Centre. This replaces our old centre which was falling apart and was full of asbestos. The new centre will feature a multipurpose area with a total capacity of 180 but divisible into smaller areas by opening up the operable walls. There will be easy access from the side exit of the church to toilets, fellowship areas, and Sunday school rooms. The front of the building facing McCrae Street will include new offices and meeting rooms and a reception desk. A new wider vehicle entrance will be built on McCrae Street leading into the new 32 space carpark. After Easter, the walls and roof will be going up. We expect the building to be completed by late September and we are planning an opening in November.

BUILDING FUND PROGRESS When we stated 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 $170,000 short of the estimated final cost and we invite you to consider contributing to our building find to enable us to complete this beautiful new project debt free.

THE MOTHER’S DAY HIGH TEA Has been postponed until spring. Further details to follow.

CONFIRMATION, BAPTISMS AND A VISIT FROM BISHOP PAUL BARKER Bishop Paul Barker will be with us on Sunday May 11th, Mothers’ Day, for a special Hope 25 service featuring baptisms and confirmations. We have a wonderful group of people preparing for baptism and confirmation who have been meeting each week and doing the Alpha course. Don’t miss this wonderful service.

HYMNS WE LOVE We are organizing a special afternoon of Hymn singing and learning the story behind some of the hymns we love most. This will be held on Sunday 1st of June at 2:30pm in the church and will be followed by a lovely afternoon tea in the hall. This is a great activity to invite friends to.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS The beautiful flowers today have been donated in loving memory of Marcelle Oliver by her family. Forever in our hearts.

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: St Mary's Melbourne North; Hope25: a season of sharing hope across the Anglican Church of Australia; Yarra Valley Grammar School; The Anglican Church of Hong Kong and Macao; St Paul’s Cathedral-Easter service; St Stephen’s Richmond– Easter service; St Andrew’s Brighton–Easter service; Diocesan Administrator Bishop Genieve and all our Bishops in their ministry this week.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 27th April: Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118: 14 29; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 26th April – Samoan Youth