REFLECTION: Do you want to be strong in your faith?
What’s the secret of a strong faith especially when we suffer? I don’t know what you’re going through at the moment but it’s not easy to be a Christian – in some countries, some Christians are killed because of their faith in Christ. In Australia, we’re not
being killed for our faith (not yet at least) but it doesn’t mean that we don’t
suffer in more subtle ways, whether it is by being mocked and ridiculed in
the office or in our family for believing for certain things like the virgin’s
birth, the incarnation or the physical resurrection of the dead. The Christians
Peter is writing to are going through “various trials” (1:6), unjust suffering
(2:19), abuse (3:9, 16), a “fiery ordeal” (4:12), revilement (4:14)...
How can they keep going as Christians when there’s a million reasons to
give up every day? The answer is by standing firm (5:9, 12) and doing three
things:
-Stand firm by humbling yourself (v. 1-7)
-Stand firm by resisting the devil (v. 8-9)
-Stand firm by trusting in God's promise (v. 10-11)
To think about:
What or who do you rely on to stand firm in your faith?
HYMNS FOR THIS SUNDAY
TIS 590 What a friend we have in Jesus
MP 1008 The Lord’s my Shepherd (Townend)
TIS 658 I the Lord of sea and sky (Here I am Lord)
TIS 103 A mighty fortress is our God
BISHOP KATE PROWD
Will be visiting us for the 10am service on Pentecost Sunday, May 28th
VICAR’S LONG SERVICE LEAVE
Please be advised that our Vicar, Graeme, will be taking 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.
MISSION SUNDAY
Today is Mission Sunday at St James. Please bring your Mission Boxes and
offerings. Greg and Jocelyn Lay will be speaking about their experience as
BCA Grey Nomads. We will also be hearing a short message from our CMS
link missionary Zoe Creelman.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
A huge thankyou to all our faithful volunteers who do so much for this
church and for the community. Without your volunteering, we would be in
serious trouble.
PENTECOST WALK FOR UNITY
The churches of Dandenong are holding their annual Walk for Unity on
Pentecost Sunday, 28th May. The walk begins in Harmony Square at
12:30pm and process around the centre of Dandenong pausing to pray for
the city at strategic locations. This concludes with a BBQ in Harmony
Square.
MONDAY MEALS
Due to some family demands affecting team members, some key volunteers
going away, and a general shortage of volunteers, the Monday Meal
program will be going monthly rather than weekly between June and
November.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
A memorial service for Margaret Oates will be held next Thursday 25th at
2pm at St James.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
28th May–Say of Pentecost
Acts 2.1-21; Psalm 104.26-36: 1 Corinthians 12.1-21; John 20.19-23
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR
Mike; Mark; Clovis; Rose; Eva; Cecil; Stanley; Nigel; Russell; Josie, Kevin; Joanne, Eve, Margaret, Lynette, Danny, Esme, Michael, Charles, Edward, Tyrone, Renee Gwen & Sylvia.