Sunday 21st September 2025 – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

REFLECTION: Luke 16:1-13 “Invest now in the Kingdom of God!”

The parable of the shrewd manager is a parable that has us shaking our heads

and wondering. Are we to praise this dishonest steward for the way he has

shamelessly misused his employer’s money to care for his own future? Why

would Jesus use a crooked businessman to teach us how to live?

I think Jesus point is, if this man, dishonest as he is, has the good sense to use

every opportunity to make sure he has his needs covered for tomorrow, how

much more should we use every opportunity and even use our worldly wealth

in God-honouring ways to ensure that our home in heaven is secure for all

eternity.

Here is an outline.

1. Be wise with your use of worldly wealth!

a. The shrewd manager knew how to look out for his future (1-4)

b. He did whatever he could to make sure he had a home (5-7)

c. We need to be wiser in how we use our worldly wealth (8)

2. Invest now in the Kingdom of God!

a. Be generous towards others with your worldly wealth, so that when it is gone,

they may welcome you into the eternal homes (9)

b. Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much (10-12)

3. Don’t let money rule you!

a. Make sure that you are the master over your wealth and not the reverse.

b. You cannot serve both God and money (13)

To Think About:

What is your relationship with money? Is it your master or your servant?

HYMNS

TIS106 Now thank we all our God

For the cause of Christ the king

TIS 560 All my hope on God is founded

TIS 580 Lead us heavenly Father lead us

BUILDING FUND

Since we launched our appeal back in August last year to raise the remaining

$300,000 that is needed to complete the building project, we have

raised $217,147. This is a great effort and we are grateful for all who have

given so generously. With completion scheduled for September, we ask you to

continue to pray for God’s wonderful provision for the remaining amount.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROWTH GROUP

Would you like to grow in your faith? The Wednesday Night Growth Group

is all about helping us grow in faith and Christian maturity. We are about to

start a new series on 2 Timothy. We would love to see you there on

Wednesday nights at 7:30 in the supper room.

VICAR ON LEAVE

Graeme and Jane are on two weeks annual leave from Sat Sept 6th until Friday

Sept 19th. During this time, Rev. Ian Oates well be serving a few days a week

as locum and conducting the Sunday and Wednesday services. If you have

queries or special needs during this time, please contact the Wardens.

DEMOLITION WORKING BEE

To demolish McCrae Street fences on Monday 22nd Sept ahead of installation

of new bollard and chain fencing. All hands welcomed.

WORKING BEES

We will be having a series of working bees on Saturdays starting Sept 27th

and continuing on the Saturdays 4th, 11th and 18th of October with the aim of

having everything looking fantastic for our scheduled opening of the new

Parish Centre on October 26th. There is lots of gardening and planting to be

done as well as moving furniture and equipment into the new building.

GIVE A GIFT FOR OUR ST JAMES PARISH CENTRE

We have launched a campaign to invite people to offer to finance specific

items we need to complete the Parish Centre. We have prepared envelopes

with either a plant or a piece of office furniture that is needed. The church will

purchase the items so that they are uniform and so we can reclaim GST. Please

choose an envelope (or two) and place the money (or proof of payment) in the

offering bowl on any Sunday. We have items ranging from $20 to $900. We

won’t be placing names on your donated item but we will prepare a register of

donations for those who wish to be named. Some will want to remain

anonymous. Thanks so much for your generosity.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 20th September – Heinz & Rusty

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 28th September: Jeremiah 32.1-3, 6-15-

28; Psalm: 91, 1-6, 14-16; 1 Timothy 1.6-19; Luke 16. 19-31.

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Anthony, Mike, Cecil,

Ruth, Eva, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Natasha, Patty, Melenny, Noel, Dean, Amy,

William, Chelsea, Paul, Melvyn, Charles, Alan, Sally, Marla & Robert