Sunday 26th April 2026 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

REFLECTION: 1 Peter 2:1-10 “Living as God’s Own People”

Following Christ is like a new beginning, a re-birth, a starting again from

scratch. What we were before is all changed.

We are a new creation in Christ!

Once we were in darkness, now we walk in the light of God.

Once we were distant from God. Now we are his people.

God has called us into his family and this require a big change in us. As He

himself is holy, so he calls us also to be holy. This is what we saw last week

in 1 Peter 1.

Now Peter urges his readers to live as God’s people and to show this in their

lives by getting rid of every last remains of their old sinful ways. Here is an

outline:

1. Grow up and leave behind your old ways (1-2):

a. Rid yourselves, therefore, of all evil (1)

b. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk (2)

2. Come and take your place as living stones in God’s temple (4-8):

a. Come to him, a living stone, chosen and precious in God’s sight (4)

b. Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer

spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (5)

3. You have been chosen by God for a purpose (9-10):

a. You are a chosen people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts

of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (9)

b. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people (10)

To Think about:

Will you embrace your new identity?

as a child of God,

as an heir of his kingdom,

as a priest in his temple,

as part of a holy nation belonging to God?

Hymns:

TIS 583 Take up your cross

MP 1072 In Christ Alone

TIS 442ii All praise to our redeeming Lord

TIS 457 The Churches One Foundation

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR REV. ALAN BAKER will be held here at

St James on Friday 15th of May at 10:30am.

INTERMENT: This Sunday the ashes of our dear brother Arthur George

will be interred in the memorial garden following the 10am service.

THE MOTHER'S DAY HIGH tea will not be happening on May 9th as

previously announced but will be postponed to a later date which will be

announced shortly.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS: Memorial flowers have been lovingly donated

in memory of Thomas Roy Sherry, so very missed. We will honour your

memory in all ways and always. The Sherry Family

HOT SOUP AND ROLLS ARE BACK! Enjoy a cup of delicious

homemade soup and roll after the service today. Still only $5

CMS Young Adults Big Mission Dinner: God’s mission is bigger, wider,

and more global than we often imagine. That’s why CMS is bringing

together young adults from across Victoria for a night designed to expand

their vision of what God is doing among the nations. We'd love our church's

young adults to attend the CMS Big Mission Dinner—an evening of fun,

encouragement, and great food! Saturday, 9 May 2026. 6:30–9:00PM. St

Hilary’s Anglican Church, 12 John Street, Kew VIC 3101. $10 entry (pay

on entry).

At the Big Mission Dinner, young adults will:

1. Hear powerful, real-life stories from missionaries serving in South Asia.

2. Be inspired to pray boldly for God’s global mission.

3. Share a meal and connect with other young adults passionate about Jesus.

WORKING BEE is planned for Saturday 2nd of May from 8:30am in the

morning until lunchtime. There is lots to do. All welcome. Come when

you can, go when you must.

WEDNESDAY GROWTH GROUP

Continues on Wednesday at 7:30pm in the Parish Centre. For the next few

weeks we will be looking at the theme of prayer. All are welcome.

ARCHBISHOP'S VISIT AND CONFIRMATIONS

We will be blessed to have a visit from our new Archbishop, Ric Thorpe, on

Sunday August 2nd for a late Patronal Festival and a service of Baptisms and

Confirmations. We will be starting an Alpha course shortly as preparation

for those who wish to be baptized or confirmed on that date.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER 2nd May

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY – 3rd May: Acts 7. 55-60;

Psalm 31. 1-5; 17-18; 1 Peter 2.11-25; John 14. 1-14

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Nigel, Jen, Glen,

Sherene, Gloria, Ron, Ruth, Mike, Amy, Cecil, Beryl, Paul, Fabian, Charles

& Marla.