Sunday 28th September 2025 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

REFLECTION: Luke 16:19-31 “The Rich Man and Lazarus”

When you have your mind made up on something, how hard would it be for

someone to cause you to change your mind? If you are not a believer in Jesus,

what would it take for you to believe that Jesus is God’s own son and that he came

so that you might have the gift of eternal life?

The Pharisees and Teachers of the law in Jesus’ time had already made up their

minds that Jesus was not the Son of God, but rather a clever and dangerous

troublemaker who they needed to get rid of. They couldn’t explain his miracles,

but they were convinced in their minds that there was a trick somewhere. They

were not willing to even entertain the possibility that Jesus could be the Messiah.

Jesus tells them this parable about those who would refuse to believe, even if

someone were to come back from the dead.

Here is a summary:

1. It’s a Parable about believing.

a. It’s a parable: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen” (19)

b.It’s message is about faith.

c. It’s not a literal description of heaven and hell.

2. It’s a Warning to the rich, the self- righteous, and the unbelieving.

a. Spoken to the rich who cared nothing for the poor (20-24)

b. Spoken to the self- righteous who considered themselves superior to others and

who didn’t think they needed to be saved

c. Spoken to the unbelieving who would not believe even if someone would come

back from the dead (29-30)

3. It’s an Invitation to repent and believe:

a. Repent: Change how you live! It matters (30)

b. Believe in the one who has risen from the dead (31)

To Think About:

What are you waiting to hear or see before fully embracing the gospel and believing

in Jesus?

HYMNS

TIS 217 Love divine all loves excelling

10,000 Reasons

TIS 629 When I needed a neighbour

MP 178 Go forth and tell

A BAD NIGHT’S SLEEP FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Mission Australia is organizing an innovative fundraiser and awareness raiser about

homelessness.  The idea is that you get sponsored to sleep a night in your car for

one night.  If you are interested in participating, speak to Graeme.  Perhaps we can

organize a communal sleepover in our cars in the church carpark!  See the flyers in

the foyer.

THANK YOU 

A huge thanks to the team who helped demolish fences last Monday.  Also, thanks

to all who have donated gifts to the new Parish Centre through the envelopes.  So

far over $6,000 has been given.  More envelopes will be available on Sunday.

OUR MONTHLY PRAYER MEETING

Will be held this Monday at 7pm in the church.

FUNERAL FOR FATHER MARSHAL HEREFORD 

Will be held this Monday September 29 th  at 2pm at the Church of the Ascension

Springvale.

$5 MEAL BACK THIS SUNDAY

Soft and hard tacos with a Mexican filling plus extras

Sunday 5th October: Cake slice for $5 each

Stewardship envelopes are ready for pick up at the back of the church.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 5 th October: Lamentations 1.1-6;

Psalm: 137; 2 Timothy 1.1-14; Luke 17. 1-10.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 27th September – Samoan Youth

DEDICATION OF PARISH CENTRE ON 26 TH OCTOBER

If you intend staying for the opening, please place your name on the sheet in the

porch for Catering purposes.

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.

WORKING BEES

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

and continuing on the Saturdays 4 th , 11 th  and 18 th  of October with the aim of having everything looking fantastic for our scheduled opening of the new Parish Centre on October 26 th .  There is lots of gardening and planting to be done as well as moving

furniture and equipment into the new building.

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 &

Sherene