REFLECTION: Acts 2:36-41 "Repent and be baptized every one of you!"
Over the last few weeks, we have been reading from the gospels of the
beginning of Jesus’ ministry and of how he went about preaching the good
news to people and calling on them to repent and believe. The call to repent
and believe is at the core of the baptism vows that a family with the
godparents will be affirming today in our baptism service.
In today’s reading from Acts 2, we see that the call to repent and believe is
still at the core of the gospel message that the apostles were preaching.
Today’s message follows this outline:
1. Jesus died for us.
a. God has made him both Lord and Messiah
b. This Jesus whom you crucified (36)
c. He died for our sins (38)
2. How do you respond to such love?
a. Each one of you must turn from your sins. (38)
b. Each one must be baptized (28)
c. God’s promise is for you and for your children, but we must each
respond. (39)
3. What does turning to Jesus mean for us?
a. Your sins will be forgiven (38)
b. You will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit (38)
c. You will be welcomed into his family (41)
To Think About:
What is it that you value most about belonging to Christ’s body, the church?
HYMNS FOR THIS SUNDAY
TIS 491 Father welcomes all his children
MP 1085 Let the weak say I am strong
TIS 609 May the mind of Christ my Saviour
TIS 152 Joyful, joyful
BAPTISM
Today at our 10am service we will be baptizing Zivah Heri. We welcome her parents Kevin and Rebecca and brother Johann along with her godparents and family friends.
6pm SERVICE
Our 6pm service will resume next Sunday Feb 5th. This is a more relaxed
praise and worship service led by our young adults but suitable for all
ages. We would love to see you there.
MONDAY MEALS
The Monday Meals will be returning on Monday Feb 6th.
RAT TESTS AND MASKS
We have been donated boxes of N95 masks and COVID RAT tests. Please
help yourself to what you can use. They are at the back of the church.
PLEASE PRAY FOR A SUITABLE PART-TIME CURATE
We are still trying to secure a part time curate for this year to be available
for our Parish, or for the Lord to bless our finances so that we can again
afford a full-time Curate. Rising costs, and a drop-off in rentals have put us
in this situation. Giving has improved slightly but not enough to offset the
rising costs.
NEWCOMERS LUNCH
Have you arrived at St James’ sometime over the last 3 years? We would
love to invite you to stay for a special lunch for newcomers to be held in the
Parish Centre on Sunday Feb 12th after morning tea at 12 noon. We want to
get to know you better and for you to know us. Please register on the sign-
up sheet in the porch.
PRAYER CHAIN
Our Parish has a prayer chain which consists of parishioners committed to
prayer and to confidentiality who will stop and pray when urgent prayer
requests are sent via the prayer chain. Marlene Newell has been
coordinating this for the last 15 years but is now stepping down. We thank
Marlene most sincerely for such a sterling effort over so many
years. Doreen Lilley has agreed to take over as coordinator. Urgent prayer
requests can now be sent to Doreen at doreen.lilley@bigpond.com or call
0397953867. If you would like to be included in the prayer chain ministry,
contact Doreen.
JAMS FOR SALE $4
Bags of salt, rice, lentils, beans....gold coin donation
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
We pray for those who are sick or troubled in body or mind, or who
have special needs: (Please email contact@stjamesdandenong.com or
contact clergy for prayers for anyone who is in need of them).
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR
Mike; Mark; Clovis; Rose; Rhonda; Eva; Cecil; Graeme; Stanley; Nigel; Russell; Josie, Kevin; Joanne, Eve, Margaret, Lynette, Danny, Esme, Henry, Michael, Milton, Sylvia, Charles, Edward, Tyrone, Babu & Jean.