Knowing Jesus ⢠Serving Jesus ⢠Proclaiming Jesus
July 2nd 2017 WELCOME!
Our regular services are: 8 am at St. Paul’s Classic Anglican service 10 am at St. Paul’s All age service with children’s programs 3 pm at St. Stephen’s All age service with children’s programs Ministry Contacts
Senior Minister Mark Smith 0430 393 414 [email protected] Not available Thursdays
Children’s & Youth Minister John Young 6352 4347 [email protected] Not available Wednesdays
Apprentice Minister Samuel Ogg 0409 792 811 [email protected] Not available Wednesdays
Wardens Scott Hookham John Stevens Eric Young
0419 708 801 6355 1337 0429 664 436
Office Administration Corinne Ogg 6351 3070 [email protected] Wednesdays & Fridays 9 - 4
Knowing Jesus • Serving Jesus • Proclaiming Jesus Dear friends, Welcome to church! You don’t have to look hard to see that our society & culture is increasingly disconnected & distant from God. The good news of Jesus is as good as it has ever been. But proclaiming Him clearly can’t simply be waiting for others to come to us – nor can it only be standing on the outside criticising. We need to wisely engage our community in order to share the best news with them. This ‘gospel engagement’ touches us every day – from the workplace & sporting clubs, to the Men’s Shed, Beehive & View Club, & even to community events like ANZAC Day, IronFest, Halloween & Lith-glo. Paul in Acts 17 gives us a great model for gospel engagement. Paul walks around Athens & is struck by the variety & diversity or worldviews. There’s plenty of opinions, beliefs & practises in Athens – but little clear knowledge of the true & living God. Paul is stirred to engage them. He begins ‘reasoning’ with them (Act 17v17 – using the word we get ‘dialogue’ from). John Stott points out this ‘reasoning’ meant something more specific than our ‘dialogue’. Stott says it was something closer to what we might call the Socratic method. This was not a “debate” as we see debates today, where two parties read off talking points at one another. It required lots of careful listening, and in particular it meant asking questions that showed that your opponents were self-contradictory – they were wrong on the basis of their own premises. You can read Paul’s sermon in about 2 minutes. He gently & clearly engages the culture. He quotes their thinkers (rather than start with the Bible for a community so Biblically illiterate). From the starting point of their own thinking & intuitions about God, he shows how idolatry is absolutely wrong (v29). He then lays a platform to understand God properly. Rather than the culture’s willingness to say there are lots of belief systems, just go with the one you like – Paul says there is one Supreme Creator & Sovereign God worthy of praise. Paul may not quote the Bible, but everything He says is Biblical, in the language & thinking of his listeners. He starts with their interest in ‘spiritual things’ & brings them to an understand of their need to respond to Christ. Paul is a great model for us. He neither waits for outsiders to come to hear of Jesus on ‘insider’s terms’, nor does He stand aloof, looking down & condemning their foolish idolatry. It’s a model for us in our community. Timothy Keller writes of Acts 17 & the task of engaging our culture:
The term “cultural engagement” is so often used by Christians today without a great deal of definition. This account of Paul and Athens gets us a bit closer to understanding what it is by showing us what it is not. Christians are to enter the various public spheres—working in finance, the media, the arts. But there we are neither to simply preach at people nor are we to hide our faith, keeping it private and safe from contradiction. Rather, we are as believers to both listen to and also challenge dominant cultural ideas, respectfully yet pointedly, in both our speech and our example.
for Children and youth For all children yrs K-6 During School Term Tuesdays 3:15-4:30pm Youth Group for yrs 6-12 During School Term Fridays 7:30 - 9pm
Growth groups Small groups for adults to grow in Christ. Phone the office for details.
As a church family, we need to keep talking & praying with one another about how we do this. Our Sunday conversations about work, sport & community clubs – what fills the rest of our week – should be thoughtful & reflective on how we bring Christ’s good news to all. As the calendar rolls on from ANZAC Day to IronFest to Halloween to Lith-glo – we need to be ready to engage in a way that brings Jesus to people in their ‘language & thinking’. In Him, Mark Smith
www.lpachurch.org.au • [email protected] • PO Box 192, Lithgow • (02) 6351 3070 St. Paul’s: Railway Parade, Lithgow • St. Stephen’s: Williwa St, Portland
readings
Responding to God’s Word in Practice: 1. HEAD: What did you learn? 2. HEART: What did God say to you? 3. HANDS: What will you do?
ot
Psalm 14 (page 388)
nt
Titus 3 (page 844)
Word of encouragement: Encouragement- Monday Night Senior High growth group. It might be missing the clever name that usually comes with our youth and children’s programs at church, but Monday nights with the senior high school students from years 10-12 has been packed with the same fun and bible learning expected. The aim is to allow the older students in our church to dig deeper into the bible and build the foundations of a strong relationship with God. Recently we asked the group’s members what their favourite thing about our group was, and how it has helped grow their personal relationship with God. Here are some of their responses; Sarah said her favourite thing was “meeting with friends to learn more about God” and Adelaide shared “being able to talk about
God in a fun setting. Though Church is still good, playing games, eating, and laughing make it normal. Something any friend could come along to”.
Stephen said that his relationship with God has grown as he has “learnt how to apply the bible to his life”. Declan says that he has “been encouraged to pray and read the bible more” and that he has
“understood more from about God by hearing what others have to say” And Adelaide shared that the group has helped her to be “more focused on God throughout the week and taught her how to go deeper with her personal bible reading” Christianity Explored was a great blessing to our group with someone commenting that it helped them better understand the basic faith of Christianity that they can now share with their friends. Lauren Hookham, who leads said “My favourite thing is the fun that we have, we always start with conversation and a game or two and we are always laughing. It makes for a very comfortable space to then dive into the study. Recently the group looked at 2 Peter using the Swedish Method, it was so encouraging to see the kids really engaging with the passages, pulling out ‘lightbulbs' and sharing what held significance for them, and also to have them asking their own questions, rather than just working through a series of set questions, and then working together to find answers from the passage or elsewhere in the bible. It is a joy to see God working, and I hope you will join me in praying for this group. Praise God for making himself known to us through the bible and wanting a relationship with everyone he has made. Pray that our Monday night group might continue to grow in their relationship with God as they learn how to read the bible and deepen their relationship with God through prayer. For His glory, Samuel Ogg News to share or point for prayer? If you would like the church family to hear of recent news, or request prayer for yourself, please contact the office by phone or email. Due to privacy laws we can only publish names with permission of those people.
Prayer points
July 2nd Graciously hear us, Lord God; and grant that we, to whom you have given the desire to pray, may by your mighty aid be defended and strengthened in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen July 3rd Praise God for His Holiness. Praise Him for all aspects of His transcendent greatness & moral perfection. July 4th Pray for our church family, reflecting on Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians: May the Lord make
your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13) July 5th Give thanks for the church’s Mercy Ministry team. Ask that through these ministries, spiritual needs would be served as they meet physical & emotional difficulties. Pray especially for the plans for the ‘Fresh Food days’ in partnership with Anglicare, the regular Nursing Home services, the bereavement ministry, emergency food resources & the CAP Home budget Course.
July 6th Thank God for the stability & peace we enjoy as a nation. Pray for politicians at every level & the civil servants who enact their policies – to create conditions where grace & justice will flourish. Remember especially our Prime Minister (Malcolm Turnbull), Premier (Gladys Berejiklian) & Mayor (Stephen Leslie). July 7th Pray for our persecuted sisters & brothers in Christ around the world. Pray for their relief - & even more their endurance – mindful of Hebrews 10:35-36 ‘So do not throw away your confidence; it
will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised’.
July 8th Intercede for our broken world. Remember places of physical suffering, moral darkness & Spiritual ignorance. Pray for those around the world in positions of power & influence, to be shaped by God’s justice & mercy. July 9th Almighty God, protector of all who put their trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy, so that with you as our ruler and guide, we may pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen
Roster reminders for next week
Notices
9th July
How Can We Support People Going Through Tough Times? Saturday 29th July, 9am - 1pm St Peter’s Anglican Church Hall, Great Western Highway Mount Victoria Enter via Ailsa Street at the back of the church How do we walk alongside family or friends experiencing grief, illness or other struggles? Do you often feel at a loss as to what to do? Di Morgan teaches at Mary Andrews College, equipping pastoral carers and community chaplains with skills to care for those in need. She will be running a seminar looking at the underestimated gift of a listening ear, understanding the nature of grief, and self-care strategies. All welcome. Morning tea provided, Donation at the door. "Refugees and The Churches Response" On 13th July the Archbishop is speaking on "Refugees and The Churches Response" at St Pauls Castle Hill. Following the Archbishop, representatives from Anglicare will help us understand a variety of practical responses that churches can make as well as including an update on the Syrian refugee intake. The evening will start at 7:30pm and end at 9:30pm. All are welcome.
Winter Appeal July 22nd Volunteers need for a variety of roles – please speak to Nick McKinney or attend a brief meeting today 11:30 – 12 in the Parish Centre
bible readings ot nt
1 Samuel 4 John 1: 1 - 14
Thank you for serving. If you are unable to fulfil your rostered duty please organise a swap and let the service leader and the office know
Christmas In July Concert 2pm .. Sunday 9th July Venue : Lithgow Baptist Church Featuring Liberty, Anna Smith, Ben Fairbairn & Bridget Cama. This is a fundraiser for Operation Christmas Child Entrance by donation.. funds raised will go towards postage of the Christmas boxes to children in need Christianity Explored (CE) CE is a 7 week course that uncovers the greatest news ever – exploring Jesus in the gospel of Mark. It runs regularly. Contact Mark Smith for details.
Direct Giving details
Account Name - ANGLICAN PARISH Of LITHGOW DIRECT GIVING BSB -
062591
Account No. -
10085204
Lithgow and Portland Anglican Church
Please return Bibles to the back of church at the end of the service. Thank you!
Our regular services are: 8 am at St. Paul’s Classic Anglican service 10 am at St. Paul’s All age service with children’s programs 3 pm at St. Stephen’s All age service with children’s programs Ministry Contacts
Senior Minister Mark Smith 0430 393 414 [email protected] Not available Thursdays
Children’s & Youth Minister John Young 6352 4347 [email protected] Not available Wednesdays
Apprentice Minister Samuel Ogg 0409 792 811 [email protected] Not available Wednesdays
Wardens Scott Hookham John Stevens Eric Young
0419 708 801 6355 1337 0429 664 436
Office Administration Corinne Ogg 6351 3070 [email protected] Wednesdays & Fridays 9 - 4
Knowing Jesus • Serving Jesus • Proclaiming Jesus Dear friends, Welcome to church! You don’t have to look hard to see that our society & culture is increasingly disconnected & distant from God. The good news of Jesus is as good as it has ever been. But proclaiming Him clearly can’t simply be waiting for others to come to us – nor can it only be standing on the outside criticising. We need to wisely engage our community in order to share the best news with them. This ‘gospel engagement’ touches us every day – from the workplace & sporting clubs, to the Men’s Shed, Beehive & View Club, & even to community events like ANZAC Day, IronFest, Halloween & Lith-glo. Paul in Acts 17 gives us a great model for gospel engagement. Paul walks around Athens & is struck by the variety & diversity or worldviews. There’s plenty of opinions, beliefs & practises in Athens – but little clear knowledge of the true & living God. Paul is stirred to engage them. He begins ‘reasoning’ with them (Act 17v17 – using the word we get ‘dialogue’ from). John Stott points out this ‘reasoning’ meant something more specific than our ‘dialogue’. Stott says it was something closer to what we might call the Socratic method. This was not a “debate” as we see debates today, where two parties read off talking points at one another. It required lots of careful listening, and in particular it meant asking questions that showed that your opponents were self-contradictory – they were wrong on the basis of their own premises. You can read Paul’s sermon in about 2 minutes. He gently & clearly engages the culture. He quotes their thinkers (rather than start with the Bible for a community so Biblically illiterate). From the starting point of their own thinking & intuitions about God, he shows how idolatry is absolutely wrong (v29). He then lays a platform to understand God properly. Rather than the culture’s willingness to say there are lots of belief systems, just go with the one you like – Paul says there is one Supreme Creator & Sovereign God worthy of praise. Paul may not quote the Bible, but everything He says is Biblical, in the language & thinking of his listeners. He starts with their interest in ‘spiritual things’ & brings them to an understand of their need to respond to Christ. Paul is a great model for us. He neither waits for outsiders to come to hear of Jesus on ‘insider’s terms’, nor does He stand aloof, looking down & condemning their foolish idolatry. It’s a model for us in our community. Timothy Keller writes of Acts 17 & the task of engaging our culture:
The term “cultural engagement” is so often used by Christians today without a great deal of definition. This account of Paul and Athens gets us a bit closer to understanding what it is by showing us what it is not. Christians are to enter the various public spheres—working in finance, the media, the arts. But there we are neither to simply preach at people nor are we to hide our faith, keeping it private and safe from contradiction. Rather, we are as believers to both listen to and also challenge dominant cultural ideas, respectfully yet pointedly, in both our speech and our example.
for Children and youth For all children yrs K-6 During School Term Tuesdays 3:15-4:30pm Youth Group for yrs 6-12 During School Term Fridays 7:30 - 9pm
Growth groups Small groups for adults to grow in Christ. Phone the office for details.
As a church family, we need to keep talking & praying with one another about how we do this. Our Sunday conversations about work, sport & community clubs – what fills the rest of our week – should be thoughtful & reflective on how we bring Christ’s good news to all. As the calendar rolls on from ANZAC Day to IronFest to Halloween to Lith-glo – we need to be ready to engage in a way that brings Jesus to people in their ‘language & thinking’. In Him, Mark Smith
www.lpachurch.org.au • [email protected] • PO Box 192, Lithgow • (02) 6351 3070 St. Paul’s: Railway Parade, Lithgow • St. Stephen’s: Williwa St, Portland
readings
Responding to God’s Word in Practice: 1. HEAD: What did you learn? 2. HEART: What did God say to you? 3. HANDS: What will you do?
ot
Psalm 14 (page 388)
nt
Titus 3 (page 844)
Word of encouragement: Encouragement- Monday Night Senior High growth group. It might be missing the clever name that usually comes with our youth and children’s programs at church, but Monday nights with the senior high school students from years 10-12 has been packed with the same fun and bible learning expected. The aim is to allow the older students in our church to dig deeper into the bible and build the foundations of a strong relationship with God. Recently we asked the group’s members what their favourite thing about our group was, and how it has helped grow their personal relationship with God. Here are some of their responses; Sarah said her favourite thing was “meeting with friends to learn more about God” and Adelaide shared “being able to talk about
God in a fun setting. Though Church is still good, playing games, eating, and laughing make it normal. Something any friend could come along to”.
Stephen said that his relationship with God has grown as he has “learnt how to apply the bible to his life”. Declan says that he has “been encouraged to pray and read the bible more” and that he has
“understood more from about God by hearing what others have to say” And Adelaide shared that the group has helped her to be “more focused on God throughout the week and taught her how to go deeper with her personal bible reading” Christianity Explored was a great blessing to our group with someone commenting that it helped them better understand the basic faith of Christianity that they can now share with their friends. Lauren Hookham, who leads said “My favourite thing is the fun that we have, we always start with conversation and a game or two and we are always laughing. It makes for a very comfortable space to then dive into the study. Recently the group looked at 2 Peter using the Swedish Method, it was so encouraging to see the kids really engaging with the passages, pulling out ‘lightbulbs' and sharing what held significance for them, and also to have them asking their own questions, rather than just working through a series of set questions, and then working together to find answers from the passage or elsewhere in the bible. It is a joy to see God working, and I hope you will join me in praying for this group. Praise God for making himself known to us through the bible and wanting a relationship with everyone he has made. Pray that our Monday night group might continue to grow in their relationship with God as they learn how to read the bible and deepen their relationship with God through prayer. For His glory, Samuel Ogg News to share or point for prayer? If you would like the church family to hear of recent news, or request prayer for yourself, please contact the office by phone or email. Due to privacy laws we can only publish names with permission of those people.
Prayer points
July 2nd Graciously hear us, Lord God; and grant that we, to whom you have given the desire to pray, may by your mighty aid be defended and strengthened in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen July 3rd Praise God for His Holiness. Praise Him for all aspects of His transcendent greatness & moral perfection. July 4th Pray for our church family, reflecting on Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians: May the Lord make
your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13) July 5th Give thanks for the church’s Mercy Ministry team. Ask that through these ministries, spiritual needs would be served as they meet physical & emotional difficulties. Pray especially for the plans for the ‘Fresh Food days’ in partnership with Anglicare, the regular Nursing Home services, the bereavement ministry, emergency food resources & the CAP Home budget Course.
July 6th Thank God for the stability & peace we enjoy as a nation. Pray for politicians at every level & the civil servants who enact their policies – to create conditions where grace & justice will flourish. Remember especially our Prime Minister (Malcolm Turnbull), Premier (Gladys Berejiklian) & Mayor (Stephen Leslie). July 7th Pray for our persecuted sisters & brothers in Christ around the world. Pray for their relief - & even more their endurance – mindful of Hebrews 10:35-36 ‘So do not throw away your confidence; it
will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised’.
July 8th Intercede for our broken world. Remember places of physical suffering, moral darkness & Spiritual ignorance. Pray for those around the world in positions of power & influence, to be shaped by God’s justice & mercy. July 9th Almighty God, protector of all who put their trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy, so that with you as our ruler and guide, we may pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen
Roster reminders for next week
Notices
9th July
How Can We Support People Going Through Tough Times? Saturday 29th July, 9am - 1pm St Peter’s Anglican Church Hall, Great Western Highway Mount Victoria Enter via Ailsa Street at the back of the church How do we walk alongside family or friends experiencing grief, illness or other struggles? Do you often feel at a loss as to what to do? Di Morgan teaches at Mary Andrews College, equipping pastoral carers and community chaplains with skills to care for those in need. She will be running a seminar looking at the underestimated gift of a listening ear, understanding the nature of grief, and self-care strategies. All welcome. Morning tea provided, Donation at the door. "Refugees and The Churches Response" On 13th July the Archbishop is speaking on "Refugees and The Churches Response" at St Pauls Castle Hill. Following the Archbishop, representatives from Anglicare will help us understand a variety of practical responses that churches can make as well as including an update on the Syrian refugee intake. The evening will start at 7:30pm and end at 9:30pm. All are welcome.
Winter Appeal July 22nd Volunteers need for a variety of roles – please speak to Nick McKinney or attend a brief meeting today 11:30 – 12 in the Parish Centre
bible readings ot nt
1 Samuel 4 John 1: 1 - 14
Thank you for serving. If you are unable to fulfil your rostered duty please organise a swap and let the service leader and the office know
Christmas In July Concert 2pm .. Sunday 9th July Venue : Lithgow Baptist Church Featuring Liberty, Anna Smith, Ben Fairbairn & Bridget Cama. This is a fundraiser for Operation Christmas Child Entrance by donation.. funds raised will go towards postage of the Christmas boxes to children in need Christianity Explored (CE) CE is a 7 week course that uncovers the greatest news ever – exploring Jesus in the gospel of Mark. It runs regularly. Contact Mark Smith for details.
Direct Giving details
Account Name - ANGLICAN PARISH Of LITHGOW DIRECT GIVING BSB -
062591
Account No. -
10085204
Lithgow and Portland Anglican Church
Please return Bibles to the back of church at the end of the service. Thank you!
