• Trafalgar Reserve, Trafalgar Avenue, Altona Meadows on Saturday 22nd December

or

• Commonwealth Reserve, Nelson Place, Williamstown on Sunday 23rd December.

If you and your family love singing carols, then why not come to both?

If it is too wet for the carols to be held outside there is a wet weather plan for both events. At Altona Meadows the Community Centre next to the reserve will be used, while at Williamstown we will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 116 Cecil Street.

You can download a poster to display by clicking here.

This is the opening line of an email I received about the Together for Adoption Conference which hopes to mobilize Christians across Australia to care for children at risk no matter where they be, even in the womb. The organization Together for Adoption aims to teach the scriptures on the issue of adoption as it applies to us and its implications for us imitating our God in his love for the fatherless and the vulnerable.

More info available by clicking on the hyperlinks.

See You There

Peter Zammit

May I say that something very special and very ordinary happened over these 2 days in August in Hobson’s Bay this weekend.

A group of people from all over Hobson’s Bay met to sing, praise God, pray and talk. It was nothing too grand. Friday night we were moved by the passion of new young minister to the area who has a burden. A burden to let those who wander aimlessly through life, unaware that death threatens to swallow them up, know that there is an out. Jesus Christ, the answer to our life and destiny. 

His burden sprung from Ezekial 33. God had shown him that there is a sword that points to each and everyone of our lives and tells us we are bereft of any good whatsoever and deserve to die. That Jesus and the good news that he has taken that punishment on his shoulders, is a trumpet call of authority to summon people to action. Lastly that responsibilty lay on us who see this truth to warn those whom, as yet, have not.I do him little justice, as he spoke with such conviction and emotion born out of time with God and the scriptures, that to be there was to catch some of what he has been infected with by God. A love for the lost. Prayer followed.

The new day saw a period of instruction that enabled a time of people sharing some of their lives and stories with a few of the fellow community of Hobsons Bay. People reported of overcoming apprehension and finding that on the whole those they spoke to were quite receptive to the planting of seeds and the name of Jesus.

The extraordinary thing was that there was a sense by many that God has started something in Hobsons Bay. Something special with the potential to transform the church in Hobsons Bay and the whole city. A city forewarned and prepared for the coming sword, and the coming King.

Saturday 13^th August 10 am – 4 pm

 For those interested in new expressions of church and networking with others doing it.

Lunch: Bring finger food to share.

at “Beth Tephillah” 55 Park Crescent, Williamstown.

We invite you and people you think may like to know more to come.  Please let us know who is coming.

Grace and peace

Mal and Di Dow

Oikos Regional Team Melbourne West,
Pastors Williamstown Baptist Church and
Directors Beth Tephillah Ministry Centre
55 Park Crescent, Williamstown 3016

Ph/FAX: (03) 9397 2430
Email: pastors@bethtephillah.com
Web: www.bethtephillah.com

Good Morning,

 I am writing to confirm that after a number of consultative meetings I can confirm that the above mentioned “Search and Rescue” event will take place on Friday night 12^th August and continue the next day on Saturday 13^th August.

 We know that the Great Commandment that Christ left with us was to go into all the world and preach the gospel yet survey after survey shows us that the thing that Christians do the least is “share the gospel”.

 This Conference has been convened because we believe the Holy Spirit is “urging” us gather to rediscover the need and the excitement of “sharing our faith”.

We hope this Conference inspires us and encourages us as we also share ideas about how we can reach out to a fallen world with the eternal life giving power of salvation in Jesus Christ.

 Entry to the Conference is free and we are encouraging you to come and bring as many people from your congregation as possible.

 If you have anyone who would like to be part of the worship team please send an email with details of their names and phone numbers so that we can co-ordinate their participation.

 The venue will be The Altona Salvation Army, 108 Queen Street, Altona (Melway Ref: 54 H11).

 The Schedule will be as follows:               

Friday 12^th August            7.30pm – 10.00pm

Saturday 13^th August      9.30am – 4.30pm

 This will include time for worship, prayer, special speakers and some practical “hands on” evangelism.

 I believe that this will prove to be one of the most important moments in the spiritual history of Hobsons Bay so I do hope you can plan on coming – with as many from your church as can come.

 If you know ahead of time the numbers that will come from your church please let me know by return email so that we can cater accordingly

 God bless,

Stephen Holt

Chairman of Hobsons Bay Churches

PS: If you would like to talk to me about anything regarding the Conference, please do not hesitate to reply by email at stephenholt@bigpond.com or ring me on 0425-797-390

 
An American organisation is the key presenter, http://www.togetherforadoption.org/. Their mission is to resource the church so as to mobilize her to care for orphans anywhere.

This will be one worth attending especially if your heart is to care for orphans.

Easter Cross 2011

Williamstown: It was a wonderful morning with people from Williamstown, Newport and Spotswood churches. The backdrop over the water as the sun was rising with the stark empty cross was magnificent. Again the sun arose at just the right moment! John de Blank played guitar for the singing of the joyful resurrection songs. Lynette Leach had coordinated the program with leaders from 8 churches taking part. Gordon Preece from St Mark’s Anglican brought a reflection, presenting all with the challenge to share this good news – Jesus is ALIVE!

Lynette and Di at Easter Dawn Service 2011

Some of us at Easter Service at the Time Ball Tower

Altona: Bill Lidgett coordinated the program held near the beach at Altona. It too was well supported and a great celebration followed by breakfast.

You may well ask why does he need to write?  Why do we need another voice amongst the clamor continuously cluttering our air? Why when it‘s all been said, already, anyways?

True! What I will have to say has already been said. True! There are many saying the same things, but there are also others saying something to the contrary. True! It’s there in God’s Word, if only we would listen.

I write these things in order to help us listen. In order to wake us up. To see more clearly what is happening. And to be prepared for the coming of the king.

There are many natural disaster type events occurring just of late you would agree. Even just as recently as Friday 11^th March 2011, the largest earthquake ever in Japan’s recorded history shook millions, displaced probably hundreds of thousands, killed tens of thousands and still threatens almost an entire country. Do you find yourself asking, what is this stuff? Is it just “natural disaster”? Is it the sin of man, just to consume such source of immense power without proper regard for life and its environment or, and merely, just his ignorance and lack of foresight? Or is it God speaking to us in this day?

The recent earthquake in Christchurch spoke to me about several spiritual things.

The fact that Christchurch was shaken by two fairly major earthquakes in short succession not only meant that the first quake virtually ‘prepared the soil’ for the devastation of the second. It also reminded me of Hebrews 12 “once more will I shake the earth”. Have a look at it in context.

        ¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. ¹⁷ Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹ to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰ because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ²¹ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” ²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[1]

I heard it said that God is shaking the world once more and is starting with His church. Is that what could possibly be happening, or is it like when the tower fell on people in Jesus’ time Luke 13:1-5? Jesus does not point to any particular reason for its occurrence but uses it as an opportunity to warn people.

An eyewitness reported that in the second quake, the first thing he saw was the steeple of the great cathedral in Christchurch come tumbling down. Could it be that God is doing just that and particularly with us, the Church in the west?   Could it be that God is saying “Guys I am stirring and I am starting with you? I want you to take heed of how you are living your lives. I don’t want to see in you even a skerrick of discord, sexual immorality or fickleness. I don’t want you to get bitter and cause trouble. I don’t want you to get caught up in the pleasures of this world and turn away from me when something as simple as a good home cooked meal seems better than all the riches I have in store for you. I want you to be holy for I am holy. And because I am Holy I am awesome and I am to be feared.”

There was also a story of a woman who was trapped in the ruins of the church and after 3 days (how appropriate) was rescued. This reminded me that in the chaos you can be kept safe and sound in Jesus. He is the rock under which we can hide. Not only under, but in and on. And if we stand and build on the Rock we will stand.

These and the other events that are taking part in the world today are foretold in Matthew 24. This is what Christ was speaking of when he was teaching us about the last days. We are in the last days. Not only that but they seem to be accelerating. The labour pains are well and truly established.  Jesus told us to be ready. We need to be awake and alert and ready.

My prayer is that these words help you to be just that….   awake, alert and ready.

We heard about the work when Matthew Parkinson from Bendigo Baptist Church was interviewed on Red Symon’s program shortly after the devastation. He put us in contact with Blazeaid and they in turn distributed us amongst 4 farmers whom we helped clear or fix some fencelines. They were most grateful for our help. View here Charlton Interview 1 for message of thanks from Blazeaid co-ordinator.

Keep posted for some interviews with folk who went up there and some pictures.

We are most grateful to The City of Hobson’s Bay (whose sister shire is The Buloke Shire which Charlton is a part of) for providing us with the minibus to take us up there and for many small & a large local businesses who helped with funds or fundraising. A special note of thanks needs to go to those lovely volunteers who headed up there, those who helped them get there and those who co-ordinate the ongoing relief effort. Blazeaid are still calling for more volunteers as there is still plenty of work to be done. Contact them via their website http://www.blazeaid.com/ if you would like to help in some way.

Here is an interview with one of the volunteers- Cath

Q: You went up on the Friday night?

 A: Yes we decided to spend a bit of time and money in the town before going out to work on a farm. We stayed in one of the pubs up there which was very comfortable and clean and we had an excellent dinner up there as well.

We went for a walk around the town after dinner and we were shocked at the amount of damage we saw in and around the town. We found out later that all but two business premises and all but about five houses had been flooded out. 

Q: What happened on Saturday?

A: We went out to the Blaze Aid headquarters which was in the Footy club rooms. We met up with the rest of our church who had travelled up that morning.We were given instructions about the work and other information and then registered.

We then chose a farm to go to from the list of farmers who had registered for help and drove out to their property.The others in our group did the same.

Q: Tell us a bit about Blaze Aid?

A: This was really well organised, we were well briefed beforehand and they looked after us really well.You could easily come up for the day with no preparation or even food and Blaze Aid and the farmers provided everything for the day’s work. They gave us tools to use, gardening gloves, sunscreen, antibacterial hand wash, water, even dinner that night and breakfast the next day as we stayed over for a second night.

The farmers provided us with morning tea and delicious lunches both days. We also met other Blaze Aid volunteers and farmers at a dinner that night in the club rooms. We found people had come from all around the country to help out and we got to hear the stories of what had happened to people.

Q: What would your advice be to anyone asking about going up to volunteer?

A: Definitely go if you feel fit enough to do the work. There is still lots of work to be done and the priority is to restore the fences so that the animals can be returned to the properties.

The farmers we helped were incredibly appreciative and so hospitable. They were thanking us for coming up but we were thanking them just as much as I think they gave far more to us.

We were really touched by their humility, hospitality and graciousness in allowing us in to their world for a while and letting us help them. We felt very privileged and it was a pleasure to do it.

Q: What is one thing that has stuck with you since returning?

A: We just didn’t realise the extent of the damage done and it was great to go and see and hear about it firsthand. It may be off the front pages of the newspapers but the after effects of this flood continue and many of the people up there will not be covered by insurance. This will be really devastating financially for a lot of people who were only just starting to recover from the ten year drought.

It would be very heart breaking for them and some may not even be able to continue on farming up there.