13th October 2013

Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost
13 October 2013
¯ THIS MORNING'S SONG'S OF PRAISE:
429, 325,Ps 111, 347, 361, 473, 171,289.

FIRST BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 5: 1-15
'Naaman is cured' (NIV)

Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and
highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served
Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."
Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said."By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand
shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy."
As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!"
When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.

"So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in
the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."
But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and
cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?
Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.
Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!"So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like
that of a young boy.
Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to theman of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel."

SECOND BIBLE READING:

2 Timothy 2: 8-15;
'A call to endurance' (GNB)

Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught in the Good News I preach. Because I preach the Good News,
I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains, and so I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen people, in order that they too may
obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory.
This is a true saying:
'If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.
If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with him.
If we deny him, he also will deny us.
If we are not faithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot be false to himself'.
Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God's presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. Do your best to
win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth.

GOSPEL READING:

'Jesus heals ten lepers' (GNB)

As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. He was going into a village when he was met by ten men suffering from a
dreaded skin disease. They stood at a distance and shouted, 'Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!'
Jesus saw them and said to them, 'Go and let the priests examine you'. On the way they were made clean. When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself to the ground at Jesus' feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan.
Jesus said, 'There were ten men who were healed;
Where are the other nine? Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?' And Jesus said to him, 'Get up and go; your faith has made you well'.

NOTES ON THE READINGS:

2 TIMOTHY 2: 8-15:
'Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David' presupposes the whole history of Israel culminating in the everlasting kingship of King David's descendant. Even if preaching the gospel results in imprisonment or even death, the gospel itself cannot be suppressed. It will therefore bring salvation to those whom God had in mind when he shaped his plans of election back in eternity. Remaining true in the faith and confessing the faith means reigning with Christ in glory, for God is faithful to his promises. So that all this may transpire according to God's gracious purpose, Timothy is urged not only to warn against empty and meaningless disputes, but also to be very careful in conscientious presentation of the true exposition of Scripture.

LUKE 17: 11-19:
Some lepers, excluded from regular society but living together for mutual support, were certain Jesus could cure them. Approaching him, they begged him from a distance to have mercy on them. Jesus' command to show themselves to the priest called for faith that they would be healed. Anyone cured of leprosy was required to be declared cleansed by a priest according to Levitical law. All could have returned to thank Jesus upon realising they were whole. Jesus' disappointment that only one returned, a Samaritan at that, shows that godliness is sometimes more apparent outside the formal church than within it. This Samaritan was the only one who both witnessed to the power of God in the miracle as well as giving thanks.
The pronouncement, 'Your faith has saved you', indicates that he was not only cleansed bodily, as were the other nine, but that salvation now lay with his soul.

Bible readings for Sunday 20th October:
Genesis 32: 22-31,
2 Timothy 3: 14- 4: 5,
Luke 18: 1-8

Announcements:
1. This week in the Lord's Service - 13th - 20th Oct:
Tuesday - 12.30 pm - Kaffeestunde.
Tuesday - 7.00 pm - Church Council.
Saturday - 10.00 am - 11.00 am - 'Sing- along' time for those who wish to learn songs for the Sunday.
Saturday - 11.00 am to 12 noon - Choir practice.
Next Sunday - 9.30 am - Public Divine service - (non-communion) - includes a rite of thanksgiving to God for the ministry at Lara.
Sunday School also resumes!
Next Sunday - Nominations Committee - (A/W).

2. 'All Saints' Memorial - Sun. 3rd Nov:
A memorial rite will be held during worship service on Sunday 3rd November ('All Saints' Day) - remembering loved ones whose funeral services
have been conducted under the ministry of our church in the past two years. This will include a time of silence to remember others whose loss is also in
our hearts. A fellowship morning tea will follow.
Members are asked to bring along a plate of food to share.

3. Conflict Coaching - 31Oct - 2 Nov:
An opportunity has arisen to attend Conflict Coaching with Rev Bruce Zagel at St Phillips, Lutheran Church, Werribee on 31st October and
1st and 2nd November 2013. Please see notice board near kitchen. Registration forms available from front foyer. Any enquiries are welcome to Pastor Mark
Winter, 03 97496976 or mobile 0411 151 741.

4. Elections meeting Sun.1st Dec:
For those members, without internet access and who were unable to attend last Sunday, an overview, together with 2013 office holder listings and a
'Ministry Opportunities' form in relation to the 2014
elections, have been placed in member's church boxes to take home. It is requested that the form be returned by Sunday, 27th October, 2013.

Coming up for your diary:

Wednesday 23rd October - 7.30 pm - Evening Bible study group on Colossians continues - venue to be announced.
Reformation Sunday 27th October - 9.30 am - worship service with H.C. at 'Our Redeemer'.
Friday 15th November - 9.30 am - Worship Team.