30 June 2013

(Sixth Sunday after Pentecost)

Our Mission Statement: 'To know Christ and make Him known'

30 June 2013

THIS MORNING'S MUSIC OF PRAISE:
170, 441 (v 1, 2), 858, 170, 390, 870, 848, 849,845.'It is well with my soul'
'Be still, my soul' (Choir).

FIRST BIBLE READING:

1 Kings 19: 15-16,19-21 'The call of Elisha'

The Lord said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet...
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate.
Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

SECOND BIBLE READING:

Galatians 5: 1, 13-25;
'Freedom in Christ to live by the Spirit'

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. You, my brothers, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

GOSPEL READING:

Luke 9: 51-62;
'The cost of following Jesus'

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied,
"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

NOTES ON THE READINGS:

1 KINGS 19:15,16,19-21:
After the events described in last week's reading, Elijah continues to fulfil the commission of the Lord. His first mandate is to enlist Elisha as his helper and successor and to anoint two kings whom God will use later for his purposes. Instead of anointing Elisha, Elijah throws his mantle over him. It is obvious from Elisha's answer that he understands what this means. The 'party' which Elisha gives expresses his complete break with former life which has been entirely his own until now.
GALATIANS 5:1,13-25:
Christ has set us free to be truly free. This freedom, though, is not to be confused with the human perversion of freedom, which tends rather to unrestrained license. It is sin and evil which really enslaves. In the new creation, the Christian finds satisfaction in denying those things which enslave, and giving freely those services which express Christ-like love. Of course there is a tug-of-war that needs to be recognised between the flesh and the Spirit. Therefore believers permit the Spirit to lead them out of the fleshly desires which enslave, and to guide them into that harvest of ways which belong to Christian freedom. This cannot be achieved under the regulations of law, but only under the new power of the indwelling Spirit.
LUKE 9:51-62:
Samaritans and Jews regarded each other as erring religiously to the extent of exclusion from God's fold. Jesus' response to the disciples' anger over rejection shows that force has no part in the service of the gospel. There may well be another occasion still open in the future for repeated opportunity. In verses 57-62 it becomes clear that the most important work to be done here on earth is to preach the gospel. Mundane pressures which occupy us day by day will always be there, but so will people's inevitable destiny to hell. To save people for life eternal must surely then be given its due priority. Anyone who is called to special service in the kingdom, but wishes to serve both Christ and the world, is not fit for the kingdom of God.

Bible readings for Sunday 7th July:
Isaiah 66: 10-14, Galations 6: (1-6), 7-16,
Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20.

Announcements:

1. This week in the Lord's Service -30thJun-7thJuly:
This morning - (following worship service) – Graeme Huf will give a briefing on the availability of a baptismal gift of an LLL savings account.

Wednesday - 7.30 pm at Linda and Paul Menzel's home, 400 Lake Road, Connewarre.

Please note that Wednesday morning Bible study at 'Our Redeemer' will recommence on 17th July.
Saturday - 11.00 am, to 12 noon - Choir practice.
Next Sunday - 9.30 am - Public Divine service - (non- communion).

2. Confirmation Class:

There will be no Confirmation class on Wednesday's 3rd or 10th July, recommencing on 17th July.

3. Araluen '500'Camp 2013:

It's on again!!! The '500' camp.
Where: Araluen Lutheran Camp, Angelsea.
When: Friday 12th to Sunday 14th July.
Full details of program, fees and application/payment form are available from notice board near kitchen.

Coming up for your diary:

Thursday 11th July - from 2.30 pm -
Worship service with Holy Communion for those in care, families and anyone else who may wish to
come along. Special fellowship afternoon tea to follow in celebration of the 21st anniversary of the dedication
of 'Our Redeemer' church.

Sunday 14th July - from 5.00 pm -
A slide presentation will take place at 'Our Redeemer', hosted by Pastor Lester on his and Deidre's 2012 overseas travels. Light meal and supper provided. Some flyers still available from the front foyer.

Tuesday 16th July- 12.30 pm - Kaffeestunde.
Tuesday 30th July - 7.30 pm - Deacons.
Friday 2nd August - 9.30 am - Worship Team.
Tuesday 13th August - 7.00 pm - Church Council