As it’s Christmas season much of our church related programs focus on the theme of Christ’ birth as is declared in the Bible. That is what we’ll proclaim when we have our special Family Carols event this Saturday 15 Dec – 6pm at the C3 Building in Joondalup. Bring your kids, neighbours and friends along and let’s enjoy celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
On Sunday I’ll be starting a mini Christmas sermon series. We’ll look first at the person of Mary, then the following Sunday at the person of Joseph. Then finally on Christmas day we’ll look at the person of Jesus, the central person in the Christmas story.
Do note that our Christmas day service will be from 9 -10am, Tuesday 25th December. I was sent a link recently that I found very helpful and I’d love to share it with you as a resource to look into & keep for future reference. It involves the debate of recent years where some claim that Christmas has its roots in paganism (idol worship). Many folk choose simply not to get involved in the debate. Others have strong views and convictions on both sides of the argument. My strong conviction is that
Christmas does not have its roots in pagan worship. But more importantly, this debate is not something that we as Christians should get angry and offended over. Let’s make room for people’s different views.
And if we debate this topic, let’s do it respectfully, tainting our conversations with grace and love. *Here is the link to the article from a known and trusted source (CMI) that proves with historically, accurate facts that Christmas is not rooted in pagan worship.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3
The above is actually a good example of how we will sometimes see things differently. That’s just human nature. And most of the things we perhaps disagree on would be because of our experiences
or personal convictions. But they don’t need to be things we ‘break fellowship’ over. Sometimes that old saying of ‘let’s agree to disagree’ is very helpful. Especially on the less important matters of life.
This past weekend our church was part of a huge event raising funds for the ‘Stop Hunger Project’ in South Africa. The Afrikaans Christmas Carols event was hosted in Geraldton (25 Nov) and Perth (1 & 2 Dec). Many folks from Grace Church – and some from other churches – played a significant role to make this a successful event. $7600 was raised in support of the charity ‘Helping Hands – Stop Hunger Project.’
Our church also sold ‘boerewors rolls, pan cakes and more’ at the event as part of our church’s annual fundraising efforts. This brought in a great result of $3,581 for our church. Thanks to everyone involved.
It was a great blessing and a joy to connect with so many people and to do it for such a worth cause.
‘He has shown you, O mankind, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.’ Micah 6:8
Please note the change in venue and time for our upcoming Family Carols event which takes place on Saturday 15 Dec. It’ll 6pm at the C3 Building in Joondalup (yes, the very church we would love to buy.) It will be a great opportunity to “try before we buy” to use the building on this occasion. Even just using it as a once off venue will be awesome as it’s set up beautifully for stage productions.
Our family Carols event is a time to bring our kids along and together as families enjoy celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. Many children are involved in the production and we’d love to see you all there.
This Sunday we will again celebrate Lord’s Supper together. Let’s use the next few days to reflect on the Lord’s mercy and wrath that was displayed by Christ death on a sinners cross. Let’s ponder these
words Paul wrote regarding us partaking in the Lord’s Supper 2 Cor 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” In that passage Paul also says we should partake of the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner, showing love and forgiveness to those around us.
As I write this pastor’s prattle, there are a few things on our church radar to take note of – and certainly pray about.
Last week when we met as church council we spoke to great lengths about the possibility of purchasing the C3 Building in Joondalup. What I appreciated about the elders attitude in the meeting was their objectivity in this matter. We are hoping and praying for a miracle to open the doors as it’s currently not within our reach to purchase such a building at 2 Million dollars.
We are engaging with the seller to see if some other arrangements can be made and the price dropped significantly. We are also looking into lending options/pledges/funding drives that other churches have used to purchase land and buildings. I take comfort in knowing God will provide if this be His will for our church. I’m also ok if the Lord leads us in a different path way. His will be done.
As mentioned in church, the Afrikaans Christmas Carols event will take place this weekend as our church joins with others to raise funds for ‘Helping Hands – Stop Hunger Project ZA.’ All ticket sales are going towards raising funds in Jesus name for children in need in some of the poorest parts of South
Africa. See details for tickets further on in the eNewsletter. Our church has been given the opportunity to sell food and refreshments at the event for our own church fundraising efforts. You are invited to come along early on Saturday / Sunday at 5.30pm to enjoy delicious food, refreshments and fellowship. Come make some new friends. You can bring a picnic blanket or camping chairs and enjoy the beautiful weather in the garden area in front of the auditorium. Remember to bring some cash along to make purchases.
Pleas note this change in venue and time for our upcoming Family Carols event which takes place on Saturday 15 Dec. It’ll 6pm at the C3 Building in Joondalup (yes, the very church we are looking into
buying.) It will be a great opportunity to “try before we buy” to use the building on this occasion. Even just using it as a once off venue will be awesome as it’s set up beautifully for stage productions.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5
We are church that can give thanks for so many reasons. If you were to think about it yourself – what would you give thanks for regarding our church? As a pastor I give thanks that you are a part of our congregation. The book of Acts – and the letters of the apostle Paul reminds us that there are no perfect churches. Jesus wrote 7 letters to 7 churches in the book of Revelation again showing his concern and encouragement for churches to be a place of spiritual health and faithfulness. In our imperfection we strive for this – being salt & light. May God give us grace and his blessing to be found always faithful to Him.
Last Saturday myself and elder Philip Heyns attended our W.A. Classis meeting. It was a long, but productive day. We also realised from the meeting that the “landscape” is changing for us here in W.A. Some pastors are retiring and others decided to take up a call to serve God in other cities around Australia. Some congregations have to contend with an ageing congregation while our Vic Park congregation looks set to close their doors next year. We pray for God’s leading for all our Reformed Churches who are in the process of calling new pastors and for those facing the difficult decision of wrapping up their work after decades of service – and those who have to adapt to an ageing congregation. No matter the season of life a church finds it in, may we all be found faithful to Him.
Next Sunday after church a group of our musicians will be traveling up to Geraldton to do an Afrikaans Christmas Carols service to the Afrikaans speaking community living there. We would appreciate your prayers for our safe travels and God’s blessing on the event. This is part of the lead up to the big event happening at our church on the 1 & 2nd December. If you know any friends & colleagues in the Afrikaans speaking community here in Perth – be sure to invite them to this special occasion. More details can be found further in this eNewsletter. Be reminded that we will be selling refreshments (including boerewors rolls) at this event as part off fundraising for Grace Church.
Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! Psalm 32:11
Hi church family
Last week we got an update from our Finance Committee about the first quarter’s income and expenditures. You can see the slides from that presentation attached separately to the eNews email. It shows that we have a shortfall for the 1st quarter of the year. There were some upfront costs which contributed to higher than normal expenditures which will even out as the year progresses. Please pray with us that God will bless and provide for our church running costs. Thank you to all who faithfully give to the church.
Many of our church folk are involved in the upcoming ‘Afrikaans Carols Fundraising Event’ on the 1 & 2 December (for which ticket sales will go to the ‘Stop Hunger’ project in South Africa.) Our church council graciously offered the use of our sound gear for the event as it takes place in the same building where we have our normal church services. In return for this our church was given the opportunity to sell refreshments at the event as part of our own church fundraising initiatives for the year.
We are thankful for Sanet Rudman and a team of volunteers who have stepped forward to help arrange for boerewors rolls and refreshments to be sold on both nights. We are in need of more folks helping out with the preparations and the sales on the night. If you want to get involved and help us out please get in contact with Sanet or the church office. Also, if you are able to help with any monetary donations as we need to buy supplies and ingredients beforehand – please get in touch with us.
Sunday will be another one of those special occasions where we rejoice with a family that will be presenting their little one to receive the mark of baptism. We commit Henk & Ilanie Pretorius to the Lord in prayer as they commit Lilly-Ann to the Lord in this very meaningful occasion.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
