Pastor Dave's Christmas Message
I lived and worked near and in Liverpool, England for many years. The locals had a turn of phrase, “It’s gospel; honest.” They were making a point; what they were saying was absolutely true. The word ‘gospel’ literally means ‘good news’, and comes from the ‘Gospels’ in the New Testament of the Bible, where Jesus says, “The time has come, the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the Good News.” (Mark 1:15)
We have just witnessed and taken part in a Federal election. The Country was looking for ‘good news’ from the politicians—and the truth. The population was clearly divided as to who would bring the country the best news; the percentage of support for the two main parties remained virtually tied pre- and post-election. The ‘truth’ of claims was regularly ‘fact-checked’ by media commentators.
The lead-in to Christmas is a season called Advent; it literally means ‘coming’. The Church celebrates both the ‘coming’ to us of Jesus as one of us and looks to His coming again; His return. The reign of His Kingdom is here now in our midst and will come in fullness on His return. This means peace, purpose, freedom and new life; real and true Good News. People are divided in their opinion of Jesus Christ. I invite you to join us this Advent and Christmas; come and ‘fact-check’ the truth of this Good News.
Christmas Services 2019
Blue Christmas
Sunday, November 24
6:30 pm
Messy Church
Crafts, Food, Fun
Saturday, December 7
4 pm to 6 pm
Nine Lessons & Carols
Friday, December 13
7 pm
Christmas Eve Services
December 24
Tuesday
Christmas treats served
after each service
5 pm Family Service
With special children’s
presentation
8 pm Holy Eucharist
(Contemporary)
10:30 pm
Holy Eucharist
(Traditional)
Christmas Day Service
December 25
Wednesday
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist with Carols
First Sunday After Christmas
December 29
9:30 am Morning Prayer*
*No 8:30 am or 10:30 am services
I lived and worked near and in Liverpool, England for many years. The locals had a turn of phrase, “It’s gospel; honest.” They were making a point; what they were saying was absolutely true. The word ‘gospel’ literally means ‘good news’, and comes from the ‘Gospels’ in the New Testament of the Bible, where Jesus says, “The time has come, the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the Good News.” (Mark 1:15)
We have just witnessed and taken part in a Federal election. The Country was looking for ‘good news’ from the politicians—and the truth. The population was clearly divided as to who would bring the country the best news; the percentage of support for the two main parties remained virtually tied pre- and post-election. The ‘truth’ of claims was regularly ‘fact-checked’ by media commentators.
The lead-in to Christmas is a season called Advent; it literally means ‘coming’. The Church celebrates both the ‘coming’ to us of Jesus as one of us and looks to His coming again; His return. The reign of His Kingdom is here now in our midst and will come in fullness on His return. This means peace, purpose, freedom and new life; real and true Good News. People are divided in their opinion of Jesus Christ. I invite you to join us this Advent and Christmas; come and ‘fact-check’ the truth of this Good News.
Christmas Services 2019
Blue Christmas
Sunday, November 24
6:30 pm
Messy Church
Crafts, Food, Fun
Saturday, December 7
4 pm to 6 pm
Nine Lessons & Carols
Friday, December 13
7 pm
Christmas Eve Services
December 24
Tuesday
Christmas treats served
after each service
5 pm Family Service
With special children’s
presentation
8 pm Holy Eucharist
(Contemporary)
10:30 pm
Holy Eucharist
(Traditional)
Christmas Day Service
December 25
Wednesday
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist with Carols
First Sunday After Christmas
December 29
9:30 am Morning Prayer*
*No 8:30 am or 10:30 am services
VERSE OF THE YEAR
Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5: 1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5: 1-2
GOSPEL CENTERED LIVES
In 2017 concentrating upon Real God we focused on Jesus Christ and being conformed to His likeness; the heart of the Gospel. In 2018 our attention turned to the His Real Church. If this is who Jesus is and if this is the truth of the Gospel how do we grown as a Gospel Centered Church.
In 2019 the focus will turn to our Real Lives; how do we live Gospel Centered Lives? WIthin the Church, under God's transforming work to conform us to His Son's likeness, how should our lives be lived out? To deepen our understanding in these matters, throughout the year, we will have teaching based on "A Toolkit for Christian Living." This input will be at a very practical level on topics that we can apply in our lives to help us live as God asks. At the start of the year these topics will cover such issues: reading our bible;prayer;, sharing our faith; and Small Groups. If you have any suggestions for topics that would help you please do let me know. Following this beginning, for Lent 2019, we will work through the Sermon on the Mount to translate Christ's teaching into our lives.
The essential truth of living a Gospel Centred Life is found in the process of dying to self and living to Christ; this is where true freedom, purpose, joy and fulfillment is found. Our Scripture for the year reflects this truth and the above focus
" Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
May the Lord bless and guide us all in these endeavours .
The Ven Pastor Dave Labdon
Real God, Real Church, Real Lives
In 2017 concentrating upon Real God we focused on Jesus Christ and being conformed to His likeness; the heart of the Gospel. In 2018 our attention turned to the His Real Church. If this is who Jesus is and if this is the truth of the Gospel how do we grown as a Gospel Centered Church.
In 2019 the focus will turn to our Real Lives; how do we live Gospel Centered Lives? WIthin the Church, under God's transforming work to conform us to His Son's likeness, how should our lives be lived out? To deepen our understanding in these matters, throughout the year, we will have teaching based on "A Toolkit for Christian Living." This input will be at a very practical level on topics that we can apply in our lives to help us live as God asks. At the start of the year these topics will cover such issues: reading our bible;prayer;, sharing our faith; and Small Groups. If you have any suggestions for topics that would help you please do let me know. Following this beginning, for Lent 2019, we will work through the Sermon on the Mount to translate Christ's teaching into our lives.
The essential truth of living a Gospel Centred Life is found in the process of dying to self and living to Christ; this is where true freedom, purpose, joy and fulfillment is found. Our Scripture for the year reflects this truth and the above focus
" Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
May the Lord bless and guide us all in these endeavours .
The Ven Pastor Dave Labdon
Real God, Real Church, Real Lives
