Sunday, The Easter Day
March 31, 2013
The Uniting Church in Australia
The Parish of Rockhampton South
-NEWSLETTER-
MOVING WITH GOD’S SPIRIT
The belief that Jesus rose form the dead was contentious when Christians first spoke about it. Paul was so convinced of its truth that he threw aside his precious Jewish faith as rubbish. In his letters to the Corinthians, he argues strongly that this belief was confirmed by the experiences of many people who were still alive over twenty years after Jesus’ resurrection. As we read his argument in 1 Corinthians 15 this week, it is good to ponder what he wrote so that our trust in Jesus’ resurrection, based on the testimony of eye witnesses, can be held with steadfast confidence .
Daily Psalm: Psalm 150: “Praise the Lord for his mighty deeds.”
Daily Scripture Readings: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it -“
Mon: John 20:19-31: joining the vast company of people who have not put their finger into the wounds in Jesus’ hands and yet believe that he rose from the dead.
Tues: Acts 5: 27-32: believing the reliability of the words of the apostles about Jesus’ resurrection and receiving the Holy Spirit as a response to our obedience to God.
Wed: Revelation 5:11-14: recalling with awe the faith of the martyrs of the early church who, believing in the effectiveness of Jesus’ sacrificial death, faced a violent death in hope and confidence.
Thurs: 1 Corinthians 15:1-19: accepting the belief that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried and was raised on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures.
Fri: 1 Corinthians 15:20-41: encouraged by the depth of Paul’s faith which made him proclaim Jesus’ death and resurrection while putting himself in danger every hour.
Sat: 1 Corinthians 15:42-58: excelling in the work of the Lord because of the knowledge that in the Lord our labour is not in vain.
We extend a warm welcome to any visitors or newcomers with
us today. Please give us an opportunity to get to
know you after the Service.
Tuesday, April 2
9.15am Play Group – outing to the Botanical Gardens.
9.30am Indoor Bowls in the large hall – all welcome.
Wednesday, April 3
7.00pm Stillness & Meditation in the South R’ton Church with Rev Jennifer.
7.00pm Indoor Bowls in the large hall – club night.
Thursday, April 4
10.30am Gracemere Aged Care Facility, Gracemere Gardens, Combined Service – Rev Glenn Ingram.
4.30pm Prayer Time at Ingram’s, Bishop Street. All are welcome to attend.
5.15pm Worship Band practice in the South R’ton UC.
7.30pm Choir Practice in South R’ton Church.
For Your Diary
Sunday, April 7
5.00pm Fellowship at Gracemere followed by fellowship tea – Rev Glenn.
Tuesday, April 9
9.15am Play Group – Outing to the Heritage Village.
9.30am Indoor Bowls in the large hall – all welcome.
7.30pm R’ton Property Committee meeting in Sagnol House.
Wednesday, April 10
9.30am Blue Care Auxiliary meeting in the small hall.
7.00pm Stillness & Meditation in the South R’ton Church with Rev Jennifer.
7.00pm Indoor Bowls in the large hall – club night.
Tuesday, April 16
7.30pm Worship & Evangelism Committee meeting in Sagnol House.
Friday, April 19
8am – 12.30pm Blue care Auxiliary Street Stall in East Street.
Tuesday, April 23
7.30pm Elders and Pastoral Carers meeting in Sagnol House.
Prayers in response to Luke 24:1-12
We give thanks for –
· the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee,
· the devotion to Jesus that the women displayed,
· the message of resurrection given first to women.
We pray for –
· churches debating the place of women in the ordained ministry,
· the contribution women make to the environment in which public worship is offered to God,
· women occupying evangelical roles in the churches.
We give thanks for –
· the recording of the disbelief of the male disciples,
· Peter’s energetic response to the good news the women had,
· Peter’s amazement.
We pray for –
· men who have lost interest in public worship,
· men whose energy enhances the built environment where worship is offered,
· willingness to talk about the Church’s teachings which amaze and bewilder.
We give thanks for –
· freedom to worship publically at Easter time,
· the song of resurrection which circles the earth every Sunday,
· the new beginnings that Easter brings for human beings trapped in selfishness and despair.
We pray for –
· all whose daily work encourages estranged people to seek reconciliation,
· the Protestant Church in Timor Lorosa’e, a partner church of the Uniting Church in Australia.
· the people and churches in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.
Prayer: Creator God,
whose continuous work
sustains and expands creation
and whose new work draws people
into the peace of your presence,
breathe into every human heart and mind
the new life that your Son, our Jesus, displays
so that, born afresh in hope,
human communities may overflow
with justice and peace,
to the glory of your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.