Dear friends,
It has been great to be back in Luke's gospel. As Jesus headed towards Jerusalem, the big question that our current sections raises was there in 13:23 - 'Will those who are saved be few'. On the one hand - the answer was 'yes' - the religious elite would largely find themselves excluded from the great banquet. And yet, many others would be welcomed in - from the north and south, east and west (13:29). With the key question from 13:23 still ringing in our ears, we find another challenge to kingdom growth in the passage this Sunday: 14:25-35. Please read it if you can before Sunday.
As we approach the crazy Christmas period of the year, I nervously ask you to ensure that the evening of November 14 is in your diary for our Thanksgiving Dinner. It really will be a highlight of the year, as look back with thanks and look forward with hope and launch 'Vision 2022'. To help us prepare, I ran a 30 minute session after each of our Sunday gatherings last Sunday which people found very helpful. I will run them again this Sunday at the same time if you weren't able to be there last week. It will just give you a heads up in terms of where things are up to and give you an opportunity to make any further comments. Again, it will be in the new creche room in the church vestry.
A couple of other things to note:
1. On the tear-off slips this week there will be an opportunity to RSVP for the thanksgiving dinner as well as indicate how you are able to help with the meal.
2. The evangelism training course that started after morning church last Sunday will continue this week in the Barnabas Centre at 11:30am. Even if you couldn't make it last week, you would be more than welcome this week.
3. On 11 November, we will have a working bee to tidy up the church grounds before our Christmas gatherings.
4. On 12 November, we will host a Chamber music concert to raise funds for the building restoration work in the church. You will receive a flyer with more information on Sunday.
Finally, please pray:
a. the follow-up evangelistic event this Saturday afternoon. About 20 women are meeting for afternoon tea to hear more of the difference that Jesus makes to life. It is a great encouragement to see our 'Food for Thought' evangelistic event bearing fruit in terms of ongoing opportunities for people to ask more questions about the Christian faith. Well done to the team for this!
b. Paul Grimmond as he recovers from surgery on Wednesday.
c. HSC students as they complete their exams over the next week
d. Chris and Mel Holding enjoying two weeks annual leave down the south coast (and for the solo pastor left standing!)
Grace and peace,
James.