ABC NEWS
Sunday 7th June, 2015
From the Pastor
A family friend named Mrs Clifton, who was an honorary Aunt to my Mother, had a
very fluffy white cat named Hezekiah. I remember this cat being quite
temperamental and eccentric. Hezekiah, the King of Judah, after whom the cat
was named, stands out in Biblical history as one of the better kings. Hezekiah
came to the throne at twenty-five years of age and did what was right in the eyes
of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He recognized the idolatrous ways
of his people as he broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to
that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. He held fast to the Lord
and did not stop following him. And the Lord was with him. (2 Kings 18)
One part of the story of Hezekiah teaches us about prayer. When facing a
serious threat from the Assyrians Hezekiah received a disturbing letter. He went
up to the temple of the Lord and spread the letter out before the Lord. He chose
not to react or to take matters into his own hands. He did not panic or fear the
worst. He brought the matter before the Sovereign Lord whom he trusted. Read
about this in 2 Kings 19:14-20. Note how he addressed the Lord in reverent
worship and with concern for God’s name. Then he brought the request, “now
Lord our God, deliver us…” Finally he was assured of an favourable outcome
when Isaiah the prophet brought the word of the Lord, “I have heard your prayer
concerning Sennacharib king of Assyria.”
We come to God in prayer about many things. At present this church is asking
God to show us the way for future ministry. Let’s keep our focus on God as we
worship him and seek his way. Let’s spread out the matter before him. As I wrote
last week, I am keen to have conversations with people about how we can
stimulate our praying and what times and places may be suitable for people to
meet for prayer.
Welcome to any visitors today. Please come and join with us
after the service for a cup of tea/coffee.
Worship Services
Today Sunday 7th June
10am: Leader – Daniel Braid
Communion and Missionary Offering
Speaker – Ken Westwood
Next Sunday 14th June
10am: Leader – Robyn Westwood
Speaker – David Underhill, BUV
Church Health
Rosters
Welcoming
Today: Peter & Beth McKinnon
Next Week: Ivan & Caroline Tudor
Morning Tea
Today: Val Brown & Jean Hoffrichter
Next Week: Bob & Dorothy Paterson
Birthdays 9th Chris Kelso, Matthew Braid
Queens Birthday High Tea
By order of The Queen, you have been cordially invited to HIGH TEA on the
Queen’s Birthday public holiday, TOMORROW, Monday 8th June, in the hall, from
2-4.30pm. $10 per head. RSVP appreciated. Contact: Jane, 0429 776 094
westwoodjane0@gmail.com or Catherine, 0474 974 002
catherine_braid@hotmail.com
Combined Men’s and Ladies’ Groups
At 7pm, on Saturday 20th June, in the hall, there will be a presentation by Jenny
and Ray King on their recent trip to the Mukti Mission near Mumbai, India. The
Mukti Mission promotes the health, wellbeing, education and training for broken
women and orphaned children. Tea, coffee and supper will be available after the
presentation. For more details please contact Arnold Rogers or Peter McKinnon.
ALL ARE WELCOME.
Alpha
Alpha continues each Wednesday evening.
TNT
Our TNT team works with children in Grades 2-6 on alternate Friday nights. The
team is small in number and for the last session the only leaders available were
Ken and Robyn. Let us know if you could be willing to help with TNT on an
occasional or regular basis.
Kids’ holiday Club
Our annual Holiday Club for children will be on again this year from Mon 6 – Wed
8 July. Caroline Tudor is coordinating the arrangements. Speak to Caroline for
more information or to offer to be involved in some way.
Welcoming and Morning Tea Rosters
I will soon be compiling the rosters for June-December. Please let me know if you
haven’t been rostered on up until now, but are willing to serve God in this way.
Also, if you have been helping, but are unable to do so any more, please let me
know. Thank you, Lesley Boseley
What’s On This Week
Monday – Queen’s Birthday High Tea 2-4.30pm in function rooms. $10
Monday – Essendon Camera Club 8-10pm in function rooms
Tuesday – Play Group 10am-12noon in function rooms
Wednesday – Play Group 10am-12noon in function rooms
Wednesday – Parkinson’s Support Group 1.30-3.30pm in function rooms
Wednesday – Alpha 7pm in function rooms
Thursday – Parkinson’s Painting Group 10am-12noon in function rooms
Thursday – Essendon Camera Club course 7.30pm in function rooms
Friday – Make & Mingle 10am-12noon in function rooms
Friday – G2G Chill Night 6.30-9pm in function rooms. Free
Sunday – 9.15-9.45am Prayer in the small function room. Please join us.
Sunday – Kids’ Holiday Club Meeting after morning tea in small meeting room
Sunday – Bob’s Group 2.30pm at Maus’ home.
Prayer Points
Praise God for Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Pray for a Revival in Australia and throughout the world.
Pray God will reveal to us ways to reach folk in our community with the Gospel.
Pray for those who are suffering persecution and the burning of their churches
throughout the world.
Alpha continues this week. Pray that those who have been or will attend the
sessions will know Christ as their Saviour or deepen their relationship with Him.
Praise God for the young children in our worship service last Sunday. Pray for
these little ones and their families.
Holiday Club – 6-8 July, 2015. Pray for those preparing now for this outreach
ministry to primary age children. Pray God will gather from these children and
their families people who will form part of a ministry here in the future. Praise God
for what He will do.
Bible League International – Armenia – Pray for Pastor Boris, a Kurdish ministry
leader, working in Armenia. He describes how tough it is to share the Gospel in a
country which has winter all year round. Sometimes villages are unreachable for
10-15 days because of heavy snowfall. But, the ministry is bearing fruit. Pastor
Boris’ own church has grown in number to 150 attendants, with 70 already
baptised.
Global Interaction: Lebanon – Pray for Milard and Joyce Sleiman and their family.
Pray for strong servant leaders to serve in the growing church and that the
believers will grow and be witnesses within their own communities. Pray also for
resources for a larger church facility, as the current rental property is nearing
capacity.
These people are unwell: Peter Whiteley, David Thomas (Faye Arkethon’s
brother), Glenda Conlan and Marie McKelvie. Please pray for them.
Please pray also for Bev Smith in “Arcadia”.
People for prayer this week: Peter and Faye Whiteley, Carmel Wiggins, Laurie
and Merilyn Wilson
Ministry for prayer: Baptcare Family Services
ABC News Items for ABC News. Email to ldboseley@yahoo.com.au AND
aberbaps@bigpond.net.au or place in tray in Church office by 12noon Thursday
Church Contact Details
Church Office: 5 Price Street Essendon
Phone: 9337 9955 Fax: 9337 0877 Website: http://www.aberbaps.com.au
Email: aberbaps@bigpond.net.au
Pastor: Ken Westwood
Mobile: 0419 505 265 Home: 9331 2123