ABC NEWS
Sunday 1st November, 2015
From the Pastor
Last Sunday morning just before the start of worship practice I dashed back home
for a minute and came back through the gate in our back fence. Unfortunately I
was standing too close and as I pulled the gate towards me the protruding bar of
the latch hit me hard in the centre of my forehead. For a moment I didn’t know
what happened then realised that blood was streaming down. Robyn patched me
up and I went on to lead the service and preach but there were moments when I
didn’t think I could finish and the congregation could see that I was having
difficulty. God gave me strength and I did complete the service. I went off to a
doctor after the service and my wound was treated; then I rested for the remainder
of the day. I have been wearing a large band-aid on my forehead all week so I
have had to tell my story many times over. I have appreciated people’s concern
and care as many enquiries about my well-being have been made. There are
various lessons from this experience. One is definitely to take care with the gate
and to consider changing the type of catch. Another is a reminder about the risks
associated with haste. I went looking for wisdom in Scripture and found this
proverb. “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a
fool than for them.” Proverbs 29:20
The two major objectives of our church which have come out of the recent Church
Health review are:
1. To foster connections with families
2. To nurture church family relationships
Further development of these objectives will be a priority item on the Agenda of
our next Church Meeting which will be on Sunday 13th December.
Welcome to any visitors today. Please come and join with us
after the service for a cup of tea/coffee.
Worship Services
Today Sunday 1st November
10am: Leader – Robyn Westwood
Missionary Offering and Communion
Speaker – Ken Westwood
Next Sunday 8th November
10am: Leader – Daniel Braid
Speaker – Ken Westwood
Rosters
Welcoming
Today: Arnold & Joy Rogers
Next Week: Laurie & Merilyn Wilson
Morning Tea
Today: Judith Pender & Sharon Schmidt
Next Week: Val Brown & Jean Hoffrichter
Birthdays 1st Joy Rogers
5th Lesley Boseley
Church Cleaning
Our property is cleaned by volunteers. The cleaning team is quite small and for
the next five weeks will be even smaller while Sue is away in USA. Is there
someone who would be willing to vacuum the church a couple of times in the next
month? Other gaps in the roster include dusting the Church (fortnightly) and
cleaning the toilets (fortnightly). Check the roster on the cupboard door in the hall
and see if you can fill any of the gaps.
Church Finances
Over the first three months of our current financial year the average weekly
offerings have been $1551 compared with the budget of $1943. Fortunately, in
the same period, expenses have been below budget and other donations have
been above budget. Tithes and Offerings are our major source of income so we
invite people to please consider their level of giving as we continue to trust God
for our needs and thank him for his provision.
The Church has a debt of about $135,000. Our monthly repayments of $1500 are
covered by an annual lease payment from Telstra and by much appreciated
pledged donations from eight of our members which average about $400 per
month. These pledges date back to 2007/8 when the new part of the building was
erected.
The Church Leadership team recognises that circumstances change over time.
Some folk may wish to continue with their pledges, whilst others folk may no
longer be in a position to continue. There may be others who would like to start
making a regular pledged contribution toward loan repayments. A pledge
response form is available on request from our Treasurer, Gesine, or pick one up
from our literature table.
Back issues of ABC News
Faye A has been systematically working through our Archives. We have many
duplicate copies of back issues of ABC News which will be shredded. If anyone
would like to retain any of these old newsletters speak up now.
Church Directory
Folk have been inquiring about a new edition of our Church Directory. Please let
Ken know of any changes for entries and we will endeavor to publish an updated
directory as soon as possible.
Baptcare
Baptcare will use our buildings for training of new Foster Care people all day on
Saturdays 7,14,and 21 November. We are pleased to offer our buildings without
cost to Baptcare for this important work.
Messy Church
The Messy Church movement is gaining momentum as God works to establish
new congregations alongside existing older established congregations. Messy
Church is a possibility for us that is under consideration. Next Saturday a
Victorian Messy Church Conference in Parkville will give participants the
opportunity to learn about what Messy Church involves and to be inspired by
stories of what God is doing. Anyone from our congregation who would like to
hear about Messy Church should please let Ken know and you would be welcome
to join Ken and Robyn at the Conference. See them for more information
Melbourne Cup Day Picnic
When: Melbourne Cup Day, THIS Tuesday 3rd November
Time: 12pm onwards
Where: EA Coulson Gardens (Meet near Clyde St., Maribyrnong)
BYO: Meat for BBQ & Salad/Dessert to share.
Whitley College Concert 3: Mozart Requiem
You are invited to the 3rd and final concert in this series, celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of Whitley College.
Deborah Cheetham AO Soprano, Sally-Anne Russell Mezzo Soprano, Roy Best
Tenor, Jud Arthur Bass, The Consort of Melbourne, Melbourne Art of Sound
Orchestra. Saturday 7 November at 7.30pm, Collins Street Baptist Church, 174
Collins Street, Melbourne. Costs: $40/$30 Concession. Duration: 75 minutes.
More info including how to book: see the flyer on the information table in the hall
foyer.
What’s On This Week
Sunday – Sunday Evening Growth Group 7pm at Carmel’s home
Monday – CWA 12noon-3pm in function rooms
Monday – Essendon Camera Club 8-10pm in small meeting room
Tuesday – Cup Day Picnic – see note
Wednesday – Play Group 10am-12noon in function rooms
Wednesday – Wednesday Worship 11am-12noon then 12noon-1.30pm for lunch
Wednesday – Wednesday Evening Growth Group 7.30pm
Thursday – Parkinson’s Painting Group 10am-12noon in function rooms
Friday – Make & Mingle 10am-12noon in function rooms
Friday – TNT All Aboard 6.45pm in function rooms
Friday – G2G Wave Pool 6.30-10pm. $5
Saturday – Baptcare training. See note
Saturday - SSAM will be using our buildings from about 6-10pm
Sunday – 9.15-9.45am Prayer in the small function room. Please join us
Prayer points
Bible League International – Praise God for the opportunity to print the
Vietnamese New Testament and Project Philip resources with Vietnam. Pray that
these resources will build faith among indigenous groups like the Hmong people
who have yet to receive their own Bible.
Pray for Brother David, from India, who is the only saved person in his tribe. He is
currently doing Church Planter training. Pray that after his training he will be able
to share the Gospel effectively with his tribe and plant a church. Pray too that
God will meet his emotional, spiritual and physical needs.
A severe earthquake has rocked Afghanistan and Pakistan and hundreds have
died or been injured. Communications are hard. Pray help will be able to reach
these people, many of whom live in remote areas. Pray for safety and guidance
for the relief agencies.
Pray for Daniel Braid in Sydney doing work experience.
Please pray for Paul Zammit (Carmel Wiggins’ daughter-in-law’s father who has
been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Pray for healing for Faye and Peter Whiteley and Marie McKelvie.
Bob Hayes was one of our members who left to help plant Sydenham Baptist
Church years ago. Please pray for Bob who is critically ill with cancer.
People for prayer this week: Guiseppe and Fina Blanco, Des and Lesley
Boseley, Catherine Braid
Ministry for prayer: Global Interaction (GIA)
ABC News Items for ABC News. Email to aberbaps@bigpond.net.au AND
ldboseley@yahoo.com.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