ABC NEWS
Sunday 1st March, 2015
From the Pastor
I took some time out earlier this week to be quiet and I was away for two
nights on my own. I find it takes effort and discipline to ‘be still and wait on
God’ but the heightened awareness of God makes it worthwhile and
spiritually refreshing. My personal readings this week have been in
Deuteronomy. I was reminded of key texts that in the past I committed to
memory such as, ‘Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is
God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other.’ (Deut 4:39)
I’ve been singing the song which years ago Robyn wrote when she put this
text to music in the style of Scripture in Song.
Next Wednesday a second playgroup will commence. Robyn will lead
both of our playgroups and Sue Pond and Carmel Wiggins will be the
Wednesday helpers. This is an exciting development. God is giving us
new contacts with many young families and with grandparents.
Today I will give some details about Alpha which we plan to commence
after Easter. We will also have a visit from a Gideon who will tell us about
the major Bible Distribution taking place in Melbourne next week.
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 March
10am: Leader – Robyn Westwood
Communion and Missionary Offering
Speaker: Ken Westwood
Next Sunday 8th March
10am: Leader – Ken Westwood
Speaker: Ken Westwood
Rosters
Welcoming
Today: Arnold Arnold & Joy Rogers
Next Week: Peter & Beth McKinnon
Morning Tea
Today: Judith Pender & Sharon Schmidt
Next Week: Val Brown & Jean Hoffrichter
Birthdays
5th Dennis Prendergast 6th Lynda Stuart
Funeral
The Funeral of John Kear will be held in our Church next Thursday at 11am,
followed by refreshments in our Function Centre. The Kear family has long
associations with this Church and we are pleased to be able to serve them as we
provide hospitality and support to the Kear family and their friends. Lynda Stuart
will be coordinating the arrangements for catering. John and his wife Marian
were married in England in 1975 but once they settled in Australia they had a
wedding blessing ceremony here in this church.
You Are Invited
Eduard Klassen, world renowned Paraguayan Folk Harpist is visiting Melbourne at
Canterbury Gardens Community Church, 281-283 Colchester Rd Kilsyth at 7pm
THIS Saturday 7th March. For more info see flyer on information table.
Bob’s Group
We meet this month NEXT Sunday 9th March in the home of Dot and Ray Maus,
at 2.30pm We will have the opportunity to recall our childhood Sunday School
experiences as we share some of the most notable occasions that we can still
remember from those years. Afternoon Tea Roster – Dot Maus and Pat Faraday.
Church Meeting
Our first Church meeting for 2015 will be on Sunday 22nd March following the
morning service and morning tea. Please keep the date free and plan to be there
if you can.
Cumquat Marmalade
Ken’s Mum has made a new batch of Cumquat Marmalade. It is for sale in
support of the Port Fairy SUFM. Smaller jars are $3.50 and larger jars are $5.00.
There is a donation tin on the table.
Strathmore Inter Church Council Easter Event
The last two Sundays we have heard about the Strathmore Inter Church Council
Easter Event. Volunteers are still needed to help over 1200 students and teachers
from local schools explore the Easter Story. The children come in bus loads and
groups are then split into smaller groups which engage in various activities. This
outreach activity has been running for many years. Please consider whether you
could be involved either making biscuits or helping with construction of props or in
the sessions with the children. See Val or Ken if you would like more information.
News from the Gideons
The big Melbourne Bible distribution week is March 2-6. As part of this week and
to celebrate God's goodness there are a number of nights of testimonies. These
will be nights to inspire the Christian community. Entry is free, they are not
fundraisers or membership recruitment events. They are a night to hear testimony
of God's greatness and his Divine works. The closest of these nights will be at
Essendon Baptist Church 134 Buckley St Essendon on Thursday 5 th March at
7.30pm. For more information, see the flyer on the information table.
Our Stained Glass Window
In the year 1964, when the present Sanctuary was being designed by Architect,
Keith Reid, one feature he was very keen to have incorporated was a stained
glass window in the west wall of the building. It was to have art work appropriate
for a Christian Church. Mr Reid was accustomed to buildings of this style, mainly
for Anglican and some Presbyterian Churches. Notations on his drawings
referred to the Nave, the Chapel, the Narthex, and these terms tended to remain
with those areas.
His first submission to the Building Committee was rather large and very
expensive for a small struggling church (only 16 years old), so he was asked to
submit a less ambitious design which would be within the church budget. As a
result, a smaller one was submitted and accepted. It would cost 300 pounds,
which seemed a large amount, being, in those times, about 10 weeks’ wages.
The art work in the window depicted salvation through faith in Jesus and God’s
Grace.
Next Week – One interpretation – the Meaning of the Window
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 – Play Group 10am-12noon in function rooms
Tuesday – Sue’s Growth Group 7.45pm at Boseleys’ home
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
Thursday – Funeral Service for John Kear. See note.
Thursday – Young Adults 6.30pm dinner, 7.30pm study. See Daniel for more info
Friday – Make & Mingle 10am-12noon.
Friday-Sunday G2G Youth Camp. $50. Contact Daniel for more info.
Sunday – 9.15-9.45am Prayer in the small function room
Sunday – Bob’s Group 2.30pm at Maus’ home
Prayer Points
Jesus said “I am the vine; you are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in
him, the same brings forth much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” John
15:5.
 Pray for the G2G and Young Adults’ camp to be held at Blairgowrie next
weekend. Pray for the leaders as they prepare, for safety for all in travelling
and whilst on camp, also for the studies and fellowship time together.
 Pray for the children and their parents who come to Playgroup each week.
Also pray for the leaders and helpers.
 Pray for those who come to Make and Mingle each Friday.
 Several groups from the Community use our function centre each weeki. Pray
these folk will not only enjoy using the church’s facilities, but will want to join
us for worship.
 Please pray and ask for God’s comfort for John Kear’s wife, Marian, and the
extended family, following John’s passing.
 These people are unwell, please pray for them: Peter Whiteley, David
Thomas (Faye Arkethon’s brother), and Marie McKelvie.
People for prayer this week: Brian Cormick, John Cowling and Jamie Dawes
Ministry for prayer: Global Interaction (GIA)
Australian Baptist Churches in Mission
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