St Paul’s: This Sunday is the 6th Sunday of Easter. 

The Reading from Acts captures a moment when the circle of faith was widened. Yet almost in tension with this is the Epistle where we have a blunt dichotomy: those who have the Son have life, those who do not don’t have life. 

In the end it is apparently that simple. We pray for a widening of the circle of faith and for a widening of whom we love.

Services this Sunday are 8am – said Eucharist; 9.30am – choral Eucharist; and 11am – Intergenerational Eucharist. Ascension Day is Thursday, May 14,  with a choral Eucharist at 6pm.

For more information, visit www.stpaulsbendigo.org.au or find us on Facebook.

Kangaroo Flat: On a beautiful Sunday afternoon St Mary’s held a Walk for Mission. 

As a relay the children completed as many laps of the block as they could in one hour. The children enjoy it so much they turn it into a Run for Mission. 

We also had quite a few adults join in and complete as many blockies as they could. More than 12km was covered in the hour. An enjoyable bring and share lunch followed in the rectory garden. 

All sponsor monies and donations will go to. one of our ABM Mission projects.

Now that the weather has cooled our walking group meets at Crusoe Reservoir at 9.30am each Tuesday and Friday. 

For information on St Mary’s Church and the Anglican Parish of Kangaroo Flat, visit our webpage at http://stmaryskangarooflat.com/ or find us on Facebook.

South East: Senior Service at Holy Trinity will be on May 22 from 2pm to 3.30pm. 

BAPTIST

This week Julie Lovell will speak at Eaglehawk at 9.30am and Junortoun at 10.30am and 6pm as part of Mother’s Day. Pastor Hae Bo will speak at Junortoun at the Htoo Moo Plaw church at 10.30am.

May is Mission Month and this year we will be focusing on a Global Interaction project in Thailand that is addressing community needs brought about by the impact of HIV/AIDS.

A regular church meeting will be held on Sunday, May 17. Agendas and reports will be available at the Connect Desks.

The church directory is now available at the Connect Desk at Eaglehawk and Junortoun in paper or digital form.

The Women’s Bible Study series by Beth Moore has now begun. Contact Ali Gillett for more details.

Shed Youth (years 11-12)  meet on Friday nights at Junortoun from 7.30pm to 9.45pm. Contact Jenny McWilliam for more details or phone 5449 3033.

There will be a concert at the church at 7pm on Thursday, May 21. Levi McGrath, Luke Owens and Kingsdom will provide the music. Tickets are $5 single, $10 family and all proceeds go towards Project Uganda – visit www.projectuganda.org.au

There will be a barbecue tea from 6.15pm (gold coin donation) and merchandise and snacks available.

Serving Christ Together meet on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of each month.

Life Essentials is looking for donations of clothing and furniture. Drop them off to Life Essentials in Hargreaves Street, use the purple bins at the church or call Life Essentials to pick up large items.

As part of the two-year Bible reading plan, the passages for this week are: Thu. Job 1, 2 Corinthians 7; Fri. Job 2, 2 Cor. 8; Sat. Job 3, 2 Cor.9; Sun. Job 4, 2 Cor.10; Mon. Job 5, 2 Cor.11; Tue. Job 6, 2 Cor.12; Wed. Job 7, 2 Cor.13.

CATHOLIC

St Kilian’s: “The Challenge of being a Disciple today: An introduction to the Gospel of Mark” will be presented by Father Brian Boyle, Priest of the Sandhurst Diocese and Bishop’s Vicar for Education; and Lecturer in Scripture at Catholic Theological College.

Times are on Monday, May 11, from 7.30pm to 9pm at De Campo Hall (CEO Buildings), 120 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo; and on Thursday, May 14, from 7.30pm to 9pm at St Brigid’s Centre (CEO/Parish Buildings), 71 Ryley Street,   Wangaratta.

There is no cost to attend. RSVP to adultfaith@sandhurst.catholic.org.au, phone 5441 2544 or message www.facebook.com/lyn.breenministry

CONNECT CHURCH

Transformations Soak time is on again in the house tonight at 8 o’clock.  This is a time when you are free to worship in any style you choose to music, testimonies and ministry.  Everyone welcome.  

This is a chance to get to know the residents and be refreshed by the Holy Spirit.

Connect Youth ( year 6-12)  will be rocking again tomorrow from 7pm to 9.30pm in the church auditorium.  Bring your friends, a competitive attitude and be ready for an awesome night. There is a $2 charge at door.

Hymns Alive meets Thursday, May 14, in the hall at 1.30pm for Favourite Hymn Day. Guest speaker will be Mikey Dynon, the manager of Christian radio station Life FM. There will be afternoon tea and free bus transport may be arranged – phone 5447 8161.

Connect Kids happens every Sunday morning during school term. Children must be signed in at registration desk in the church foyer.

Sunday services are at 10am at 35 Solomon Street, Bendigo. For more details, phone the office on 5441 3133.

OASIS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Last Sunday Pastor John asked the congregation, “Have you noticed that when you mention Jesus, people become tense and do not want to continue the conversation?”

In Acts 4 we also see that the mention of Jesus stirred up confrontation. The book of Acts summons believers to a bold faith. The lives of men and women in Acts challenge us to believe in our great God to do great things in a great way. 

In Acts is found the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Jesus. When you have been filled with the Spirit, you receive the same power of Christ, because God has not planned defeat for his people, but conforms us into the image of His Son.

Therefore humbly call to the Lord to perform signs, wonders and miracles to confirm the gospel message of His Son.  

1 Cor.2:7-8 reveals God had the plan of redemption in mind before creation and it would have remained unknown had He not revealed it in Christ. 

It asserts that the adversary was completely confounded by the Cross. This disclosure of the adversary’s limited ability to anticipate the strategies of Almighty God’s power and omniscience is the insurance of the believer’s ultimate victory in Christ.

Pastor Daniel Nalliah and his team from Catch The Fire Ministries will be speaking at the Long Gully Community Centre this Saturday at 7pm and on Sunday at 10am. These meetings will be filled with fine preaching – an opportunity not to be missed. Everyone welcome.

Inquiries to 5443 1468 or 0402 087 083.

PRESBYTERIAN

St John’s: Last Sunday at St John’s, the Reverend Philip Burns continued his series on 1 Peter by preaching from chapter 3, verses 1-7. tAfter calling his readers to imitate the example of Jesus in the way we respond to people in authority over us, Peter then applies the same principle to marriage.

While the world is intent on redefining marriage, Peter has some clear things to say about the roles of wives and husbands that have not changed since God created marriage.

These biblical principles involve wives submitting to their husbands and husbands living considerately with their wives. By such behaviour to one another, marriage is shown to be a beautiful part of God’s plan and He is glorified. 

Home groups meet tonight at 7.30pm and on Wednesday at 1.30pm. Playgroup meets on Friday at 10am.  On Sunday the Reverend Philip Burns will continue his series on 1 Peter at 10.30am. Morning tea will follow in the hall. 

For more details or to hear this week’s message, visit http://bendigopc.org.au

Eaglehawk: “Look unto Jesus” Hebrews 12 V1-2 was Pastor Steven’s message last Sunday. 

In these verses we are to run the race with endurance, the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

We see and hear of so many tragic things happening here and around the world today, so much suffering, but let us stop and focus on what our Lord and Saviour suffered for our sake. 

Jesus knew that throughout His ministry He would be chastised by the religious leaders of the day, until finally, He would be put to death on that cross. He suffered more than anyone of us.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for the believer in heaven. He leads us from death to eternal life. On that last day He will say,”Come, I have paid the ransom”.

Through faith in Him we have been transformed from sinners to children of God. The unbeliever is condemned already.

Reforming Church: At Reforming Morning we are being changed by God’s reforming grace from the Book of Ephesians. It’s a great little letter by Paul that lights up our world, showing what God has done in the person of Jesus Christ.

God has given us grace, and so He gets all the glory.

At Reforming Night we’re enjoying the action of the Book of Judges. They could make a movie out of it. More than Hollywood-style action, though, it makes sense of our life now when we see how Jesus is the greatest judge and saviour. 

So join us on Sunday mornings and see how God’s reforming grace in Jesus Christ changes you.

Find us at Bendigo South East College, in Building B5 in Ellis Street. All are welcome. We are online at reforming.org.au

SOUTHERN GATEWAY

Pastor Barry Clarke preached on Jesus the faithful servant. Jesus is the ruler of all the Kings of all the earth. 

We need to embrace Jesus in all things. Our workplaces, schools, community should be a light reflecting Jesus, who brings hope to the whole world. 

Drawing on the powerful words of Revelation 1:5, Barry encouraged us through Jesus to be free in the truth, seeking security in perpetual perspective  and to live wholeheartedly  and enthusiastically in his helpful will.

Our praise and worship was led faithfully by Karolyn Webster and Linda Fraser. Linda also led the Communion reflection with warmth and sincerity. 

The community gathered for the first Sunday lunch as usual.

Next Sunday Richard Tatti will be our visiting worship leader. All are welcome to visit our Spirit-filled church and hear the Word preached faithfully.

The next Lady Day will be at Beryl Holland’s home at 10am on the last Wednesday.

Prayer support and inquiries to Pastor Peter Pritchard on 0413 682 999.

THE LAMP CHURCH

A new Pentecostal church will start holding services in the Revival Centre Chapel at 237 High Street, next to BMW Golden Square, starting on May 24 at 10am. 

Len Cutting is the senior minister of the Lamp Church International and has been ministering The Word of God for more than 40 years, travelling all around Victoria, NSW and Queensland and extensively through the north island of New Zealand. 

The Lamp Church is very much a Word-based ministry. “I believe that the word of God empowers, equips and releases people,” says Len. He welcomes everyone to come and hear the uncompromised, powerful word of God.

To contact Len, call 0432 354 230.

UNITING

ELM Cluster:

Eaglehawk: Last Sunday, our congregation heard from the Reverend Tracy Wolsley on her work as chaplain at  Eaglehawk Secondary College. 

Donations towards chaplaincy in schools can be made this Sunday in the envelopes provided. 

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and our services will be at 10am for Cornerstone and the service in the church, which will be led by the Reverend Cynthia Page. Morning tea will follow the service.

The evening service at 6.30pm will also be led by the Reverend Page.

Playgroups meet on Fridays and Wednesdays from 9.30am.

Tomorrow at 6.30pm everyone is welcome to come along to the informal time of worship: “A Place to Start”. 

On Saturday at 9am, there will be a working bee to reorganise the store shed.

The property committee will meet on Wednesday from 7.30pm.

Long Gully: The service this coming Sunday will be at 9.30am.

Marong: On Sunday at 9am, our monthly Kids Service will be held. All welcome.

Weeroona Uniting Church Bendigo:

The Parents and Preschoolers playgroup is today in the Neale Street foyer. 

Starting at 10am, this is a very relaxed morning, with everyone bringing morning tea to share, and there is always a great range of activities for the children. 

There are no fees to attend this weekly playgroup and newcomers are always very welcome.

This Sunday there will be two Weeroona Uniting Church services, at 9.15am and 11am, both at the Neale Street church. 

The 9.15am service will be led by Michael Greenall, and will include Sunday school for children aged from crèche to grade 6. The 11am service will be led by Barry Baker and is more traditional in its presentation.

Bendigo South Cluster:

This week the services are as follows::

Kangaroo Flat: At 9.30am, led by the Reverend Ian Stewart. 

Lockwood: At 9.30am, led by the Reverend George Buckle. 

Chum Street: At 11am, led by the Reverend Ian Stewart. 

Uniting Church Hospital chaplain Miriam Darlow visits Bendigo and St John of God hospitals. She welcomes hearing about any UC members who are in hospital; contact her on 5443 2887. 

To everyone who supports our Outreach Program,  a big thank you. Through the generosity of many this program is able to support many families in our district.  

Items needed at the moment are sugar, tins of soup, small packs of cereal, small tins of fruit, small jars of Vegemite and dry and sweet biscuits. Thank you, everyone.

 On Mondays from 9.30am to 11am there is a playgroup for children under five years at the Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church. Please bring a gold coin donation and a piece of fruit to share. 

On Wednesdays from 9am to noon there is a craft group at Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church. All interested persons welcome.

On Thursdays from 1.30pm to 3.15pm there is indoor bowls at the Golden Square Hall (Laurel Street entrance).  All ages and abilities welcome, $2 donation.

Central Bendigo Cluster: 

The Reverend Di Esbensen, with Joy Spark’s team, will lead worship on Sunday at St Andrew’s Bendigo, and the Reverend Jock McOrist will lead at Forest Street. 

A Community Energy Awareness workshop presented by Colin Lambie, of the Bendigo Sustainability Group, will be held on Monday, May 11, at 7.30pm in the St Andrew’s Randall Room. Points to be covered will include how to save money on electricity usage, choices available with electricity tariffs and comparisons between retailers demonstrating options for saving money, and questions will be welcomed. Light supper will be provided.

 A community vigil for women and children will be held at the Bendigo Magistrates Court courtyard on Thursday, May 14, from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. People will share experiences of violence. 

Lay leadership training run by presbytery minister for mission and education Wendy Wilkie will be held at St Andrew’s on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14,  from 10am to 3pm. BYO lunch.

UnitingCare Bendigo is again advising of its Annual Community Grants Fund. The fund provides small grants for programs that embrace the strategic objective of UnitingCare Bendigo, Forward Plan and Mission of the Uniting Church in Australia. 

Application forms are available from UnitingCare Bendigo – phone 5442 3444 or email manager@unitingcarebendigo.org.au. Applications close on June 5..