ANGLICAN

St Paul’s: This Sunday is the 14th after Pentecost. Today’s Psalm is a wedding song, and is addressed to a king. Nonetheless we mere commoners can all be exhorted to ‘ride on in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice’. Our God is one who prefers that we do just that, rather than filling our hearts with the evils of ‘fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride and folly’. Services this Sunday are 8am – said Eucharist, 9.30 – choral Eucharist, 11am – celebration Eucharist with children’s church. For more about St Paul’s please visit www.stpaulsbendigo.org.au or find us on facebook.

Kangaroo Flat: It was announced in our services last Sunday that our much loved priest and Rector, Canon Bryn Jones and Jenny will be leaving us in January 2016. Canon Bryn will be leaving to take up an appointment as Chaplain at Trinity College, Albury and Jenny has accepted the appointment as Senior Lecturer at the Wodonga Campus of Latrobe University. We are thankful for the five years they have spent with us.

Next Sunday we are observing Daffodil Sunday at our services with a focus on hope for all who are being treated for cancer, for all the advances being made in such treatment, and for families impacted on by the disease.

On Sunday 6 September we are inviting people to wear the football colours, or colourful colours to worship to mark the last game in the AFL competition. We will be thinking about what colours Christians wear. We will also on this day be observing Father’s Day and invite people to bring their father to worship or, if this is not possible, to bring a photograph of their father. Some special fun is proposed for certain fathers over morning tea.

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.

BAPTIST

Last Sunday Dave Lovell spoke on ‘Jesus – the True Vine’ at Eaglehawk at 9.30 am, and Junortoun at 10.30 am and 6 pm. Pastor Hae Bo spoke at Junortoun at the Htoo Moo Plaw church at 10.30 am.

This Sunday Brock Gravener will speak on ‘Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial’ will speak at Eaglehawk at 9.30 am, Junortoun at 10.30 am and 6 pm. Pastor Hae Bo will speak at Junortoun at the Htoo Moo Plaw church at 10.30 am.

This Friday will be a big night for the youth with 300-400 expected to play the ‘Game of Life’ Volunteers are needed to help with entry, security, car parking, etc. Please contact Mike Peautagitama if you are able to help.

There will be a Newcomers’ Gathering on Sunday at 10 am in the prayer room at Junortoun. All welcome.

The Upper Room Men’s Ministry meet from 7.30-9 pm on the top floor of Life Essentials, 214 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.

Serving Christ Together meet on September 1 for a 102nd birthday lunch at All Seasons.

Samaritan's Purse is currently running - Week six suggestions for gifts to fit into a shoe box are 'Something Special' – Bags, jewellery, bangles, balloons, hair bands, balls, toy cars, skipping rope, yoyo, recorder, tennis balls, balloons, etc. Please remember that the articles have to fit into a shoe box approximately A4 size and that no secondhand items are acceptable.

Ages for shoe boxes are 2-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years. If you are packing your own boxes, please select either girl or boy and pack appropriate to age group. Note: No infant boxes this year. Pre-printed boxes are available for 50 cents each at the Connect Desk.

Life Essentials is currently looking for donations of saleable furniture. You can call Life Essentials and get them to pick up larger items.

Life Essentials is also looking for donations of dry and tinned food for their FoodShare program, to help those in our community who are struggling.

CATHOLIC

St Kilian’s: This weekend we celebrate with the universal church, Refugee & Migrant Sunday. On this occasion, Pope Francis says, The Church Without Frontiers, Mother to All, spreads throughout the world a culture of acceptance and solidarity, in which no one is seen as useless, out of place or disposable… Today this takes on a particular significance. In an age of such vast movements of migration, large numbers of people are leaving their homelands, with a suitcase full of fears and desires, to undertake a hopeful and dangerous trip in search of more humane living conditions. Often, however, such migration gives rise to suspicion and hostility [which] conflict with the biblical commandment of welcoming with respect and solidarity the stranger in need. We give thanks for the variety of gifts with which our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters have enriched the tapestry of Australian life.  And we pray that Australians will work together to “welcome the stranger”.

CONNECT CHURCH

Hymns Alive group meets in the hall today at 1.30 pm and will welcome Miriam Darlow, Uniting Church Hospital Chaplain as guest speaker.  New people invited to join with 80 - 90 others in singing favourite hymns which have been chosen by selected people.  Afternoon tea.  Free bus transport may be arranged - phone 5447 8161.

Transformations Soak time will be held today from 8 - 9.30 pm.  All are welcome to participate and get to know and encourage the residents, plus be refreshed to Christian music.

Edge Youth years 6 - 12, are joining with other Bendigo youth groups tomorrow night at the Bendigo Baptist Church for Game of Life program.  There will be plenty of fun, competitions and surprises so come along and bring your friends.

Women's High Tea will be held this Sunday in church foyer from 3 - 5 pm.  Barbara Hills, wife of interim Pastor Phil, will be sharing.  Cost $5.  Bookings to be made at church office for catering purposes.

Connect Young Adults and Young Families are meeting together this Sunday for a BYO lunch in Rosalind Park (in front of Camp Hill School).  This will be a time for parents and children to make new friends in a friendly atmosphere.

Sunday service 10 am, 35 Solomon Street, Bendigo.  For more details re church weekly programs including prayer groups, phone church office 5441 3133.

PRESBYTERIAN

St John’s: Last Sunday at St John's, Rev Philip Burns preached from Matthew 5:8. After speaking about the blessing of being poor in spirit, being broken over our own sin, the importance of meekness, the need to hunger and thirst for righteousness and the blessing that comes to those who know and give out mercy, Jesus then spoke of the blessing that belongs to those who are pure in heart. Pure has the idea of 'washed clean' but also single-mindedness. The heart that knows that the blood of Jesus washes away all sin, and that is fixed upon God, wanting nothing else beside him, is that heart that will know the reward of 'seeing God'. This will be the reward of those who truly seek God through His Word and then at the end of all things when faith gives way to sight. Home Groups meet on Wednesdays at 1:30pm and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Playgroup (no vacancies) meets on Fridays at 10am. Next Sunday, Rory Weightman will continue the series on Matthew 5 at 10:30am followed by morning tea in the hall.  For further information or to hear this week's message, visit http://bendigopc.org.au

Eaglehawk: “What God has done for us” Hebrews 13 V20-21 was Pastor Steven’s address last Sunday.

God has spoken to us through the Holy Spirit and the prophets. Jesus, His Son, spoke to us while He was here on earth, His work was to bring us into the presence of God.

The Lord loves us and He gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die for us, all our life we must praise and glorify Him. He has given us a choice, we accept life or death, heaven or hell, The believer knows what God has promised is true.

God is the God of peace, in today’s world there is not much peace, trouble and strife are all around, but the believer knows, the peace of God that passes all understanding, in his heart, can you feel that peace in your heart?

Jesus led a sinless life while here on earth and three days after He was crucified God raised Him from the dead where He now reigns in heaven, What a miracle, what else could we expect from the one who created the heavens and earth and all therein.

Jesus conquered death, sin and hell, can you imagine what you have been saved from if you truly believe.

This is what God has done for us.

Sunday 30th 10-00am Worship service. This being the last Sunday in the month our bring and share lunch and afternoon service will be held.

Wednesday 2nd September 9-00am Weekly prayer meeting followed by bible study at 10-30am.

All enquiries to Pastor Steven 0408990903

SOUTHERN GATEWAY

The community was blessed by the Word being faithfully shared by Tracey Box. Her message was built around Mathew 24 pointing out where do place ourselves trust? Is it in God or the world which is temporal ? Do we rely only in what we see or feel? The challenge is to believe and rely on the "ancient of days" who is with us always now and forever.

Tracey then drew us to Ps 46 which demonstrates his protection over each one of us and how he is always present in our very present times of need. Our mighty Lord never leaves us, makes crooked paths straight. God cares for us. He neither slumbers or sleeps as he looks after his people . Let us turn to him the only true God .

Linda Fraser virtually echoed Tracey's sermon with words of encouragement and direction. Linda led the praise and worship accompanied by Karolyn Webster on the keyboard.

Next week Ps Mark Bates our regional leader and state secretary will be preaching and Steve Higgs will lead the praise and worship.

All are welcome at our Holy Spirit  filled church to hear the Word preached and prayer ministry provided .

We are located in the Y community hall opposite Aldi in Kangaroo Flat for our 10am service each Sunday. Our mission field offerings go to Mozambique, Kosovo, Nepal, Scripture Union, Teenchallenge, Gideons , Life FM and other areas as we feel led.

Prayer support and information from Pastor Peter Pritchard on 0413682999.

UNITING

ELM Cluster: Eaglehawk:  This Sunday  at 10am the Service will be led by the Rev Cynthia Page and will include Cornerstone (Sunday School). Morning tea will follow the Service. The Evening Service will be at 6.30pm and will be led by the Rev Cynthia Page. Little Explorer Playgroups will meet from 9.30am on Friday and Wednesday. Bible Study Groups meet at 10am Tuesday and 9.30am Wednesday. Men's Coffee and Conversation will be held on Friday from 10am at the home of Yvonne and Brian Davey. MESH Youth will meet on Friday night for a Campout. Please be at the Church by 6pm. A Meeting of Cornerstone will be held at the Taylor's home next Monday at 7.30pm. Church Council will meet next Wednesday at 7pm at the Church.

Long Gully: The Service on Sunday will be at 9.30am and will be led by the Rev Tyrone Balfour.

Marong: This coming Sunday at 9am, Merrill Cole will lead the Service.

Weeroona Uniting Church Bendigo:  

Faith on Film will be will launching tomorrow evening at 7.00pm at Neale Street. To help us prepare for Refugee and Migrant Sunday, we will be watching “The Good Lie” which tells the tale of a group of Sudanese refugees given the chance to resettle in America. They arrive in Kansas City, Missouri, where their encounter with an employment agency counsellor forever changes all of their lives. Following the movie, we will share in a discussion about the film and you are invited to bring a plate of supper to share. All are welcome.

This Sunday there will be a combined Weeroona UCB service at 10.00am at Neale Street which will be led by Rev. Susan Malthouse-Law. This will be a service with a difference! The service will be followed by a bring and share lunch.

All kids aged from Grade 2 – 5 are invited to come and be a part of Weeroona Kids Club! Our first get-together will be held on Tuesday 1st September from 4.00pm – 5.30pm at Neale Street. Fun is promised!!

Bendigo South Cluster:

Kangaroo Flat at 9.30 am.  Faye Fletcher will be leading the service.

Lockwood at 9.30 am.  Lay Ministry Team will be leading the service.

Chum Street at 11.00 am. Rev.  Jock McOrist will be leading the service.

UnitingCare Prayer Point: This week, please pray for the number of volunteers who are meeting their ‘mutual obligation’ requirements. They are great contributors to our work and excellent team members.  Some choose to continues with UnitingCare after they have reached the ‘magic age’.  Please give thanks for their contribution and pray for them as they make decisions about their future.

Uniting Church Hospital Chaplain Miriam Darlow, visits both Bendigo and St John of God Hospitals.  She welcomes hearing about any UC members who are in hospital. Miriam can be contacted on 5443 2887.

Saturday 29th August the Kangaroo Flat Market will be on at the church grounds from 8.00am to 2.00pm.  There will be a wide variety of Market Stalls and Car Boot Sales.  Devonshire Teas and a sausage sizzle and singer/songwriter duo “KandL”from Bendigo  will be singing from 9.00am to 11.30am.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated.  More details contact Max 5443 1809.

On Mondays between 9.30am and 11.00 there is a Playgroup for children under 5 years of age at the Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church.  Please bring a gold coin donation and a piece of fruit to share.

On Wednesdays 9.00am – 12 Noon there is a Craft Group at Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church.  All interested persons welcome.

On Thursdays 1.30pm – 3.15pm there is Indoor Bowls at Golden Square Hall (Laurel Street entrance).  All ages and abilities welcome.  $2 donation.

Central Bendigo Cluster: Faith on Film will be held at Neale St.Uniting Church 28th August 7pm preparing for Refugee & Migrant Sunday.  Discussion and supper will follow the Film.

CHRISTMAS GIFT APPEAL: We will again be running a jewellery stall at the Kangaroo Flat Community Market on Saturday, August 29. Call by and say hello and check out our wares. Sales proceeds will be used for our 2015 Christmas gift program.

Next Sunday, Worship Services 9.30am will be led by Dr.Dean Shirley at St.Andrews while Rev.Jim Foley will lead at Forest St.

Access Ministries Annual Dinner is at the Bendigo Stadium Monday 31st August 6pm and our MAYOR Cr, Peter Cox is the Guest Speaker.