The 10th annual Winter Art Show will be held from July 28-30, 10am to 4pm. The official opening will be held on Friday, July 28, from 7.30pm. Bishop Ron Stone will open the show. This year’s judge is Andrew Goodman, artist and lecturer at La Trobe University.

Tickets for this year’s art show raffle are $2 each. First prize is a $200 voucher for the Capital Venues and Events. Second prize is two tickets to the Russian National Ballet’s performance of Romeo and Juliet in November.

Weekly services are 9am traditional service and 11am contemporary service, both with Holy Communion. For details about St Mary’s visit our website at www.stmaryskangarooflat.com.

St Paul’s Cathedral

This Sunday is the 7th after Pentecost. Continuing with the theme of the sowing of seeds, Jesus explains more fully for us this image he gives us of his Kingdom, and warns us of the eternal consequences for those among us who sow the seeds of weeds amongst the wheat. Using powerful dichotomous imagery, Jesus presents us with a choice. Sunday services are 8am – said Eucharist, 9.30 – choral Eucharist, 11am – celebration Eucharist. Visit www.stpaulsbendigo.org.au or find us on Facebook.

Hymns Alive will get together in the heated hall at 1.30pm today. 

Collective Youth will be firing up again when they come together in the hall from 7-9.30pm tomorrow night. 

Due to the demand for chaplains in sporting clubs, a training night will be conducted in the church coffee lounge this Monday, July 24, at 7pm. Anyone interested in this important work contact Bruce Claridge at church office.

If you are new to Connect Church, a new people’s luncheon has been organised after the church service on July 30 in the supper room. This is an opportunity to meet the church leaders and get to know others within the church. To register your interest email toni.west@connectchurch.com.au.

Sunday services 10am and 4pm, 35 Solomon Street, Bendigo. Please note that as from July 30 the afternoon service will be an hour later at 5pm. For details of all weekly programs go to www.connectchurch.com.au.

This coming Sunday, July 23, the Bendigo Lutheran Parish, will be celebrating a service with Holy Communion at 10am, 94 Spring Gully Road, Spring Gully, and our Sunday School will resume at 10.45am. Our sermon this week will be upon Matthew 13:24-30,36-43: Which tells us the parable of the “weeds” which, among other things, warns against judging a book by its cover. Our next “Live at the Chapel” event is almost upon us. On Sunday, August 6, at 5.30pm, Androo Crothers, who has been described as “a punchy acoustic singer/songwriter guitarist”, will be our guest artist. All are welcome to come and enjoy some good entertainment and join us for a light evening meal.

Today Pastor Peter preached on how we are given the power to Take Authority in Jesus’ name over sickness, disease and spiritual warfare. We were made in His likeness. In Genesis 1:28 there are awesome words about this moment in creation of man and woman.

Jesus gave us access to the Holy Spirit through His death on the Cross in an unprecedented way.

When we pray for others, and ourselves, we need to take authority, order Satan out of one's life, lay hands on the person and claim the healing. The Lord hears and it is acted on for people who reach out for God's help.

People are being healed all over the world by those who are bold in Christ and step and take authority over those things not of God.

This week there is the Lady scripture meeting on Wednesday at 10am. All are welcome at our Spirit filled services at 10am in the Y Community Hall, opposite Aldi, Kangaroo Flat. Prayer support and support from Pastor Peter Pritchard on 0413 682 999.

Pastor John’s message last Sunday spoke about names. When you shop, you look at the brand name; everything has a brand name and holds prestige or not in our consciousness.

Jesus’ name is found in the Bible. In Isaiah 9:6 it states “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called wonderful, counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Jesus is more than a great leader, a good example, a good influence, or a great prophet. He is the Son of God. When you have a correct understanding of Jesus Christ’s deity you will want to place your life in His hands. He alone can free us from eternal bondage of death and set us free from sin’s control. No matter what your race, colour, nationality or language, God loves you and wants to communicate with you.

Sunday Services, 10am at the Long Gully Community Centre, 27 Havilah Road, Bendigo. Enquiries, 5443 1468 or 0402 087 083.  

Reforming

Are you part of the cure? That’s the question we’ll ask as we open Romans 5:12-21 this Sunday and see the difference Jesus makes to our life that is plagued by sin and death. We’ll welcome Philip Gai from Compassion Australia, who will share with us about the difference our on going partnership with churches in Indonesia is making in the lives of children there. Then on that same Sunday we will say farewell to a family dear to our congregation as they move back to Mozambique. All this will happen as we gather as God’s people, on Sunday – which for church is Discipleship Day. Our mission is to make disciple-makers of Jesus Christ by prayerfully teaching people His word, the Bible – come along and see if you might be part of the cure for our sin-broken world too. We're a church in Bendigo that gathers at 52 Hamlet Street on Sundays, 10.30am, Quarry Hill Hall.  

St John’s

Last Sunday at St John's, Rev Philip Burns preached from 1 Timothy 6:11-16. The first part of Paul’s concluding statements to Timothy in this text address Timothy directly. The whole letter was written for his benefit, this section would leave Timothy in no doubt as to how he should go about the task that was ahead of him. The section of text centres around five commands that Timothy ought to put into practice and all these commands are reminiscent of language that might be employed by a senior army officer to a junior. The commands are ‘flee’ (sin), ‘pursue’ (godliness), ‘take hold’ (of eternal life), ‘fight’ (the good fight) and ‘keep’ (the commandment). Paul also called upon two witnesses, the Lord Jesus and God the Father, in making this solemn and urgent charge to Timothy. God’s people may feel as though the fight is wearying and hard, but we are not to ‘lay down arms’ until death or until Jesus returns. SMILE Playgroup, Ladies' Home Group and Evening Home Groups all meet during the week. 

Eaglehawk

“Union with Christ” Romans 8 V 28-39 was Reverend Grant’s message last week.

These verses tell of God’s infinite love for humanity, it is our union with Christ, it is how we come close to Jesus. We can have communion with Christ which can wax and wane or we can have union which is a fixed state, permanent. Without Christ we have no spiritual life.

We are united to Christ in all things pertaining to Him, His life, death and resurrection, to be in union with Him is to become a new creature having been chosen before the foundation of the world, we are not truly in Christ until we are born again, when nothing can separate us from His love.

This union is a spiritual union, we are not part of the union of the Trinity but our life is controlled by The Holy Spirit dwelling within us. 

We have a wonderful relationship with the Trinity that the unbeliever cannot and will not experience until they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Sunday, 10am, worship service conducted by Steven Blyth. There will be a special congregational meeting at  noon.

Wednesday, July 26: 9am, weekly prayer meeting followed by bible study at 10.30am.  

Bendigo Central

July 23: Cluster worship will be led by Rev Di Esbensen, Forest St.Uniting Church, 9.30am.

July 20: Forest St. UC Hall, 10-3pm, Cuppa with Company and or a light lunch will be the weekly Uniting Care Emergency Relief Program to combat social isolation in the Bendigo region. It is client focused and provides an environment in the Forest St UC Hall where all can relax and enjoy a cuppa in company.There will also be arts and craft programs with materials provided and a ‘kid’s Corner’. Cluster members are encouraged to support this program.

July 21: 10am, St.Andrew’s Fellowship meets. All are welcome to hear Rosemary Keeling share her stories of her recent overseas trip.

July 24: 1.30pm, Forest St, UCAF, monthly meeting will be held in their hall. Activity will be to bring along a funny story and a pretty handkerchief and make arrangements for its High Tea on August 28 at 2pm.

July 27: 3-4 pm, Coffee with our Minister, 11 Forest St. Cafe. All welcome to enjoy a chat.

ELM Cluster

Eaglehawk: Everyone is welcome to come to our services this Sunday firstly at 10am when the Rev Cynthia Page will celebrate Holy Communion. The service will include the Cornerstone Program for young people.  

The evening service will commence with soup at 6pm and followed by the service at 6.30pm, which will be led by the Rev Cynthia Page.  

The monthly pub lunch will be held this Sunday at the National Hotel, Golden Square.

The monthly market will be held in the Hall this Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Volunteers are needed.

A combined Executive and  Finance  Committee Meeting will be held on Monday at 7pm.

The Missionary Action Group will meet on Tuesday at noon.

The Tuesday Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday at 10am.

The Little Explorers Playgroup will meet on Wednesday from 9.30am.

The Wednesday Bible Study Group will meet at Preston's from 9.30am.

Long Gully: The service on Sunday will be at 9.30am and will be led by Kay Wild.

Marong: The Rev Joe Wilson will lead the service on Sunday at 9am.

Bendigo South Cluster

Services

Kangaroo Flat: Sunday’s service at 9.30am will be led by Rev Ian Stewart (‘cuppa’ following). 

Lockwood: Sunday’s 9.30am service will be led by Rev George Buckle. 

Chum Street: Sunday’s service at 11am will be led by Rev Ian Stewart (‘cuppa’ from 10am). 

Mondays: 9.30-11am, playgroup at Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church is a welcoming place for parents and grandparents. Gold coin donation. Contact Anne 5447 8430. 

Tuesdays &  Fridays: UnitingCare Emergency Relief, 10am - 1pm, at Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church. Phone 54435458.

Tuesdays: 10.30am, Bible Study Group, 149 Thistle Street, Golden Square. Contact Glenys 5443 9451. 

Wednesdays: 11am – Talk ‘n’ Tucker at Chum Street Uniting Church. Please note that there is no community lunch this month. The next community lunch will be on Wednesday, August 23.

Thursday, July 27: 4pm – Cluster Elders meeting at Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church. 

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Weeroona

This Sunday there will be three Weeroona Uniting Church services. Morning services will be held at 9.15am and 11am at Neale Street. Both services will be led by Rev. Susan Malthouse-Law and will include activities for the children.

On Sunday evening you are invited to come along to Song, Story, Supper at 5pm at the Neale Street church and experience worship in a different way. This service is ideal for families, singles, couples, old, young, and those in between. The service will be followed by a bring and share tea. 

The next TIC TAC  Kid’s Club get together is happening on Tuesday, July 25, 4pm, Neale Street. All school aged children are welcome to come along for a great afternoon. Fun is promised.

The congregation is currently preparing for a Harvest Thanksgiving service on Sunday, July 30. Goods collected will go to UnitingCare, Bendigo.

Donations of non-perishable items to stock the grocery shelves are welcome and can be dropped into the church office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 5pm.