St Paul’s: This Sunday is the 9th after Pentecost. The Psalmist tells us that God is with the “company of the righteous” and so for us to be with God we need to be among them.

We need to be just, kind and humble (Micah 6.8) and not follow King David’s example of self-centred iniquity.

Services this Sunday are 8am – said Eucharist; 9.30am – choral Eucharist; and 11am - celebration Eucharist with children’s church. At 6pm there will be a Taize service.

For more information about St Paul’s, visit www.stpaulsbendigo.org.au or find us on Facebook.

Kangaroo Flat: Our annual Winter Art Show will be held this weekend, starting tomorrow and running through to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm each day. Entry is $3 per person. This year will be our biggest show yet, with 60 artists exhibiting more than 200 artworks.

The official opening of the Winter Art Show will be held tomorrow from 7.30pm and entry is $10 per person. Special guest is Tansy Curtin, senior curator of collections and research at Bendigo Art Gallery. This year’s judge is local artist Carolyn Marrone.

Tickets for the Winter Art Show fundraising raffle are only $1 each. More than $200 of dining and shopping vouchers will be won.

There will be no 11am On The Way Service this Sunday due to the art show.

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: Holy Trinity is hosting a luncheon for Bush Church Aid this Sunday, July 26, at 12.15pm. BYO deckchair and Aussie dessert to share.

Donations are welcome to cover costs. Any profits are given to BCA.

KYB (Know your Bible) will be starting a new series called “Good News! The Bible and its message”. This is an introduction and overview suitable for any woman who is interested in finding out about the Bible.

KYB starts today at 9.30am at Holy Trinity, 14 Keck Street, Flora Hill. For more information, contact the church office on 5443 3482.

CATHOLIC

Holy Rosary White Hills: Parishioners and visitors are reminded that mass is held Monday to Saturday at 9am, with the Rosary recited after masses on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and after the mass on the first Saturday of the month.

Weekend masses are 6.30pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday at Holy Rosary and 5.45pm on Tuesday and 8.30am on Sunday at St Francis in Bendigo East.

Our next exposition will be held on Tuesday, July 28, after the 9am mass.

Our parish congratulates Fr Ted Harte, our much-loved priest, on achieving 49 years as a priest on July 23. We all look forward to the big 50th celebrations next year.

St Kilian’s: Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Praised be – our common home” has been universally welcomed - and in particular, by our Australia Bishops’ Justice Agencies – Catholic Earthcare Australia, Caritas Australia and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council.

To respond to Pope Francis’ call to pray and act, go to www.caritas.org.au/act/our-common-home where you can sign the petition endorsed by Pope Francis. To read the encyclical and learn more, go to www.catholicearthcare.org.au/ecological-encyclical

Alternatively, you can buy a copy of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Encyclical in book form from our St Kilian’s shop.

CONNECT CHURCH

Transformations Soak time will be in the church tonight from 8pm.

This is an opportunity to worship and be refreshed to music that will be led by the church musicians. All invited to come along to meet, support and encourage the residents.

Connect Youth (years 6 to 12) are launching their new theme "We Are" at their get-together in the hall tomorrow from 7pm to 9.30pm. Numbers are growing and more young people are most welcome.

Parents are reminded that due to legal requirements, it is necessary for all children to be signed in before Sunday service at the registration desk in the coffee lounge. For more, details see Dave Annison.

Hymns Alive will hold their fortnightly meeting in the hall next Thursday, July 30.

Come along and enjoy fellowship with 70 to 80 people and sing your favourite hymns. Guest speaker will be Jess Morley. There will be afternoon tea and free bus transport may be arranged - phone 5447 8161.

Small groups run throughout the week at various times and locations. Please contact the church office if you would like to be part of one.

Sunday service is held at 10am at 35 Solomon Street, Bendigo.

For details of weekly church programs, phone the church office on 5441 3133.

OASIS OF LOVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Last Sunday Pastor John taught from 1 Samuel 22:7.

In the time when King Saul was chasing David to kill him, David attracted to himself a band of 400 men, who were marginalised, in distress, in debt, angry and discontent.  

David accepted these men who chose to follow him and made them into an army of 400 valiant men.  

Likewise God’s Holy Spirit draws us to Himself and God loves and accepts us where we are at.

God’s Holy Spirit then begins a work in our lives to transform us into valiant men and women drawn together to form a mighty army for the Lord, having His power and authority within us.

All are warmly welcome at our regular Sunday services held at 10am at the Long Gully Community Centre, 27 Havilah Road, Bendigo. Inquiries to 5443 1468 or 0402 087 083.   

PRESBYTERIAN

St John’s: Last Sunday at St John's, the Reverend Philip Burns preached from Matthew 5:3.

The first of the Beatitudes that Jesus spoke concerned the attitude of being “poor in spirit”.

While the world knows those who are “poor” in another sense, Jesus spoke of those who are “poor in spirit” - that is, they have no tickets on themselves,

They know their own sinfulness and are prepared  to come before God honestly and with empty hands.

In fact, there is no other way in which we can come before God and this is the entry point to His Kingdom, for “He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble”.

Home groups meet on Wednesdays at 1:30pm and on Thursdays at 7:30pm.

Playgroup (sorry, no vacancies) meets on Fridays at 10am.

On Saturday we will host “Safe Church Training” from 9:30am.

Next Sunday, the Reverend Philip Burns will continue this series on Matthew 5 at 10:30am, followed by lunch in the hall and the second workshop on “Sharing life, sharing the gospel”.

For further information or to hear this week's message, visit http://bendigopc.org.au

Eaglehawk: “Love one another as commanded”, Hebrews 13 V1-6, was Pastor Steven’s message last week.

In scripture there are two important commands to love: firstly, we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, and secondly, we are to love our neighbour as ourselves.

We believers get encouragement when we feel the love of like-minded people at worship. We love to sing the hymns and read scripture; this flows from the love God has for us and ours for Him.

There are many types of love - love of money, love of sport or any other form of entertainment.

Then there is the love in marriage. Marriage is sacred in God’s eyes; scripture tells us He has laid out a pattern of what He has ordained for a man and a woman to become one.

There is another marriage for the believer; when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are part of the Bride of Christ (the church).

How many of us live in an adulterous marriage with Christ, being wed to Him and living in the world?

Many problems arise in relationships not ordained by God. Ungodly sexual behaviour is rampant, people have set up idols and have no concern for the one true God.

Take heed, God will not be mocked. He will judge all who reject Him and they will be cast into eternal damnation.

To escape this, keep these two commands: love God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself.

Saturday, July 25, from 9.30am to 12.30pm at at St John’s - Safe Church Training. All holders of W.W.C.C. are requested to attend.

Sunday, July 26, at 10am - worship service. Being the last Sunday in the month, our bring and share luncheon and afternoon service will be held.

Tuesday, July 28, from 2.30pm – The Session will meet, followed at 4pm by the Board of Management meeting.

Wednesday, July 29, at 9am  – weekly prayer meeting followed by Bible study at 10.30am.

All inquiries to Pastor Steven on 0408 990 903

SOUTHERN GATEWAY

Pastor Peter opened up the power of Romans 12:2 where Paul says… be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… If we focus on the affairs of the world then we get caught up in matters which can be solved by God… not by us. On the other hand, if we allow ourselves to be transformed then we can put on the mind of Christ.

We are transformed when we are born again and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to make that short journey to ask Jesus into our lives. It's up to us to make that step. Ask Jesus into your life today.

Our service was blessed by a mighty time of worship through Bob Yam. The Communion reflection was highlighted by Pam Yam encouraging us to make peace in our hearts over areas we need healing in before communion. The altar call was based on refreshment and transformation through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Next Wednesday morning is Lady Day at June Mathews’ home.

Our service next week will be led by Pastors David and Ros Palmer and will be a Healing Service. If you need healing of mind, soul or body, come and receive what Jesus promised on the Cross.

Prayer support and information from Pastor Peter Pritchard on 0413 682 999.

THE LAMP CHURCH

A new Pentecostal church has begun holding services in the Revival Centre Chapel at 237 High Street, next to BMW Golden Square.

Len Cutting is the senior minister of the Lamp Church International and has been ministering The Word of God for over 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: Everyone is welcome to come along this Sunday at 10am for Cornerstone (Sunday school) and the service in the church, which will be led by the Reverend Ralph Clarke and where Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Morning tea will follow the service.

The evening service will be at 6.30 pm and the study "The Challenge of Jesus" will be continued.

The monthly pub lunch will be held after the 10am service, at the Queens Arms Hotel.

Playgroups will be held on Friday and Wednesday from 9.30am.

The Finance Sub Committee will meet on Monday at 7pm

The Women's Get Together will be next Tuesday from 10am at Lets Get Saucy Cafe.

On Wednesday the Church Council Executive will be held at 5.15pm and the JAMM session for musicians and multimedia people will follow at 6.30pm.

Long Gully: The service on Sunday will begin at 9.30am and will be led by Denis Faithful.

Marong: This Sunday at 9am the congregation will participate in the worship.

Weeroona Uniting Church Bendigo:

The “Parents and Preschoolers” playgroup is happening 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 three Weeroona Uniting Church services.

Morning services will be held at 9.15am and 11am at Neale Street, and will be be led by the Reverend Susan Malthouse-Law.

The 9.15am service is a family service which includes a Sunday school program for children from crèche to grade 6. The 11am is more traditional in its presentation, and also includes activities for the children.

This Sunday we will be celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving, with all donations going to UnitingCare Bendigo.

This will be an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for God’s abundance. Donations of sheets and blankets (single and QS), sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and non-perishable food items are being sought, but please donate new items only.

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. Hope to see you there!

Bendigo South Cluster:

This week the services are as follows:

Kangaroo Flat at 9.30am: the Reverend Ian Stewart will be leading the service.

Lockwood at 9.30am: The Reverend George Buckle will be leading the service.

Chum Street at 11am: The Reverend Ian Stewart will be leading the service.

UnitingCare Prayer points: As children returned to school this week, please pray for those who often go to school hungry because of the struggles that their families face from day to day.

Please give thanks for the service provided by FoodShare in sourcing and providing food for the various agencies that help these families.

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.

UnitingCare Kangaroo Flat has a new phone number: 5443 5458.

Envelopes are now available for donations for the Share Winter Appeal for families in crisis.  This appeal raises funds for UnitingCare Agencies Victoria and Tasmania who are focusing on assisting those who are homeless in our communities. Donations can also be made online at www.shareappeal.org.au

On Mondays from 9.30am to 11am there is a playgroup for children under five years of age 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 Golden Square Hall (Laurel Street entrance). All ages and abilities welcome, $2 donation.

Central Bendigo Cluster:

Next Sunday, 9.30am worship services will be led at Forest Street by the Reverend Kate Fraser and at St Andrew’s, Myers Street, by the Reverend Di Esbensen.

Dates for your diary - Louisa Trewartha Trumpet and Organ Part 11 on Sunday, August 2, at St Andrew’s.

Robin Mann’s visit to St Andrew’s - in the evening on Saturday, August 8, there will be a concert, and on Sunday, August 9, Robin will assist with music for worship.