ANGLICAN
St Paul’s
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This Sunday, we are back to normal after a worthwhile and enjoyable Deans’ Conference. Sunday is the 10th after Pentecost. Jesus calls us out of the boat. Recently I heard a sermon preached by the families’ worker, Elizabeth, in my home parish. In her sermon, she reflected on the nature of the church, and pointed to the roof, which bears resemblance to an upturned ship. She asked us to picture ourselves on the ship, and what we were doing there: are we on holidays, enjoying ourselves and the safety the ship provides? Are we in the lower cabins, uncertain of the course set out before us over the clamour of our circumstance? Or are we in the engine room, working and ensure we get to our destination safely? She said that sometimes Jesus calls us to step out in faith. Jesus calls us out of the boat. And when we fail to hold all faith, he is there, hand outstretched, to remind us of his strength to hold us above the waters. Services this Sunday are 8am – said Eucharist, 9.30 – choral Eucharist, 11am – Intergenerational Eucharist. For more details, visit www.stpaulsbendigo.org.au.
St Mary’s
The 10th Annual St Mary’s Winter Art Show was held from Friday, July 28 to Sunday, July 30. Once again, the organising committee did a wonderful job bringing this event together. It grows bigger each year and certainly attracted some outstanding entries. More than 50 artists exhibited more than 180 paintings, with 160-plus people attending over the three days. Master of ceremonies for the official opening on the Friday night was Graeme Turpie. He started with an acknowledgement of country and welcome. Andrew Goodman, art lecturer at La Trobe University, who kindly gave his time to judge the show, announced the best & highly commended in the four judged categories. The winning artists were: Claire McKellar (acrylic), Vivienne Smiley (oil), Brian Harding (watercolour) and Jodie Bell (other medium). Our weekly services are 9am traditional service and 11am contemporary service, both with Holy Communion. For more details, visit www,stmaryskangarooflat.com or call 5447 7427.
Harvey Town Cluster
The cluster will have a joint service at Eaglehawk Anglican Church from 10am this Sunday, followed by refreshments. All welcome. Sunday services are normally 9am at Eaglehawk and 10.30am at the Maiden Gully Community Centre. Saltworks community meal continues at 6pm in the Eaglehawk Anglican Hall. This a free meal for all ages. The Mothers’ Union will meet in the Eaglehawk hall on Tuesday, August 28 with a speaker at 1.30pm. The Connections Craft group meets in the hall on Tuesdays. Members of the parish are supporting disadvantaged children in various countries through the organisation, Compassion. They also provide knitted rugs and other garments for disadvantaged families in Greater Bendigo. Anglicare is hosting a free 6pm screening of the film Ka Ching – Pokie Nation, at the Star Cinema, Eaglehawk. Speakers will include Tim Costello, Kelvin Thomson and Mark Thompson. Bookings required: 0400 438 976.
CONNECT
Families with preschool children are welcome to come along to our free playgroups on Tuesday or Friday in the portable from 10-11.30am. Please bring a plate of food to share. More information from Emily or Dee on 5441 3133. Young people from year 6 onwards are getting together for their Collective Society group tomorrow from 7-9.30pm. Come along and expect the unexpected. More information: email dave@connectchurch.com.au. New people are invited to a new Connect home group especially designed for them. Venue: 32 Magellan Crescent, Kangaroo Flat each Wednesday from 7.30pm. More details through church office. Nathan Hulls, motivational speaker, will be guest speaker at Hymns Alive in the hall on Thursday, August 17 at 1.30pm. Afternoon tea. Free bus service may be arranged, phone 5442 2774. Sunday services are at 10am and 5pm, 35 Solomon Street, Bendigo.
BENDIGO INTERFAITH
Bendigo Interfaith Council is supporting the local Indian community with the visit by Bhakti Rasamrita Swami on Thursday, August 24. Those interested are invited to gather at McGillivray Hall, Bendigo TAFE (McCrae Street) at 5pm. Bhakti Rasamrita Swami will speak on the topic “Awakened Inquiries”, based on Vedic understanding on pursuit of real peace and happiness. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion followed by a meal at 6.30pm. Don't forget to register your interest in our first “Tranquillity Zone” on Saturday, August 19 in the meeting room at the Bendigo Library, from 3.15-4.30pm. The theme will be “unity and harmony” and we will be using readings from the sacred writings of the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic faiths, interspersed with reflective music and with discussion and light refreshments to follow. All welcome. To RSVP, phone 5400 2922.
LUTHERAN
This Sunday, the 10th after Pentecost, we start our five-week series on how God’s Word has gone and continues to go out into the world. This week, 1 John 4:7-21 is the focus of our meditation. In the Bendigo Lutheran parish we will be celebrating with Holy Communion at 94 Spring Gully Road, Spring Gully at 10am. Our Sunday School will be held at around 10.45am at our Spring Gully Centre.
SOUTHERN GATEWAY
Our Sunday was blessed by Stella Johns teaching on Jesus, who is our perfect example of living life. If he were to be us for one day we would love others more easily, have patience, understanding and the time to minister to others in all circumstances. In Ephesians 4:23-24, we are encouraged to be Christlike by becoming like him, the one new man. He alone is our only true example on how we all should and can live successfully. Jesus sees as we are and He loves us unconditionally. If we “put on the mind of Christ” then we learn to think like Him. He is our blessing. Because of Jesus we are changeable, even tweakable to grow in his name. When we give our lives to him, he lives in our hearts making us new creatures in Christ. Next Wednesday, our Lady Scripture meeting is at Stella Johns’ home at 10am. Please join us at our 10am service each Sunday. Prayer needs from Pastor Peter Pritchard on 0413 682 999.
OASIS
Last Sunday, Pastor June spoke about “laying your foundations”. In Acts 2:1 it describes the fulfilment of John the Baptist’s words about the Holy Spirit’s baptising with fire and the Prophet Joel’s words about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This also brought in the age of grace for Christ’s followers and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish and continue Christ’s message wherever they go. If believers remember the ultimate victory has already been won by Jesus, they can claim the peace of Christ in the most difficult circumstances. Alex Butler and Thomas Dee received the baptism of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, evidenced with speaking in other tongues and Luke Brooks received water baptism. All are welcome at our regular Sunday services where you will find hope, encouragement and encounter God. 10am at the Long Gully Community Centre, 27 Havilah Road, Bendigo. Inquiries, phone 5443 1468 or 0402 087 083.
PRESBYTERIAN
Reforming
“Why are you downcast, O my soul, why so disturbed within me…?” These words are common to many of us, perhaps you’ve said them or are in that season again where you feel this. Perhaps your thoughts and feelings see you walking through that valley, and far from where you wish you were. That is how the writer of these words thought and felt as he penned the poem we know as Psalm 42 & 43. This Sunday, we are pausing our series in the book of Romans to take time to focus on how Christ cares for our mental health. All of us will suffer, or know someone close to us who suffers, from mental illness in one form or another and to varying degrees. We would like to talk about this and equip and encourage one another as a congregation. Come along this Sunday, 10.30am in the Quarry Hill Hall. All welcome. We're online at reforming.org.au.
St John’s
Last Sunday at St John's, Rev Philip Burns preached on the topic of holiness, a subject that has often been misunderstood, even by God's people. What are we to make of it? For a start, holiness begins with God. He is “holy, holy, holy”. Holiness is his chief characteristic and everything about him is holy. Holiness is also defined by Jesus. As he was and is God, we should expect that everything he did was holy, and this was true. Though he hung around with “sinners”, his life was holy in every way. Then also, holiness is necessary for believers. It is needed to prove that we know salvation. It is needed so that we can have fellowship with God. It is needed if we want to be useful to God. Holiness is a path to take, a battle to fight and a desire to be pursued. SMILE Playgroup, ladies' home group, evening home groups and playgroup all meet during the week. Next Sunday, Rev Philip Burns will preach again on the topic of holiness. Morning tea in the hall. For more, or to hear this week's message, visit bendigopc.org.au.
UNITING
ELM Cluster
The ELM Cluster Council will be held at the Long Gully Uniting Churchon Tuesday from 7.30pm.
Eaglehawk: Everyone is welcome to come along to our services this Sunday, firstly at 10am for Cornerstone program for young people and the service will be led by the Rev Cynthia Page. Morning tea will follow. Evening service will be held at 6.30pm, led by the Rev Cynthia Page. This Saturday at 4pm, a social time is being held at the church. There will be games from 4pm followed by fish and chips at 6pm and then at 7pm a movie called Hidden Figures. Cost is $5 per person. All welcome. The Little Explorers Playgroup meets at the church from 9.30am on Wednesdays. Bible study groups are on Tuesdays from 10am at the church and on Wednesdays at Preston's from 9.30am. Friendship group meets on Wednesday from 12.30pm for lunch at the RSL Services Club, Long Gully. Emergency food assistance is available from the church on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 3pm. Items for emergency relief this month include packets of biscuits.
Long Gully: The service at 9.30 this Sunday will be led by Rev Joe Wilson.
Marong: The monthly service for kids will be held this Sunday at 9am.
Bendigo South Cluster
Sunday services:
Kangaroo Flat: 9.30am, led by Rev Jock McOrist (cuppa to follow)
Lockwood: 9.30am, led by Rev Ian Stewart and Holy Communion will be celebrated
Chum Street: 11am, led by Rev Ian Stewart (cuppa from 10am)
Thursdays: Indoor bowls from 1.30-3.30pm at the Old Church on the Hill (corner Harkness & Russell streets, Quarry Hill). All welcome. Afternoon tea provided & two games of bowls. Cost: $2. Phone Anne, 5447 8430.
Thursday’s cluster meeting has been cancelled.
Friday: 6.30pm, Bendigo Cross-Cultural Ministry Gathering at Chum Street. A time of sharing & fellowship for people from different backgrounds and cultures. BYO food to share. All welcome. Contact James Lerk, 5443 1717. Mondays: 9.30-11am, playgroup at Kangaroo Flat Uniting. A welcoming place for parents and grandparents to bring children under five years. Gold coin donation. Contact Anne, 5447 8430. Tuesdays & Fridays: UnitingCare Emergency Relief from 10am-1pm at Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church. Phone 5443 5458. Tuesdays: 10.30am, Bible study group at 149 Thistle Street, Golden Square. Contact Glenys, 5443 9451. Wednesdays: Craft group from 9am-noon at Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church. All welcome. Contact Verna, 5447 7289. 11am, Talk ‘n’ Tucker at Chum Street.
Weeroona
On Sunday, July 30 we celebrated harvest thanksgiving. Members generously donated items to support the work of Uniting Bendigo. In addition, more than $650 was raised from our pancake luncheon, which will also go to support the work of Uniting Bendigo. A big thank you goes to the congregation for their generosity and support. The Parents and Preschoolers playgroup will be meeting this morning in the foyer at Neale Street. Starting at 10am. There are no fees to attend this weekly playgroup and newcomers are always welcome. This Sunday, there will be two Weeroona services, at 9.15am and 11am. Both at Neale Street, led by Rev 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.