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CHURCH NEWS - Sunday, 18 December 2011 |
AdventThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) God’s love for us is profoundly demonstrated in that moment in time known as the incarnation. What do we mean by this term? Simply, we mean that God the Son did not consider equality with God as something to be tightly gripped but rather, he emptied himself, and was made in human likeness. This of course is impossible for us to comprehend or understand and yet it indeed is the miracle at the heart of Christmas. John said the Word (God the Son) become flesh and made his dwelling among us. Literally apparently the word used here is “tabernacled.” God the Son tabernacled with us. This of course, is not a term we throw around much, but it has a rich biblical history that illuminates what is being said here. The allusion is to a time in Israel’s history were God’s presence was localised in the tabernacle as the people wondered through the wilderness during the time of the exodus. When the cloud was present over that place Moses was not allowed to enter because of the glory of the Lord (Exodus 40). So John is saying in a similar way to how God made his presence felt in the tabernacle of old- so too in Jesus- all the glory of the Lord was present in his Son. Elsewhere Jesus is called the Emmanuel- God with us, so that in the Word made flesh- God has gloriously made himself present with us. Jesus of course is God’s king, our Messiah and at Christmas time we celebrate this unique identification with us his people and look forward to the day when his reign and rule will be more fully present in his second coming. I pray that this Christmas you might know that God has come near in the person of his Son. I pray that you might truly set apart Christ as Lord and worship him as God- in that there is life. Grace and peace from Marcus |
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Click here to watch the video or read below. After her husband was murdered in India, Kamala decided to move her family to Nepal, hoping to find land her husband had owned. Having no success they settled on a very remote patch of hillside and began to eke out a living from growing crops. Isolated and alone, each day was an endless cycle of hard work and worry, as Kamala struggled to feed her family. It was in these days of hopelessness that a Christian field worker from Baptist World Aid's overseas partner INF came and met with Kamala and encouraged her in her faith. Kamala joined the community's savings group, and enthusiastically took part in the training. With their support, Kamala began raising goats and gained new skills to provide for her family. As well as improving her income, Kamala began to share her faith with her new neighbours. Now, in a village which previously had no believers, there is a group of thirty Christians. Today, Kamala has food on the table, she is accepted and secure and most of all, she is excited to see faith in Jesus transforming lives amongst her friends. "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 Jesus calls us to love our neighbour. This Christmas help more people like Kamala overcome the constraints of poverty and change their world. Give generously using a Baptist World Aid giving envelope available in your church or donate online at www.baptistworldaid.org.au |
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Christmas Day ServiceJoin us on Christmas Day celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviou Jesus Christ! Christmas Day: 9am New Years Day: 10am |
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Church Camp 2012 - Save The Date
When: Fri 24th - Sun 26th August 2012 Location: Galston Gorge Conference and Recreation Centre Cost: Adult 12yrs and over: $136, Children 5-11yrs: $111, Children under 5yrs: free Website: http://www.crusaders.edu.au/conference-centres/galston-gorge/ Note: Payment plans are available if needed. Please speak to Anita Wells. |
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Upcoming Events |
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| Christmas Day Service - December 25 | |
Regular Ministries of our Church |
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| Prayer Chain - if you have, or know of, a prayer-need please let Barrie Dowsley know ASAP | |
| Bible Study Small Groups - If you are looking to join a small group please contact Marcus | |
| Children's Ministries - Play Date, The Ark, Waves | |
| Stone Fish Youth - Meets on Friday nights. 7-9pm - See Yolanda for more information | |
| Sermon Recordings - download them for free online or see Hari to get a copy on CD for $1 | |
| Norwest Christian College | |
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© Riverstone Baptist Church 2011