The Goodness of God
Psalm 81 has been drawn to my attention this week by a member of our Saturday prayer group.
This psalm is full of wonderful promise of God’s generosity to his people, proven by what he has done in the past. It calls us to sing and shout his praises. It also expresses God’s grief and longing and rebuke to his people that they so often inextricably choose other gods from the One who continues to offer them such abundant blessing and satisfaction. It is a call to listen, with the promise that if we open wide our mouth (I think of a baby bird in the nest) he will fill it!
I commend the psalm to you as I commend to you also the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course – which is itself an invitation to listen, and to open wide our mouths in eager expectation.
Through Covid – though we do not attribute its practical cause to God – I believe God is seeking to get the world’s, and the Church’s, attention. We dare not miss this window of opportunity to listen to God and to join him in what he is seeking to do in us, and through us for the world Jesus gave his life for.
I praise God that participation in the course which starts this week is now close to fifty persons! Sunday sermons will introduce the theme of each week of the course, beginning this Sunday. If you cannot make Weds nights or Thurs noon, there is the option of participating on Zoom! Please let me know if you would like to take this up.
There is also the option of purchasing the course books (audio available on request) or just the main text to follow along even if not engaged with a group.
It is not too late to join. Please phone/text myself or email me or the office over the weekend or by Monday at the latest to arrange pick up of books. Payment can be made electronically to CCD indicating ‘for EHS’. (Account details below).
Give thanks for successful surgery for JL and also A this week, praying for their complete recovery and relief from pain. Continue prayer for E in rehab for recovery of strength in her legs and peace of heart and mind facing the future; for continuing recovery for JH, SC and L; for AF and T following falls. Give thanks for R’s clean bill of health and continue prayers for P, JH and all who face ongoing treatments.
In our mission cycle, please pray for JA and initiatives of Rite Mentoring to engage with youth in the general community, alongside their approaches to schools; and for TP and AP with YWAM. For their latest news, please click here.
We thank God for CCD’s successful application for the Govt Business Grant of $10,000!
Also the Melbourne Diocese has granted parishes a reduction in their Annual Assessment (the Diocesan tax on parishes) worth a further $10,000. This is a great encouragement alongside the continued faithful giving of members of this parish that has kept pace with our revised budget figure. (For EFT giving please see below.)
Church Account Details: Bendigo Bank – BSB 633000, Acc. 149484024.
Bless you all, and bless the Lord who is our generous provider in all things!
(Check again Psalm 81!)
Every blessing as we join online for worship this Sunday morning and in all that the Lord has placed in your hands.
Wayne