Bulletin Announcements – 25 September 2016

• The famous Westminster Shorter Catechism says: ‘The sacrament of baptism is a washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which is a sign and seal that we are joined to Christ, that we receive the benefits of the covenant of grace, and that we are engaged to be the Lord’s.’ It’s an outward sign of an inward reality.  Do you have that inward reality? Then, you have the opportunity to publically declare it in November. Please speak to one of the pastors.  A preparation group will commence in October.

 

• Diaconate Announcement: Notice is hereby given to all members of the church that the Annual General Meeting will be held today 12:30pm, at the WSCCC Strathfield Chapel. During this meeting, election of deacons for the next term will be held.

 

• Holiday program for Sunday school children are on today, 2 and 9 October. We encourage children Year 5 and 6 to join English service during the time. Term 4 will start on 16 October for Sunday school and 11 October for Play Group. Have a safe holiday!

 

• Daylight saving time starts next Sunday, so set your clocks forward one hour!

 

Ariel writes – a weekly Scriptural devotion:

“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:” (1 Corinthians 1:2 NIV)

“…to those sanctified in Christ Jesus…” This phrase, here at the beginning of Paul’s letter, is encouraging as it confirms and secures the Corinthian church’s relationship with Jesus. Even the word “holy” has the same meaning as “sanctified”, which means to be “set apart for a special purpose”. There is the idea of purity behind it as well. However, as one starts reading the letter this phrase starts to seem a little odd. The reason for this is the Corinthian church was filled with infighting, hypocrisy, sexual immorality, fraud, arrogance, drunkeness, disorder, and false doctrine. So how could Paul ever call such a church “holy” or “sanctified”?! The reason he can is because of Jesus. The church’s behaviour does not and cannot undo what Jesus has done for them; and that is “sanctified” them through his death. Therefore, the church’s behaviour might be corrupt but their standing before God is perfect in Christ Jesus. So consider your ugly, impure, and self-righteous sins and then draw a big breath of relief and know that in Jesus you are still sanctified.

from pastor Ariel