Second Sunday after Epiphany

The message today centred on the wedding at Cana in John 2:1-11 and as everyone knows, weddings are about 'the two shall become one.' When the wine ran out during the festivities, Jesus was asked by his mum to step in and save the day. His first miracle took place in turning an obscene amount of water into the best ever gold-award-winning wine.

But what's the deeper point of this account? Well, I think the first lot of wine signifies the basic elements of life (grapes) + our human effort, resulting in wine (enjoying the fruits of our works). But that is achieved by constant hard work and runs out very quickly. Without that effort the grapes rot; the basic elements stay as they have always been. So more effort is required. All of life works on this principle: take the raw elements of life, add human effort and you get a new product every time (just like turning rocks of iron ore into steel products for the building trade). But it is temporal at best. Nothing we make lasts; otherwise we would still be driving around in our grandparents' model T Ford. Old stuff rusts away and we have to apply more human effort to come up with something new. Sounds familiar - it should be, humanity has been at this merry-go-round since life began.

Now Jesus comes along at the Cana wedding and introduces a new thing: my life (water in the jars) + Jesus' effort resulting in the miraculous and eternal (see 1 Cor. 12:7&11). Even in the Old Testament, this futuristic thought is found: 'not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.' The Christian life is all about allowing God to use the basic, normal, ordinary parts of my life and join them in union with Christ's acomplished works to result in the redemption of every part of ourselves, our plans, our decisions, hopes and dreams. John the Baptist knew what he was saying when he proclaimed: 'I must decrease so that Christ can increase.' So, put more of God into your everyday life and see the miracles take shape. Miracles don't happen by 'more effort', but simply by more of Christ impacting our life. Think about it.

Rev.'D

Topic : JOY

Would you believe that a person once accused me because I was 'too happy' as a Pastor. Personally I don't want to be part of a Church where the message is: 'join us and be as misserable as me.' The Christmas message was all about 'joy to the world,' yet so many Christians haven't even got a clue that it's meant for here and now - not just when we leave this life. Why is joy still so unwelcomed in traditional churches; even suspect and viewed with suspicion as false theology? 'There must be something wrong with you!' They think that Jesus lived his life in a solem and serious way; an ispiration to all medival monks for sure - and all seeking approaval for their religious demeanour. One of the readings during the Sundays after Christmas indicated that Jesus grew is favour with God and with all people. I believe that the message spoken by God's holy angels was incarnate in Christ: bringing joy to the world. While on earth, Jesus infected people during his ministry with joy, peace, hope, and healing. Through his Holy Spirit, Christ continues to work through his WORD to bring 'good news' (Gospel) to you and me. Want to find out more about that? Then follower these blogs .... Rev'd

Epiphany

Well folks, Christmas season is over and today marks Epiphany (6th Jan). That's when the Christmas Tree is packed up in our household. The first Sunday after Epiphany (10th Jan) will focus on the beginning of Jesus' ministry at the point of his baptism. In Galatians 4:4,5 we are reminded that "when the right time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive his adoption." During Advent, I mentioned in a sermon that 'I hate religion' - it was based on the text where Jesus said that God doesn't want our offerings and sacrifices. So, how do we have less 'religion with its rules and regulations' and more real Christianity? How do we find our freedom from the LAW? How do we find the JOY to the world spoken of at the birth of Jesus? How do we get closer to what Jesus was on about when he said to his disciples: "I've told you all this so that you might have peace within you. In this world you are going to have trouble, but cheer up; I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33). Join with me on this blog to find out ... Rev'd

Social Event: Master Chef, Ashmore

Nearly 80 people enjoyed an excellent 4 course meal on Saturday night at the College Restaurant thanks to our Church's social event entitled: Master Chef-Ashmore. The idea was birthed under the concept of 'cooking for dummies' but reshaped through the expert training under our master-chef-trainer, Wolfgang Kessler. Wow, what can happen to 10 ordinary blokes who have hardly seen the inside of an industrial kitchen and then place them under the training supervision of this meister to cook for 80 people!!! Each course had a variety of three different items. This wasn't just a meal - it was a feast that satified every taste-bud ... to the fullest! A huge thank you to our Wolf-meister and the 10 cooks, who have all discovered a new appreciation of what goes on in the kitchen, behind the scenes, to serve up a such a high standard of food delights. (There is a DVD available for the cooks - just to remember what they learned. Now you can make at least one of these fine dishes at home for the whole family!).

Rev.'d

Worship @ Living Word for November

For this coming Sunday (01.11) we will be enjoying the enthusiastic contributions by our youth band. Their high energy and love of new songs will go well with the theme they have chosen: using our God-Given-Gifts! They put in many hours of practise and we appreciate their involvement in worship. Last time we had 13 young people sharing their gift of music.

Following Sunday (08.11) there will be a special baptismal service with the extended family of our Primary School Principal, Jeff Minge, celebrating a very important baptismal occasion.

The Primary School will be invited to share their contribution (15.11) with our College Chaplain leading the service and giving us a message along with the students from Trinity Primary School.

On the last Sunday in the Church year (22.11) we will celebrate God's wonderful blessings upon our ministries at Church. This will be followed by an elections & budget meeting to prepare for 2010. We are very blessed with many competent and committed leaders who will lead us into the following year of discovering more of God's opportunities for Living Word to be in ministry.

On the last Sunday in the month (29.11) Living Word will celebrate with our Confirmees. During this year five girls have shared an in-depth exploration of God's Word for them. On this Sunday they will confess and confirm their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. It's also 1st Advent!

Rev.'d

New Study for term IV

I've been working on a new Bible Study for this term. We are having a look at 1.John.

If you want a copy of this study, go to 'Resources; Study Handout - Archives' on our web-page or click here: .

Stay in contact for further updates. Enjoy getting into God's Word.

Rev.'d

New Church Logo

Living Word Lutheran Church, Ashmore, is pleased to have a new corporate logo thanks to the artistic talents of Ellie Whittaker. It's a new look on the old version. This logo will soon be on all our publications and promotional materials. It symbolizes the Bible as our basis from which we have God's living word for us today. Notice that the cross is in one of the three flames (the Trinity) on the outside of the Bible - showing that Christ and His saving Gospel is always for there for the whole world. So our focus begins with God's word but then apply it to our everyday lives and the community in which we serve.