Newsletter 08-March-2015

Today's Theme:The Wonders of God
Focus Scripture:Psalm 19
Other Readings:Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22

BACKGROUND:-
This week’s focus passage speaks of Creation’s testimony to God, and is an opportunity to continue thinking about recovering a Christian theology of Creation

Psalm 19 For the director of music. A psalm of David. ¹ The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ² Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. ³ They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. ⁴ Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. ⁵It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. ¹¹ By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. ¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 15 March 2015
Theme: "Lifted Up"
Focus Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9
Other Readings: Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21

Prayer Points:- Please pray for: School and University children returning to school. Ron Ashton, Margaret Morrison.

Girls Brigade:- Girls' Brigade recommenced on 10th February with 9 girls. Our priority now is forming a new leadership team to share more equally the planning and delivering of weekly programme to girls in our community. Please continue to pray for a new group of leaders to come together in these early weeks of the year. For those who aren't aware, Wendy is now running a newly opened GB Company in her home church in Huntly. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful support she has been to me over these past 2 and a half years and pray God will lead many girls from the Huntly community to join this new 1st Huntly Girls' Brigade Company. Julie Dickey 535 5814

Inspirational TV:- Welcome 3 March. This month’s theme is all about taking a stand for what we believe in. Not allowing others to sway us from what we believe to be right and true. Standing tall, standing firm, and knocking our fears and doubts right out of the park. Getting stuck in with www.inspirationaltv.net:
Thomas Merton: Standing on your own two feet
Mary takes a firm stand
Inspired Word: John 2:13-25

Offerings:- We are in the process of preparing for the end of the personal tax year and would like to know if anyone has any spare envelopes they are no longer using that we can reissue. If you would prefer to have envelopes on a different cycle ie fortnightly instead of weekly please let Jeannine know, or if anyone would like more information on giving by Direct Credit instead of the envelope system please contact Jeannine in the office or Brannie Ma for the Mandarin congregation.

New Sign:- This past week we have installed a new sign in the carpark. This explains clearly that our carpark is not a pick up and drop off zone for BBI children. We are all very concerned with the safety of our little children and especially with the kindergarten and their high number of special needs children and carers that have more than one child at the kindergarten, one split second is all it can take. Children of the age of year 7 and 8 are more than capable of walking to school and we have full support from the school’s Principal. This also impacts our evening renters of the building when there is a function on at the school and our tenants do come first. Thank you for your understanding and support of this. If you have any questions please see Jeannine or Alan.

Stump Grinding:- Recently we have been completing a lot of work on the church house. Part of this was having 3 tree stumps removed. We contacted a grinding company called Stump Busters for a quote for the job.

They came and removed all three of the trees without quoting. We decided that they needed to be done anyway and when we called for the invoice they very kindly advised that they had donated their time and machinery as their community giving. I expressed on our behalf our total appreciation of this and so if you ever need a tree stump removed or know someone that does please pass on the name of the company above and the Mangers name Graheme Avery.

FINANCE REPORT

1. Offering in January were just below budget
2. The special donation received last month was used to purchase the new chairs for the hall. (If you haven’t seen them yet have a look they are excellent!)
3. Expenses tracking within budget estimates but next month will show the impact of the work around the grounds of the church house (cost about $5500.00)
4. Overall tight but manageable. Thank you for your faithful support and praise the lord!