It was a happy/sad day for our church family as we farewelled Hugh, Hannah, Ken, Melody, Harmony, Joy, Lucy and Felicity Price on Sunday July 28. We were happy because Hugh has been appointed by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria’s Ministry Development Committee (formerly Home Missions Committee) to take up the responsibility of pastoring the Castlemaine/Carisbrook Presbyterian Churches as of Sunday August 4th – and this is good for the gospel in Central Victoria! But it was also sad because this means that we have had to ‘let go’ a dearly loved part of our church family. After commissioning them for the work in Castlemaine/Carisbrook during our morning  service, farewells were said during lunch at which the Price Family gave a wonderful rendition of the hymn, ‘He leadeth me’. We will continue to pray that God will richly bless the preaching of His Word and this new ministry in His name and for His glory!

We are pleased to announce that our daughter Church plant ‘Reforming’ (also known as South East Bendigo Presbyterian) has a new home at the Spring Gully Hall in Spring Gully Rd, Spring Gully (where else??). Join us there this week at 5pm

Deuteronomy…hard to spell, sometimes hard to grasp! Our Home Groups will be launching into this incredible Old Testament book during Term 3. Contact us if you’d like to join a group! Commencing very soon!

Once again we have to advise that ‘Reforming’ is on the move (literally!). As we are no longer able to meet in our previous location, from Sunday July 14th, services will be held in the Church Hall at St John’s Presbyterian (Forest Street). We’ll let you know when we’ve found that new venue!

Yep…it’s on again. In Creswick. July 8-12. You can check out all the details on the Bendigo Christian Union page.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, our daughter church plant, Reforming (see link above) will need to change venues for Sunday June 16th. They will now meet at the Bendigo (St John’s) Presbyterian Church Hall in Forest Street. (Still @ 5pm.) Joel Thomas is preaching on Deuteronomy 4 and 5. Come join us!

To make welcome some of the local international students, we’re going to celebrate all things Australian by hosting an ‘Aussie night’ complete with bush dancing, kangaroo (to eat!), pies and damper… and much more…!

When? Saturday night June 15th at our Hall in Forest Street, from 6-9pm. All are welcome!

As part of our regular commitment to prayer as a congregation, we’ll gather together on Saturday June 1st from 2pm (’til about 4:30 or 5pm) to spend time in prayer. You’re welcome to join us in the church foyer as we meet to pray for revival, national and world needs, missions and missionaries as well as local needs (our own church family and ministries).

‘The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is pray. It is not the only thing; but it is the chief thing. The great people of earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer, nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those people who take time to pray.’  (S.D. Gordon)

Update: Sermon available here.

We are pleased to let you know that Conrad Mbewe will be preaching at a public meeting in St John’s Bendigo on Thursday night May 16th at 7:30pm. There’s lots of information about Conrad on the internet (some links follow below), but just in brief, Conrad is the pastor of Kabwata Reformed Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, and is also known as the ‘African Spurgeon’.  All are welcome!! Supper to follow! There will also be an offering.

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/conrad-mbewe-the-african-spurgeon

http://www.conradmbewe.com

http://thecripplegate.com/made-in-zambia-conrad-mbewe/

During these first few weeks of April, we have been and are participating in the Bible League’s ‘Bibles for the Persecuted’ program called ‘Passport with no boundaries’.

Our members are being asked to pray daily for believers in parts of the world where they are either persecuted or tortured or discriminated against or jailed because they belong to Christ, and also put aside $2 per day for the purchase of Bibles for them. It’s a refreshing challenge – particularly when we often think we’ve got it tough in this land!

You can check out the Bible League’s program here and we would encourage you to get your church involved if you haven’t already!