Sunday 23rd November 2014 AD
Worship
Services In Perth
TODAY 9.30 Am Pastor Reinier Noppers “The Ends of the Earth: Approved!”
Readings: Galatians 2: 1 – 21. Text: Acts 11: 1 - 18
5.30 Pm Pastor Geoff van Schie
NEXT SUNDAY 9.30 Am Pastor Reinier Noppers
The Spirit of Christmas Celebrations
WELCOME
A warm welcome to all of you who have come to the services today, and a special welcome to visitors. May the Lord bless each of us as we worship together: that His Name may be glorified and we encouraged and strengthened in faith
Meditation
Be Not Downcast O My Soul
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” 1 Pet 5:7;
One of the most comforting things we can read in Scripture is that the Almighty, sovereign God, who created the universe and all that is in it, cares for us, His children in Christ. That truth is not something that is to be frowned at for it is a joy to behold that God cares for us.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that those whose demeanor is always one of despondency and concern about their own welfare or the welfare of a loved one, dishonour the Lord.
The amazing thing is that we don’t need to be continually downcast. We don’t need to always have a ‘sad’ face. We don’t need to go about as though we are carrying the burdens of the world. For not only are we too weak for that, we have someone who is Almighty and who has promised to care for us, in life as well as death.
Surely there isn’t anything so sweet as to know our lives are safe in the Lord’s eternal hands. What a great comfort to know our concerns are known by Him before we even ask for His help. How peaceful it is for our spirits to rest in the knowledge that His will is to save sinners and to bring them to Christ and safely to glory.
Are you going through a period of suffering? Be patient, for God knows you and hasn’t passed you over in His care for you. Do not forget in those moments that He feeds the sparrows and He will surely provide you with what you need, both for body and soul. Are you concerned about your increased frailty? Remember, he knows how we are made and He knows our struggles. Do not forget He has promised to never leave you and will be with you until you will be with Him in glory!
Oh Christian what a great comfort for all those who know Him in Christ. Oh what a great joy to know that our sins are forgiven because of His dying love to us. Oh what a great blessing to know there isn’t anything that can separate us from His love. Oh what a privilege as His children to know that his eyes are fixed upon us and that His face is turned towards us and He desires to bless us and provide for us, both now and for eternity.
‘So be not downcast O my soul. Do not be so disturbed within me. Rather, put your hope in God and praise Him for He is your Saviour and your God’ (Psa 42:5,11 emphasis added
Rev John Zuidema, CRC of Dee Why
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The Spirit of Christmas celebrations are almost upon us, as they will be held next Sunday afternoon, 30th November. We will be placed at the end of Canterbury Terrace, corner Albany Highway, (Map on the table at the back of the church) and will have access to two trestle tables for our use. We will start setting up around 2 p.m. Parking will be available on Canterbury Terrace but it is first in!
This coming Wednesday we would appreciate some help at the church to pack the bags, starting at 9:30 am. If you are able to come that would be much appreciated. On the day we will be handing out the bags, doing some face painting, a small children’s craft, and of course talking to people as they come through. Any amount of time you are able to give on the day would also be very much appreciated. Do keep this event in your prayers that God would open hearts and give the opportunity to speak of the wonderful love of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Again, there will be no evening service in our church next Sunday.
The end of year exodus begins as Evan, Rebecca and Esmeralda head off to Tassie for a couple weeks holiday with family. We wish you the Lord’s blessing and pray for a safe return.
Sometimes it feels as if we have the same prayer points each week, but it is good to be reminded that those of us who struggle daily with illness, age and other burdens need our prayers consistently and regularly. It is also a good reminder that our God is faithful, hears our prayers and continues to provide as we need: also for Arie and Mary van der Linden, John and Riet Kik, Yvonne Herft, Dini Stroop and others.
Session meets this Tuesday evening at the home of Reinier Noppers: starting at 7:30 pm. Please seek God’s guidance and wisdom for our leaders as we continue to look to the future and where God would lead us.
Session also places before the congregation the following two brothers to be considered to serve as elders within this congregation: Bardi Bester and Willem de Jager. If there are no lawful objections the voting will take place next Sunday 30th November after the morning service. As we are looking for two elders voting will be on a yes/no basis and a minimum required yes vote of 66%. If you are unable to be there on the day please ask Arnold for an absentee vote.
Final call: the appeal for Bibles for the Persecuted Church has concluded, so if you have not yet done so, please put your boxes with donations in the bag under the table at the back of the church.
Pastor Reinier.
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Financial Church Update
Weekly income required as per budget:
$2,801.00
To date required 20 weeks: $56,020.00
Income received to date: $48,019.45
Budget shortfall as of today: $8,000.55
BoM
Henry Alberts Wednesday 26th Nov.
Luke Ossevoort Thursday 27th Nov.
You’re indeed a year older but also a year wiser. May the blessings of our God enrich you from within
We hope that this new year will be filled with the Grace of God as well as peace, happiness and love.
Announcements
· Session will meet the Lord willing on Tuesday commencing 7.30 Pm at the Noppers abode.
· Wilson Fellowship meets again DV this coming Wednesday 7.30 Pm at Family Oostryck’s place. We will be studying lesson 6 Book of John. Please read John chapter 6 : 1 – 71. All welcome.
· Cadets will meet this coming Friday 7 Pm at the Gosnells church. Supper: Nieuwkerk
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Ladies Aid RTC
I will be sending the proceeds from the envelopes after next Sunday 30th November. It is much appreciated if I could have any outstanding by then please.
Hetty Zoethout.
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Dear Congregation,
The Prison Fellowship Angel Tree will be operating again this year. Please select a child’s name from the angel tree, purchase a gift and deliver it in person to the named child, no later than the 19th December.
Thank you for your participation.
The Deacons.
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NEWS FROM OTHER CHURCHES
GOSNELLS:
· Henk de Jonge’s foot operation has gone well and he is healing at home.
· Corrie Hemelaar and Christina van Dam have both been able to return home with treatment gone well.
WILLETTON:
· Today Seth Byl will receive the seal and sign of Baptism.
· Naomi de Ridder and Josiah Kappert will profess their Faith next Sunday morning
Please uphold our dear brothers and sisters in prayer, many for healing and others for safe travel
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PRAYER POINTS for November
1. GOSPEL staff, believers and some 2000 villagers from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan mission fields are most appreciative that there were seven medical camps in seven different villages where there are no doctors available. It was a huge witness to Christ.
2. 3 missionaries were provided with motor bikes to travel to do their ministry work. Since they need to travel long distances to remote villages, they are very glad for this provision that will enhance the spread of the Gospel.
3. There will be training for and about eldership in Madhya Pradesh and Central Gujarat mission field in the month of November. Pray that the church government principles and eldership training will enrich the churches.
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Classis WA – Short Minutes
15.11.2014
Classis met at Gateway Community Church. Dave Groenenboom opened the meeting at 8:35am with a reading from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 in which he reminded us of the wonderful privilege that we have to be ambassadors of Christ.
Each of the churches then reported on their praise points and struggles for 2014 and on how they have gone achieving their goals for the year. Some of the highlights of the reports were;
· Grace CRC shared that it was their 10 year anniversary and gave thanks for God’s many blessings over that time. They also gave thanks that the Kalgoorlie Church plant is steadily continuing to grow, but asked that we remember Pastor Jaco Classen as he balances his chaplaincy work and pastoral work.
· Wilson church plant reported that God has answered their prayer for a larger meeting area for worship services next year, and they gave thanks for the continued good relationship they are developing with Rehoboth College.
· Perth CRC gave thanks for the new outreach ‘bread run’ ministry that has begun this year and asked for prayer for their involvement in the upcoming Vic Park Christmas celebrations. They also shared some of their struggles with knowing how best to move forward as a church in the light of financial pressures and declining numbers.
· Forrestdale church plant gave thanks that they have recently been able to appoint a church council but asked for prayer that God will guide them forward as they consider long term leadership.
· Gosnells CRC gave thanks that they’ve been seeing visitors coming along and that their small group restructure has generally gone well. They informed classis that the long-term relationship with Pastor John de Jonge was being reviewed and that the congregation had been informed about this process. Classis urged Gosnells council to seek the wisdom of classical visitors as they work through this issue.
· Peter Abetz reported as our representative for the Heads of Churches. He reminded churches of the need to keep their child safety processes up to date. He also alerted the churches amongst local councils making it increasingly difficult to build churches in suburban areas.
· Classis was addressed by Marjan van Dam to raise the profile of the GEMS and Cadets ministry. Marjan stressed the blessing that these ministries have been over many years and urged those churches that have the clubs to support them, and those churches that don't, to consider starting clubs of their own.
· A report from Manoah was discussed. Classis discussed the possibility of partnering with Manoah in the pastoral care of residents, both members and non-members of our churches, but will wait for more information from Manoah about the scope of the needs before making any decisions.
· The role of the Committee for Social Responsibility was discussed. Due to the changes in information technology Classis recommended a more simplified role for the committee in the future, mainly in filtering and disseminating information and action points to the churches.
· Classis delegates to represent Classis WA at Synod 2015 were voted for. The delegates will be as follows;
Pastor delegates: Primary delegates – David Groenenboom and Ben Murphy
Alternate delegates– Reinier Noppers and Craig van Echten
Elder delegates. Primary delegates – Jeremy van Howelingen and Brett Bylsma
Alternate delegates– Mark McMahon and Frank van den Bos
· Classis then appointed David Groenenboom as Classis chairman and Craig van Echten as vice-chairman for 2015.
· During question time Ben Murphy recommended a pro-life ministry called Emily’s Voice to the churches and encouraged Classis to consider supporting it in the future.
The meeting closed with prayer at 12:15pm
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Today or next Sunday you will receive our 10th Catalogue that informs and challenges.
Please uphold all our international ministries in prayer. To God be the glory.
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Intolerance of the Red Cross
In the UK, the Red Cross has dismissed a volunteer for expressing his view against same-sex marriage. Bryan Barkley, 71, was protesting the UK’s legal redefinition of marriage outside his local cathedral by holding a placard with the words “no same sex marriage”.
Barkley had volunteered with the Red Cross for nearly 20 years, but the Red Cross stated that it has to “consider the compatibility of people’s publicly expressed views with the [organisation’s] fundamental principles.”
Barkley, a civil engineer, said that freedom of expression is being stifled in the UK.
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, a bakery is being threatened with legal action on the grounds it discriminated against a customer by refusing to decorate a cake with the slogan “Support Gay Marriage”.
Ashers Baking Co is being pursued by the taxpayer-funded Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, which claims the bakery is guilty of “unlawful religious, political and sexual orientation discrimination”. The Commission demanded the family-run company pay compensation to the customer or face legal action.
The bakery’s manager, Daniel McArthur, said the family will refuse to cave in to the Equality Commission’s demands.
Daniel Simon
ACL Website 20/11/14
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