MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR
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Anyone else overwhelmed?
In the face of daily disruptions to our lives and a flurry of information from everywhere about everything it is not surprising that I – and I assume you – feel overwhelmed. There are, of course, ways to cope including monitoring how much social media we consume (I personally find FaceBook totally overwhelming these days and limiting my time on FB has been very helpful), identifying the next thing that needs to be done rather than trying to solve everything all at once, etc.
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As a follower of Jesus, however, I’d like to think that my relationship with God would also be a help! And while spending time in the Word or in prayer is not a magical cure to feeling overwhelmed, we know that the actions of faith are beneficial. The psalms of lament provide us with a model for the actions of faith in the midst of upheaval in a couple of ways. First, they express faith in God in situations where faith in God is difficult. Too often we feel like we cannot name the difficulty or doubt that we have for fear that our relationship with God will be jeopardized. The biblical model is that naming them is itself an act of faith.
Second, they express faith before things get better. One of the things that is noticeably missing in psalms of lament is a report that everything is now fine. There is usually a statement of certainty that God will come through, but no report that he has yet come through. This is where faith lives – in the midst of doubt. It’s like courage and fear. Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting in the presence of fear. Faith is not the absence of doubt, but acting in the presence of doubt. This makes the call to “place your faith in the Lord” do-able. It doesn’t say how much faith, only to place whatever faith you have in his hands.
In the midst of an overwhelming situation let us place what little faith we can muster into the Lord’s hands. The psalms also act as a reminder that when we do so, God comes through. He is, as we were reminded last week, large and in charge. Let us turn towards God and find peace in the midst of all the crazy!
Marc Rader
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SUNDAY 29th March 2020
Marc Rader: Senior Pastor
You Are Here: The Church Unbusy
Services: 8.30am|10.30am|6.00pm
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SUNDAY 5th April 2020
Marc Rader: Senior Pastor
You Are Here: The Church at the Crossroads
Services: 8.30am|10.30am|6.00pm
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Announcements and Upcoming Events
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Please click on the video image below for an update from Marc Rader.
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Recruitment Drive - GBC Cares: Phone Team
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We are recruiting for a new team under GBC Cares to deal with Congregational Care, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown. We are looking for people who are comfortable making phone calls to touch base with members of our congregation. If you are interested please send an expression of interest to GBC Cares by email.
And we'll be in touch.
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Mission Focus & Cambodia Celebration
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Originally we had planned for a focus on mission and a celebration of the conclusion of GBC led trips to Cambodia during services on Sunday 29 March. Due to our current circumstances, we have postponed this and will reschedule in the future.
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Please continue to pray for Gymea and Kirrawee High Schools - students, staff as well as Jarrod & Joanne. Sadly many Primary Schools have stopped Scripture and Kid's Hope mentoring for this Term.
Thank you to those who have donated to the Board recently; it was difficult to cancel our fundraiser on the day before the Concert.
The choir members are older and had the choice in this current situation to withdraw leaving insufficient members to perform. The Chorale will be rescheduled when health restrictions improve.
If you would like to support the work of SBCE by any of the following means:
1) Cheques payable to SBCE posted to 64 Woronora Cres, Como 2226.
2) Credit card gifts via website www.sbce.org.au
3) Deposits can be made at Westpac BSB: 032-059 A/C no. 259-320
(Gifts are tax deductible). Email treasurer for receipt - srford@bigpond.com
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Due to COVID-19 and the increasing restrictions being placed on people and places we are cancelling our monthly Senior Men's Lunches at DRV until further notice.
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The Hopefield Op Shop is closed until further notice.
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The Hopefield Market, scheduled for 18 April, has been POSTPONED for a date later this year.
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