Church News 

ALL WELCOME – WORSHIP AT ST PAUL

Everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday morning for worship. Worship times are 8:30am for a Traditional Service and 10:00am for a more Contemporary service with Godly Play on offer for primary school aged children. Tea and Coffee and a time of gathering is held most weeks after both worship services. 

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Church season called Lent, a time of the year when we give particular focus to prayer.  Traditionally, this is a day for Christians to remember that we are sinners and that we need a Saviour (Jesus) so that we can be put right with God and ultimately live with him in Heaven for ever.

For centuries, Christians have received ashes on their head in the shape of a cross, as a reminder of mortality and a sign of sorrow for sin. As a part of the rite, people say sorry to God for all the sins (things that are against God or hurt other people) they have committed and ask God for his forgiveness.

There is a church service tonight at 7pm which will include a time of personal confession, the reassurance of God’s forgiveness and the imposition of ashes.  All are welcome.

PLAYGROUP @ ST PAUL 

Playgroup @ St Paul is on each Tuesday during term time in the Hall for children aged 0-5 and a parent/caregiver.  Playgroup runs from 9:00am- 10:30am, but we welcome people anytime from 8:30am onwards to help set up. Join us for a coffee, playtime, story time and songs from 9-10:30am each week during school terms. Cost is $2 per family.  

This week, we celebrated Shrove Tuesday by playing with ‘pancake batter’ (oobleck) in the sensory play space and reading the book ‘Pancakes and Toast, Dragons and Boats’ by Daniel Christos.  We also made the ‘yellow brick road’ out of stickers for a bit of fun.

(As an aside, the name ‘shrove’ comes from the practice of being ‘shriven’ – going to church to confess your sins and receive forgiveness before the start of Lent.)

Next week we will be visiting the ‘beach’ in the sensory play space as we read the book ‘Grug at the Beach’ by Ted Prior.

For more information about anything playgroup related, contact Kylie Koelman in the Church Office on 8262 4690 or email at office@stpaul-church.org.au

ST PAUL YOUTH (SPY)

St Paul Youth for school Years 6-8 and runs the first and the third Friday evening of the school term.  The next date for SPY in 2024 is this Friday, 16 February at 7pm in the Church Hall.  Cost is $2 per family.  The SPY format is a time of fun and games, some devotional conversations and then a shared supper.  Feel free to come along and join with leaders Dan, Tom and Renate to see what SPY has to offer.  If you have any questions in the meantime, contact Dan Kitson on ypfministry@stpaul-church.org.au.

GROWING FAITH AT HOME 

This resource is developed by the Lutheran Church of Australia and is intended to be a guide in sharing faith activities with members of your family.

Here are a few ways you could introduce faith discussions in your home and day-to-day life.

This week the Bible reading is about Jesus starting to tell the people about the Kingdom of God;  the love He has for everyone and the desire for everyone to one day live with him forever in Heaven. Because we get things wrong and don’t love God or other people as we love ourselves, Jesus came to be the way for us to get to Heaven. ‘The kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the good news!’ (Mark 1:15)

Mealtime Prayer: 

For food in a world where many walk in hunger; for faith in a world where many walk in fear; for friends in a world where many walk alone - we give you thanks, O Lord. Amen.

Prayer: 

Lord, please give Lord, we worship you; God, we trust in you. We put our hope in you all day long. Amen.

Blessing: 

(Child’s name) May God help you when you are tempted, and lead you along his good path.  Amen.

LUTHERAN CARE              

Did you know that Lutheran Care maintain a food pantry to help families in need?  This program is called Loaves and Fishes and they require new food donations each month.  For the month of February they are looking for donations of coffee, tea bags, sugar, long-life milk, 2 minute noodles, breakfast cereal and soap. Donations are collected through the church office or can be donated directly to Lutheran Care, 309 Prospect Road.