Lord Teach us to Pray
Prayer is a challenge for all of us, but in our current circumstances, we need more than ever to turn our focus to God, who is our strength, and our hope.
As our lives are turned upside down, and our hearts and minds churn with the consequences of COVID-19, perhaps a solid and reassuring starting place for our prayer is to begin with what we do know and can do.
Jesus’ response to the disciples’ cry, “Lord, teach us to pray” was to give them the words and model of the Lord’s Prayer.
So, take a moment. Take a calming breath. And pray what you know.
Pray the familiar words alone or together with others in your home. Pray it over the phone as you connect with wider family and friends. Recite it, read it out, write it down, and reflect on its meaning. It is meaningful, not meaningless. So say what you mean and mean what you pray!
Then try another step, expanding with specific concerns. For example, add your personal petitions after each phrase. Or try modelling your own words on Jesus’ pattern as we see Eugene Petersen has done here in The Message:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The Lord’s Prayer “can be like a Christmas tree, on which we hang our own “decorations”, our own prayers.
Or it can be like a map: The directions are there, but we must take the trouble to travel, to pray them. (Peter Kreeft, Fundamentals of Faith. Ignatius Press 1988)
Blessings, Karen
To help coordinate our Christmas Eve services we are asking for an indication from families as to whether their Children would like to be involved in the Christmas Eve Nativity presentations.
In particular we would like to know of any Children keen to have an active role/speaking part, this may involve 3-4 practices prior to the night.
There will also be an opportunity for Children on the night to join in and be a part of the presentations.
Could families please indicate likely participation by following the link on the button below by Sunday 23rd November:
Christmas Eve Nativity Participation form
UPDATE FROM THE SBLC CALL COMMITTEE
Our Vision Statement said that the pastor is called to work with us to build upon the collaborative work we are achieving.
- To work as Lead pastor in a two pastor setting.
- Able to work in a Ministry team.
- Be a trainer, mentor to equip all ages across all areas of the Church’s ministry.
- Be enthusiastic to provide a wide range of worship styles.
- Be comfortable and supportive of our Vision Statement.
The List of Pastors Available for Call is being made available with this week’s newsletter.
Any member can suggest names from the list to be considered by the Call Committee.
These suggestions can be submitted verbally, or in writing to your call committee representative or to Katrina Neldner (kneldner@bigpond.com).
These need to be submitted by Monday, November 24th.
When submitting names, it will be of great assistance to the Call Committee if you could indicate which of the above items apply to the pastor.
To download a copy of the List of Pastors click on the button below. A printed copy of the List of Pastors is available from The Hub or Lyndoch and Langmeil Churches.
PASTORS AVAILABLE TO CALL
Kind Regards SBLC Call Committee – Michael Heinrich, Wendy Liebelt, Dennis Canute, Paul Schubert, Katrina Neldner & Phil Hiscock
SBLC Sunday 16th November Worship Services
Bethany: 10:30am No Service - Joint service with Tabor
Grace St Paul’s: 9am All Saints Service HC Pastor Gus Schutz
Langmeil: 8:45am HC & 10:30am HC Pastor Brian Schwarz
Lyndoch: 9am Lay Worship
Schoenborn: 10:30am All Saints Service HC Pastor Gus Schutz
Tabor: 9am HC Pastor Ken Pfitzner. All Saints Joint Memorial Service & GP
Bible Readings Click here to download this Sunday’s readings
First Reading:
a) Isaiah 65:17-25 God’s glorious new creation
b) Malachi 4:1,2a The day of the Lord
Psalm:
a) Isaiah 12 - a) Isaiah 12 Antiphon: Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid (, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation) (Isa 12:2)
b) Psalm 98 - b) Psalm 98 Antiphon: All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God (Ps 98:3b)
Second Reading:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 The obligation to work
Gospel:
Luke 21:5-19 Signs of the end of the age
