| To get to our online services, click here. You can always find them by going to our website: www.cranbourneanglican.org.au/online-service. If you’d like to join us for a virtual morning tea (video conferencing) 11am Sunday the 21st of June, click here at 11am Sunday. Meeting ID: 291 757 7519 Password: 444240 |
Dear church family,
This afternoon our premier announced that due to the increase in covid cases that much of the planned easing of restrictions that were scheduled for this Monday will now be deferred until at least July the 12th. Restrictions are tightening for family gatherings (from 10 visitors to 5), and the planned increase from 20 to 50 patrons at cafes and pubs will no longer take place. What you may not have heard is that this also includes churches – the most we can have at any worship service remains at 20 people. This means we will not be opening the doors on a Sunday for some weeks yet.
I know how disappointing this will be for many. It can feel particularly difficult when the idea of getting back to church was so close to being a reality. We all so long for things to get back to ‘normal,’ heading back into tighter restrictions is the last thing we want.
How good it is that God has this too in hand and that though we can’t yet gather on a Sunday we remain His church; one in Christ, unified in His Spirit, and a light and hope for the world. In time, we will be able to gather again, and my prayer is that this will be soon, but I also pray that God will use this time of scattering to strengthen our dependence on Him and to open doors for us to witness all the more to His goodness and grace to those who do not yet know Him, and to be agents of His blessing to those we meet who are struggling.
May God bless you this week!
In Christ,
Sam.
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Despite the restrictions, the birds aren’t the only ones gathering at church. On Wednesday we had our first small in person service for those who find it hard to get online and so miss out on our digital worship service. It was certainly different, with signing in at the door, people spaced 1.5 metres apart and the need to do communion differently, but it all went well, with the systems we’ve put in place to keep people safe and healthy working smoothly. With the extension of the restrictions, this remains an invitation only service with a maximum of 20 people allowed, but if you or someone you know has trouble getting online and you’d like to come, please do get in touch and we can book you in for a 10am Wednesday service that works for you.
Kids Ministry
We’ve included kids talks in the service and some activity sheets to download for the kids which you can download here (so you can print them off early and get set up before time!) or you’ll be able to find these at our online church page on our website every Sunday from 9am.
Galatians: Gospel Matters
We’re jumping into our second week in our Galatians series, looking at Galatians 1:10-2:10. The big question in this passage is – is the gospel just a matter of opinion? Paul tells the Galatians from whence he received the gospel – from God Himself, and so it’s not just another opinion about who God is, but is the authoritative word of the one who reveals Himself graciously to His world.