REFLECTION: James 5:12-20 “Living as God’s People”
We have been reading through selections from James for the last 4 weeks. Today, in Chapter 5, James concludes his letter with various exhortations on how we should live out our faith as God’s people. Right throughout his letter his emphasis has been on living out our faith in actions and deeds, not just in theory and theology. Our faith needs to be real.
You may recall what he said in chapter 1:22 “be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves”, and as he said then in 2:17 “faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” We should be a people that is true to our word and to God’s word. We should stand with each in difficulties and rejoice with each other in our blessings. We should pray for each other, because prayer is powerful. Here is an outline of today’s message.
1. Be true to your word (12)
a. Do not swear an oath by heaven or by earth
b. Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no
2. Stand with each other (13)
a. When they are suffering (13)
b. When they are cheerful (13)
3. Care for the sick amongst you (14)
a. Call for the elders (14)
b. Pray over them
c. Anoint them with oil
4. Pray for each other
a. Confess your sins to one another (15-16)
b. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (16)
c. Bring back the wanderer (19-20)
To Think About:
Which of these various exhortations spoke to me today?
What will I do about it?
HYMNS
TIS 152 Joyful, joyful, we adore you
O how good it is
TIS 650 Servant Song
TIS 590 What a friend we have in Jesus
WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROWTH GROUP The Wednesday night growth group has just started a new series of studies going through the book of Colossians. Jane is leading the study. Come along for a great time of fellowship and learning together from God’s word. Starts 7:30pm in the Supper Room and finishes at 9pm. All are welcome.
SO IT BEGINS…. As I write this, demolition of the Parish Centre is supposedly about to begin. This will produce some inconvenience. The rear carpark will still be open for this Sunday, but after that it will be closed to parking and will become a construction zone. Demolition will begin this week (God willing). The side entrance to the church will still be open this Sunday and after that closed off. A temporary ramp will be installed at the main entrance to the church this week to give access to people with mobility issues. Shortly the plumbing and carpark work will also be completed. Unfortunately, there will be a few days where parking and accessibility may be difficult but we are doing our best to minimise disruption.
ARE YOU NEW TO ST JAMES? If so, we would love to get to know you more and we invite you to share with us in a lunch for newcomers on Sunday 13th of October. WEDNESDAY SERVICE The Wednesday service will be on this week unless otherwise advised. There will be work going on outside and some disruption but we will do all we can to have a service as best we can. If it is too difficult or noisy in the church, we will meet in the Hall.
SPRING SPECIALS Join us today for a delicious bowl of Honey Chicken and Fried Rice after the 10am church service. Only $5 to get your tastebuds excited! Our Winter Warmer soup and roll drive made approx. $770 thanks to all your support and generosity! All proceeds go to the building fund.
SYNOD The Melbourne Diocesan Synod is on from Oct 9th to 12th. Synod Representatives, please read your emails. Parishioners, please pray for our Synod and especially for the Archbishop Nominations board as they begin to seek for a new Archbishop for next year.
LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 5th October – Oyem & Rob
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 6th Oct: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Job 1:1, 2.1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews1:1-4, 2.5-12; Mark 10:2-16
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: St Paul's Kew East; The Diocese of Riverina; Archdeaconry of Stonington; St George’s Malvern–Pastoral service; Christ Church Essendon–Pastoral service; Berwick Anglican Church – Pastoral service; The Church of Pakistan; Philip and all our Bishops in their ministry this week.
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Anthony, Nisha, Mike, Cecil, Ruth, Eva, Charles, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Sylvia, Fay, Natasha, Betty, Rosalind, Patty, Melenny, Shereen, Lorraine, Rebecca, Ken, Jim, Kanthi, Monty & Amy
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