Continuing - Living this side of Easter with Pastor Stephen (freshly back from holidays)
How did you hear about Jesus? The vast majority have had a person share it with them.
Who will we share Jesus with? We don’t need to be afraid, we don’t need to know everything.
Come along to the Life Shared Series - starting this Wednesday at 7.30pm to learn more as we Discover Jesus, Value People and Build Community
Looking at Mark 16:1-8
News That Jesus Has Risen From Death
16 The next day after the Sabbath day, Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James bought some sweet-smelling spices to put on Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on that day, the first day of the week, the women were going to the tomb. It was very early after sunrise. 3 The women said to each other, “There is a large stone covering the entrance of the tomb. Who will move the stone for us?”
4 Then the women looked and saw that the stone was moved. The stone was very large, but it was moved away from the entrance. 5 The women walked into the tomb and saw a young man there wearing a white robe. He was sitting on the right side of the tomb. The women were afraid.
6 But the man said, “Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, the one who was killed on a cross. He has risen from death! He is not here. Look, here is the place they put him when he was dead. 7 Now go and tell his followers. And be sure to tell Peter. Tell them, ‘Jesus is going into Galilee and will be there before you come. You will see him there, as he told you before.’”
8 The women were very afraid and confused. They left the tomb and ran away. They did not tell about what happened, because they were afraid.a]
Mary had a unique experience seeing the empty tomb that she could share to others about Jesus.
- Seek Jesus First
- Don’t let obstacles stop you
- Failure isn’t Final
Where there’s God, there’s a way!
We have Good news to share!
Continuing - Living this side of Easter with Pastor Stephen
THE GREAT COMMISSION
Go and Make Disciples
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:16-20
Session 2 of Life Shared is this week Wednesday 24 May 7.30pm and Sunday 28 May (after BBQ Church)
Everyone's invited - We look forward to seeing you - even if you weren't able to make the first one!
Ashley brought the Word to us this week as we continue the series ‘Living this side of Easter’
Have you ever wondered of the resurrection of Jesus ever happened? Or do you know people who do not believe in the resurrection?
If you do, then you are in good company. For even the disciples at first struggled to believe. John 20:24-29
The evidence does meet the scrutiny of even a detective - join Ashley as he unpacks this in last Sunday's sermon.
- The resurrection is consistent with the teaching and power of Jesus
- The empty tomb speaks of his resurrection.
- The quality and quantity of the appearances show he is alive
- There was no advantage to make up the story of a physical resurrection
- The disciples were willing to suffer and die for this belief.
- The criterion of embarrassment
What is our choice and decision?
Thank you to our music teams for leading us in beautiful worship at the services on Sunday.
There is something very precious about being able to worship God together in one voice and as people of faith gathered together.
It was so good to have our State Minister, Peter Barney share with us at both services yesterday and if you missed the services, please catch it up on YouTube link attached as you don’t want to miss Peter’s message continuing in LIFE AFTER EASTER.
This Sunday night Cam will be baptised here at MCC. Please continue to pray over Cam this week as he prepares for Sunday night and for those who will be present who don’t yet know Jesus that this will be a powerful witness to them.
We are also excited to kick off in May the 3-week ‘Life Shared’ Video Series
We want to equip our church family to love God and love others. Each session will explore what it means to live out God’s call to share our lives and invite people into an honest conversation around the Christian faith. Designed to spark conversation, prayer and action. 7.30pm - 8.30pm - 1 hour over 3 weeks
(mix and match the weeks for ease of availability)
Week 1 Wed 17th May Week 1 Sun 21st May (after Cafe Church)
Week 2 Wed 24th May Week 2 Sun 28th May (after BBQ Church)
Week 3 Wed 31st May Week 3 Sun 4th June (after Cafe Church)
We invite you to connect in with Ruth's sermon from last Sunday based on Living this side of Easter - The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven milesa] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
God Bless,
Church Office Team
There are no ordinary days when we realize that all the power that raised Christ from the grave is at work in us and through us - flowing out to a world in desperate need of a life-changing SAVIOR.
As Aaron shared over communion at the 6pm service, Jesus’ death on the cross was a gift of love and sacrifice that we were freely given, and that all He asks of us is to accept Him into our heart and continue to recommit each day as we trust God in each moment.
Sunday was a very special day at MCC as we heard from Pete B, Adam, Dan, Brooke, Michelle G and had a very special PP presentation put together by Maya & Renae who all shared about doing life with Jesus and what that looks like for them.
We encourage you to watch the service - to Praise, Worship and hear the faith stories of Pete, Adam and K@M.
God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you. Acts 3:26 KJV
God Bless,
Church Office Team
There was a great Expectation.
Then on Friday it became Devastation.
Then on Sunday it became Jubilation!
He is Risen Indeed!
The resurrection is a new beginning.
The hope of eternal life to transform and minister to and in our lives here on earth.
Please connect in with Pastor Stephen's Easter Sunday Sermon and join with us next Sunday in person or online as we connect with one another as we continue on from Easter and what this means to each of us.
Thank you to the teams of people who assisted in the Easter Services from the Music Team, to Communion, to Sound and AV, to Morning Tea and Welcoming. You are appreciated.
Marion Church of Christ Vision Statement
Marion Church of Christ aims to be a loving, generous, healthy community of passionate disciples of Jesus.
Marion Church of Christ Mission Statement
Discovering Jesus, Valuing People and Building Community.
It was our honor and privilege to have a guest, mentor and friend of Pastor Stephen - Dr Yaw Perbi.
Dr Yaw Perbi is a medical doctor by training and a widely known author-publisher, preacher, motivational speaker, and life coach for young people. He was an African pastor of an English-speaking Chinese Church in a French-speaking city in Canada. They make their home between Accra, Ghana and Montreal, Canada.
Dr. Yaw Perbi
Former President, ISMCanada
Catalyst, Lausanne Movement
Author, ‘Africa to the Rest’
International Director, KwiverrTM
Dr Perbi spoke with us about 'Unfinished Business'. The Local Church in Adelaide Faces an Unfinished ‘GloCal’ Task
Don't miss the forest for the trees and miss the big picture.
Paul had unfinished business, called to be a servant and SENT
God had unfinished business—the gospel he promised before hand
WE have unfinished business—received grace and apostleship—salvation and sentness
God is on a THREE-FOLD MISSION
- Himself - God's Glory
- Creation - Blessing
- Evil - Establish Kingdom
How do we participate locally? Every activity depends on prayer. Romans 16:25-27
Connect in with Dr Yaw Perbi's sermon on our Youtube channel. Hear what he is doing, what you can do with the unfinished business of sharing the gospel.
Last Sunday morning, Riley spoke The Word on Making BOLD choices.
As we start the New Year, do we stay still and do things the same way or walk through the door - going all in.
It requires us to step out of our comfort zone - have faith in God.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith, not by sight.
Riley recounts the story of Moses in Exodus. Sunday 8th January 10am Service is available to watch on the Marion Church of Christ YouTube Channel.
We don't know what doors are in front of us that we will walk through this year, but God will protect and guide us. He has a reason and we need to continue to have faith.
Blessings,
Church Office