LECTIONARY READINGS FOR MARCH

• March  5 Gen. 12:1-4a. Ps. 121. Rom. 4:1-5, 13-17. John 3: 1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9

• March 12 Exodus 17:1-7. Ps. 95. Romans 5:1-11. John 4:5-42

• March 19 1 Sam. 16:1-13. Ps. 23. Ephesians 5:8 -14. John 9:1-41

• March 26 Ezekiel 37:1-14. Ps. 130. Romans 8:6-11. John 11:1-45

PRAYER

God of Jesus, our Holy Friend, by your grace please change us as we worship you. May the words we speak and sing, and the Bible words to which we listen, bite deeply. Let them penetrate into the deep reaches of thought and feeling, and there colonise the essence of our being. May we all be changed and resourced in ways we may not understand yet which will overflow into the lives of those around us Through Christ Jesus our Redeemer,

Amen!

CHURCH SERVICES

• March  5 at 9.30 am Jane Fry will be leading our service.
• March 12 at 9.30 am Alan Harper will be leading our service.
• March 19 at 9.30 am Margaret Johnston will be leading our service.
• March 26 at 9.30 am Richie Dulin will be leading our service.

ELDERS  MEETING

The next Elders’ meeting will be held on Tuesday 14th March at 7.30 pm at the home of Carolyn and Colin Baker. We will be looking at our roll. Please bring your copy to the meeting. If there are any issues that any member of the Congregation would like discussed please let Elaine know prior to the meeting.

BIBLE STUDIES

We are conducting four Bible studies during Lent following “Discipleship for all Seasons” by Christopher C. Walker. These will be on Wednesdays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29. The morning session will be start at 10.00 am to end at 11.30 am in the Parkview Room at Alan Walker village. The evening study will be at 7.30 pm via ZOOM. If you haven’t signed up but would like to, see Margaret.

NURTURE GROUP

On Thurs. 9th March at 11.00 am Nurture Group will meet at Kaye and Terry's. We will begin with a shared meal. After the meal, we will have the opportunity to get to know Barbara Shaprham a little better as she shares her “story” with us.

All welcome. If you want further information, see Lyn, Malcolm or Elaine for further details

And on Thurs. 23rd March at 11.00 am, we will be meeting at Joan and Alan's. For our next Long Lunch. Remember your “Salad Days” as we share our lunch. Bring along your favourite salad to share. All welcome.

OTIS O'RILEY

At the last council meeting after consultation width many of our congregation it has been decided that we continue to support the family of Otis O'Riley by having a collection every two months to be taken up on Communion Sunday (first Sunday of the month).

ALAN WALKER VILLAGE AFTERNOON TEA

Marsden Road Congregation will be hosting an Afternoon Tea for the residents of Alan Walker Village in the Auditorium at the Village on Friday 24th March at 2.00 pm till 3 30 pm. Our entertainment will be by Heather Moen Boyd playing the piano. Help with catering would be appreciated.

EQUINOX OUTING

The next EQUINOX OUTING will be to Kurrajong on Monday 20th March. For further details see Malcolm Colless.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AID

What a wonderful response to our last request! The crate was full to overflowing. Donations are welcome any time of course but maybe we could make the first Sunday of the month a time to make a special effort. Remember one grocery item from each family would make a big difference.

PANCAKE MORNING TEA

After church. April 16th. Don’t miss it

THE MESSIAH

Good Friday 7 April 2023 - 3.00 pm. Epping Baptist Church, Corner Ray & Carlingford Rds, Epping. Featuring the Good Friday Combined Choir including singers from our own congregation.

Adults/Seniors: $20 Pensioners: $15 Children under 18: Free

Proceeds to BaptistCare Hope Street. Bringing hope to the marginalised in inner Sydney. goodfridaymessiah@gmail.com

FROM PARRAMATTA MISSION

"Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters over the past twelve months, Meals Plus has provided 46,060 meals, 36,890 coffees, 7,655 food parcels, 1477 home deliveries, 2154 essentials aid, 503 showers and 417 loads of laundry."

WEST EPPING UNITING CHURCH

Friday Discovery 10 am - 11.30 am Friday 17th March. All Welcome - Come with your Memories of Foods we ate when we were young.What foods do we eat now, that we didn't eat as children?Do you have a favourite recipe to share with us? Maybe you would like to cook something and we can taste it! Joan Ross 9873 3713.

MINDFUL CHRISTIANITY

I asked a wise man, “Tell me sir, in which field could I make a great career?” He said with a smile, “be a good human being. There is a lot of opportunity in this area and very little competition.”

ISAIAH 58:6

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.