As we come to the end of July 2025, I’m delighted to share with you some encouraging updates and important news from across the life of our church.
We give thanks for the successful launch of Rising Voices – a new children’s choir ministry – last Saturday. Fourteen children attended the inaugural session, and we’re thrilled to report that even more have signed up since, bringing our total to approximately twenty. Special thanks go to Maria and Guan for launching and leading this promising initiative. I won’t give away too much – but keep your eyes (and ears!) open for a special performance toward the end of the year.
Our recent Corporate Prayer Gathering on July 26th was inspiring, with 13 attendees and 5 apologies. The theme, “Society: Repentance Leading to Revival of Faith,” was anchored by 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” During our time together, we focused on four key areas: repentance for our nation, revival in the church, youth and the next Generation, and revival in our town. I encourage you to read the attached prayer program – you may find inspiration and encouragement from it.
Please join us for our next Corporate Prayer Gathering on August 23rd, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the church. Our theme will be “Praying for Local Government, Law Enforcement, and First Responders.” Everyone is welcome!
Beginning this August, Holy Communion at the 10:30 AM Service will be celebrated on the first and third Sundays of each month. This change reflects our desire to follow the pattern of the early Church, which celebrated the Lord’s Supper every Lord’s Day. We pray that this will enrich our worship and deepen our remembrance and appreciation of our Lord’s saving sacrifice.
Please keep Samantha Swafford in your prayers as she prepares to welcome her baby in the coming weeks. Our Sunday school ministry will continue during her maternity leave, thanks to our dedicated and hard working teachers and helpers.
Our recent two-week fundraising appeal, which supported a church family facing illness and financial hardship, yielded a generous result. This tangible demonstration of Christian love has significantly assisted the family. For those who may have missed last Sunday’s service, I’m sharing the “Heartfelt Thank You” from Vestry:
“Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to our recent appeal in support of a family facing illness and financial hardship. While the family remains anonymous and the total amount collected will not be published, please know that your gifts have made a real and meaningful difference. The funds raised will be a significant help, and the family is deeply grateful for the love and support shown by our church community.”
It was joy a visit Jackie Hall’s Home Group recently, where I shared a talk titled “The Christian’s Assurance.” We explored the peace-giving promise that true children of God are secure in his love:
“[You] shall never perish; no one will snatch [you] out of my hand.” – John 10:28
“… Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:35–39
I look forward to sharing this message with other Home Groups as well, including Rev Pam Holdgate’s group on August 12th.
It’s encouraging to note that our two new Home Groups – one for Young Adults led by Ellen Anderson and the Filipino Group I currently lead – are doing well.
Steve and Lindy Scaife, our new Home Groups Coordinator, will host a Home Groups Leaders Meeting and fellowship this Sunday, August 3rd, in the afternoon. Please keep this gathering in your prayers for a Spirit-led time of fellowship.
Last Sunday’s 10.30 AM congregation’s Luncheon Fellowship was a joyful occasion of community and connection, with a special time of prayer and blessing for Samantha. Thanks to all who helped organise the event!
Please note: there will be no monthly luncheon for the 10.30 AM Congregation in August, as our focus will be on our Foundation Sunday on August 17th – a very special service and celebration for the whole church family.
Each year at St Christopher’s, we take time to remember and rejoice in God’s faithfulness to our church. Our church birthday is a joyful opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness and look ahead with faith and hope. This year, we are delighted to be celebrating the 116th birthday of our church on Sunday, August 17th. Our theme for this special day is drawn from 1 Corinthians 12:12: “One Body, Many Parts – Celebrating God’s Faithfulness through the Generations.” We will begin with a Combined Worship Service with Holy Communion in the church, where we will gather as one family in Christ to worship in unity, give thanks for our past, rejoice in our present, and commit our future to the Lord. Following the service, we will move into the Hall for a joyful time of food, fellowship, and cultural celebration – a chance to enjoy one another’s company, honour our heritage, and celebrate the rich multicultural life of our church. I warmly invite you to bring a dish that reflects your cultural background – a taste of your heritage to share with the church family! We are also calling for cultural and creative performances – whether it’s a song, dance, poem, solo, or group presentation, all are welcome to share their gifts as part of the celebration. If you or your group would like to contribute, please let me know by Sunday, August 10th. Lastly, please sign the clipboard at the back of the church to let us know you’re attending – and indicate whether you’ll be bringing a dish to share. Let’s make this a joyful celebration of God’s goodness to our church through the years!
The Messy Church Team is currently preparing for our next Messy Church Gathering, which will be held on Sunday September 21st, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall. The theme for this gathering is “I Am the Good Shepherd.” Please help spread the word, and join us in praying for a joyful, blessed event and good health for all our volunteers.
Let us also uphold the Market Morning Team in prayer as they prepare for this special event, scheduled for November 15th. Please pray for good health, wisdom, and provision for all the volunteers and helpers – especially for the convenor, Vivienne Peters.
Donna Wahrlich is looking for some help on Wednesday mornings to set up and pack down equipment for the Stretch and Breathe class. Please prayerfully consider whether you might be available to assist. If you’re able to help or would like more information, kindly speak with Donna.
Two members of our church, Stan and Moira Paul, will be inducted into the Order of St Luke (a healing ministry) during a special service on Thursday August 7th at 1.30 PM in our church. Your presence and support will be greatly appreciated.
I’d like to share two important decisions made by Vestry at our meeting last week. First, Vestry has approved the replacement of the existing doors between the hall and the foyer with new glass doors. A quote has been accepted, and we can expect the installation to proceed in due course. Secondly, Vestry has adopted an official statement outlining our church’s position on human sexuality. Titled A Biblical Statement on Human Sexuality, this teaching and pastoral document is supported by our Bishop and expresses our church’s commitment to biblical faithfulness and pastoral care in a time of cultural confusion and moral challenge. This statement will serve the life of our church in the following ways:
As a teaching document – providing a clear summary of what the Bible teaches about sexuality, marriage and holiness.
As a pastoral reference point – offering a shared foundation for speaking truthfully and lovingly when questions arise around sexual ethics, marriage, or identity.
As a framework for public witness – helping us articulate and stand by our biblical convictions with grace and humility in a changing cultural landscape.
As a resource for everyday discipleship – equipping members to explain and live out their faith in workplaces, schools and relationships.
As a basis for leadership and ministry unity – ensuring that the vicar, vestry, lay leaders and ministry teams maintain a consistent biblical approach, thereby strengthening and deepening our care for others.
I pray that this statement will guide us to walk together in truth, grace and faithfulness.
Last Sunday, I preached from Acts 4:1–31, with a sermon titled “We Cannot Keep Silent.” The title comes from the words of Peter in verses 19–20, which are the heart of the passage: “But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” I concluded the sermon with this prayer:
“Gracious and Sovereign Lord, we thank you for the bold witness of the apostles and the power of your Spirit at work in them. Fill us now with that same Spirit – that we may speak your Word with courage, live with integrity, and shine the light of Christ in a world that so desperately needs Him.
“Strengthen us to obey you above all else, and help us to be faithful witnesses to the hope we have in Jesus. In His strong and saving name we pray. Amen.”
This Sunday, we look forward to Rev Bob Barnes’s message, as he continues our series in Acts. He’ll be preaching on the theme “You Will Know Them by Their Fruits,” from Acts 4:32–5:11, with the Gospel reading from Matthew 7:15–20.
Let us come with expectant hearts to our worship gatherings this Sunday. Please also plan to join us for morning tea between the two services – a great opportunity for fellowship. May our time together be well attended, Spirit-filled and full of joy.
