St Mark’s Women’s Fellowship, Underdale

We are a very small group, but we are happy to meet monthly and remain affiliated with LWSA-NT. After our meeting, Pastor Welke leads us in Bible study after which we enjoy lunch and a chat. In May and October, we meet with our sisters from Glandore. It is a privilege to take part in the World Day of Prayer annually, this year it will be hosted by the Anglican Church. During winter we will …

People of the Book – by Geraldine Brooks

 “ . . . it’s amazing what you can learn about a book by studying the chemistry of a breadcrumb.” This statement in the opening chapter of this book sets the scene for the story. There are two streams of narrative – present-day from 1996 to 2002 – and historical components reaching back to from 1944 to 1480. Both streams are meticulously researched and intriguing. Australian book conservator, Hanna Heath, receives a commission from Sarajevo …

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Birthing Kits

The following information has been supplied by LCA International Mission for anyone wishing to prepare Birthing kits for use in Papua New Guinea. Please cut out these instructions, or copy them, and put in a safe place so you have a reference, when required, or you can access this information any time by going to lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/birthing-kits/ Birthing kits are used by the village midwives to help them with clean and safe deliveries. They are also used …

In Everything Give Thanks

Reflection on my life and my work has made me realize that every action I have taken has been a building block for the future. I am the eldest of five and grew up on a dairy farm in the Brisbane Valley, Queensland. I went by school bus to the small school at Somerset Dam then on to boarding school in Toowoomba for my high school education. In May 1966, at the age of 16 …

The open bible for devotion

Devotion – May 2020

Read Psalm 139:6–12 Journal Entry  12 November 2019 Jesus, how much longer am I going to feel tepid and unmoved? It makes me shameful when I can’t muster the motivation to wriggle close to you, to lay my head in your lap and sob to You. I’m fearful of the hard heart-work of pruning and probing and growth that will no doubt take place when I finally crawl begrudgingly toward You. I just need a …

The Bible - the word of God

Bible Study – May 2020

Thanksgiving Study 2: Jesus institutes the meal of thanksgiving Opening prayer: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever! Thank you, Lord, that we can be together today studying your Word. Send us your Holy Spirit and guide our meditation and discussion. Give us thankful hearts for all your blessings. In Jesus name, Amen. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 What stands out to you as you read and hear …

On the back cover – April/May 2020

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) We do not suffer alone. Our heavenly Father has seen it all before. He watched his own precious Son carry the awful burden of our guilt, suffer agony, and die a cruel death for the sin of the …

As I see it – On reaching a Certain Age

Recently I decided to explore the aspect of significant women throughout my life who had influenced me in one form or another. My mother of course, but close to the top of the list was my Primary School Headmistress who I believe had significant influence on my future teaching career in both the State and in the Church. Moving to Melbourne to complete my secondary I met up with a number of Jewish students in …

 . . . through Christ who strengthens me!

Recently, our elder daughter, Thalia, got confirmed and, after months of agonising over which Bible text to choose, she settled very firmly on Philippians 4:4–7: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends …

Holy Week at Lifeway

The theme for Holy Week services at LifeWay Church was No Other – exclusive claims from an inclusive God, and, on Maundy Thursday, 23 people gathered at Newcastle to enjoy a simple meal and take part in a reflective service No Other Love. The tables were invitingly set, due to hard work by Pastor Mat and his wife Elise, with beautiful flower arrangements by Ruth Mac Connachie enhancing the experience. The simple meal of mutton …

Disabilities – those we see

My brother, Robert Lindsay Faulks, came into this world at seven months gestation after my mum severely haemorrhaged. It was a long labour, and forceps had to be used, resulting in not only reduced oxygen to the brain, his beautiful head misshapen. The doctor at the delivery (a prominent professor) informed my parents that ‘he’ would not be any good and that they should just forget him and walk away. That was the start of …

Never too Old?

I wondered about that as I planned to embark on Graeme Lienert’s Holy Land Pilgrimage. I was just about 84 years old. With God nothing is impossible. With Graeme’s constant vigilance, my 73-year-old baby sister in tow, and a wonderful group of fellow Christians on tour, I was able to keep up with most of the full and exciting itinerary. Our young driver, Mohammad, endeared himself to all of us as he swung that huge …