Saturday, January 22, 2011

Service 9th January 2011

CHRISTIAN ISRAELITE CHURCH SYDNEY
Church: 196 Campbell Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Ph 1300 135 299
Mobile: 0418 688 607 – Internet: www.cichurch.com

Outline of Service 9th January 2011

A New Start
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lam 3:21-23

Hymn 119: Where It Begins!

Praise God for His Love to us – Lamentations 3:21-26

Bible Readings:
Something from Nothing? – 2 Kings 7:1-20
The Promised World to Come – Rev 22:1-8; 22:1-7, 12-14
A New Life Now! – Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17

Hymn 59: When Jesus Returns

• Satan destroys good things God wants to give us
• God’s mercies now are a foretaste of what is to come
• Things will change at Jesus’ Return
• We can start now to be ready for The Big Change

Hymn 6: Start Now – and be prepared!

Doxology

Service 23rd January 2011

CHRISTIAN ISRAELITE CHURCH SYDNEY
Church: 196 Campbell Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Ph 1300 135 299
Mobile: 0418 688 607 – Internet: www.cichurch.com

Outline of Service 23rd January 2011The JourneyHe shall Choose our inheritance for us…Sing praises to God, sing praises.
Psalm 47:4,6

Hymn 21 (Tune 23): God is Waiting to Help

Psalm 47:1-9 – God reigns!

Bible Readings:
What to expect, and what to do – Eccles. 3:1-13, 12:13-14
Examples of the Faithful – Hebrews 11 (summarise while reading)
We are in this together – Rev 21:9-14

Hymn 115: Trials develop Truth

Over the next few months we will consider:
• Is there a Map
• Where Will We End Up
• What is the Best Route to Take
• Any Special Directions
• The Narrow Path

Hymn 90: Let Your Light Shine Bright

Doxology

The Paper January 2011

It Is 2011 - The Past Is History!
There is always a lot of emphasis on having a vision for your future, and making a plan setting out where you want to be. In doing so, people often forget the importance of the past. They say “the past is history”, and they have no interest in history, and do not want to think about it. People say “History is boring!” Yes the past has gone, but the past has also planted a lot of seeds which will continue to grow into the future. As well as being able to learn from the way things happened in the past, it is important to recognise that events of the past can potentially have a big impact on the present, and on the future. The past is History, and History has shaped the present and will continue to influence the future. We should not dwell on events of the past, but be prepared to learn the lessons which these events can teach us. It is a bit like driving a car – we need to keep an eye in the rear vision mirror to assess any potential impact of what is behind us!
The turn of the Year is often seen as an interface between the past and the future – a time at which we contemplate our progress through life. When reviewing the present we need to take into account both the past and the future – remembering that the present is where they meet. We can go back in history to seek to understand why things in the World are like they are, and in our own lives, at a personal level, we can also go back to the past to try to understand the influences that have brought us to where we are. We can learn lessons from the past to help us understand the present and to help best plan for the future. With some people this self-assessment is done consciously, but with others it may happen automatically.
The Good Book recommends that we should adopt a positive attitude in life, and suggests that we should not say “the former days were better than these”. (Ecclesiastes 7:10). We should not dwell in the past, but should always be looking for the positives as we go forward. We do need to be able to accept the past as having provided the stepping stones that got us to where we are, but we should live in the present, and enjoy the benefits as life progresses.
The Bible presents a high level outline of the past – relating historical events that have had an impact on shaping our present World – and also gives a broad outline for the future, ultimately predicting the establishment of a New World order. In between are guidelines for us on how to enjoy life in the present. There is an inward peace in being able to view our own circumstances within the context of this broader Plan. We must live in the present and plan for the future, but don’t forget the past.
Christians believe that there have been key events in history which have had an impact on what is happening now, and on what will happen in the future. Specifically we believe that there was a major event in history some 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ came to this Earth, and was crucified, rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven. We cannot explain why, but we believe that through this event of history, Jesus shedding His blood on the Cross, the whole of creation can be made right with its Creator. The Bible says that “God was in Christ, reconciling the World to Himself”. (2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 19) It might sound strange, and be hard to believe, but the events are well supported by historical evidence. This is one event in history of which we believe all should be aware, and we believe that understanding and accepting it can have a significant impact on our lives today and into the future.
We would like to invite you to attend our Church sometime or alternatively to attend one of the Churches in your local Community, to talk about the impact that these events of the past can have now and into the future. Please see Church Notices for dates and times.
Rodney Gray – Pastor Christian Israelite Church, 196 Campbell Street, Sydney (www.cichurch.com)