Renewed Rebuilding
Dear Friends and Families,
The joy of rebuilding!
‘When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the LORD with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.’ [Ezra 3:10-11].
Last Wednesday in Week 5 was a pivotal day in our school (and civil) calendar, for it marked the return of ALL grades back to school for permanent face-to-face learning. No more Teams calls!
It was such a sensory delight to both see and hear happy faces across the campuses, with playgrounds, walkways, classrooms, and car parks full again.
It reminded me of the historical events mentioned above in our Bible reading, when God’s people – Israel – came back from exile in Babylon after 70 years (see my article in the last newsletter about this event). The religious leader Ezra recorded the events of the day when a new foundation for God’s Temple was finally laid: the people rejoice with boisterous words of praise. Why? Because they have now been restored and reinvigorated.
In a similar way, there has been a tangible sense of renewed energy at our school, as we look forward to a fulsome second half of Term 4, loaded with various excursions, camps, performances and learning experiences.
The great joy, of course (especially from my perspective!), is the delightful anticipation of Christmas at the end of the year, when we celebrate the ultimate form of renewal, in the person of God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the one who promises to bring us “life to the full”. [John 10:10].
May we all indeed lift our voices in praise of this gloriously enduring truth.
If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then please contact me at: [email protected]
I also encourage you to pray the Advent prayer below.
If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches listed below lead regular Sunday gatherings.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (normally meets at 10:30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar – 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Locum: Reverend Sheela Pandhare
Mobile: 0451 973 733 / 03 9308 2452
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
https://www.facebook.com/humeparishcraigieburn/
Redemption Anglican Church (normally meets at 4.00pm on Sundays at the Hume Tennis and Community Centre - 225 Marathon Blvd, Craigieburn)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: [email protected]
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au/online
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
Advent prayer for the week
Merciful God,
who sent your messenger John the Baptist
to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
give us grace to heed his warning and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of our Redeemer,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Song – O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Sovereign Grace)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JpvW9FU_Rg