WWW.THESENTINELNEWS.COM.AU Clarence Town Presbyterian Church 29 Marshall Street, Clarence Town (Opposite the School). Pastor: Rev Allan D. Welch Service Times: 10am Gathered Worship every Sunday. From the pulpit (and while Easter is still fresh in our minds), we commence our thematic series titled - “Life after Death.” (Part 1 is on Sunday 4th May) This seven-week series covers the topics of: ‘Hope in the Afterlife’; ‘Where do we go when we die’; ‘The Return of Jesus’; ‘Judgement’; ‘Hell’; ‘Heaven’ and ‘Our Resurrected Bodies’. These talks will be presented in a way that is appropriate for those who have never been to church (or have been away for a long time). All those curious are encouraged to come and hear this series on a most fascinating part of the Christian worldview. Morning tea provided each week. Mainly Music (every Wed), SRE (Scripture) at Clarence Town Public School (every Wednesday) and Growth Groups (Tue evenings) are all back in the swing. “And what does the LORD require of you? To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 In Christ, Rev Allan D. Welch 0402 387 690 Christ Church, Dungog Dowling Street, Dungog Service Times: Every Friday 10.30am, Sunday 8.30am Sunday night service: 4th Sunday of every month at 5pm Our garage sale in April was a huge success and extremely busy. Thank you to all who helped with the setting up, running and packing up. Big job. Our markets, on the first Saturday of each month continue to be successful and well patronized. We have our Op Shop, which is open every Friday morning, open that day as well. “Cuppa and chat” is on each Friday morning in our Parish Hall from 9am to 11am. All welcome. Our church service times are 8.30am each Sunday morning and 10.30am most Fridays. Again, you would be most welcome to join us. Saint Pater’s in the Paddock, at Bendolba is on the first Sunday of the month at 5pm with supper to follow, and our Sunday Nite service is on the 4th Sunday of the month at 5pm in our Parish Hall, also with supper to follow. Blessings to all. Margaret Flannery St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 41 Rifle St, Clarence Town Pastor: Rev Andrew Doohan Service Times: Every Sunday 8am We are still St. Patrick’s Church, Clarence Town, but are now part of Saint Francis of Assisi, Parish of Dungog-Gresford. A vote was taken to decide the name change, and we are most happy with our new combined parish name. The Holy Season of Easter, was as always, a wonderful time for us all, giving thanks for the amazing sacrifice made for us on Good Friday, and the celebration of the miraculous Resurrection on Easter morning. Out Lenten discussion group was a great preparation for the Resurrection celebration. God bless all, Marilyn Amos 8 N & S HARPER MOBILE MECHANICAL REPAIRS Proudly servicing Clarence Town and surrounding districts since 1990 with friendly affordable Service Phone Neville and Sue 0438 192 736 We come to you for your convenience. License No. MVRL29983 attempted to speak into and, give where possible a response that (if done wisely) seeks to enrich our lives. Invariably this requires those church representatives who speak into the public square on matters of practically any subject, need to explore the big questions of our generation through the lens of that which is known to us as the very Word of God. This will require an element of thoughtfulness as we look at each problem or contentious issue by analysing what the Word of God tells us in a Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation paradigm. What does Scripture have to say about issue X when we consider all that we know about God’s Creation? What does the fall of humanity mean for issue X and its impacts, what does the redemption we find played out by the coming of Christ say in response to an issue like X, and what will the coming of the new creation mean for issue X? Of course, this method relies on a number of assumptions, namely that we are not merely evolved accidental pond scum, that God exists, he created all things, he has spoken through his prophets, and most recently via his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the Old and New Testaments. But then this is the ‘Parson’s Pen’ after all. The method above can be an incredibly useful and powerful tool when speaking into life’s complexities. Especially in our own eneration, where uniformity of opinion seems to be a more significant endeavour for certain activists than freedom of speech ever was. This sad development has at its core a reluctance to be corrected over anything. A reluctance to listen carefully to another point of view or allowing one’s own preconceived ideas to be freely challenged with intelligent discussion. It seems in many quarters, as a society we have lost (or at least are losing) the art of disagreeing well, a principle that has historically separated civilised society and barbarians. The sad fact is that a society that encourages and majors in merely uniformity of opinion, does so at the peril of truth. Truth no longer has traction in a society where uniformity of opinion reigns supreme, and as a result things like justice, freedom of expression and freedom of speech - die. Author and critic of soviet era Communism, Alexander Solzhenitsyn knew well the effects of uniformity of opinion when taken to its logical conclusion. His book the Gulag Archipelago is chilling in its description of what can happen when freedom and truth is replaced with State enforced uniformity of opinion. Why do I mention these things? Because it was the Lord Jesus himself who claimed to be the truth. “I am the way, the truth and the life” Jesus said. In John 8:31-32 he also said, “If you hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Our society needs to hear these words of our Saviour as much now as in anytime of the past. Courage to be obedient to God’s Word is what it takes, and a resolve the withstand the negative press, loss of privileges or outright persecution that comes our way when we do. Christianity is still changing peoples’ lives, and many are being saved for an eternity of paradise by the grace of God. But all that comes at a cost, as indeed it should. After all, our Lord stayed faithful and obedient to the Father, obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Each time we are criticised or maligned for our opinion based on our Christian faith, in some way we participate in the sufferings of Christ. And while that hurts, we are called to stand firm, knowing it is for the sake of the truth. The Truth that is personified in the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 1:2 In Christ, Rev Allan D Welch Clarence Town Presbyterian Church by themselves and in groups, played guitar, drum and piano, and we also had a dancer. For some it was the first time they had performed in public. We thank them all very much for coming and helping us to raise funds to send to our mission projects later. We all enjoyed a lovely afternoon after the performance. We have our Markets on the 2nd of September and also the 30th of September as that is the October long weekend and we have a Country Music Festival and Sculpture on the Farm on that weekend. We will also be having Markets on the 7th October and 4th November. Our Church Services are Friday 10.30 am at Christ Church and Sunday 8.30 am. Sunday Nite Church at Christ Church is on the 4th Sunday 27th August and 24th September at 5 pm and St Peter’s in the Paddock is on the First Sunday 3rd September and 1st October at 5 pm. Everyone is most welcome to come along. Cuppa N Chat in the hall at 51 Dowling St, Dungog from 9.30 am to 11 am. Op Shop open each Friday 8.30 am to 2 pm and on Market Days 8.30 am to 1 pm. Thanks Margaret Flannery Get Spruced Local painter servicing all Maitland, Clarence Town and Dungog areas * Interior and exterior painting * Water pressure cleaning * Solar panel cleaning Phone Greg - 0404 682 759 Web: www.getspruced.com.au Robyn Keller Religious Marriage Celebrant 02 4996 4061 0400 033 873 robynak@aapt.net.au It is your wedding DRESSMAKER Specializing in Alterations 7 Around the Churches St. John’s, Clarence Town. This report seems to come around very quickly, it seems. We are trying very hard, at the moment, to be able to hold the Glen William Gymkhana on the 4th November. However, we are also having difficulty finding insurance that won’t cost an arm and a leg. If we have to pay a hefty premium, it will make the event unviable. Work in progress. Our Op Shop and Treasure Centre continue to provide a variety of wares for our community, including clothing for all ages and household items. Marg’s specials are certainly worth browsing through for a treasure find. God continues to bless us all here at St. John’s, with our volunteers, readers, intercessors, musicians, cleaners and we give thanks for you all. You are a great blessing to St. John’s. Thank you all so much. We are still waiting on repairs to our beautiful stained glass window of “the Good Samaritan’, which is in need of some glass being replaced, and the window straightened. This will mean that the centre panel of the window will be removed and taken to Sydney, repaired, and then brought back and re-installed. Big job – big cost, but we must continue to maintain to all that has been given into our care. We have been pleased to welcome Rev. Roger Zorab and Rev. Peter Rothnie, who have taken services here recently whilst Rev. Kimbalee is on other duties. Our church hall is available to hire – please contact Barrie Edwards on 4996 4174 for that. Our services are at 10am each Sunday. However, there will not be a service here on Sunday, 29th October. That is the day for our Parish Dinner and there will be a combined service in Dungog on that day at 10am, followed by the lunch. Sue Flannery 4996 5528 St David’s Presbyterian Church Clarence Town. In late August a few of the members of CTPC attended the launch of the highly acclaimed movie ‘Sound of Freedom.’ The movie itself has been the subject of much discussion as it is based on a true story where children are rescued from human traffickers. Sadly (but probably unsurprisingly) certain elements within Hollywood have been highly critical of the movie and attempted to undermine its legitimacy by trying to link it to conspiracy theorist organisations. Much of what the movie depicts is based on actual real-life events – something Hollywood has never really majored in. Gets one thinking though, why would Hollywood want to undermine a movie that shines a light on such a dark issue? Considering the history of some in the movie making business, methinks they dost protest too much perhaps? After some initial delays, CTPC is back on track again with our Church building project. God willing work will commence in the not-too-distant future. But in other exciting news we are holding a Christmas at Claro Pressies event on the 18th of November this year. This will be a fun day in the sun for families to come and enjoy a jumping castle, petting zoo, camel rides, The Pretty Amazing Jono, sing carols along with music provided by Maitland City Brass Band, and hear a talk about the real meaning of Christmas! Further details out soon. From the pulpit, we finished our series on the Song of Songs – what an awesome series that was. It generated heaps of discussion and surprised many at how great God’s good design for our sexual relationships within the covenant of marriage can truly be! We are currently in another series continuing to look closely at John’s gospel, to be followed by a series in Genesis focusing on Joseph – a man after God’s own heart. We continue to pray for our town, our leaders, country, and world, both in private and when we meet together and, all the more as we see the great Day of our Lord Jesus approaching. “And what does the LORD require of you? To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 In Christ, Rev Allan D. Welch 0402 387 690 Need a Venue for a party, wedding or function ? Why not hire the Hall? The Clarence Town School of Arts Hall in Grey Street has everything right in the heart of town. If you want to have your function at home, why not hire tables, chairs and anything else we can help you with. Phone Michael: 0420 757 656 Phone: Robyn Barco 0412 673 386
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