Bethlehem News

A couple of weeks ago, our Sunday Service was especially notable for two reasons. Firstly, we were joined in worship by our School's Year 6 class.  The students sang a particularly catchy version of "This Little Light of Mine" and memorably raised (though the sheer power of song) a window blind to bring in the sunshine; they also gave the Bible reading and led us in prayer.  In addition, the students helped out Pastor Mike with his sermon on the workers in the vineyard, to their (and our) amusement! Towards the end of the Service, Rebecca Gunia was introduced to the Congregation and installed in her work as our School's new Deputy Principal.  Bec comes to Wagga Wagga from Western Australia, so she's a long way from home. Please pray for her as she settles into the School and her new home here.

Easter is nearly upon us so with the rush of services coming up, here's a reminder of dates and times... Palm Sunday (13 April) 9.00am With Holy Communion No Sunday School Maundy Thursday  (17 April) 7.30pm Tenebrae Service with Holy Communion Good Friday (18 April) 9.00am With Holy Communion Easter Sunday (20 April) 9.00am With Holy Communion Everyone is welcome to join us for one or all of these services. And don't forget that the following Sunday (27 April) will be our first 9.30am service.  Sunday School will also be resuming on the 27th.

Thanks to everyone at Bethlehem for your warm welcome - we feel that we are settling in well to our new community and very much enjoyed the Installation Service and lunch that followed. Thanks Jill K for your newsy report and pictures (although I am not sure the alb is very flattering!) This last Sunday I was pleased to lead the service at Bethlehem for the first time and reflect on how all encompassing the grace of God is. We focussed on Romans 5 - "God shows how much he loves us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." We also saw how real this word is by looking at how Jesus met an outcast woman at the well and engaged deeply and graciously with her despite how others saw her. Check it out in John 4. Each of us can say with certainty God is gracious to all - even me. God bless your week! Pastor Mike

This week we had a very special service, with the installation and welcome of Pastor Mike and Narelle Fulwood to our Parish.  Pastor David Grulke, Assistant Bishop of the NSW District, conducted the service. Malcolm presented Pastor Mike to be installed as Pastor to Bethlehem Parish then... Pastor David Grulke performed the installation of Pastor Mike. Pastor Gary and Pastor Clem welcomed Pastor Mike and Narelle to Wagga...  and Jenny Smith gave a warm welcome on behalf of Bethlehem Milbrulong. After the service, the congregation adjourned to the hall, where a magnificent lunch was provided.  Pastor David was invited to tell us about his work as a Chaplin in the Army and Pastor Mike also got up and told us a little bit about himself and Narelle. Pastor Mike and Narelle will only be with us for about a year, so please keep them in your prayers as they do God's work among us. Pastor Mike and Narelle

Last Sunday, March 2, we bid a sad farewell to Pastor John Simboras after many months of his service to us.  The congregation has been particularly grateful for Pastor John's willingness to travel up from Albury on early Sunday mornings to get to Wagga for a 9am start, on occasion running the risk of no before-service coffee! Malcolm presented Pastor John with a token of our appreciation at morning tea on Sunday and thanked him for his leadership and generosity of time. We wish Pastor John all of God's richest blessings in the future and hope he will visit us again. Bethlehem congregation enjoying morning tea after Pastor John's final service.