Halloween resource from Matthias Media
Do you have lots of families in your street going door-to-door at Halloween?
This new tract from Matthias Media might be something you could use!
“It’s Halloween! is a very short tract written in language a child can both understand and delight in.
The tract engages them as they dress up for Halloween and explains the difference between dressing up and the actual horrible things that happen in the world.
With the explanation in place, the contrast is drawn between a mixed world going its own way and a world loved and cared for by God through his Son, Jesus. The tract links to the online version of Who Will Be King.
This leaflet is perfect to give out with lollies and treats to children over Halloween, either to trick or treaters door knocking or at a church event. It assumes no familiarity with Christianity or Jesus, and is suggested for children aged 6-12. ”
Order of Service for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Westminster Abbey has posted online the Order of Service for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Do pray for all who speak, in particular, the Archbishop of Canterbury as he preaches.
Pray for the members of the royal family, everyone in attendance, and the millions listening and watching around the world, that God’s word, read in the service, will accomplish that which he purposes (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Update:
See also the Order of Service for the Committal at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
In The Valley (Bless the Lord) — new song from CityAlight
CityAlight has released a new song, In The Valley (Bless the Lord), featuring Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken.
The song was written to accompany the release of a new book by Tim Challies, Seasons of Sorrow, written after the unexpected death of Challies’ 20 year old son Nick in late 2020.
Two Ways Ministries Forum on The Necessity of the Resurrection
“In light of the National Day of Mourning next Thursday we will be holding a special Forum on The Necessity of the Resurrection.”
Phillip Jensen writes:
“You may not have been to Forums for a while or you may not be able to get to Forums on a normal Thursday evening but do join us next week, Thursday 22nd September.
The time, location and arrangements will stay the same:
7 pm till 9 pm, Marcus Loane Hall, Moore College.
If you would like to bring your own food to eat dinner beforehand, please join us in the Knox Common Room which will be open with tea and coffee from 6pm and for supper after the Forum.
I hope to see you there, as our nation mourns the death of the Queen of Australia, we consider the resurrection of the King of Heaven.”
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, 2006.
Freedom22 National Conference videos available
Executive Director of Freedom for Faith, Rohan McHugh, writes,
“For those of you who were unable to attend our Freedom22 National Conference, there are several videos below of the speakers on the day, including Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker, Stephen McAlpine, Mark Sneddon and Mark Spencer.
I would encourage you to take the time to watch them, as they provide helpful context for why religious freedom is at a crisis point in Australia.”
– Watch them at Freedom for Faith’s Youtube channel.
And visit the Freedom for Faith website to learn more.
St Helen’s Bishopsgate: Mark 10:35-45 — To mark the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II
Rector of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate on London, William Taylor, marked the death of Queen Elizabeth II with a sermon from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10.
The Queen’s faith — in her own words
All Souls Langham Place screened this Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at their services last Sunday.
See also:
The Queen and my father Billy Graham: Their unlikely friendship was built on Christ – Franklin Graham.
In Her Own Words: Queen Elizabeth on Her Faith – Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
– “Throughout my life, the message and teachings of Christ have been my guide and in them I find hope.” (Letter to the Lambeth Conference from Queen Elizabeth II, 2022)
Loving Jesus exposes our hearts
“No matter how many times I read Luke’s Gospel, it always impacts me. This is because we meet Jesus as he meets with different people.
Although it is a little hard to choose, I think my favourite encounter is Jesus’ interaction with the woman who was a sinner from Luke 7:36-50. There is so much to unpack in this story, but let me share with you just three things that struck me. …”
– Ben George writes at The Australian Church Record.
The Bible in the hands of the Sovereign
“At the Coronation of the Boy-King, Edward VI, in 1547, three swords were placed in his hands, one each to represent his right to the realms of England, Ireland, and France.
But to the great surprise of the prelates and statesmen in the Abbey, Edward declared that there was another sword which had been overlooked; and in answer to their astonished inquiries, he said that this was the Word of God. …
On the eleventh birthday of the Princess Elizabeth in 1937, the personal gift of the Queen to her daughter was a beautiful Morocco bound copy of the Bible. …”
– The Australian Church Record has republished this piece from their archives – The Royal Law – by the Rev. Canon M. L. Loane, M.A., Vice-Principal of Moore College, May 28, 1953.
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Click the photo for a larger version: Archbishop Marcus Loane escorts Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh outside St. Andrew’s Cathedral in October 1973. Acting Dean of the Cathedral, Canon Stuart Barton Babbage, is following behind. The Queen was in Sydney to open the Sydney Opera House. With special thanks to Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos.
Liturgical resources on the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has made these resources available for use in churches.
They would also be very good to use in your personal prayers! (Click the image for a PDF version.)
Liturgical resources on the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
Thanksgiving for Her Majesty’s life and witness
Loving Lord and heavenly Father, we give thanks to you today for the extraordinary life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, especially her very clear trust in Jesus as her Saviour and determination to serve you as Lord. Thank you for her dedication to serving us her people, right to the end of her life. Thank you for her witness to Jesus as her hope and strength.
Although comforted in grief by the certainty of her presence now with you, we ask that we and all who grieve may know the ongoing consolation of your loving presence, and that peace which passes understanding, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Royal Family and all who grieve
We bring before you dear Lord, the entire Royal Family and all who were close to Her Majesty who will feel a great sense of loss. Grant them a good grief, which puts away stoicism and pretence. May they be a comfort and strength to one another. Unite in grief, those who have known conflict and division. Give wisdom to clergy who will minister to them during this time, that they will bring words of hope and life. We pray for those who have not previously known your love for them, that they may in this sad time, be inspired by Her Late Majesty’s trust in you, and turn to you for help. May they find consolation in the assurance of Her Late Majesty’s presence with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For King Charles III – the traditional prayer for our monarch
O LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King CHARLES; and so replenish him with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant him in health and wealth long to live; strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies; and finally, after this life, he may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Mark Calder
9 September 2022.
Also see:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
– 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (ESV).
Andy Geers and the team at PrayerMate have distributed this prayer you could use:
Almighty God, Heavenly King, thank you for the long life of your servant, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Thank you that she was a symbol of such stability through the huge changes seen during her seventy year reign. Thank you that throughout her life, her hope in you remained steadfast, as the true King who remains the same yesterday, today and forever. Thank you for her life of dedicated service to others, pointing us to Jesus, the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Comfort all who mourn her death: her family, her subjects, and all who admired and respected her.
Lord God, grant her son, His Majesty King Charles III, great wisdom and humility as king. May he know that he submits to a higher authority, that you are the one “who changes times and seasons; that you remove kings and set up kings;” (Daniel 2:21) May he reign with integrity and dignity just as his mother did before him. May he share the same hope in Christ, in whom there is forgiveness and reconciliation. Grant us all to keep our eyes fixed on you as the source of all hope and comfort in times of change, as the one who “will reign forever… to all generations” (Psalm 146:10). In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Special Edition of The Briefing in Honor of Queen Elizabeth II
Dr Albert Mohler has produced a special edition of his The Briefing broadcast to honour Queen Elizabeth II.
Sydney’s One Special Evangelist John Chapman — The Pastor’s Heart
Prior to the launch of Baden Stace’s book, “Sydney’s One Special Evangelist: John C. Chapman and the Shaping of Anglican Evangelicalism and Australian Religious Life 1968-2001”, Dominic Steele speaks with Baden about Chappo.
“Baden’s new work showcases the impact of John Chapman, but also gives a window into issues facing evangelicals in Sydney in the later part of the twentieth century, controversies about preaching, the place of evangelism in church life, social justice, and what role each of us plays in the evangelistic process.”
Most encouraging and informative. A ‘must watch’ episode.
Related:
Invitation to the book launch on 14 September 2022.
Chappo: “Do you really believe the gospel can convert your friends?”
So you’ve been told you should read some Old Books…
“In this article I will offer some suggestions that cover various eras from the early church until the late twentieth century.
I should note that these recommendations will tend more toward literature that is devotional than scholarly or purely theological. And I should note as well that there is not a person in the world who will agree with every book I’ve included and every book I’ve excluded—and that is just fine because there is always a degree of subjectivity to these things.
And now, without further ado, here are some Christian classics to consider reading. …”
– Tim Challies points to some Christian books which have stood the test of time.
Synod Briefing Podcast
Hear this year’s ACL Synod Briefing Podcast.
ACL’s President Roger Cunningham, the ACL’s Chairman Robert Tong, as well as Nicola Warwick-Mayo and Phil Colgan guide us through some of the key issues coming up at Sydney Synod this month.
The Making Of The Western Mind — John Anderson speaks with Tom Holland
“John joins Tom Holland in his London home to discuss Christianity’s role in shaping Western civilisation.
Holland prompts us to reflect on the intricate moral web our society still upholds today and consider the intertwined history of the Western imagination and Christianity.”
Related:
Review: War on the West, by Douglas Murray – at John Anderson.net.au
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…