Our Life Together: 28th August4th September 2011

Sunday 28th Thursday 1st September 10:00am Worship Service 7:30pm Music Practice (plus Sunday School inc gr. 5&6) Speaker Greg Harding Friday 2nd 11:30am Morning Tea and Light Lunch 7:30pm FUEL Youth Mattress Run 12:30pm Quarterly Church Meeting Sunday 4thFathers Day 5:00pm FUEL Youth Bible Study 10:00am Communion Service (inc Sunday School) Tuesday 30th Speaker Michael 10:30am Church House Prayer Meeting 11:30am Morning Tea 2:00pm Seaview House Service Wednesday 31st 5:00pm FUEL Youth Bible Study 7:30pm Home Group at the Oakleys 7:30pm Home Group at the Mibus 8:00pm Young Adults Home Group at Church House

Enjoying God, Blessing Others

Sunday 28th August 2011

Welcome to our service. We are so glad you are with us. We are a company of ordinary people who love Jesus and want to share his love and care with everybody. It is our prayer that God will speak with you today. A special welcome to Pastor Greg Harding from the Warrnambool Baptist Church who will be bringing us the message today.

BULLETIN NOTICES: To place

notices in the bulletin, please contact Wilma Crouch on 5523 3595 or email crouchcastle@hotkey.net.au by 10:00am Thursdays. Thank you.

Roster: 4th September 2011

Door Greeting: Door & Offering: Downstairs D&O: Communion Prep: Childrens Talk: Media Desk: Morning Tea: Offering Counting: Lawns & Garden: Church House Clean: Church Cleaning: Hall/Kitchen Clean: C Moriarty M Atwell G Hayes L. Brown Paul A Camden, Karissa, Jim Blake & Skewes M Atwell & G Sobey Honeybun Kath Lewis Atwell L&D Oakley

Our Upcoming Highlights

Church Quarterly Meeting: TODAY 12:30pm Fathers Day: Next Sunday 4th September Seaview House Service: Next Sunday 4th September2pm Ladies Beading Afternoon: Saturday 10th September1:30pm Drennan Family Farewell: Sunday 11th September6pm Pastor:
Rev Michael Drennan 11 Webb Court Portland Ph: 5523 4893 M: 0408 568 887 mdrennan@eftel.net.au

Loaves & Fishes

Thank you to everyone for your faithful support. Items most needed include: canned vegetables; pasta; shampoo; conditioner; jam; tissues; soup; tea; coffee; sugar; toiletries; biscuits. Place donations in the foyer trolley or in the marked box on the piano downstairs .

Secretary:
Jim Blake 39 Patrick Street Portland Ph: 5523 2347 M: 0425 714 633 jim.blake@bigpond.com.au

Our website: www.portlandbaptist.org.au

I Am One of Those People...

Actors on television often recount stories about how they are approached on the street by people they have never met before. Most of the time they exchange pleasantries. However some people treat them like they have known them for ages and talk to them like long lost friends. Strange isnt it? These people know that they arent really close, but because they have devoted many hours watching them, they feel connected. It happens in the book world too. How do I know? Because I am one those people. I feel pretty connected to someone that I have never met before. I am sure if I was ever able to be one-on-one with this person, I would treat them like I knew them simply because the amount of time I have invested in their books and listened to their teachings. Since, 1997, this gentleman has been a spiritual mentor of mine through pages of ink. Our connectedness is one-sided, but for me, none-the-less real. His name is John Piper. It all started back when I was a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (where Aaron is now). I stumbled across his devotional book titled, A Godward Life. Those 120 devotions provided rich, meaty portions of insight and wisdom I had not come across before and they resonated with me deep in my soul. (Yes, there are a lot of devotions that provide great insight, but none had ever moved me like this one.) Since then, I have read 28 other books/devotionals he has authored which have challenged, confronted, and caused me to grow deeper in my relationship with God. (Everyone should have a mentor like this.) Why am I telling you this? Over the next three days I am attending a national, multi-denominational conference up in Sydney called Oxygen. The purpose of this national conference is to provide an opportunity for those in ministry to learn how to cope with the stresses of ministry, revitalize the spirit, and rediscover/renew their passion for ministry. Did I mention that John Piper is one of the main conference speakers? I want to let you know how grateful I am that you have given me this time away to attend the conference. It will be a much-needed injection of study and refreshment in my life. I am also thankful to Greg for being with us today. In closing, they are podcasting John Pipers first message from the conference free of charge. Simply go to the following link to register for the podcast. http://www.oxygen.kcc.org.au/free-podcast. I cant promise anything but if I have the chance to meet him, I will try to keep from being on of those people. With Love,

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Col. 4:2

Our Giving
Total July Offering: $15,240 Monthly Budget: $16,250 Weekly Target: $ 3,750 Weekly Average $ 3,810 (avg. from 1st January 2011) Week Week Week Week 3rd July 10th July 17th July 24th July $3,740 $2,336 $6,457 $2,707

Those with various health needs Thelma Brown, Matt Harris, Terese and Stuart Oakley, Gillian Karlberg, and others.

Praise for the safe return of the NT mission team Michaelaway at Oxygen Conference. Plus still needing a house in Mooroolbark. Thelma Brownliving back in Portland Marj Shaldersrecovery from eye procedure Kelly Armitagearriving back in Australia this week Judith Simpsonknee replacement 7th September Monday Michael & Christy Drennan, Camden, Bailey Tuesday Pat Edwards Wednesday Tony & Helen Elias

Direct Debit Payments for offerings and donations can be made electronically. Details are as follows: Acc Name: Portland Baptist Church Direct Offering BSB 704 922 Account No. 100 006 869

Building Fund
July Donations: $810 B/F available balance: $88,567

Total Building Fund raised to end of July: $521,325

All gifts to the building fund are fully tax deductible. Please take the information sheets (blue & yellow) and envelopes are available in the porch. You can deposit straight into the building fund via internet banking using the following information: Acc Name: Portland Baptist Church Direct Building Fund BSB 704 922 Account No 100 007 044

Thursday Scott & Jill Goldsworthy, Jared, Michael, Stacey Friday Neville Hann Saturday Ian & Michelle Harris, Matthew, Benjamin Sunday Graeme Hayes

Michael & Christy

Lets press on in faith!

DATES TO REMEMBER
Church Quarterly Meeting: Today - 12:30pm Weekly Prayer Group at Church House: Tuesdays 10:30-11:30am Fuel Youth: Friday 2nd September7:30-9:30pm Fathers Day Service: Next Sunday 4th September Seaview House Service: Next Sunday 4th September 2pm Loaves & Fishes Prayer Time: Tuesday 6th September, 2pm Ladies Beading Afternoon: Saturday 10th September 1:30pm Monthly Prayer Afternoon: Sunday 11th September4:306pm Farewell Dinner for Drennans: Sunday 11th September 6pm (directly following Prayer Afternoon)

Farewell to the Drennan Family.

Our weekly Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at the Church House from 10.30-11.30am. Everyone is encouraged to join in this vital ministry - you will find a very warm welcome there!

6pm Sunday 11th September after the prayer meeting. Can each family please bring a plate of sandwiches or cold finger food, and a small plate of slice or cake to share. Any queries? See Rosemary Mibus. Michaels Movements
Michael is in Sydney attending a pastor's conference, returning 31st August. Should you need pastoral care before then, please

FUEL YOUTH
MATTRESS RUN!
This Friday 2nd September Meet in the hall 7:30pm. Pickup 9:30pm. Cost $4 each.

Quarterly Church Meeting

Today, 12:30pm following our shared lunch.
Helpers teachers) (not to assist preschoo in the lers Sun day scho Must ha ol. ve Wor king W Childrens ith C Robyn o heck. Please see r Jolene if youre willing to help out. Thanks!

Needed:

Parents are welcome to use the Parents room just off the foyer, with activities for children up to 2, especially during our prayer time & sermon if your child is unsettled. It is sound-linked to the auditorium. The Preschooler Sunday School runs all year round during the service, with Bible stories, activities and crafts. For ages 2Prep, downstairs (door just past side gate).

contact one of our deacons.

SUNDAY FUNNY...

A certain man had invited the pastor and his wife for dinner, and it was little Joey's job to set the table. But when it came time to eat, Joey's mother said with surprise, "Why didn't you give Mrs. Brown a knife and fork dear?". "I didn't think I needed to," Joey explained, "I heard Daddy say she always eats like a horse."

A BIG thank you for all your prayers & concern for me when I was unwell recently. Also thank you for the Birthday greetings receivedI am sure they made the transition from 60s to 70s that much easier!

- Betty Malseed.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers Bible Seminar

Presented by St Johns Lutheran Church with representatives from

Ladies' Fellowship
Saturday, 10th September , 1:30 to 3:30 pm Kath Lewis' house Cost: $10
All ladies are invited to an afternoon of beading and fellowship. You will be able to make a Pandora style bracelet that depicts the Psalm 23 passageor design your own bracelet from a variety of beads. Please bring a plate of afternoon tea to share. Only a few spaces left! RSVP to Christy Drennan (5523 4893) or email: drennanfamily@gmail.com

Loaves & Fishes Emergency Relief Centre

The Loaves & Fishes Committee has initiated a monthly prayer time in which there will be shared prayer for the staff, volunteers and needs of the centre. Starting Tuesday 6th September at 2pm, running for approximately 30 minutes. This prayer time will continue to be on the first Tuesday of each month, from 2pm. All are welcome each month to lift the centre to our Lord in prayer.

Ambassadors of Reconciliation
Saturday 17th September, 9:30am-4:30pm, St Johns Lutheran Sch0ol Unity Centre, Trangmar Street.
Ever experienced conflict in your life? Come and discover a healthy and biblical way to resolve conflict! Ambassadors of Reconciliation is an international organisation that helps individuals and groups discover healthy and biblical ways to resolve conflict. The seminar is a full-day Bible study on reconciling relationships and resolving conflict. In this power-packed presentation, we will see how Gods ministry of reconciliation is meant to be lived out in our daily lives. Well learn practical ways to resolve family, business, organisatio0n, church, and legal conflicts. Since all children of God are called to be peacemakers, this Bible study is appropriate for every Christian. As Christians living in a sinful world, we frequently address conflict with the worlds familiar ways of escaping or attacking. When we do, relationships are damaged, businesses and careers suffer and the witness of the church is weakened. There is a better way! You will be challenged to live, proclaim and cultivate lifestyles of reconciliation in the family, workplace, community and church. Blessed are the Peacemakers seminar covers the following topics: Understanding conflict from a scriptural viewpoint Identifying worldly and godly responses to conflict Three opportunities for the Christian in conflict How to confess your faults without justification How to forgive others as God forgave you How to achieve genuine reconciliation; and How to negotiate in a God-pleasing manner. The cost of attending the seminar is $5 per person. Attendees are requested to bring a lunch to share. To register your interest please take a flyer from the foyer (or downstairs on the piano) and complete and return the registration slip as indicated prior to 9th September.

Pastoral Search Update:

Please see the note enclosed with todays bulletin for an update. Copies are also available from the foyer and downstairs.

Outreach to the Outback...WELCOME HOME!!

Welcome Home to our NT Mission team. We trust the trip was a blessing to both you and those you visited. We look forward to hearing reports & seeing photos soon!