God called the prophet Hosea to enter into a marriage that would cause him incredible pain. Hosea was to take a wife whose very nature was to be unfaithful to him. Their marriage was a graphic illustration of the unfaithfulness of the nation of Israel towards their God. Join us on Sundays at 5pm & 7pm to learn about God’s faithfulness to you, and to be challenged as to your faithfulness to God.

The Rev. Terry Dein will be preaching from the book of Jonah over four weeks starting Sunday 16th May. If you missed part of the series catch up at Bible Talks.

One of the cool features of DVDs is the director’s commentary option. You watch the movie and at the same time hear the inside word on what the director was thinking, what he was trying to achieve & how he arranged the shots and scenes. The book of Hebrews is a bit like God’s director’s commentary on how Jesus’ death can pay for people’s sins. In Hebrews we’re taken up into heaven to see what happens in the throne room of God as Jesus brings his blood there to make purification for sin. Join us at 7pm for 13 weeks of the inside word about Jesus’ death.

Prayer is possible because God has enabled a relationship with him through our faith in Jesus Christ.  We can often find prayer difficult because it can be hard work and something we need to devote time and energy to and that is something we seem to have less of these days.  Paul told us from Colossians that Epaphras wrestled in prayer for the Colossian Christians.  He saw the importance of prayer that took some effort and even discomfort.  Sometimes the lack of habit of praying stops us from this discipline.  There are many people who are in good habits of reading the Bible regularly and praying to their heavenly Father.  We admire them and can sometimes wonder why they find it easy and we don’t.  I think the secret of prayer is understanding who God is; who we are in his sight and continuing in prayer even when we don’t feel like it and it seems like hard work.  Let us encourage each other to pray and to be in constant communion with our heavenly Father.  It is a great privilege that we need to nurture in our lives.

Colin Watson

St Stephen’s turns 90 this year

In celebration we need your photos, slides, memorabilia, books and bulletins and any contact details of previous members and staff.

Contact your service representative:

Verna (8am), Graeme (10am), Johanna (5pm), Simon / Fiona (7pm)

Rosters are ready to view from the resources page.