This Sunday we offer a warm welcome to the Rt Rev Geoff Smith, our Southern Region Bishop, who comes to lead our worship, and offer words of encouragement and wisdom as we celebrate the richness of God’s blessings in our individual and collective lives, and step into the future and ministry opportunities that await.
We pray that Geoff may know how welcome he is among us and truly enjoy the fellowship of the people of St Paul’s at Manly.
For the family of God who regularly gather for worship at St Paul’s, this is a special day. We are truly blessed to live in this part of God’s world… and we are blessed with the richness of diversity and giftedness of our members- young and not so young! We have much to celebrate.
Today also gives us the opportunity to consider what we are doing with our God given gifts and talents… to seek guidance for our Mission and recommit ourselves to the mission of the church.
In a little over two years (18th of April 2014) we will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone, of St Paul’s church, by the Most Rev P.N.W. Strong – Lord Archbishop of Brisbane.
As we begin to plan how best to celebrate the occasion it will be important, not only to give thanks for the faithful generosity and foresight of those who have gone before, but to consider how we might best build on the foundations they have laid… and ask of God and ourselves “What now?” … “What is the Mission to which our Lord is calling us now?”
These are days of promise and hope… I for one am glad to share them with you.
God’s Peace and Blessings
Rev Shan