Six months of an intensive prayer request from the parish family of Swan Hill and District has been blessed with a letter from Bishop Matt in Bendigo, announcing his appointment of a new priest to be our ‘Shepherd into the future.’ Matt writes:
“ Dear Friends, I am very pleased to announce that the Rev’d Peter Blundell has accepted my offer to become the Rector of the Parish of Swan Hill. Peter and his wife Jeanette will be moving into Swan Hill early in August and I look forward to inducting Peter into this ministry on Friday 10th August.”
The full text of the Bishop’s letter will be printed in the pew bulletin this week.
Last Sunday Café Church presented a great fun exercise crafted around the concept of how our eyes can deceive us. In the first book of Samuel, 15: 34 – 16:13, we read that a son of Jesse had been chosen by the Lord to be the next King of Israel. The eldest looked the part, but was not the chosen. All seven sons of Jesse were brought before Samuel, and all were rejected. Finally the youngest was brought in from tending his father’s sheep, and the Lord told Samuel to anoint this boy, David, as king. What is perceived as least likely to human eyes can always be recognised by God through the truth within the heart.
On Sunday night nine photos were passed around for everyone to examine in turn. The hidden ‘message’ or image was not always apparent even after long scrutiny, and there were several surprise revelations. People who profess to be Christian need to take note of this, appearances can be deceptive.