Here Comes the Groom!
Dear Friends and Families,
Last weekend, my family made a rushed 48-hour visit to Sydney, in order to attend a nephew’s wedding. The service was held at the picturesque Rocks neighbourhood, with the reception held at Darling Harbour.
We all love a wedding! The happiness, the smart dress, the vows, the food, the music, the dancing ... the central aspect of the celebration is one of joy.
Currently, we are in the Christian season of Eastertide, which is the fifty days spanning from Easter Day to Pentecost Sunday. It is good to be reminded in this post-Easter period that we continue to praise a Saviour who is both alive and reigning!
And on this side of the cross, we look forward to Jesus’ return – at a time that only the Father knows. What is interesting is that Jesus’ return is likened to a wedding. In the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, the apostle John writes:
‘Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’”’ [Revelation 19:6-9].
This is a wedding which supersedes all earthly weddings. It celebrates the end of all pain, suffering and death, and the beginning of the new heaven and new earth. Jesus, the Lamb, is the groom, and his Church is the bride. And the truly wonderful aspect of this wedding is that EVERYONE is invited!
We need only say yes to Jesus.
If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then do please contact either me or Reverend Sheela (our Associate Chaplain) at the respective email addresses below:
Reverend Peter: [email protected]
Reverend Sheela: [email protected]
I also encourage you to pray the prayer for the week below.
If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches listed below lead regular Sunday gatherings.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (meeting at 10:30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Minister: Reverend Sheela Pandhare
Mobile: 0451 973 733/03 9308 2452
Email: [email protected]/[email protected]
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
Redemption Church Craigieburn (meeting at 4:00pm on Sundays in Building 12 – the Year 5/6 Centre at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: [email protected]
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
Prayer for Eastertide
Gracious Father,
who in your great mercy made glad the disciples,
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such awareness of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life,
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Song (Touch of Heaven)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWwHBZm3HIA