This Advent season we want to focus on Christ; His first coming, and second coming, and all that means for humankind. To help us focus on Christ, we will look at some of the names of Jesus in Scripture. There are at least two hundred names, titles, or descriptions for Jesus, but we will only look at 12 over the coming month or so (Carrying this theme beyond Christmas day and into the new year).
In the lead up, you may like to reflect on the following names, and consider which one’s are most meaningful to you today?
Jesus: Read Matthew 1:21
Immanuel: Read Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23
Messiah: Read Mark 8:29
Light of the World: Read John 8:12
Savior: Read John 4:42
The Word: Read John 1:1 and Revelation 19:13
Lamb of God: Read John 1:29
First Born of Every Creature: Read Colossians 1:15
Good Shepherd: Read John 10:11
Alpha and Omega: Read Revelation 22:13
Wonderful Counsellor: Read Isaiah 9:6
The Christ: Read Matthew 16:16
Holy One: Read Mark 1:24
 Lord: Read Romans 10:9
Friend: Read Matthew 11:19, John 15:14-15
Son of Man: Read Daniel 7:13, Matthew 9:6, 12:40
Ancient of Days: Read Daniel 7:9
Servant: Read Matthew 12:18
 King: Read Zechariah 9:9
Prince of Peace: Read Isaiah 9:6
Bright and Morning Star: Read Revelation 22:16
Bread of Life: Read John 6:35
The Mighty God: Read Isaiah 9:6
Son of David: Read Jeremiah 33:17 and Matthew 20:30
Unspeakable Gift: Read 2 Corinthians 9:15

​This Sunday we celebrate the feast of “Christ the King” in accordance with Church tradition. While I think it’s good that we spend the last Sunday of the liturgical year remembering Christ is King, this is something I hope we all focus on every single day of the year! Daily, we need to bring our lives under Christ’s reign and worship Him as Lord and King over-all.

I encourage you to reflect on Christ as King of your life this week and ask yourself: Do I recognise Christ as our king and allow him to reign in my heart? Do I follow his example of humble service and selflessness in all my relationships, and leadership roles (in my family, community, or workplace?).
In a world that values money, power, and success, we need to represent Christ’s Kingdom which is reigned by love. He leads with humility, not arrogance, and serves for the well-being of others, not for personal gain. This is the kind of “upside down” leadership that our world desperately needs.

This week’s gospel reading (Matthew 25:31-46) presents a powerful image of Christ as both king and judge. He separates the sheep from the goats, not based on their wealth, status, or achievements, but on their acts of love and mercy. This is what we will be judged on. So, let us all seek to be more like our King who identifies himself with the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned, and recognise his presence in all people no matter what their status is in this world’s systems.

Let’s choose to honour Christ as our King and surrender ourselves to live under His loving rule every day, not just this coming Sunday. Let him guide us to acts of kindness, compassion, and love. And let’s choose to be a community that serves the least among us, recognising the presence of our King in everyone we meet.
In Jesus’ name, and for the sake of his Kingdom.
Amen

​We believers in Christ Jesus, have been given a new name. We have been chosen. We are royal people, a holy priesthood, and set apart for a purpose (See 1 Peter 2:4-10). What should we do with what we have been called to do? As 1 Peter 2:9 says; “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

We will do that together this coming Sunday. I pray and trust you will join us for worship. I also hope many of you will stay on for the Annual Parish Meeting at 11am (after our Church service and brief morning tea). Personally, I’m excited for this meeting! I appreciate the amazing support and accountability we share together. I also welcome the opportunity to look back over the year that has passed, take stock and give thanks for the good things, reset for the future and envision the year ahead.

There is much to give thanks for, and even more to pray for, and work towards. I pray, over the coming year, we will be like the faithful stewards who multiplied the talents that the master had entrusted to them (Read Matthew 25:14-30). God, our master, has entrusted us with so much, and given each of us gifts/talents to use for His Kingdom purposes. We don’t need to be afraid to use them for His purposes, because God’s perfect love casts out all fear and he rewards our faithfulness.

I am grateful to all who use their gifts to serve so faithfully at Mount Eliza Anglican Church. Thank you for Taking the extra time to do the required levels of training and compliance checks. Your faithfulness to God and his people is truly appreciated. trust your ministry will be fruitful and bring real reward! May you hear God say; “Well done Good and faithful servant. Come share in your master’s happiness”.

I’m looking forward to the next 12 months (and more) as partners in God’s Kingdom work here. May our awesome God continue to reveal more and more reasons to declare His praises.

Love in Christ,

Rev Tanya

In the words of Former Airforce Chaplain, The Reverend Robert Paget; “Remembrance Day draws me back to the fact that our military personnel are just ordinary folk thrust into a world gone mad, a world were diplomacy has failed to resolve differences and governments have resorted to ‘sending in the troops’. It is these troops, often young people not long out of school, that carry a huge burden. Too often when the burden becomes too great, all they find around them is a vacuum. The role of Chaplain helps to fill this void.”
This Sunday, we acknowledge Defence Sunday following Remembrance Day rather than the week prior. This week we intentionally remember our Defence Force Chaplains and the important pastoral care work they do with our military personnel and veterans.
This Sunday, we also acknowledge and welcome among us, those who are involved with Legacy (an Australian charity that was established in 1923 to help families of those who have served for their Country).
Lest we forget!

​When I was a little girl, I asked my nana what her favorite book in the bible was. She said "Lamentations", which I thought was strange. In my mind, Lamentations was a hard and boring book to read. It held little meaning for me.

As an adult who has experienced some more of life's ups and downs, I have come to appreciate it more. Today, I am reflecting on these words of lament, spoken in Israel's hardest times and I am encouraged to put hope in God: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentation 3:22-23). It's good to be reminded to put our eyes on God and put our hope in Him, especially when times are tough. These words are specifically encouraging to Christians suffering in other parts of the world today where persecution and the real threat of being executed for one's faith exists.

This Sunday I will speak from Lamentations about the suffering of Christians all over the world. It is the beginning of Barnabas Aid's Suffering Church Action and Awareness Week. Children are likely to be present in the service, I won't go into much depth or detail of the suffering and deaths of many Christians. Rather, I include a link here for people who would like to read more. 
Persecution Overview | Barnabas Aid
Bible Study Guide HERE

It may cause us sadness to think about these things, but it is important so that we learn to stand alongside our suffering Church family and make known their situation and demonstrate Christ’s love to them in prayer and practical actions.

I pray we all are encouraged to put our hope in God, and trust in his faithfulness, no matter what is going on in our lives. Bible discussion sheets will be available on Sunday if you'd like to discuss in small groups or reflect more at home.

Yours in Christ,

Rev Tanya