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Click here for visitor informationAnother Australia Day, another round of controversy in the eyes of some. Nothing seems to change but the efforts to change history continue unabated and not just in our own wonderful and free country.
But what is Australia Day all about? None of us should need a history lesson but equally none of us know all that has happened since January 1788 particularly in relation to the Indigenous people. Much of it was wrong and should not have occurred, but to deny the clear benefits that have arisen as a result of “colonisation” is to deny the truth and reality before us.
While we cannot revise history, we all must learn from it. 231 years on, there are many things about Australia we do well to reflect upon:
Another issue is: What might the Australian landscape have been like had the French or the Germans or the Spanish or the Portuguese settled our vast brown and green land?
When plans were being made for the departure of the First Fleet, The Rev John Newton and William Wilberforce and others encouraged the authorities to include an Evangelical Anglican Chaplain. Both men were members of the Eclectic Society which had a strong interest in Missions and prison reforms and had both lay and clerical members.
The Rev Richard Johnson was appointed and prior to the departures of the Fleet he visited the ships at Woolwich. On the 3rd of February 1788 he led the first divine service in the new Colony, in the open not surprisingly, and preached from Psalm 116:12: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”
We praise God for his influence upon early Australia and give great praise for God’s grace and mercy towards our land.
Let’s Praise His name and thank Him for what we have materially and spiritually.
– GEOFF KYNGDON
This weekend we welcome Paul Hall who will be speaking on “Renewing the Covenant” from Joshua chapter 8.
With the changes in leadership that has recently occurred, we will be having a special update on ‘Ministry 2019’ during our services to keep us all informed of what is happening.
A reminder that until February there will be no dinner after the 5pm Sunday service.
Every Sunday is a great time to drop in. You can also watch us live (or look at some past church services) at www.oakflats.tv.
See you at 10am or 5pm this Sunday, God willing!