A Poignant Reminder...

Tonight during songster rehearsal at Camberwell Corps, I was emotionally moved by the words of a song that portrayed a personal journey through a painful experience, yet spoke of the true fellowship and love that gives Christians so much comfort and help to journey through these low times.

As we sang these words by Claire Cloninger, I was strongly aware that this was more than a 'performance rehearsal' - it was a 'personal experience reminder' of the grace of God available to us - to me, even recently!

The song made my experience come alive, and made my heart sing praise and thanks to God for the bereavement encouragement of Major Warren Elliott (CO, Waverley Temple Corps) who shared with me the poignant reminder that, during times of difficulty, 'Christians are privileged to share the journey together, and in doing so, prove the worth of Church.'

I pray these same words bring personal blessing to you in your journey!

SOMEBODY PRAYED FOR ME

When my heart was so broken that I could not pray

When love wasn't easy to see

Someone was there, somebody cared,

Somebody prayed for me

Somebody went to the throne of Heaven

Somebody lifted my name

Bringing me into His holy presence

Saying what I could not say

Somebody showed me the face of his mercy

When darkness was all I could see

Somebody pleaded the blood of Jesus

Somebody prayed for me

When the future looked hopeless and I'd given up

When I had lost sight of my dreams

Somebody near dried every tear

Somebody prayed for me

Celebrating The ANZAC Spirit!

It was a great privilege and honour to lead the ANZAC Day Commemoration Service with staff, volunteers and clients at Doveton today.

Taking as our theme - "Celebrating the ANZAC Spirit!" - we met for a time of reflective worship that incorporated a special Remembrance Segment featuring the singing of the National Anthem, a Minute Silence, the Last Post and Reveille, and the reading of The Ode. As a personal tribute to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice through war-time service, we laid a wreath made especially for the occasion by staff.

A devotional thought based on the ANZAC Spirit of 'Mateship - Courage - Sacrifice' was shared, which drew out appropriate parallels from the Christian faith of "Friendship with God - Courage of Christ - God's Ultimate Sacrifice of Love", and challenged all present to live with this same GODLY Spirit.

An appropriate conclusion to a great afternoon was a time of fellowship with a cuppa and ANZAC biscuits. Yummy!

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 (NIV)

TRIBUTE TO JAIMEE...from a dear friend

Dearest Jaimee Lynn,

We thought of you today, but that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday and days before that, too.

We think of you in silence.

We often speak your name.

All we have are memories and a picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake, from which we'll never part.

God has you in His keeping. You are in our heart.

Jesus LOVES you and so do we.

Cuddles to you Jaimee.

From Amy, Avery, Teddy and LiKuen

(Johor Bahru, Malaysia)

FAMILY TRIBUTES

LYNN - Jaimee.

Our precious princess, Jaimee - God sent you into our lives for just a brief moment in time. You've changed us forever and we will always love you. Miss You Bubba and can't wait to spend eternity with you in Heaven.
- Daddy, Mummy, Jesse and Jordi xx xx

Darling Jaimee, You are our precious little ray of sunshine that came into our lives for 7 1/2 months, and brought us so much joy and love. We will always love you and keep you in our hearts. A perfect Angel in God's care.
- Grandma and Grandad Lynn

Our beautiful niece, Jaimee, changed our lives forever - so sweet, innocent and pure.
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS - FOREVER ON OUR MINDS
'Eternal Love Unchanging'
- Uncle Tim and Aunty Dabak

Jaimee, thank you for choosing us to be your Nanny and Pa. You gave us so much joy in your short life. We love you more than you will ever know.
- Precious grand-daughter of Katina and Alan

Our baby Jaimee; so easy to be with, pure joy to be in your presence. Having you in Heaven is a delight to Jesus, His precious Angel. We love you forever Pumpkin.
- Auntie Sonny, Uncle Scottie and special cousins Kaja and baby Gabriel xx

'Little ones to Him belong, they are weak - but He is strong'

Ali, Stewy and boys; you shared your beautiful little girl with us and she brought such love and joy to us all. God has her in His care. We love you all.
- Barbara, Megan, Lincoln, Jo, Jock and George, and Randall.

To Allison, Stewart, Jesse and Jordan, no words can express the sorrow and sadness that we feel at the loss of your beautiful baby girl. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families, today and in the days to come. With love and deepest sympathy
- Ron, Gaynor, Lindi, Steve and Kathryn

JAIMEE LYNN (19 August 2009 - 8 April 2010)

JAIMEE LYNN

Born 19 August 2009

Promoted to Glory 8 April 2010

Cherished daughter of Stewart and Allison Lynn

Beloved sister of Jesse and Jordan

Our beautiful niece, Jaimee, changed our lives forever - so sweet, innocent and pure.

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

FOREVER ON OUR MINDS

'Eternal Love Unchanging'

- Uncle Tim and Aunty Dabak

She changed us - in a moment - forever.

In a moment, she was forever changed.

"In His Hands"

An air of expectation and excitement was evident as 91 staff, clients and friends of the Doveton Community Support Services met together for our Easter worship service.

The reflective service, themed “In His Hands”, featured spirited community singing, meditative Bible readings in 3 languages and a KidZone children’s segment emphasizing the fact that God has the “whole world in His hands”.

While the children were busy at their activity tables, the adults focussed their thoughts on the true meaning for celebrating Easter – Jesus’ death and resurrection – with a reminder that in His ‘dying’ hands is our salvation and in His ‘risen’ hands is our eternal hope. Phil Laeger’s sensitive arrangement of I’m in His hands provided an opportunity for six people to come forward seeking personal prayer.

A time of fellowship over a Hot Cross Bun morning tea was a fitting conclusion to this inspirational and God-glorifying event.

Many thanks to our dedicated and supportive CSS team for their valuable assistance in making this event so successful. And thank you, Lord...for others are blessed through You alone!

Above photos are: (L) Children's Activity Tables and (R) KidZone children's segment

Pray for our next community worship event scheduled for Friday 22 April @ 1.30pm.

"Celebrating the ANZAC spirit!"