Throughout the Bible, God urged the Israelites to set aside special days when they would remember God’s amazing acts of salvation that saved them from their enemies.
He urged them to remember His faithfulness to his chosen people and to celebrate with feasts and parties.
In the Christian calendar, each year we particularly remember events such as the birth of Jesus at Christmas and His death and resurrection at Easter, among others.
Remembering can also be painful, as we consider the evil deeds that have been perpetrated against individuals, racial groups and anyone who may be considered different.
Sadly, the institutional church has not been innocent of such things and has rightly sought to make amends.
But despite the failings of people, God stands as a testament to His own faithfulness. God isn’t fickle, capricious or unjust. In fact, he is the very opposite.
When Jesus appeared on the world’s stage, he did so to show us what God’s grand design for humanity was intended to look like.
Not in the physical sense, but in the very essence of humanity.
His death on the cross paid the price for the sin of the world and set the stage for true reconciliation between God and humanity, as well as between all races of people. In doing so, He established the worldwide family of God’s people.
The first chaplain to the colony of NSW was an Anglican clergyman known as the Reverend Richard Johnson.
His first act upon landing at Sydney Cove was to convene a worship service at which he preached on Psalm 116:12: ‘What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?’
Since then, the Christian faith has spread across this vast, beautiful and ancient land.
Churches were established within a comfortable distance from most communities. The vision of our forebears is commendable.
In Echuca, we have our own amazing history with people such as Henry Hopwood, George Redman and M.J. Webb being among the benefactors who provided the bricks and mortar to build a church that would have far exceeded their needs at the time. Such was their vision.
Later, the central stained-glass window in the sanctuary, which depicts Christ the Good Shepherd, was donated by W.W. Moore, a prominent figure in the town of Echuca.
Since then, countless baptisms, weddings and funerals have been conducted at Christ Church, Echuca, and this coming Sunday it is celebrating 160 years of God’s faithfulness to the communities of Echuca and Moama.
A casual look through the church’s service registers will reveal a who’s who of Echuca society and is a reminder of the vital role churches play in our communities.
Bishop Matt Brain, the Bishop of Bendigo, will be our guest preacher and he will also Confirm a number of people who wish to publicly declare their faith in Jesus.
All are invited to join us at Christ Church Anglican Church, 500 High St, Echuca for this special service from 10am. After the service we will offer a light lunch and cut the 160th birthday cakes.
Why not drop in and celebrate with us this Sunday as we give thanks for all his goodness to us?
Rev’d Phil Zamagias,
Christ Church Anglican, Echuca
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