Hello Church Family,

I'm Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow for Church wherever you are :)

It's such an encouragement to meet together as we take time to worship God as a Church!

Tomorrow we will be sharing in communion (have your emblems ready)

We'll have a Kids talk at the end of the service &

I'll be looking at Matthew 19:1-15 with the theme of 'Hard Hearts Vs Childlike Faith' 

A couple of things to think about as we come to these scriptures

Have you ever tried to trip someone up (or embarrass them) by asking them a controversial question?
If so why?

What do you think it means 'to have childlike faith'?


Remember you can log on to ZOOM From 10:20am (to say hi, chat etc)

10:30am Sharp the Service Begins

Here are the details for ZOOM…
https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157

If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday morning at 10:30am

______________________

Please don’t forget that we can still directly deposit tithes and offerings into the Church bank account during this time. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’ so that it goes towards that fund. The details are below…

Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402
Hope you are enjoying your Weekend!

Blessings,

Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
www.granite.church
0408 942 145

Hi 😊
 Just a quick note this week………
 Remember you can log in to ZOOM from 10:20am Sunday Morning and the service will start at......
10:30am on the .
 Zoom this Sunday will include…
 Communion
&
A sermon from Matthew 18  >  ‘Who is the Greatest & Who Cares?’
&
Some other things

Here’s the link:
https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157
If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157
 _____________________
 Tithes and offerings can be deposited into the Church bank. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’. The details are…
Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402
 Hope have a great Weekend!
Please feel free to contact me anytime.
 
Looking forward to being together with you on Sunday.
 Blessings,
Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
granitecommunitychurch.com
0408 942 145

(Who's there?
 Heaven
 Heaven, who?
 Heaven seen you in ages!)
  
Hi Church Family,
 
COMMUNION THIS SUNDAY!!
 
What kind of week are you having? Mine has been full and productive in many ways, which is great. With the school holidays starting at the end of this week; we are looking forward to the kids being able to have a break. This term has been pretty full-on for them, having more than half of the term at home and then getting back into the ‘normal routines’ of actual school; so It has actually been a long term and they are looking forward to a break too 😊 Do you have any plans for the holidays?
 
This week some restrictions have tightened up with visitors to homes limited again to 5 and the number of people allowed to attend Church services has not increased. So we’re remaining on ZOOM for now.
 
Sunday’s however, are still an opportunity to have a couple of extra people over to your place though (keep adhering to current restrictions of course) Who will you ask this week?
 
Being able to see God at work in our world is pretty cool. From little things in our home life to big things around the globe; Our God is amazing and fully worthy of our praise, worship, and surrender. It’s no wonder that the disciple, Peter got so excited on the mountain when he saw Jesus clothed in white; face shining like the sun; standing there with Moses and Elijah, just chatting away. I wonder what our reaction would have been in that circumstance. Of course, that’s not the end of the story. I’m looking forward to having a look at that and more as we unpack some of Matthew 17 during our ZOOM service this Sunday. I hope to see you there.
 
I’ve had many people say how much they appreciate getting together over ZOOM. Some people haven’t had the chance to get out and see many people, so it’s a real blessing to see a happy face and to worship together. So thanks for joining in and being part of our service when you can.
 
Please keep praying for each other as we follow Jesus each day in our homes, our workplaces and our communities.
 
COMMUNION THIS SUNDAY!!
 
Join the Zoom Service this Sunday at 10:30am
by using the following link:
 
https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157
 
If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday morning at 10:30am
______________________
 
Please don’t forget that we can still directly deposit tithes and offerings into the Church bank account during this time. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’ so that it goes towards that fund. The details are below…
Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402
 
Hope you are enjoying your Week!
 
Blessings,
 
Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
granitecommunitychurch.com
0408 942 145

Hi Church Family,
 How is your week going? Having my mum visiting us at the moment has been such a blessing to our family. She has been cooking meals, spending time with the kids, and just generally helping out with stuff around the place. Jo and I even got to have a day out together (just the two of us 😊) this week which included a date night down in Wedderburn (😊). Whether it’s family or friends, It is so good to have people in our lives who support and encourage us, isn’t it? Being part of a Church family, like Granite, is such a blessing too and it’s great to see the love of Jesus shine through His people. That’s us, as we, together are part of his body in this region, and beyond.

Congratulations again to Rachel, Tim, Archie and Sophie on the Birth of baby Harry! We’re so excited! And we’re still praying for you all 😊 It was really encouraging to receive a message from the Smyth family last week after the birth of little Harry. If you missed me reading that message last Sunday; here it is:
            “Our heartfelt thanks to our church family for all their prayers and support over this time. We have had so many beautiful encouraging messages over the time and it blows us away of how amazing our church family is. What a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful family.
Harry's test results have all come back normal, that he is a healthy little boy. We want everyone to know how amazing our God is and that it’s an answer to prayer. We have had so many people praying for us all over the country for several months and this shows the power of prayer!!”
                  Rachel and Tim 

 Last Sunday we also heard the wonderful news that Daniel Watts and Bethany Sim are now Engaged! Congratulations again to both of you! It’s fair to say that we are all super excited for you two and we’re praying that God Blesses you both as you get ready to start married life together. (Who's looking forward to seeing the ring in real life?)

 We’re continuing services on ZOOM as we work towards the best way to get back together in one space. Thank you to those who have put forward suggestions as to how this might happen. Suggestions are always welcome as there are probably many things we have not thought of. As it sits right now, if we were to meet in a big organized group at the Church building for example, we would have to come in, sit in our designated area and then leave after the service with no morning tea or socializing. We would also have to put procedures in place for cleaning and other requirements. And even then we would not all be allowed at the one time due to the size of the venue and numbers allowed etc. The leadership will continue to work through the logistics and keep you informed. Thanks for your continued support especially in prayer, during this time.

It was good to see people getting together with others in their homes last week. It would be great if we could keep this going. Either ask to go to someone’s house and offer to bring the morning tea; or invite them to yours. One advantage of getting together in small groups like this is that it allows for more fellowship than a larger organized gathering.
I’m really looking forward to meeting together this Sunday as we have Paul McCrohan speaking on the topic of ‘The eternal consequence of sin’. I’m praying that God really speaks to us through His Spirit as we listen, consider and think about the message he will bring to us through Paul. It’s always good for us to come to Sunday worship with an attitude of openness to God. Pray before you join the ZOOM that everything we do in the service would be worship to Him; the singing; the prayer; the message etc.; and please pray for Paul and me too that God uses us and that we are open to Him. What a privilege it is to come together to worship our awesome God.

 Lastly, I have included the list of locals and missionaries that we usually display on our bulletin and in our service out at Granite. I’ve decided not to present these in the ZOOM services because I felt that it has not been appropriate. However, it is very appropriate for us to pray for each other and our missionaries as much as possible so please use this attached sheet to do just that. Print it off and put it wherever you will see it often. Thank you for being faithful in prayer.
 This was a long email, sorry. If you are still reading, congratulations 😊 and thanks. Let me know and I might even have a crunchie for you next time we meet in person 😉.

And of course, here are the details for ZOOM and other essential details…

 Join the Zoom Service this Sunday at 10:30am
by using the following link:
 https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157 
If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday morning at 10:30am
______________________

Please don’t forget that we can still directly deposit tithes and offerings into the Church bank account during this time. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’ so that it goes towards that fund. The details are below…
Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402

Hope you are enjoying your Week!

Blessings,
Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
www.granite.church
0408 942 145

​Hi Church Family,
 
Who is coming to your house for Church this Sunday?
 
I hope you were able to have a good break over the long weekend. I am really looking forward to getting back together this Sunday on ZOOM as we spend some time in worship as a community. As restrictions have eased, you may like to invite someone from Church or a neighbour to your place for the ZOOM service on Sunday. What a great way of fellowshipping together (remember to stay within the rules).
Please keep praying for each other and the missionaries we support as a Church through this time. Take some time to pray for people by name everyday. Pray that individuals will be encouraged in their walk with God during this time, that people would find ways of staying connected and getting the support they need. Pray that the Lord would bring to your mind people that you can reach out to in some way. Pray for families to be strengthened and relationships to be enriched in a time that may be stressful to some and just really hard. Pray for the Spirit to work in all of us so that we may glorify God in the way we respond to the everyday stuff of life as we know it at the moment.
We still don’t have any time frame for moving services back to the building out at Granite. There are a number of considerations that need to be worked through regarding how we manage the space in relation to the restrictions; and there are also issues with the reliability of the internet for broadcasting ZOOM from that location. I’ll keep you posted.
 
So This Sunday:-
 
We will back on ZOOM! (link below)
 
We will be sharing in Communion (have your emblems ready)
 
Doing ‘Crunchie Sunday’ (BYO Crunchies if you’ve earned one 😊)
 
Having some live music (Exciting!)
 
Looking at Matthew 16:21-28 (Challenging)
 
Join the Zoom Service this Sunday at 10:30am
by using the following link:
 
https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157
 
If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday morning at 10:30am
______________________
 
Please don’t forget that we can still directly deposit tithes and offerings into the Church bank account during this time. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’ so that it goes towards that fund. The details are below…
Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402
 
Hope you are enjoying your Week!
 
Blessings,
 
Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
www.granite.church
0408 942 145

Hi Church Family,

As I said last week on the ZOOM service, this week we will not be using ZOOM

Everything is pre-recorded on and on the internet

So our service this weekend is available anytime you want to watch it. All you have to do is hope on to the Church website using the link below and click the play button to enjoy the service. The whole service is just over 30 minutes.

https://www.granitecommunitychurch.com/churchanywhere.html

This is a series of YouTube clips that I have put together for our service. Everything is in order and should just play through without you needing to do anything. I will put a link to the youtube playlist below if you have any issues with the link above you could try that link.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9R0CpCPsKGrsjbd0yJL-UDzXcJ_qGHoS

The sermon this week is a 10-minute message from Daniel Bullock who is the Director of Ministries at the Baptist Union of Victoria. Daniel talks about what it means to be a flourishing Church. It is a really good message that presents a number of question for us to consider as followers of Jesus and the people of God. There is a document attached to this email with notes about the sermon. I would love it if you could use this document to make you own notes as Daniel speaks or in reflection later. Then I would love if you could share some of your thoughts with me via email or text me photos or give me a call. I think some of the questions that Daniel asks are really important for us to think about as a community and this conversation will help us moving forward.

God bless you as you listen and interact with the message.

I look forward to seeing you back on ZOOM next Sunday.

Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
www.granite.church
0408 942 145

Hi Church Family,
 
We had some of our kids return to school this week as the restrictions around COVID-19 are beginning to ease. To say they were excited to get back to their friends and some kind of normal routine is probably an understatement and they have really enjoyed being back at school. I had the opportunity of working at a different school to them this week too and observed just how excited kids, in general, are at getting back into the routine of school life. I think we all are pretty keen to get back to ‘Normal’ whatever that is.
 
I also think we are all aware that this will be a bit of a slow process and as such I will keep you informed along the way with regard to what’s happening for Church at Granite. I’m open to ideas and suggestions from people as to what this may look like and I’m aware that different people will be comfortable with different levels of interaction over the coming weeks and months, so I’m sure there will be a bit of mix and match along the way. For example, there may be some people gathering at the Church Building and some at home or some may meet in groups and log into Zoom that way. We need to be creative in our approach to getting back together and still be mindful of the implications of what we do. All while we look forward to when we can all be back together in the same place having a service followed by a shared lunch.
 
In the meantime, we will continue to gather together on ZOOM at 10:30am every Sunday…
 
This Sunday as we meet to worship, reflect, and connect as a community of believers in Jesus Christ, let’s focus on Him. We’re not meeting in a Church building or at singular place at the moment and as I sit here typing away on the keyboard the words to of that beautiful Matt Redman song ‘Heart of Worship’ have come into my head. The lyrics go… When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come / Longing just to bring something that’s of worth that will bless your heart… / I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, Jesus. Jesus remains the focus of our Worship, wherever we are, and whatever we are doing not just on Sunday but every day throughout the week. When we come together, we don’t necessarily worship more, but the worship is magnified as we do it together as followers of Jesus. I hope that you feel that in some way even as we meet on ZOOM.
 
This week I will take a detour from Matthew and look at 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 It’s interesting to consider these words of Peter in light of how we see him in the Gospels. How do you view Peter and the other Disciples? In the passage above Peter’s focus is on Holy Living, on Sunday we will dig a little deeper into what that means and how we do it. If you get a chance, it would be worthwhile reading the first two chapters of 1 Peter and then the rest later, It’s a great book 😊 Being Holy is something that we should take seriously as Christians; not just out of obedience but also because it sets us up for right living as followers of Jesus. What do you think it means to be holy in all you do (v15)? What can you and I do to be more holy?
 
Join the Zoom Service this Sunday at 10:30am
by using the following link:
 
https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157
 
If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday morning at 10:30am
______________________
Please don’t forget that we can still directly deposit tithes and offerings into the Church bank account during this time. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’ so that it goes towards that fund. The details are below…
Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402
 
Hope you are enjoying your Weekend!
 
Blessings,
 
Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
www.granite.church
0408 942 145

Hi Church Family,

Communion This Sunday

I had thought that during this period of isolation time would seem to go more slowly than usual but it seems to be racing through faster than ever. What has your experience been? As we see restrictions easing and things getting back to some kind of normality over the next weeks and months; please pray for the leaders of our Church. I am sure everyone wants to get back out to ‘the paddock’ as soon as possible. We want that too and we also want to make the right decisions at the right times in a way that is safe for everyone and complies with the advice given by the government.

In the meantime, we will continue to gather together on ZOOM at 10:30am every Sunday… BYO Coffee and Carrot sticks

Join the Zoom Service this Sunday

by using the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157

If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157

This Sunday as we worship together, we will have a chance to sing, to share in prayer and have communion as we reflect on our Saviour and all he has done for us. He is worthy of all our praise!

We will also be looking at Matthew 16:1-20 In these verses we see Peters response to Jesus question of ‘Who do you say that I am?’ and Peter’s response is beautiful. He says “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” If someone asked you who Jesus was, what would your response be? It’s worth thinking about. Jesus also has more to say in these verses about the religious leaders of the day and there’s plenty for us to think about as we reflect on his words together.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday morning at 10:30am

______________________

Please don’t forget that we can still directly deposit tithes and offerings into the Church bank account during this time. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’ so that it goes towards that fund. The details are below…
Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402

Hope you are enjoying your Day!

Blessings,

Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
www.granite.church
0408 942 145

Hi Church Family,

It was encouraging to hear from Dan Andrews earlier in the week regarding the way forward for Victoria as the government starts to ease COVID-19 restrictions. Being able to have some family and friends over is a big relief. I hope you are going ok and finding time to stay in touch with each other. If you would like a pastoral visit, or prayer or would like to chat about anything at all please contact me via email [email protected] or on my mobile (0408 942 145) I’m looking forward to being able to get back out to ‘The Paddock’, however I think it will still be quite some time before we can meet as a larger group.
In the meantime, we will continue to gather together on ZOOM at 10:30am every Sunday… BYO Coffee and Morning Tea (not to share)
Join the Zoom Service this Sunday
by using the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/474053157
Meeting ID: 474 053 157

If you do not have internet access you can also phone in using the following phone number:
PH: 7018 2005
You will then be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 474 053 157

This Sunday we will be continuing our Matthew series as we finish chapter 15 with verses 21 – 39. Here we see Jesus interaction with a Canaanite Woman who displays great faith. It is interesting to consider the reaction of Jesus disciples in this case. What were they thinking? How would you and I have reacted in the same circumstance? After this interaction we see Jesus compassion, as great crowds of people come to him and he heals them and then performs another food miracle by feeding the multitude with seven loaves and a few small fish. What do you find significant in these verses? I keep going back to verse 31 where it says… ‘And they praised the God of Israel’

During the Zoom service we will also have time to Worship through singing and prayer and we will have a chat to a couple of old friends.
I'm looking forward to sharing this time together with you :-)
______________________

Please don’t forget that we can still directly deposit tithes and offerings into the Church bank account during this time. Donations for the building maintenance works can also be deposited into this account with the reference to ‘Building’ so that it goes towards that fund. The details are below…
Granite Community Church        BSB: 633 000        Acc: 16 086 8402

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)

Blessings to you as you follow Jesus,

Ash Buchanan
Senior Pastor
Granite Community Church
www.granite.church
0408 942 145