Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Australian Restoration News June 2020

​---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Noel Rowlatt 


Australian Restoration News June 2020

           June, 2020.
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Around and About the Centre Place                  by High Priest Paul J. Gage, Independence, Missouri. Greetings Dear Ones in Australia,
I don't have to tell you all that 2020 has been the most unique year of our lives. The virus is all over the world. As it seems to be receding, keep in mind that the Lord's Spirit has never stopped supplying the needs of God's people.
As we enter the sixth month of 2020, may we recall all the scriptures and hymns that remind us of the power of God. One such scripture is Romans 8:31-39 where we are reminded that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. The only thing that can separate us is our own choices. Also the great hymn,  "O God Our Help in Ages Past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while troubles last and our eternal home." We have the assurance that God is in control of all things and has promised His blessings to those who obey His commandments. You may have seen the following:    COVID-19. CHRIST OVERCOMES VIRUS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, JOSHUA 1:9
The Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE) and Pastors of Zion (PO)Z  Restoration Branch Family Reunion and Conference of Restoration Elders to be held June 21-26, 2020 will be in the format of the Zoom ministry that has been provided for the last few months. All information about this event can be found on the CRE website. Just go to eldersconference.org. A number of other reunions and camps have either been cancelled or modified according to  directives from local officials, much like what is happening in Australia.
All the schools, including CPRS have been closed for three months, but have been completing assignments on line or some other system.
Some Branches, including Waldo Avenue RB are opening back up. Waldo had its first Sunday morning service since March 22 on May 24, 2020. Many have been meeting in small groups in compliance with local directives.
The current issue of Tidings of Zion # 131 is in process. It should be in the homes by mid to late June.
As you may know, the Restoration Branch High Priests have asked the Saints to designate each Sunday as a day of fasting and prayer for the Kingdom of God. We encourage the Saints of Australia to join us in that effort.
We should keep in mind that many Christians in other parts of the world are always in danger of living for Christ. We should not expect to be spared from hard times which test our faith. Read I Peter 1:3-9
God's Spirit is moving, all over the world though all missionary efforts have been curtailed. Local ministry however, continues to carry on the Lord's work. God Bless each of you.

Riches from the Scriptures                 by Elder Neil Kerswell, Queensland, Australia.    Vol 4 Chapter 10    Alma Blesses & Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon”
I would like to share some gems from our family church study last Sunday, every week we come across beautiful passages and I often think, I should share that one, but don’t always do it. I hope you enjoy these. The first is some counsel to Alma’s son Helaman.                                                                                                           Alma 17:68-80[Alma 17:68] O remember my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God; yea, and cry unto God for all thy support;                                                                                              [Alma 17:69] Yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest, let it be in the Lord; yea, let thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord for ever; counsel the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good:                                                                 [Alma 17:70] Yea, when thou liest down at night, lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou riseth in the morning, let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
My parents would often quote this one to me growing up, it covers every aspect of our lives and counsels us to include God in everything we do and to thank him in all things and God will be active in directing us for good, and comes with promise of being lifted up at the last day.
[Alma 17:71] And now my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director; or our fathers called it liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.[Alma 17:72] And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship.  [Alma 17:73] And behold, it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness; and it did work for them according to their faith in God;                                                       [Alma 17:74] Therefore if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day;                                                                                                                              [Alma 17:75] Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means, it did shew unto them marvelous works.                                                                                                                                                   [Alma 17:76] They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence, and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey:                                                                                                           [Alma 17:77] Therefore they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.                                                                                                                       [Alma 17:78] And now my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass, (now these things were temporal,) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.                                                                                [Alma 17:79] For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course, to the Promised Land.                                                                                                                        [Alma 17:80] And now I say, Is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the Promised Land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow, into a far better land of promise.
I love the comparison of the Compass Ball to the Ministry of Christ. The Liahona was a truly remarkable piece of workmanship and through faith miraculously gave them directions in many things like, which direction to travel, where food and water could be found, how to avoid dangers. All they had to do was give diligent heed to it through faith. Sadly they became slothful and slowly but surely their situation in life decreased until they wanted for everything and stagnated in their Journey to the Promised Land, until they repented and exercised faith again. It is just as easy to give diligent heed unto the words and life of Christ and like the Compass Ball we can become slothful needing to repent and consecrate our lives to God again. If we will do this the words of Christ will carry us to a better land of promise.
[Alma 18:1] My son, give ear to my words; for I say unto you, even as I said unto Helaman, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God, ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God, ye shall be cast off from his presence.
[Alma 18:2] And now my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth, to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments: for blessed is he that endureth to the end.
Alma gives his Son Shiblon the key to success in the land of America. Keep God’s commandments and you shall prosper, keep not the commandments of God and you will be cast off. This promise and warning are often quoted in the Book of Mormon and have already come to pass numerous times. The Jaredites thought they were too great and mighty to be swept off the land however as they fell, and moved away from God’s commandments they were weighed in the balance of God’s Justice and having refused His mercy offered to them many times they paid the price of disobedience as a nation and were removed. The Nephites also believed they were a great people and neglected the Lord their God, refusing his arm of mercy when offered many times through God’s prophets in admonition. They too paid a heavy price and were removed. Today people who study the ruins of their cities left behind, are bewildered as to how such a magnificent culture could just cease to exist as if one day they just up and walked away never to return. This counsel is very applicable to us today. Do our nations uphold God in spirit and in truth? Do our nations as a whole keep the commandments of God? Do we keep the commandments of God? Take a minute to sober up spiritually and answer these questions to yourself honestly. I will join you. Alma had great hope for Shiblon because in his youth he was making a real effort towards God. But reminds him of the importance of Enduring to the End.
[Alma 18:5] And now my son Shiblon, I would that ye should remember that as much as ye shall put your trust in God, even so much as ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions; and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.                                                                                                                   [Alma 18:6] Now my son, I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of God which is in me, which maketh these things known unto me: for if I had not been born of God, I should not have known these things.
Verse 5 is great counsel for any of us, as much as we shall put our trust in God, in the same ratio we shall be delivered from our troubles, trials and afflictions and once again we have the promise of being lifted up at the last day. Alma was humble and didn’t take honour unto himself for knowing these things, but rather he received it from the Spirit of God. Which Spirit became a living part of his life when he was Born of God. This why we are told the World without God cannot know these things, they can only be understood and discerned by the Spirit and Power of God. 
[Alma 18:13] And now, as ye have begun to teach the word, even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.                                                                    [Alma 18:14] See that ye are not lifted up unto pride: yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength; use boldness, but not overbearance;
Counsel was given about teaching the word of God, we are to be diligent and temperate in all things, put simply this means to be mild in manner, without extremes. Many have been chased away from the Lord’s work over the years because this simple counsel was not adhered too. It’s the only way to get through to an intelligent, thinking, questioning person. We must not be lifted in pride, we must never boast in our own strength or wisdom, because our wisdom is foolishness before God. We can speak in boldness (eager with a sense of confidence and fearlessness) but not with Overbearance (to overpower somebody).
[Alma 18:16] Do not say, O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say, O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy; yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times.
I consider these words to be of the greatest importance, if we cannot achieve this gift and discipline in our lives there is a stumbling block in our way, keeping us from the Kingdom of God, because we have not as yet learnt our place and therefore do not understand God. In order to be truly healed we need to understand first that we are sick and in need of God’s blessings even for the air we breathe. I leave you with these words to consider them in your own minds according to your own understanding and relationship with God, may you be blessed is my prayer in Jesus Name.            Amen
A Testimony  by Sr Janice Kerswell, Kingston Branch, Queensland, Australia.
 I had several days where anything that could go wrong, seemed to. I have my husband to care for (He has cancer), and I was feeling so low & sorry for myself. That evening when my husband was asleep, I was sitting on the lounge praying. I talk to God like he is my best friend. All of a sudden it came to my mind all the blessings I had had over the last few days, some small some special, I found myself thanking Him for always being there. He is my constant. I asked for his forgiveness for the way I had felt.  Al had injured himself and was in excruciating pain, when he had to sit on a seat that was too small on the transport coming home from the hospital. I said I would pray and ask God to be with him in his pet/.ct test the next day and that the seats in the transport wouldn’t hurt him. When our transport turned up it was a sedan car.    I said to Al “what a Blessing” and said out loud “Thank you God”. He blesses us more than we are aware of. He helps us find misplaced things. He prompts us. When you stop and look back over your day It’s amazing.  I love the poem Footprints. It is so true. When things become overpowering, it’s then that he carries us.
I was so blessed when I was young that I had my Grandma Rowlatt and my Mum mightily bear their testimonies of the miraculous blessings they both had which gave me a great foundation. When I was a young girl grandma would give me a cup of warm milo and bear testimonies before I went to bed. My mum would sing to us and bear her testimonies as she ironed. How I loved those times. I used to think I can’t wait till I am old enough to have my experiences. The lord has been with me throughout my whole life. He has spared my life. He has performed many, many miracles on my husband, myself and our 4 children. He has blessed us with 15 wonderful grand children and 3 great grand children who are our joy and riches.
I feel I am a very blessed woman. I love my Lord and am so glad he is a part of my life. A very uplifting scripture is James 1:2-3. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into many afflictions. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.    May God bless you . Your sister in Christ- Janice Kerswell. 

God Will Forgive and Restore You.                            submitted by Sr.Monique Hummel, South Australia.
Have you ever heard of the Great Boston Molasses Flood? On January 15, 1919, a steel vat containing 2.3 million gallons of molten molasses burst. A 30-foot-tall wave of hot syrup drowned people and horses, destroyed buildings, and crushed freight trains, wagons, and cars. The enormous tank, 50-feet tall and 240-feet around, had been poorly designed. Company officials had reacted to the constantly leaking cracks by repainting the tank to match the colour of the molasses; their philosophy was ‘out of sight, out of mind’. These officials knew the vat was dangerous but they did nothing about it. The disaster, described by one author as the ‘Dark Tide’, killed 21 people and injured 150 others. There are two important lessons in this story. First, pay attention to the cracks in your character; what you ignore today, you may drown in tomorrow. Second, no matter how badly broken you may be, if you turn to God, He’ll restore you. Isaiah said, ‘A bruised reed He will not break.’ These words portray the gentleness and grace of God as He stoops to restore and make us whole. Maybe you think your sin is too great and you’re too far gone. No. God said, ‘I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness’ (Exodus 34:6). ‘I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him’ (Hosea 14:4). ‘He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us…[He] will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea’ (Micah 7:18-19). Today God will forgive and restore you. 
                                                * From Christian Broadcasters *
****************
Important Message For All Church Members and Friends Australia Wide.         
Here is a great opportunity for Congregations and Isolated Saints to create an Online Congregation to Worship and Fellowship together and get to know each other.
Introducing a new program that will allow all church members and friends in Australia to share in Sunday Services and Wednesday night Prayer Services from their own homes. It evolved in exchange of ideas between Priest Peter Churchill & Elder Gary Melling, both from Queensland, at the commencement of the Corona Virus Restrictions, and with the know how of Elder Danny Archer of Sydney making it a reality.  Here is information submitted by the team
We have started online services via Microsoft Teams.  We commenced our first prayer meeting  held by Danny Archer on Wednesday 20/5/20 at 7pm, where a moderate amount of saints gathered together online fellowshipping.  On Sunday 24/5/20 a Service was held by Danny and Peter Archer, where we had a few more saints meet online. We are really hoping that our numbers keep growing and that we are able to reach more of our isolated saints in the comforts of their own homes.                                                                                                    We are currently in the initial phases of online church and are ironing out a few bugs.                                 Feel free to join us on Sundays at 10am for Sunday Service;  or Wednesdays at 7pm for prayer meeting.  Meetings go for approximately 30-45 mins at this stage.                                                                                    If you would like the links to join in fellowship – please feel free to email Danny Archer:                             danny@inbeta.org
To hook into this great service you must have access to the internet .                                                                                            We  look forward to seeing you all online. 
Testimony. I had the very pleasurable experience of being connected on the internet for the Preaching Service at 10am on Sunday 31st May. This was the first time I was able to avail myself of this program. To say I was impressed would be an understatement; as well as hearing an excellent and challenging sermon by Elder Neville Churchill, we could see and exchange greetings with the others who were also on line. At Prayer Meetings on Wednesday nights we can also see each other and participate in the sevice.   Elder Noel Rowlatt (Editor)
Tamworth News                                                          Reported by Sr. Helen Archer
Hi everyone! Hope you are all going okay. Elder Peter Archer  was going and meeting with Brother Bob Wilkinson for a short Service out on his back porch and then going to Deacon Roy and Sister Daphne Schubert for a short Service on Sundays while the Coronavirus restrictions were on when we were able to do this by law.  Last week as the Restrictions had eased Brother Bob's daughter came to visit him from Port Macquarie and he went home with her and stayed for a week.                       Sunday 17th May  we had a Sacrament Service at Elder Peter and Sister Helen Archer’s with Elder Peter giving the message.                                                                                                                                            Wednesday the 20th of May we had a Prayer Service on a video conference.  Priest Peter Churchill asked Elder Danny Archer  could it  be done and Danny looked into it and we had our first Prayer Service and it was very successful with eleven people sharing in  Prayer and Testimonies.                        Thursday 21stof May  We celebrated Deacon Roy’s 87th Birthday with just five of his family as that was the amount we were allowed to have over.  He enjoyed coming and having some of his family celebrate.                                                                                                           Sunday morning 24th May we had another Service online with Elder Danny giving the message and 21 people joining the meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                  *****************
Church of Jesus Christ Restoration  Branch--Kelvin View, Euroa.  Reported by Elder Murray Broughton
For the past month, my wife Delma and I have been meeting every Sunday in our home and having a service. Sr.Delma video taped many of them and put on Church of Jesus Christ Restoration Branch web site .I also put scripture on nearly every day, 
April 19 2020 . Church in Home in Euroa. Reading John 20: 24--31.
          Sermon John 20; 18--31 John Chapter 21    Poem -- Footprints.
 April 26 2020. Church in Euroa in our Home.
                          Reading - Acts Chapter 1: 1-8     Sermon Acts Chapter 1 .Acts Chapter 2.
 May 3 2020 .   Church in our Home -Euroa.
                          Reading  Matthew  3: 27-32, & 40–46..  Sermon on Baptism.
                          [ Baptism of Water, Baptism of the Holy Ghost.]   Mode of Baptism.
 May 10 2020.  Church in Euroa - In our Home.
                          Hymns, singing of hymns from church in Independance Missouri. Prayers.
                          Reading  Genesis Chapter 18: 1-14.  Text: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Gen 18: 13.
                          Sermon Genesis 18: 1-14, Genesis  21: 1--9.
 May 17-2020. Church in Kelvin View Hall.
         Reading Luke Chapter 22: 14-22 &  30-34.
                         Sermon  Luke Chapter 22 Chapter 23.   followed by the Sacrament..
Prayers needed. Jane Broughton, Kimberly, Dennis and Jan DeUray in Geelong & Kevin Dowell. And in the Philippines: Jarome and Mary Jane Natino’s child is taking fits; we sent money to help; been to Doctor, has to go to Neurologist.

Scripture to conclude with:  Luke Chapter 21: 36 . And what I  say unto one, I say unto all, Watch ye therefore,and pray always,and keep my commandments, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass,and to stand before the Son of man when he shall come clothed in the glory of his Father.
11 Chronicles Chapter 7: 14. If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray,and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,and will heal their land.
        Your Bro. In Christ, Elder Murray Broughton. Pastor.                                                                                ****************

Please include in your daily prayers the following people who are in need of a blessing                                                     Gwen Whately,     Alma & Janice Kerswell      Audrey Kerswell              Michael & Patty Fulton ,   Gary Rowlatt,       Ellen Sheppard,      Olive Melling,  {plus those on Elder Murray Broghton’s list above)
The Australian Government is gradually lifting restrictions that were placed on us in an  effort to curb the spread of the Covid 19 virus that has infected the world and claimed so many lives. It has been announced that from the 12th June that Churches here can hold Services with a maximum attendance of 20, provided that social distancing is observed. On that basis the following schedule of activities for Kingston Branch has been planned.

 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST RESTORATION BRANCH,  KINGSTON                                   
17-19 Juers Street, Kingston, Queensland.      Pastor: Elder Alma Kerswell. Phone 07 3800 1151
 ACTIVITY SCHEDULE. JUNE, 2020.    
Sun.  14th.           10.00 a.m.    COMMUNION SERVICE. Elder N.Rowlatt asstd.by Priest G. Kerswell
                                                  Musical Item for Service Linda Myers
              A Finger- Food Fellowship Lunch will follow. Please bring suitable food
                (We will still have to observe social distancing)       
Sun.  21st.          9.50 a.m.    Hymn Sing:  Linda Myers                   Flowers: Rebecca Melling     
 10.00 a.m.     PREACHING SERVICE. Elder G. Melling asstd.by  Elder N. Melling
            Musical Item for Service Glenn Kerswell
                        11.10 a.m.      Class:  Priest G.Kerswell
Sun.   28th        9.50 a.m.    Hymn SingRebecca Melling            Flowers: Del Churchill
10.00 a.m.     PREACHING SERVICE.  Elder N. Churchill asstd.by Priest G. Kerswell
        Musical Item for Service. Gary & Rebecca Melling 
11.10 a.m.    Class.  Elder A. Kerswell

BRANCH NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS for Kingston Branch..
Wedding Anniversary Congratulations. 
George & Sue Parker will have their Wedding Anniversary on the 13th June.
                ***************
As we move towards this new phase of world history ( Post Corona Virus ) let us be challenged by these very familiar and stimulating words of scripture to move forward striving to help make Zion a reality.
D.& C.23a And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying, The heavens, they are many and they can not be numbered unto man, but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine; and as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so shall another come;                                                                                                               23b  and there is no end to my works, neither to my words; for this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality, and eternal life of man. 
D.&.C.4:   Now, behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men, therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day;  therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work, for, behold, the field is white already to harvestand   lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perish not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; and faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualifies him for the work. Remember, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.  Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. 
John 8: 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;        32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 
Conributions to the Australian Restoration News need to come by the 20th of the month and must be submitted by email if possible.Email details are nandjrow@bigpond.com.au Phone contact: 07 3824 8386             
We would love to have contributions from isolated members in Australia; articles or testimonies or just greetings. We would also like to hear from American saints who have ministered in Australia.                       
 Postal details are as follows: Noel Rowlatt, 6 Wetheral Place, Alexandra Hills. Q4161
Editor  Elder Noel Rowlatt         Assistant  Editor    Gary Rowlatt

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