These readings are from a Wednesday Testimony Meeting in Canberra. They are on the topic of God as the divine Father-Mother of all.
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We thank Thee and we bless Thee,
O Father of us all,
That e’en before we ask Thee
Thou hear’st Thy children’s call.
We praise Thee for Thy goodness
And tender, constant care,
We thank Thee, Father-Mother,
That Thou hast heard our prayer.
(The Christian Science Hymnal 374)
These readings are from a Wednesday Testimony meeting in Canberra. They are on the topic of forgiveness.
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Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
(The Bible KJV – Matthew 18: 21, 22)
These readings on the topic of loneliness are from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. These two books are the Pastor of Christian Science.
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Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
(The Bible KJV – Psalm 139: 7-10)
These readings are from a Wednesday Testimony Meeting in Canberra. They are on the topic of: Treating Fevers, Contagion, Colds and Flu.
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Christ comes again with holy power,
To lift our blinded eyes to see;
The sick are healed, the sinner blest,
As on that eve in Galilee.
(The Christian Science Hymnal – 34 v1)
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These readings, from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, are on the topic of Home.
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. (The Bible KJV – Psalms 90: 1)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (The Bible KJV – Psalms 23: 6)
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These readings from the Bible (KJV) and from the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, are on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
This recording is of readings from the Bible and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, on the topic of Peace.
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Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(The Bible KJV – Matthew 5: 9)
Though storm or discord cross my path
Thy power is still my stay,
Though human will and woe would check
My upward-soaring way;
All unafraid I wait, the while
Thy angels bring release,
For still Thy presence is with me,
And Thou dost give me peace.
(Christian Science Hymnal 136 V2)
Readings from the Bible (KJV) and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
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Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
(The Bible -Jeremiah 17:14)
God will heal the sick through man, whenever man is governed by God. Truth casts out error now as surely as it did nineteen centuries ago.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p495: 1-3)
“God is Love.” More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p6: 17-18)
Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p13: 2)
Children today are growing up in a vastly different world to the one their parents experienced. The fast pace of technological change, the lure and risks of social media, the prevalence of cyber bullying, the easy availability of drugs and alcohol, and even the sensational reporting of world events all put pressures on our youth. How can we help them to navigate these challenges and give them the tools they need to cope with the everyday life challenges of school, study, work in 2025?
Today more than ever, our young people need to have a strong moral compass to help them make wise decisions, and an inner resilience that helps them meet life’s challenges and rise above adversity. Hara Estroff Marano, Editor-at-Large for Psychology Today, wrote in her article “The Art of Resilience”: “At the heart of resilience is a belief in oneself—yet also a belief in something larger than oneself. Resilient people do not let adversity define them. They find resilience by moving towards a goal beyond themselves, transcending pain and grief …” So how do we fortify our children and develop in them an understanding of their innate ability to rise above adversity? As parents, we cannot be with our children 24/7 how can we help them to know that they are safe and loved?
At the Christian Science Sunday School in Canberra we do just that. In small groups with a teacher, students discuss the qualities that help us live successful and harmonious lives. Lessons are based around the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus including the Lord’s Prayer. Students discuss the issues that come up in their own lives in light of these invaluable character guides.
Classes for students from pre-school up to age 20 are held every Sunday at 10.00 am. Babies are cared for in the creche. New students are always welcome. The Sunday School is located with the Christian Science Church at the corner of Macquarie and Bligh Streets in Barton. Local students attend in person, but Zoom is available for those who are more distant. For more information click on the Sunday School tab in the menu bar at the top.
Already it’s 2025! Sometimes a new year will cause us to reflect on the year just gone and consider whether we made the most of the opportunities it presented; whether we learned from the challenges; whether we progressed in some way. More likely we will be thinking ahead. Will this be the year I lose weight, exercise more, find a better job? We may even set goals for ourselves.
If we are honest, we must admit that most of our goals are personal ones aren’t they? There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a better version of ourselves in some way, but what if our goals were larger? What would the world be like if we all decided to contribute to making the world a better, more peaceful place? Traditional Christmas carols express hope for ‘peace on earth, good will toward men’. What if this desire was not just a line in a song but our personal goal?
You might ask: How can I make a difference? The world is in such a difficult state – there is poverty, and there are wars, and terrible injustices. How can I help with that, you ask? Every thought and every action contribute to the mental atmosphere of our environment. Are we contributing to a more peaceful environment in our daily interactions? Are we patient and supportive when the person behind the counter is new at their job? Are we gracious in traffic when someone inadvertently cuts us off? Are we forgiving when a waiter makes an error in our order? Are we generous to those less fortunate than ourselves? Every one of these actions contributes to your own and others’ feeling of being loved and valued. Isn’t that what we all need? Isn’t this what really makes life work right?
The Golden Rule: ‘ Treat others as you would want to be treated’, isn’t just a Christian saying. A quick Google search reveals that it is a core demand of every major religion and school of thought. The world knows that it is love that makes things work right. This time next year when we look back on 2025, let’s hope we can all say that we contributed to the peace of the world. Starting right here with our everyday actions we can do our part in building peace.
This article was contributed by Deborah Packer, a member of the Canberra Christian Science community.
