Church Update – 25/08/17
Good afternoon church family
Oh my gosh. If you have never been to Hanmer Springs, it sure is worth a visit. I attended the Central and Southern Divisional Officers Retreat. The views were breathtaking. I read this article from Ransomed Heart Daily Readings ‘Golden Goodness’ in the last few days and can see the mountains overshadowing Hanmer Springs with the sun highlighting the fresh white snow. You may enjoy reading it as well.
Think about it—what daily radiance is showered upon us, what immense golden goodness. Every single day, over so much of the planet. It saturates our world, warming the earth, raising the crops in the fields by silent resurrection, unfolding flowers, causing birds to break out in song with the dawning of each day. It bathes everything else in light, which then enables us to behold and enjoy, to live and work and explore. What a gift sunlight is—coming and going. I love getting up in the darkness of early morning and praying through the dawn. As I find myself drawing nearer to God, the room begins to grow lighter and lighter while the spiritual air clears around me. With a final amen, the golden glowing light of sunrise fills the room like the presence of God.
We get hours of it, every day. Hundreds and hundreds of gallons.
Remember—the heart of the artist is revealed in their work. Here and there and everywhere, the creations of Jesus explode like fireworks from a fairy tale over the earth. Dragonflies? Porcupines? Musk ox, their great shaggy kilts hanging round them and mighty horns swooping down, look like creatures if not from Norse mythology then certainly from ancient times. Not something walking around this moment just north of us. Really now—what do we have here? Who do we have here? The whole earth is filled with his glory.
Last Sunday Hannah brilliantly led the See What Love Can Do workshop with17 of our team participating. Thank you Hannah for your organisation and passion for this vital ministry in our church. A huge thanks to Petrea and her team for preparing the lunch. And of course a massive thank you to our Children’s Church and Stepping Stones team. Thank you for loving our kids. Let’s stand together and see what love can do!
A huge thank you also to the Tuesday night ladies Home Group who sewed covers for our cafe tables. They look great and will provide fantastic protection for our tables.
This Sunday we have our Self Denial Altar Service where we – adults and children – will bring our financial gifts for our missionaries working in third world countries. Over the last 5 weeks we have been reminded of the work that our beloved Salvation Army is doing in some countries. By bringing our donation, we get the privilege of partnering with them to make a difference. I encourage you to prayerfully consider your contribution and give it this Sunday asking that God will bless it and use it to help others and be Christ to them.
As part of this special service, Ben Maxwell will be preaching.
A reminder that this Sunday at 3pm, there is a Service of Lament at 24 – 26 Strathmore. I will be there and would love to have as many from our church present. See the poster and more information at the end of this e-newsletter.
Enjoy the weekend. See you Sunday.
God is near
Pastor Dave