Just thinking…
The preacher of Hebrews gives us the amazing news that Jesus helps us! John Piper, an American pastor, adds an interesting observation to this – it is not just the ‘what’ of help … it is also the ‘when’ of his help that Jesus controls. One translation of Hebrews 4:16 says, ‘Let us approach with boldness the throne of grace that we might receive mercy and find grace for a well-timed help.’ Piper writes, ‘I think we need to be focused on the grace of God’s timing. When we have a need, we feel very strongly about when God should meet it. We want him to act now! It is not natural for us to think that God’s grace will be shown as much in its timing as in its form. But Hebrews 4:16 reminds us to seek God not only for the kind of grace we need, but also for the timing of grace we need … This can change our attitude in praying. God’s timing is often odd, which is not surprising since “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day” (2 Peter 3:8). The Lord can pack a thousand years of impact into one day, and he can take a thousand years to do a day’s work. In the one he is not taxed, and in the other he is not hurried. So it’s not surprising that “a well-timed help” might be different from God’s perspective than it is from ours, but his perspective is always best. It is always grace to us. It should always be trusted for what it is and when it is (Piper, A Godward Life). So, let’s rest in Jesus’ ‘what’, but let us also learn to rest in his ‘when’.
In Him,
Murray
This Sunday 31 March…
"That's Just What We Do" Jesus described a situation in Matthew 25:31-46 that should give us pause for thought. He describes a future event, but does so that we might live differently in the days leading up to this event. Come and learn how.
The Matthew 25 Challenge
How are your challenges going? Did you manage to sleep on the floor? Have a day free of coffee? This week there will be the chance to reflect on Matthew 25, and there will also be the chance to sponsor needy young people if you would like to do so.
Kids Programs This Sunday
Spark is our program for preschool kids, led by Margaret Stewart.
Blaze is for kids in years 0-4, led by Kelly Jenkins.
Ignite is for young people in years 6-10, led by Olwyn Dickson.
mainly music
mainly music for young children is every Tuesday at 10am in the church lounge.
Hospitality Sunday
Hospitality Sunday is coming up on Sunday 7 April! It would be great if everyone coming to the service on that day came expecting to either be a guest at someone's house for lunch, or to host someone else. If you would like to be a host or a guest you can sign up on Sunday.
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday 6 April from 8am. Our Speaker will be Dr David Richmond, MD, founder and former chairman of the HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing. David will be speaking on current developments in the euthanasia debate. Share a cooked breakfast, coordinated by chef supremo Lindsay M. We'd love to see you there. Please consider inviting a friend.
Sunday Evening Service
We will be starting an all-age monthly evening church service on the last Sunday of each month in the church lounge - the first one is this Sunday!
This Sunday, we look at the topic: 'Dealing with Doubt' - what do we do in those moments in life when our faith wavers?
Dates for 2019 are: Sunday 31 March, Sunday 28 April, Sunday 26 May, Sunday 30 June, Sunday 28 July, Sunday 25 August, Sunday 29 September, Sunday 20 October, Sunday 24 November
Youth Group!
We have also started a monthly social night for our kids and youth. Please let anyone know who may be interested. Dates for 2019 are:
Friday 17 May, Friday 14 June, Friday 19 July, Friday 16 August, Friday 13 September, Friday 11 October, Friday 8 November, Friday 13 December.
Leisure for Pleasure
Next Tuesday at 1pm in the church lounge. There is friendly company, card and board games, quizzes, music or bring your own handcrafts. With afternoon tea to follow. All are welcome!
Home Groups
Wednesday Night Home Group
Home Group at the home of Paul and Ruth Ungemuth every second and fourth Wednesday at 7:30pm. Each week we share in supper, do a bible study and pray for each other. Will begin on Wednesday 13 February. Contact the office for more information.
Wednesday Morning Home Group
Home Group at the home of Joy Galt on the third Wednesday of the month at 10am. After morning tea we do a bible study and pray together. Contact the office for more information.
Sunday Afternoon Home Group
Home Group run by David and Heather Reid every second Sunday after the service at the Reid's home. We have a shared lunch which is then followed by a time of prayer and doing a bible study. Contact the office for more information.
Young Adults Home Group
Every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm. Please email the church to be added to the Facebook page, and check Facebook for updates of what we have going on. We'd love for you to join us!
