Just thinking…
We have a grapevine on our property which every year bursts into boisterous growth, sending out shoots and branches, leaves, and occasionally some grapes. Now, I am no vintner (I even had to look up a dictionary to see if I used the right word there for wine-grower … I did!), and my general approach to gardening is quite simple - if something survives, it probably deserves to, and if not, well … And so every winter the grape vine gets cut back with little knowledge and little finesse, leaving just the gnarled and twisted vine looking as naked and embarrassed as a newly-shorn sheep. It looks like a dead piece of driftwood that one might find washed up on the shore, and year after year I look out my window on it wondering if it actually isdead. Did I cut it back too much this year? Can something that looks this lifeless ever bounce back? But each Spring, buds appear … develop … become branches which stretch out, full of fizz and unfurling leaves, and yes … occasionally some grapes! As you look out on your life at the moment, do you struggle to find signs of life? Is everything dormant? Are you in a season of waiting which seems without end? Stay the course! Jesus is the Lord of life … a life that thrums beneath the surface of reality, and at the right time will flow again in your life. Stay connected to him. He says in John 15, ‘Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.’ And so, resolve to remain!
In Him,
Murray
This Sunday 14 July…
In The Beginning...This Sunday, we begin in the beginning! Read chapter 1 of Genesis and again be amazed by the power and wonder of our Creator God!
Soup and Toast
Come and join us for Soup and Toast after the church service on Sunday, 4 August.
Kids Programs This Sunday
Spark is our program for preschool kids, led by Margaret Stewart.
Blaze is for kids in years 0-5, led by Olwyn Dickson.
Ignite is for young people in years 6 and above, led by Matt and Elisha.
mainly music
mainly music for young children is every Tuesday at 10am in the church. Newcomers are welcome.
Men’s Breakfast
This Saturday 13 July from 8am. Our Speaker will be Grant Harris, senior pastor of Windsor Park Baptist Church and a volunteer chaplain for the Breakers basketball team. Share a cooked breakfast, coordinated by chef supremo Lindsay M. We'd love to see you there. Please consider inviting a friend.
Parents’ Lunch
On Sunday 28 July after the service, we invite the parents of our kids and young people to stay for lunch in the church lounge from 12-12:45. This is just so we can share with you where we are headed with the second half of the year, as well as have Simon speak on how to support spiritual growth in your youth as a parent. So come along, we will try and keep it short, there will be free food, and it should be a good time. Any questions please contact Elisha or Matt.
faith @ 6:30
On Sunday 28 July we have our next faith @ 6:30 service. Come along at 6:30pm for an all-age service where we play games, worship and learn about God. This week we will be having various prayer stations as part of a night of prayer focusing on Psalm 23. Come along!
Genesis Small Groups
Over August and September, we will be looking at Genesis 1 - 11 during the church services. Alongside this, we will be running a number of small groups that will be delving into these passages even more. The groups are Mondays 9:30am in the church lounge, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm. The Wednesday night home group will also be working through this series.If you would like to be involved in one of these groups, please email Murray or sign up on Sunday.
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.
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!
