Just thinking…
Our world has become quick to show outrage. Have you noticed? It seems to be the 'go-to' response when our values or rights or freedoms are bruised. There is resounding silence coming from the middle ground, the measured response, the nuanced view. Instead, the airwaves are full of strident voices saying, “We are outraged that … (fill in the blank).” I happened to come across a plaque last week as I was walking. On it was the Prayer of St. Francis, and the words reminded me again of how differently we are called to walk this life. These words are teased out from the warp and woof of God’s message to us and offered back to Him as a prayer. I encourage you to read them slowly … chew on each phrase … note where they rub a sensitive spot … and ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to apply them to your life.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
In Him,
Murray
This Sunday 1 March…
SHAPE: What are your experiences... This Sunday, we wrap up our series on how God has 'SHAPED' us for service, with a nod to abilities and personality, but a focus on our experiences. Come along!
Prayer Service
This Sunday at 7pm is our monthly prayer service in the church. We pray for one another, our church programmes and beyond. Everyone is welcome to participate.
mainly music
mainly music for young children is every Tursday at 10am in the church. Newcomers are welcome.
Office Hours
Please note that from Monday 2 March, the office hours will be changing to: Mondays 8am-1pm and Thursdays 8am-1pm.
Kids Programs This Sunday
Spark is our program for older preschool to year 2 kids, led by Margaret Stewart.
Blaze is for kids in years 3-5, led by Olwyn Dickson.
Ignite is for young people in years 6 and above, led by Grace.
eCamp Fundraiser
eCamp is a camp that runs over Easter for years 7-9 at Finlay Park. You can download the registration form for eCamp here. Please contact the church office with any questions or if you would like to register.
Young Adults Group
The first Young Adults Group Meeting for 2020 will be next Thursday evening at 6:30pm. We will be having a dinner and social catch up at Simon Mahoney's house. If you are interested in joining us, please contact the church office, or message us on Facebook: @remuerabaptistchurch Newcomers are welcome!
Ignite Youth Group
Tomorrow night we will be having a Pool Party from 7-9pm. If you are interested and want more details, please contact the church office.
Men’s Breakfast
Men’s Breakfast Saturday 7 March. Our speaker will be Stan Yee. Stan will talk about Henry Jackson-Yue, the second Consul to New Zealand from Nationalist China, and the hardships of the early Chinese, and how they were helped by the Rev Alexander Don in the gold mining days of the 1880s in Roxburgh. Share a cooked breakfast, coordinated by chef supremo Lindsay M. We'd love to see you there. Please consider inviting a friend.
GROW Camp
Our annual GROW Camp will be held on Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 March. This year we are privileged to be having a guest speaker, Phil Halstead, a lecturer at Carey Baptist College. Please note that because of this, on Sunday 15 March we will not be having a normal church service and seminars will be running instead. We will then have a message from our speaker Phil Halstead in the afternoon. If you would like to register, there will be registration forms available this Sunday or you can contact Murray.
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.
Thursday Morning Home Group
Home Group in the church lounge on the third Thursday 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 Thursday 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!
