Happenings 30/09/21

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Just Thinking…

I heard a true story recently from the battle of El Alamein - one of the decisive battles of the Second World War. The battle was raged during the fiercely hot hours of the day when the heat was most intense on the sands of North Africa. When it seemed that the British had nearly reached the limits of their endurance and their water supply had all but gone, they were suddenly surprised to see large numbers of the elite desert German army throwing up their hands in surrender, and come stumbling towards them. They were in a terribly bad way, with parched tongues sticking out of thick, swollen lips. And they came begging - begging for water, even just a sip.

What had happened was that, as they overran the previous British position, there was a newly-constructed water main there. The thirsty German soldiers had drank from it deeply before destroying it so it couldn't be used by the British. However, what they didn't realise was that the pump was still being tested, and instead of fresh water running through it, sea water from the Mediterranean was being pumped through to test its water-tightness. The Germans unwittingly drank sea water, and were nearly driven insane by the thirst this created in them as they fought. They were defeated, not because of their lack of ability or commitment, but because they had drunken from the wrong source.

It is not an accident that Jesus compares the gift of God to being like living water - that most basic of needs - when talking with the woman at the well in John 4. It is when HE becomes our source of life and strength, peace and contentment, that we are able to endure. When we try to 'fill up' from other sources, we find they simply do not and cannot satisfy us. Who are you drinking from as you go through this week? Relationship with Jesus or a dependency on other things?

In Him,
Murray

This Sunday…

The Importance of Passion:
Paul seems to have been a passionate man: full of enthusiasm and zeal, although not always directed in the right direction. We will be sharing his story and the stories of others as we look at the importance of passion (Acts 9).

 

Kids Programmes during Lockdown

There will be not Blaze or Spark's programmes running due to covid restrictions.

RBC Youth

This youth event is for the whole whānau! Join as a bubble to hear about upcoming changes to RBC youth, Ignite, meet our youth leaders, and share any questions you may have. We'll also play a Kahoot Quiz, so you'll want to make sure you bring the whole family, especially parents and guardians.
So come as a bubble with any questions you may have about RBC Youth and a plan on how y'all will become quiz champions.

7 pm Friday 1 October
Click here to join

We’re ZOOMING Online!

This Sunday, we will be having our very first worship service by Zoom! Zoom is an online meeting program which you can download and use for free by downloading the program by clicking here. If you would like to join in (we hope you do!), please download and install the program before next Sunday. If you would like help doing this, please contact the church office and we can connect you with someone who can help.

A link for the service will be emailed to you by 9:30am on Sunday 3 October as per normal. You can just click on this link at 10am to join in with the service. If you don't wish to be a part of this, the service will also be recorded and a link for this will be posted later on in the afternoon so you can view it.

 

Virtual Morning Tea

This Sunday at 11:30 am, after our worship service has been posted, we will be having a Virtual Morning Tea!

Get your biscuit and a cup of coffee and sit down for a Zoom chit-chat with others! Catch up on others' weeks, talk about whatever, leave whenever you wish, enjoy some fellowship!

The young people are also invited to this, and then will have a 'break-out' Ignite youth meeting using the same zoom link, which Matt will organise.

Click here to join the Morning Tea!

Giving to our Community During Lockdown

There are many in need in our community during lockdown. If you would like to contribute financially, a couple of good options would be to Vision West (click here) or contact Ruapōtaka Marae in Glen Innes on 09 5705340.

mainly Music

We finished our last mainly music session for this term last Tuesday.  We hope to see you (hopefully in person) in two weeks time, after the school holidays!

Home Groups

Young Adults Home Group
Every Sunday 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!

Basix  Small Group
Basix is a series of chat group courses looking at the basics of the Christian faith. Each course runs for four weeks, and discusses questions about who God is, life and the Christian faith. Please contact the office if you are interested.

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.

You can check out what’s happening from our Facebook page by clicking here.

You can check out the Sunday sermons our YouTube channel by clicking here.

You can find out what’s happening at RBC by joining our e-newsletter list. Please contact the office if you wish to be added to this.