Just Thinking…
Who would want to be Ian Foster at the moment? The airwaves have been full of scathing words against the All Black coach as people questioned his ability, his track-record, his strategy and his choices. The recent series against Ireland, where the visitors scored an historic series win against the AB’s seemed to turn the country against him. On the one hand, I can understand why … and yet … it has also exposed (again) an ugly underbelly to our nation -we are lightning quick to stick the boot in. In the past, the Rugby Union bosses and Foster have excused the verbal excesses for passion, saying that they want kiwis to feel passionately about the national side. And yet, I can’t help asking why this passion needs to be expressed in passionate condemnation instead of passionate support and loyalty? Someone recently mentioned Ian Foster to me as an example of our nation’s addiction to success. Failure is unacceptable in our world. If you fail, you’re ‘out’. Now all this becomes a problem when we come to God. We are so enmeshed in the ‘success-at-all-costs’ mantra … the ‘failure-is-fatal’ mindset … that confessing failure to God is sometimes not easy for us. It is even harder for us to accept that God not only knows about our failures, but is actually eager to forgive; so eager, in fact, that before dinosaurs roamed the earth, he had prepared a way to deal with our messes. No condemnation; no “I-told-you-so’s” … just “Yes! I forgive you.” Have you failed lately in ways spectacular or microscopic? Bring these things to God in confession, and you will find that because of his powerful forgiveness, failure is never final.
In Him
Murray
This Sunday…
This Sunday: From Where I Stand
This week, we have our second message in our series, "From Where I Stand", where our own people share on a Bible passage or an issue they are passionate about. This Sunday, Andrew Lowe will be speaking about 'Jesus, Our Passover Lamb'
Kids Programmes
Our Sparks and Blaze programmes are on every Sunday during the school Term. Years 0 - 6. We look forward to seeing you there!
RBC Youth
Join our yr 9-13 Youth Group!
Time: 7-8:30 PM
Date: Every Wednesday during school term
Location: @RBC
Ignite
Join us for Ignite, our youth group for yr 7-8!
Time: 10 am (during the Sunday morning gathering)
Date: Every Sunday during school term
Location: @RBC
Join us on Sunday morning as we finish painting the Youth room. Please bring a shirt you are able to paint in.
Ignite meets during our Sunday morning gathering.
Renew Together
Our theme for Prayer and Self Denial this year is Renew Together, which run for 3 consecutive Sundays, including the next two Sundays of 7 August and 14 August. On 14 August, an opportunity will be given in the physical service to contribute financially to support the work of Tranzsend, but you can also give online at any stage into the church bank account. Contact the office for more details.
Bible Study Connect Group
Come along next Thursday at 10:30am, either physically or on zoom as we continue studying Paul's amazing letter to the church at Ephesus. Contact the office for more details.
Worship This Sunday: Gathered AND Online
It was so exciting to be back together in our church building again! We will be doing it again this week at 10am (with masks and vaccine passports)!
There will also be an online service available to view, and a link will be sent out to you at 10am on Sunday morning.
Prayer Connection Points
Come along to a prayer gathering at the church lounge Thursdays from 11:30am-12:00pm. Masks are required. Also, On Mondays from 12:00 – 12:30pm there will be an Online Prayer Gathering for half an hour via zoom. Contact the office if you would like the meeting link and passcode.
the Baptist NZ App
There is now a Baptist NZ app! This replaces the Baptist Magazine and is a digital platform for churches across NZ to connect, encourage and resource one another by sharing stories, articles, podcasts and news.
You can learn more about it by clicking here.
It can be downloaded from both the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.
Men’s Group
Remuera Baptist Men’s Group meets monthly – this is generally on the first Saturday of the month. Contact the office for more details. The next Men's Breakfast on Saturday, 3 September at 8am. We are glad to have our youth pastor Matt Anderson speaking. Great to get to know Matt and to hear what the Lord has him share. You are welcome to invite a friend. Enquiries phone Paul 5284401.
BMF
Baptist Missionary Fellowship meets at 10am on the second Wednesday of every month. This is usually at the home of Olwyn Dickson, but the venue if changed, will be advertised here. Please get in touch with the church office if you would like to attend.
Isolation Support
If you or others you know are having to isolate because of covid, please contact the office.
Mainly Music
We run mainly music sessions during the school term every Tuesday, 10am in the RBC Auditorium. If you have kids or know of anyone who does, please invite them to come along! Please also keep the attendees and volunteers in your prayers.
Knitting for Friendship
Every Thursday from 1:30pm - 3:00pm. Held at the home of Margaret Howie-Pask. For more details, please contact the office.
Connect Groups
Thursday Morning Bible Study Group
Every Thursday morning at 10:30am in the church lounge. We are currently looking at the Letters that Paul wrote to the Church of Ephesus. 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! Please note that masks are required.
Thursday Prayer Group
Every Thursday in the church lounge from 11:30am - 12:00 pm. Contact the office for more information. Please note that masks are required.
Monday Zoom Prayer Group
From 12:00 – 12:30pm on Zoom. Contact the office if you would like the zoom link to be sent to you.
Thursday Night Book Club
Every Thursday from 7:30pm via Zoom. Contact the office if you would like the zoom link to be sent to you.
Knitting for Friendship
Every Thursday from 1:30pm - 3:00pm. Held at the home of Margaret Howie-Pask. If you would like to join, please get in touch with the church office.
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!
Wednesday Night Home Group
TBA
Thursday Morning Home Group
TBA
