Hi church family
Planet earth. It’s a tough place to live in sometimes. Sin stained and filled with brokenness. Even God’s people – those who are saved and made new – feel the strain of this world. It makes us realise we aren’t home yet. We are simply pilgrims passing through on the way to our heavenly dwelling.
Yet every time we notice beauty in this world, perhaps the wild flowers, or our children smiling, or listening to a stirring song – it’s like we are given glimpses of heaven. A small deposit of something greater and more majestic to come. If like me, you’re having a challenging week, look up, notice the flowers as your drive home and be reminded that there is still much to be thankful for in world. Let’s celebrate the small mercies of the Lord while we wait for the big breakthroughs to come. Life can be tough, but we are a tough people. In Christ we are over comers.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the church wide training day held last Sunday. It was such a blessing to see so many ministry groups meet all around the place. Training was held in some groups while others held team meetings to review and plan ahead. We’ve also had a few more volunteers sign up to join a ministry team. It was a big step in the right direction to better equip and strengthen our church. May the Spirit of God stir us to continue building stronger and more effective ministry teams so that God can use us in greater ways to build and advance His kingdom.
Last Sunday I kicked off a 3 part series on Freedom. We looked at Freedom in the heart – how Christ sets us free to be freedom agents in this world. This Sunday we will look at Freedom in the church.
Church is all about Koinonia – the gathering of the saints. As a church we are also called to gather in the lost and broken. May God help us to see that we are to live in such a way that we will impact the people around us. Jesus is our best example how to accomplish it. He shows us what it means to be a church that is free to ‘win, build and send.’
This Sunday we will celebrate Lord’s Supper together. It’s a special time where we can reflect on the Grace of God, be reminded of our duty to be gracious to others and find renewed strength in the Lord.
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. – Acts 2:42
God bless you all
Pastor Joe