Pastor’s Message

The running of HCC

It’s the holidays! I realise to some people that means very little, but to others, the plans of the week change drastically. Wherever you sit, we can all agree that there is definitely less traffic on the roads.

For us at HCC, the holidays mean that youth group takes a break. We will be back on Thursday, 9th October, for the last week of the term. We had the obligatory McDonald’s visit last Thursday. As you can see from the smiles, it was well worth it.

Our children’s programme continues during the school holidays. Lizzie Hodge has graciously volunteered to lead, with the help of others. We are very grateful for our regular children’s ministry helpers and Margaret, the co-ordinator. They are taking a break during the holidays.

I am also incredibly grateful for all of us who do so much for the running of HCC. From the service leaders, especially Chris and Tim, who did it for the first time, our regular speakers, Bible readers, tech, social media, and those who do morning tea. There is also a lot that happens in the background. May God see you and bless your sacrifice.

I am also very proud and grateful to our youth leaders, Zack and Sinead. I am particularly grateful for Kirstie and Lizzie, who are heads of operations now and have done an incredible job of streamlining our rosters and services and making sure communication is much better.

The past year has been a journey for us, beginning with the consultative/feedback process we had in June. In the last three months, I have felt my burden lift from my shoulders, and I am able to focus more on my key role and have time to pray and reflect and plan for the future of HCC and where God is leading us. 

Church Sundays

Coming up this Sunday

We are in week two of our series “Dead Faith”. Last week, we covered the first sense. Dead faith can't SEE – because sometimes our faith is only visible in our trials. 

Our OUTLOOK and our OUTLINE determine OUTCOME. We are God's scattered people, not God's sheltered people. Trials like sickness, accidents, disappointments, tragedies, and humans and the fallen.

Some trials come to us simply because we are Christian, and the devil fights us and the world opposes us. Either way, James says … Start counting and evaluating your trials. Trials help us mature. They develop in us patience and endurance. Patience is not the passive acceptance of circumstances. It’s courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty. Immature people are always impatient, while mature people are patient and persistent. Impatience and unbelief go together, while faith and patience go together. Look at your trials through the eyes of faith.
 
How you react to your difficult moments is an indicator of the depth of your faith, because faith is shown most in difficulty.

If you value comfort more than character? Then trials will upset you.
If you value the material more than the spiritual, you won't be able to count it all joy.
If you value the present more than the future, trials simply make you bitter, NOT better.

This week we are on James 2. Dead Faith can't TOUCH. Sometimes our faith is only believable in our actions. 

Reflection questions for week 1.

Here are the reflection questions for this week on James.

There is a HEAD (Think) question, a HEART (Feel) question and a HANDS (Act) question.

 V 2-4 Do you find you experience the most growth in times of ease or times of trial? Think of and write down a time in your life that you have seen growth through a trial. 

What might it look like to be able to ‘consider it pure joy’ when you face trials? 

Think of someone you know who embodies this. 

V 5-8. When is a time that you have asked God for wisdom and He has given it to you? Why is it hard to believe that He will give us wisdom when we ask for it? 

V 9-11. What things does the world consider valuable? What does God say about those things? What does God consider valuable? 

V 19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Which of these is hardest for you? At work? In your marriage? In your parenting? In your neighbourhood? In your car? Other places?

V 22-25 Are you taking responsibility for what you hear in God’s Word? Are you allowing it to change how you live? What has changed in your life as a result of reading God’s Word?

(Adopted from the Bible Project and BibleStudyTools.com)

Community

Prayer corner

• We continue to have a larger group of children coming to kids' church in the holidays. Please pray over kids' church and our youth during this time.

• We pray over those who are on holiday that they will be safe in their travels and find rest.

• Also pray for all the babies and the families that are preparing for babies that they will be blessed and be prepared for what is to come.

• A prayer of thanks for the continued provision and the growth the church is seeing. Help us to connect and engage those around us.

• A prayer over future plans and the next steps that need to be taken.

• We pray for those that are struggling in their relationships or hardships. We pray that they may focus and rest in Jesus.

Youth ministry

As stated before, youth is on break, but the challenge still remains. Would it be possible for us to mentor these young people to spiritual maturity? Is that something you as an individual would like to do? Just get in contact with either Zack or Sinead, and we can arrange something.

Community

Stuck for ideas these school holidays? Here’s a reminder of two events to consider…

For the older kids, Beckenham Baptist is putting together a children's programme.

For families, the lovely Josh and Anna are running their Kingdom Circus in Wigram. The dates are on the poster below. This show is very well done, so make a point of coming down to watch it with the family. Even if you do not have young kids, it is still worth your time.

Community

The Family Fun day is coming up on Sunday, 23rd November. At the beginning of October, we will have a sign-up sheet for volunteers on the day in different roles. In the meantime, please keep praying for this event, especially for the weather.

Community

Have you signed up for E4 Camp?

New Zealand has the unique privilege of starting the year in summer. Which means we can start the year with rest, a very biblical concept. In the Jewish law, also known as the Torah, the day started in the evening. When a Jew was reading Genesis 1:2. “And there was evening, and there was morning”; the implication was that the day started with rest in the evening and then work. Extrapolating it further, the year starts with rest, and what better “Kiwi” way than a Summer Family Camp in Hanmer? Here are the details…

E4 Summer Camp 15-18 January 2026

Where: Hanmer Springs

Why: Start the year inspired by God

Who: All ages. There will be kids, youth and adults activities

Great speakers and excellent study stream topics while the children are looked after as they learn.

There are early bird prices and very attractive family prices. Also, the sooner you commit, the sooner you can lock in your accommodation.

For more information see Richard Howe, or check out their Facebook page.

HCC giving details

Halswell Community Church

Account Number: 06-0601-0867216-00

Reference: Tithe/Offering

Particulars: Your Name