HCC news: Practical Christian living

Halswell Community Church
August 11, 2026

Pastor’s Message

The front page of our newsletter this week is a reminder to sign up for the mid-winter Christmas dinner if you have not done so yet. We would like to have as many of our families come along to the event. It’s the reason why we are having it at 5pm, so that we can include everyone. Even if you can only make it for one part, please come along. (Register here). The cut-off for registration is Thursday morning.

This week, we are on the last part of Ephesians 4. This is practical Christian living, and the challenge will be to see how counter-cultural we can be, because that’s the call in Ephesians 4:17-32. The title even gives it away.

¹⁷So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²²You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Get to know our elders: Tim Hodge

Yes, you might have seen this photo used before, but this time it’s the bloke on the right answering the questions. Let’s get to know Tim this week as he answers our questions…

Tell us a little about where you grew up and what life was like as a child.

I was born at an early age (!), growing up in various parts of the UK, finishing school in Gloucester in the West Country, which, if famous for anything, is known for rugby and cheese – two of God’s good gifts!

I headed north for uni, to Salford, near Manchester (you might have heard of one of Mato’s favourite football teams, Manchester United :)). Uni was great: I got a science degree, met my now wife Liz, and got stuck in with both mission on campus and a local church.

Why did I come to NZ? The short story is ‘be careful what you pray for’! The longer version includes Djibouti, distant cousins, and my reluctance…Ask me more!

How did you become part of HCC?

Through our two teenagers, really. There was no youth group in our last church, and our two really appreciated HCC Youth. So when our former church deliberately and joyfully closed, HCC was a natural connection. Honoured to be part of HCC.

What is a favourite memory or highlight from your life so far?

Being at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and watching Baz McCullum become the first Kiwi to score a triple century in Test cricket. A transcendent moment.

Although, as amazing as that was, experiencing the joy of grace and forgiveness from Jesus, when at university, is far more awesome!

Oh, and I’ve acted as a fig tree in the Mark Drama (www.themarkdrama.com) a few times and am genuinely proud of my performances :)

What advice or wisdom to pass on?

Follow Jesus, proclaim the Kingdom, and don’t look back.

A favourite verse to memorise is Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for human masters

What is something surprising about you?

That I get to speak in public settings so often in front of various groups through my work with TSCF Student Mission (Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship: www.tscf.org.nz).

As a young kid I couldn’t talk for a long time, so when I started primary school I had a lot of remedial speech therapy. In my last high school I was one of eight senior prefects. Part of the role was to lead school assemblies. As I was so nervous of public speaking, I was the only one who didn’t ever do it!

Children’s church learning

Last week in the I AMs, the children covered “I am the gate”. Rumour has it that there were sheep and goats involved in the sheep pen, and some gates were opened and closed. An even more exciting rumour is that there is a dance from the children coming up, but we will leave the dates out so that when it happens, we will be sufficiently surprised.

Closer to home, and keeping up the theme of sheep, this coming week, the focus will be the Good Shepherd. “I am the good Shepherd."

Looking forward to hearing what that means for both of us and our children.

Now you know four I AM's.

I am the light of the world. I am the bread of life. I am the gate. I am the good shepherd.

How is your challenge to learn the rest going? We may have to make you dance as a way of learning.

Youth ministry

The youth are studying Philippians this term. They just went through the first part last week. (Philippians 1:1-11). As they do this, there is also an encouragement to memorise Philippians 4. It’s a beautiful and impactful passage. It is also upward (looks to God) and outward (considers the neighbour) and inward (challenges the individual). It's practical Christian living and very applicable in all our situations in life. Therefore, in addition to learning the “I AM's" here, Philippians 4:4-9.

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Giving

Halswell Community Church

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