HCC news: Verses to meditate on

Halswell Community Church
May 14, 2026

Pastor’s Message

Good morning, everyone

I would like to appreciate everyone who was instrumental in making Mother's Day a significant and God-centred day for everyone. Thank you, Kathy and Cathy, for speaking from your hearts and sharing so vulnerably and honestly, allowing God to use you to speak to us in a powerful way. Thank you to the service planners and leaders, Kirstie and Lizzie, for putting together a service that honoured God and our mothers. To the two young men who quietly but efficiently do tech, Toby and Gideon, and to the men who run kids' church so lovingly and effectively. I would also like to thank the Sandes for being at the door and Kim for morning tea. Nikki did such a good job of getting us gifts and flowers for our mothers. I had a grand time with the older kids, and they taught me a lot about good humility and bad humility. I will go and hang out with them again soon.

The Bible verses that Kathy and Cathy shared have formed who they are. I am sharing them for all of us to meditate on. I suggest you take your Bible and a notebook and read them slowly as you listen to what God may be saying to you through them, regardless of the season you are going through.

Cathy H's verses…

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

Philippians 4: 4-7

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10-11

Kathy M’s verses...

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119: 105

He will feed his flock like a shepherd He will gather the lambs in his arms and carry them close to his heart He will gently lead their mothers.

Isaiah 40:11

These commandments that I give to you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children Talk about them when you sit down or walk when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you Do not fear I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13

We're starting another season, which goes by a few names. In the business world it's called 'Q2', in the education world it's called 'term 2', and in the church world it's called 'waiting for Pentecost'. I pray that each of us will remember that God's grace and mercy transcend all our misgivings in all seasons, and we are called to celebrate and also show grace and mercy.

Have a week of mediating on these incredible verses.

Mato.

Church Sundays

We are on the last part of Galatians 4, specifically 4:21-31. This one takes us to a very significant story in the Old Testament involving Abraham, Hagar and Sarah.

²¹Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? ²²For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. ²³His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

²⁴These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷For it is written:

“Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labour;
because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

²⁸Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. ³⁰But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^[f^] ³¹Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

We will be taking a trip down memory lane into the Old Testament with Paul as we talk about what happens when we decide to take matters into our own hands instead of being patient and waiting on God.

Community

We are grateful to our incredible men for leading children’s church this week and equally grateful to all our volunteers who do it every week. I have said this before: our children’s ministry is key for us, and we would like to resource it even more and disciple our children effectively. Studies have shown/are showing two very interesting trends about children.

People who keep their faith as they get older are the ones who had intentional discipleship at church when they were children (3-8 years old). The research does not say to entertain kids but to be intentional in teaching and walking with them.
In addition to the parents, the church plays a key role in influencing/impacting kids’ lives and decisions for the future, especially when they are young. This has to come from the top leadership.

Needless to say, we are still on this journey. We appreciate all you parents that bring your children along and entrust us with them consistently. Please join us in prayer regarding the future of our children’s ministry. For a dedicated children’s co-ordinator, and for the volunteers doing it now, that God will use them for his kingdom in the young people's lives.

Community

This is a call to continue praying and encouraging our young people. Our youth group meets on Thursday evening at 7pm.

This is a time of community, but more importantly, immersing ourselves into God's word and how that intersects with our daily life. They have very good questions and perspectives about life, and the leaders are also very encouraged by how much they have grown spiritually.

We can definitely see God working in and through our youth. They have also been very good at volunteering for Sunday morning duties and tasks. Ask one of the young people to have coffee with you after the service. It’s such an encouragement.

AGM Sunday

Our AGM is coming up on Sunday 24th May. There is a lot to cover this year for the AGM.

Here is the agenda.

Welcome and Prayer
Ministry reports (Elders, Financial, Youth, Admin, Children, Pastors) These will be submitted before, so we will have had a look, and we will have a chance for any questions arising.
Ratifying the HCC constitution
Appreciating the outgoing eldership team
Introducing the nominated Elders. (Rob & Kathy McAuley, Tim & Lizzie Hodge, Matt McFedries, Richard Howe). In order to be the new elders, they have to be ratified by a 2/3 majority.
Praying for the Elders
Introducing the Halswell Community Church Trust and praying for the trustees
AOB and final prayers

Attached to our newsletter this week is a link to our constitution/rules document and a link to the ministry leaders and a short description of what they do as well.

	HCC-Rules-Constitution.pdf153.92 KB • PDF File

Giving

Halswell Community Church

Account Number: 06-0601-0867216-00

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