MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Being part of the light

Last week, I had the opportunity to do some classroom learning. As I worked towards my master's qualification, I attended a block course. The requirement for this paper was to attend a conference for church leaders and practitioners. It was rightly named “The Hope Conference.” It was a refreshing time for me, even with all the material we have to interact with. It's like someone opened a fire hydrant at full force, and we have to deal with all of it.

There were some key messages in no particular order;

• The church is a living, breathing community of faith united by Christ and the Holy Spirit’s presence, all for the glory of God and the sake of the world. 

• The church as we know it, through the Holy Spirit, is the hope of the world.

• Our relationship with God is our primary responsibility. 

• Our prime motivation is love. 

• We are part of God’s overarching story since the beginning, not the other way around, i.e., sometimes we think that God must fit into our story. 

• The hope we have through the resurrection of Christ is not just ordinary hope. It should inform our worldview. It should be the lens through which we look at the world, both present and in the future.

• Whenever we welcome somebody, we are welcoming Christ. Equally, when we dishonour each other, we dishonour Christ.

As I look at what is happening in the world – earthquakes and tragedies, tariffs and trade wars, as well as a sense of hopelessness among us – I am even more convinced than ever before that the local church, through the Holy Spirit, is the hope of the world.

So do not lose hope. We are still in a dark world, but we can bring light into it. I pray that you see yourself as part of that light, because the encouragement in all this is that Christ has made us co-labourers in this vineyard and calls us to represent him through being hopeful.

Have a hope-filled end of the week.

Mato

CHURCH SUNDAYS

Palm Sunday

As we come to the end of our sermon series “Towards the Cross”, it’s a good time for us to pause and reflect on the importance of the conversations we have been listening to.

Tim talked about us eavesdropping on a conversation between Jesus and his father. We have also eavesdropped on a conversation between Jesus and his disciples.

This week, instead of eavesdropping, we are witnessing. Jesus comes into the holy city as the crowd sing, acknowledge and shower him with accolades. There are palms involved, hence “Palm Sunday”. The same crowd would later shout, “crucify him.” What do you think Jesus was thinking about as he rode that donkey into Jerusalem for the last time this side of the resurrection?

Join us as we celebrate Palm Sunday.

COMMUNITY

Making camp and how you can help

This Thursday night marks the end of term 1 for our youth group. Next week is Easter camp, and then we have a week off before resuming on Thursday, May 1st.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our Easter camp campaign so far. From those who have given money, baked and bought that baking, and continue to pray for our young people.

Next Wednesday we will be setting up our marquee, tents and the general youth space that we will be using during the Easter camp period. If you have time to come and help us, please speak to Sinead or Zack, and they will give you details on where to meet and what time. We hope to finish the set-up by 6pm, but you can help for as long or as short a time as you are available.

On another note, the Halswell connections programme is going well so far. We have about 15 intermediates constantly. Please continue to pray for the intermediates who have become regulars, as we also get to know their parents and their families as well.

Once again, I am awed at the volunteers we have for children's church, especially when the volunteers are mothers with young children. To have the willingness to lead children while you have a child depending on you consistently takes courage. So thank you to all the mothers of our young children for being so consistent and faithful in leading our young hearts.

During prayers a few weeks ago, we were challenged about having an HCC children's curriculum that we can use to help our families through the various transitions. Please pray with us as we think through what that looks like and what it means for us. 

We will be running a toned-down children’s programme during the Easter period.

CHURCH SUNDAYS

Women of Power

After the Easter season, we will do a short series on “Women of Power” as part of celebrating our mothers.

We will hear from four women who have had a chance to reflect on their motherhood journeys. These are not Ted talks. These are deep theological reflections that have shaped their decisions, family life and what makes them who they are. Please pray for them as they prepare to share with us.

During this Easter season, we have two services. A Good Friday Holy Communion service, with morning tea and hot cross buns, as well as our Resurrection service on Sunday.

GIVING

A change to HCC giving

We will be changing our bank account very soon. We have been banking with SBS Bank, but they have since informed us that they will not be having a banking facility that caters to charities and organisations with charitable status. At the moment, the giving details remain the same, but that will change at the end of June or the beginning of July.

We are also aware that the end of the financial year is upon us, and we will be giving tax receipts soon. The money that you all graciously gave during the bake sale will not be included in the tax receipt, as the person purchasing the goodies “directly benefits from the purchase".

As we always say, thank you so much for your generosity.

You can make a donation to:

S.B.S Bank Halswell Community Church

Account: 03-1369-0389284-00

Ref: Tithes and offering

Particulars: Your Name