MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Which group do you fall into?

This last Sunday, we had the chance to listen to Tim speaking on The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin. This is in our continuing series, Stories Jesus Told, which looks at the parables of Jesus in Luke. Tim did a masterful job of describing how we are no different from the pharisees/sadducees in Jesus' time who listened to Him. In this specific parable, the first verse says:

So which category would you fall into?

Essenes—during Jesus’ time, they isolated themselves and lived a monastic lifestyle, vehemently following the Torah and looking down on anyone who did not follow it to the letter. They were rarely seen in public.

Zealots—withdrew to the mountains/terrains and plotted ways to take down Roman rule. They were always zealous in their quests and attempted various raids against the government of the day, but mostly unsuccessful. Their name comes from the verb they most espoused. Zeal for their Jewish heritage. Mostly known as warriors.

Sadducees—these were the modern Jews who fraternised with Rome and made peace to maintain a status quo that mostly favoured them. They were not devout followers of the Torah, though they were Jewish and loved nothing more than being recognised for their status. They are famously reputed not to believe in the afterlife.

Pharisees—these were the law keepers in the towns and read/kept the law and its application in the synagogue and among the normal Jews. They were known to make judgement on how the laws were applied and broken—all 613 of them, and one had to be given a “clean bill of health” by a Pharisee if they had broken the law, or considered an outcast, before they were allowed back into normal life.

So, of these groups, which one best describes your posture of life? Your own life? How do you look at others? How do you view God, and how do you relate to those around you?

Tim summarised by sharing that we are in danger of buying into moralistic therapeutic deism. Moralistic therapeutic deism, i.e. God is a cosmic therapist and divine butler, ready to help out when needed. He exists but really isn’t a part of our lives. We are supposed to be “good people,” but each person must find what’s right for him or her. Good people will go to heaven, and we shouldn’t be stifled by organised religion where somebody tells us what we should do or what we should believe.

However, this is not the gospel. The gospel is that we are lost, and we need a Saviour, hence why God goes after the most problematic of us.

Martin.

CHURCH SUNDAYS

The Lost Son

Tim continues in Luke 15 as he looks at the third part of lost, i.e., The Lost Son. Although it is not really the lost son, but the two lost sons.

Tim Keller, in his book The Prodigal God, says;

“There are two ways to be your own Saviour and Lord. One is by breaking all the moral laws and setting your own course, and one is by keeping all the moral laws and being very, very good.” 

While we consider the younger son to be lost, perhaps the older one was more lost than he imagined or more lost than we ever thought. The parable ends with the younger brother having a feast with his father, and the older brother left out. Why would life be so “unfair”? Come join us this Sunday at 10 am.

COMMUNITY

Supporting youth and the fun day

Once a year, we have a day of giving to support an outreach project in our church or community. This year, we will be raising money to support our youth ministry and for the family fun day in December. Please feel free to give on or before the date indicated. As we said on Sunday, pray through what you would like, pause and let God lead you, and then give generously. No one is pressured to give. It is totally up to you and where God is leading you.

For youth ministry giving, we are supporting the 10 hours that Sinead and Zack do for church and Oaklands School (split five youth ministry and five hours at Oaklands School).

Thank you all for your support.

This year we would like to gift books. Do you have a book that you have read that has impacted your life? Would you consider buying it and gifting to someone and giving it for Christmas?

CONNECT
Prayer, Youth and Home Groups

We have a variety of home groups at HCC that cater for all.

Ladies home group
Meeting on Wednesday evenings.
Contact Paula for more info: [email protected]

Mens home group 
Meeting fortnightly on Thursday evenings.
Contact Richard for more info: [email protected]

Young professionals home group 
Meeting on Wednesday evenings.
Contact Anna for more info: [email protected]

Mums and bubs group
Meeting on Friday mornings, numbers depending
Contact Alice for more info: 0277662737

Prayer group 
Meeting on Tuesday evenings.
Contact Mato for more info: [email protected]

Youth group 
7pm on Thursday at Seven Oaks School.
Get in touch with our Youth workers Zac (0284038758) or Sinead (0224193096) for more details.

GIVING

If you would like to contribute to HCC

We really appreciate everyone who has been giving to HCC. It is because of your generosity that we continue to operate. So please know that we value each contribution and that we are grateful for each member individually.

You can contribute by either using the offering box at the entrance of the church or by giving online.

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