MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
All that glitters is not gold

Hello everyone,

We concluded our series in Joshua this past Sunday. It has been a long series, but I believe that God has spoken to all of us through it, in various ways and at various times. My encouragement to all of us is to go back through the messages and ask yourself two very important questions:

What has God been saying to me through the Joshua series? And what am I going to do about it?

Perhaps even more confronting is the question: What has God been saying to us as a congregation through the Joshua series, and what will we do about it?

Before we turn our attention to Judges, which picks up the story of Israel after the death of Joshua, we will have an intermission. This week, we are in the New Testament, looking at the temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4). The reason I picked this text as a preamble is because of its relevance to the Judges text. Israel very quickly gets tempted by the ways of life and the foreign gods of the foreigners, and this eventually leads them to captivity. All that glittered, it turns out, was not gold.

In Matthew 4, Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert to be tempted. It is important to note that he did not lead himself, but God took him there. He was at his weakest point physically (he had been fasting and was very hungry), but he was at his strongest point spiritually and emotionally. He had been fasting in solitude and had fellowship with his father. When the devil approaches him, he is not a victim of his false self; he knows where his identity lies, and he taps into these truths.

Jesus was tempted in three ways.

Turn stones into bread (be relevant).

Throw yourself down (be spectacular).

I will give you all these kingdoms (be powerful).

Yet in all these, Jesus overcomes because he knows where his identity lies. In all the responses to the devil, he begins with “it is written” and refers to God his father. Here we see a blueprint of the struggle against the compulsions of our false selves and how an encounter with the loving God who offers himself as the substance for our new selves if we are willing. 

Have a spiritually awake week.

Martin.

COMMUNITY
Q&A: Getting to know Matt

We’re back with another insight into a member of our church community. Previously, we pestered Rob McAuley. This week, we’ve put spotlight on Matt.

In his professional life, he’s saving lives physically. As an elder at HCC, he can look out for you spirituality. The complete package!

How did you come to know the Lord?

I don’t have a date for this, but through growing up in a Christian family, I came to know Jesus. I asked him to be my Lord numerous times growing up and got baptised when I was 21 or so. I find it a cool thought that the only reason I know of Jesus is because those who were before us held on to the knowledge and experience of him and passed it down through the generations for over 2000 years.

Have you got a favourite Bible verse?

I like the practicality of both Isaiah 58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

What do you believe God's gift for you is?

Possibly viewing the world as how it might have been intended from the beginning of creation. How we could live without pillaging the earth and one another. Instead, adding to God’s creation and 'subduing’ the earth in positive ways.

Favourite thing about HCC?

I like how many young families have suddenly joined the congregation. It’s so cool to see, especially having a young family of my own. Also, Mato’s biblical based sermons are superb.

How would you spend your dream day off work?

Headed to the mountains with the intention of cooking something over a fire haha (the kids may, or may not, be invited). Or working on a project at home.

What was the last TV show, movie, or book you really enjoyed?

It's been a long time since I’ve sat down to read any books or watch anything decent. I am someone who can re-watch or re-read something infinitely if I really enjoy it. An all-time favourite for me is The Lord of the Rings, with its very subtle nuances to the spiritual/biblical story. I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed watching Anne of Green Gables haha... So very wholesome!

What is one important skill every person should have?

I think being able to show genuine respect to all people, which can be very challenging.

Finally, what three celebrities or historical figures would you have over for dinner? What would you cook for them?

John the Baptist, I’d like to know how he lived in the wild. Can it also be a fictional character? Then I would invite Aragorn from Lord of the Rings haha. And maybe Elijah? He seemed to live a pretty intriguing life.

I’d cook them some soup, which I think John the Baptist would approve of, even if Mato does not.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
…and speaking of soup

Don’t forget to join us for our shared soup lunch this coming Sunday after service. We look forward to spending time with all of you.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
Dedicating Josie Smith

On Sunday, the 4th of August, we will be dedicating Josie Smith.

Josie has been part of the HCC family for a while now. For those who do not know, she became the youngest ever helper at Easter Camp and helped secure our new church seats. She was there through it all.

So, this dedication isn’t just about committing her to God. It is also encouraging her to continue doing what she is already doing. Join us on the day as we pray and dedicate Daisy to God.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
Children’s church continues to grow

This past weekend we saw a bumper edition of children’s church, as the number of families at HCC continues to grow. We thank Alice and Margaret for all their amazing work, especially as each week more and more children seem to be heading along!

YOUTH GROUP AND THE CASHMERE PROJECT
Youth connections

There has been a lot of conversation about youth group and what it looks like now. There have also been questions regarding what we are doing in the community. So here is a breakdown.

Thursday night youth group: This is our usual youth group time, with young people from our church and their friends. This time is predominantly scripture and prayer related, with some activities, but the main focus is our spiritual life and how to live it out.

Friday afternoon youth group: This is our pilot project. It is a youth activation project, aiming to reach the youth of the area, as well as the parents. The first focus will be the schools, i.e. Oaklands and Halswell School, and then expand it to other schools. This is a social action project. It is focused on connection and activity, and mainly on years 6-8, and we aim to invite them to our Thursday night youth group as they get older.

The Cashmere project: This is our Friday lunchtime outreach at Cashmere High School. It is an outreach project, aiming to preach the gospel to the young people at Cashmere High School and invite them to have a relationship with God, and with each other.

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, sick kids 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

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

CONNECT

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