MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
God keeps his promises

Hello everyone,

I hope that we are all having a lovely week, especially those who are on school holidays. Apologies that we have not had a newsletter over the last two weeks while we juggle technical issues. 

God’s promises

Over the last few weeks, as we have gone through Joshua, there has been a golden thread, and that has been God’s promises. God keeps his promises to Israel through Joshua, and God keeps his promises to Joshua, especially the first one he ever gave him. Be strong and courageous, do not be discouraged. I am with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:8). God keeps his promises in the New Testament as well. I have been asking over this time, do you know God's promises in your life? Or is this a foreign concept? For those who struggle with knowing what God’s promises are or living them out, we have printed some promises and scriptures to guide us. These are not the only promises, there are many more, but this is a starting point.

My suggestion is that you read through these ones and pray them into your situations consistently. Take them and stick them in a place that’s easy to see and reach, so that they become ingrained.

Promises 

He gives strength to the weary. When you are feeling weak, especially in your quest to follow, honour, and serve God, He promises “power to the faint. (Isaiah 40:31…)

He will give you rest. The Lord promises to give us rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)

The Lord will fight for you. Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. (Exodus 14:13-14)

His love never fails. His love for you is more permanent than a mighty mountain. Don’t believe any version of the lie that says God could stop loving you. (Isaiah 54:10)

He has redeemed you. This simply means that Jesus took our place on the cross and paid the penalty for our sin, and we received the righteousness and clean record of Christ. (Col 1:13-14)

God gives wisdom to those who ask. Have you ever wished that you knew more about life and had a better understanding? (James 1:5)

The devil will flee from you if you resist. Submit to God. Give him your life and be about his will. (James 4:7)

God forgives us when we confess our sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1^st John 1:9)

He forgives us when we forgive others. God’s forgiveness is a free gift because of Christ’s work on the cross. “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

He will exalt the humble. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. (Matthew 23:12)

He will never forsake you. Anyone who has ever felt abandoned should take heart in the promise he will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

He has given us eternal life. We will either die and continue eternal life, or we will die and continue eternal death. (John 3:16)

He will set you free. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Believe you have received what you asked for in prayer. “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

He will give you the desires of your heart. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

All things work for good for those who love God. No matter how difficult your circumstances, this promise never fails (Romans 8:28).

All things will be added when you seek first the kingdom. Learn to radically trust God. Seek his kingdom and leave the rest to him. (Matthew 6:31-33)

He will make your path straight. Do you sincerely want to know what God’s will is for your life, and they are looking everywhere to find it? (Proverbs 3:5-6)

He has prepared us for a place. Jesus promises that his Father’s house has many rooms, and there is a place prepared for us with them in heaven (John 14:3).

He is coming again soon. Jesus will come again and will take his own with him at the resurrection of the dead. (Revelation 22:12)

Have a promise-filled week.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
Joshua and the choice

We are on the last week of Joshua. This week we look at the final chapter, Joshua 24. This is Joshua’s last address. The last words that a person says are very important.

They have had sometime to reflect on their life, and they have nothing to loose, so they become very honest and candid. Joshua does the same, and addresses Israel, by giving them a CHOICE.

So, what was the choice, and what did it mean? Find out this Sunday as we conclude this series.

After our conquest series, we will move onto Judges.

This narrative signals the beginning of defiance for Israel, and how God came through for them numerous times, and how much further they moved away from God.

In between the two series’ we will have a Sunday to reflect on the temptation of Jesus in Matthew and to introduce the Judges narrative to us.

YOUTH GROUP AND THE CASHMERE PROJECT
An exciting opportunity awaits

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 somes 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 focussed 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 Casmhere 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.

All these youth group times resume after the school holidays break, on the week beginning Monday July 22nd.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
Helping the children’s ministry grow

While we are grateful and value our children’s ministry immensely, we are looking on ways we can do more. I consider the children’s ministry to be one of the core pillars in the church, and we would like to support and resource our children’s ministry and the leaders, led by Margaret. 

To this end, we shall be having a conversation with the young families about a way forward, and how to make our children’s ministry do even better.

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: pollycoxnz@gmail.com

Mens home group 
Meeting fortnightly on Thursday evenings.
Contact Richard for more info: richzat@gmail.com

Young professionals home group 
Meeting on Wednesday evenings.
Contact Anna for more info: kariukiklan@gmail.com

Mums and bubs group
Meeting on Friday mornings, sick kids depending!
Contact Kirstie for more info: Camandkirstierussell@gmail.com

Prayer group 
Meeting on Tuesday evenings.
Contact Mato for more info: kariukiklan@gmail.com

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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