MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Wrestling with scripture

I was very fascinated and encouraged by the feedback after our Sunday service regarding the sermon. This mostly revolved around the morbid nature and violence in the text that we were covering.

Reading the text from a 21st century perspective, the nature of Samson’s dealings with the Philistines looked “over the top." If you can, it’s one of those texts that you probably avoid reading or speaking about.

However, it is still scripture, and we have to wrestle with it.

We do not give excuses for it, try to dumb it down, or even make it look too good to be true. We sit with it in context, wrestle, and sit with the discomfort of tragedy. This exposes our worldviews, our biases, our ways of life, and most importantly, our view of God, whether healthy or unhealthy.

Another way of putting it would be we let the scripture read us instead of us reading it. We are then able to see the importance of Christ in all of scripture.

As C.S. Lewis put it: We come to Scripture not to learn a subject but to steep ourselves in a person.

So, as we come to the end of our series on Judges, the challenge is to let the scripture read us and expose our biases and misconceptions. It shows us if there is a way in which “we have done what is right in our own eyes,” just as Israel did.

After all, as Paul explained to his protege Timothy,

Have a scripture-filled week,

Martin.

COMMUNITY

Children’s ministry, youth group and the Cashmere project

It’s a wrap for the term for the youth group and the Cashmere project, as the holidays begin this Friday. There will be no youth group activities during the holidays, and we will resume on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Our children’s ministry also takes a break during this time. We will not be running an active children’s ministry during the holidays. Our awesome leaders are in the process of making plans for running the children’s programme in the service. Details to come soon.

CHURCH SUNDAY

When talent outshines your character

We are in the last week of our Judges series. This week, we'll do a wrap-up of the Judges series, we will do a mention of the rest of the judges, and then conclude with the story of Samson and Delilah.

The big question to answer this week will be, “What are you holding onto that is holding you back?”

Following Judges, our next sermon series will be…

COMMUNITY

E4 summer camp in Hanmer Spings

We're excited to announce the return of E4 Summer Camp, running from Thursday 9th-12th of January 2025. Our purpose is to encourage, energise, and equip the body to enlarge the Kingdom of God! Start the year ready to listen to what God has to say to you and His church.

E4 Summer Camp is not simply a conference but a fantastic family holiday with worship, teaching, and ministry. There will also be several equipping streams and a kids programme. Afternoons are kept free for you to enjoy the beautiful alpine environment.

Key speakers are yet to be confirmed, but keep your eyes peeled for that announcement in the coming weeks. Children will have a kidzone programme.

The daily programme involves: 9.00 am worship and ministry zones for all ages; 11.00 am equipping streams; 12.30 pm lunch and free time; 7.00 pm ministry zones.

E4 is very intentional about equipping Christians, and those attending will attend a single ministry equipping stream for the whole event.

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

CONNECT

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