HCC newsletter: Keeping the pace

You don't want to fall behind in this challenge

MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Keeping your pace up

Good evening,

Thank you all for the feedback about what I shared last Sunday. I realise it may have been full on, but I felt strongly that it is a challenge God really wanted us to hear.

Here are the five areas again. The verses reference John 11, The Death of Lazarus.

Prayer (in and out of season) Vs. 1, 42

  • Make it a priority to consistently bring your whole honest self to God. 

  • Come for prayer after services consistently.

Adoration of Christ (read your Bible and pray every day) Vs. 3, 5, 21-25

  • Always make scripture your reference point.

  • Let God be the first person you go to when you wake up.

  • Ask yourself before every decision, is this God honouring, others honouring, or just me honouring?

  • Jesus, Others, You (in that order).

  • Read, reflect and journal.

Consistent generosity (time and resources) Vs. 7-14 

  • Organize your life around give, save, live.

  • Do not let what you own end up owning you.

Empathetic engagement (community and individuals) Vs. 33-38 

  • Are the people around us better because we interact with them?

  • Is our community better because we exist? 

  • Are we just sympathetic? Or do we turn on our empathy?

Relationships (inter-generational connections) Vs. 9

  • Do not write yourself off.

  • Everyone has something important to offer.

Someone remarked that the acronym PACER was a good way to remember and “keep pace” with the challenge. A pacer sets the tone and pace in middle or long-distance running races to keep others on track and up to speed.

Someone else suggested PAGER, the old communication device that was commonly used before mobile phones.

Use whichever one helps you remember to challenge yourself consistently.

Have a peace paceful week as you reminisce about pagers.

Martin.

CHURCH SUNDAY

What led and fed Samson?

We will continue with our Judges series this week. As mentioned before, we are going to spend a few weeks on Samson.

This was one of the worst judges in Israelite history, yet he probably accomplished more for God in his short life than many other people.

What actually led and fed Samson? What were the underlying factors behind his uprising and his fall, and why did God let Samson, with his erratic and many times off-putting behaviours, lead Israel?

These are the questions we will be answering through the study of Samson. This week, we will consider the anger foretelling his birth.

Following Judges, our next sermon series will be…

COMMUNITY

Signs of life in the back corner

I am generally in awe of the direction in which God has moved our children’s ministry.

I remember days when we used to put one mat down and hope for the best.

Now the happy sounds and singing of our children fill the room during the service.

I realise that it may be distracting for some and probably uncomfortable for the parents of the noisy children, but I am also convinced that the messiness and noise is a sign of life. As someone once said, it is quiet and orderly at the gravesite, while it is loud and chaotic at the nursery. The noise is definitely a sign of life, and we are thankful.

Families, as I say, are a blessing and an honour to have.

COMMUNITY

Youth Group and Cashmere Project

This term at Youth Group and Cashmere Project, we are going through the characteristics of animals that Proverbs mentions as important. Here is the chapter.

It has been quite eye-opening reading through Proverbs and considering the various animals that we can learn from at youth group. This week, the locust is our focus.

24 “Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 hyraxes are creatures of little power,  yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

29 “There are three things that are stately in their stride,
    four that move with stately bearing:
30 a lion, mighty among beasts,who retreats before nothing;
31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king secure against revolt.

Proverbs 30:24-31

At Cashmere Project, we are reading through the story of David.

Last week's story revolved around David, Nabal, and Abigail, with Abigail emerging as the hero of the day when she successfully averted a full-blown war. We continue this week to consider the story of David and him becoming king.

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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