HCC newsletter: Misplaced confidence

Is your confidence in the right place?

MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Misplaced confidence

This past week, we continued our series on Conquest. We were in Chapter 7, The Battle of Ai, and realised that our greatest enemy can be that of triumph. Why? Because triumph leads to temptation.

Immediately after the victory over Jericho, the Israelites suffered a horrible, embarrassing defeat against a much smaller city called Ai. The Israelites were sure that a little town like Ai would be no match. They were confident. A closer look reveals that their confidence was actually misplaced.

So today, let us briefly reflect on confidence.

Jericho can be your worst enemy, but your most recent victory can become your worst threat. Confidence is a good thing if one’s confidence is in the right place.

When you are confident in the Lord, you will be victorious. When your confidence is in your own ability, you are destined to fail.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
Underestimating sin

Our conquest series continues this week as we consider the theme of confidence and how Achan’s sin came to compromise the camp.

He saw, he desired, and he took: the same pattern that sin always follows, the same path of temptation that began with Adam and Eve and has continued through time.

Eve looked at the forbidden fruit. She saw that it was beautiful, good to eat and useful for making one wise, and she took it, and she ate.

Achan thought his sin wouldn’t matter, so he kept it secret. He buried the loot under his tent, where nobody would find it.

But sin is serious. All sin. There are no little sins. We are not to toy with sin, not to hide it, not to dabble in it or play with it.

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.

YOUTH GROUP AND THE CASHMERE PROJECT
An exciting opportunity awaits

As mentioned in the AGM, we are venturing into the community more and using our youth leaders, and upcoming youth group members, as an avenue.

We feel privileged to have this opportunity, but we realise the daunting task ahead of us. We are asking for prayers and support during this time.

Our plan is to have a community-based youth group programme at the Halswell Community Hub (Old Library, at the intersection of Halswell Road and Halswell Junction Road).

We will do an invite through the local schools and run a programme that is both inclusive and encouraging. We will keep you updated as we move ahead. Our main focus is the year 7 and 8’s, who can then graduate to the Thursday night youth group.

Meanwhile, our Thursday night youth group continues to meet, and we are on the last session of Alpha. Cashmere project continues to meet as well. Please keep these meetings and interactions in your prayers because it has become more difficult over time to do youth ministry in our city.

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.
Contact Kirstie for more info: [email protected]

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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