MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
The presence of the Lord

This past Sunday, we resumed our sermon series on Joshua. We were in Joshua 3, the crossing of the Jordan River. Here are the main points:

The river Jordan symbolised the last barrier between the Israelites and the promised land. This crossing would be the single most significant event since the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai.

If the Red Sea symbolises what hinders God’s people from leaving Egypt, the Jordan River symbolises what hinders them from entering Canaan. A two-week journey from Egypt had turned into a 40-year multi-generational saga and a long season of being stuck in the wilderness. 

For Israel, it was a literal wilderness of heat, hunger, and exhaustion. For us, it is a place in life where you feel stuck. No matter what you do, no matter how many times you “recalculate” or "recalibrate", you find yourself right back where you started.

There were three main conditions that we may be in during these stages:

• The Hush Condition (Stand still)

• The Gush Condition (Step out)

• The Rush Condition (Soak in)

The final part was to see the importance of the presence of God in the whole process.

In the beginning, it was ahead of them (Vs. 6, 11–14).

The Lord leads the way. 

As they crossed, it was among them (Vs. 17). 

The Lord is right in the middle of your crisis and your difficult situation. 

It came out of the river after them (Vs. 17).

The Lord made sure everyone was safe, symbolising His protection.

This week, let the presence of the Lord go ahead of you, be among you, and walk with you wherever you go.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
Spiritual warfare

As we continue with our Conquest series, Phil will be speaking the next two weeks and taking us through Joshua 5 and 6, titled “Preparing to go to war.”

The Israelites’ were involved in physical warfare, but we are involved in spiritual warfare. We will talk about spiritual warfare in Joshua.

YOUTH GROUP AND THE CASHMERE PROJECT
Big Night Out for the Youth

We had our big night out event this past Thursday, and we invited some young people from the community.

We had a good response, getting youth from Oaklands School, Hillmorton High, Prebbleton School, and Middleton Grange.

We hope to get some of these young people along regularly to our Thursday night youth group and the Friday afternoon community outreach.

Please join us in prayer as we plan and prepare for community outreach in Halswell among the youth.

CHURCH SUNDAYS
Save the date

Our AGM will be held on Sunday 9th June after the service. We would love if you could all attend.

The Agenda for the AGM will be as followed:

• Confirmation of previous minutes

• Reports from various ministries (Elders, Children, Youth, Home Groups)

• Financial report

• Pastors’ report (and what’s the future?)

• Elder’s ratification

• Trustee’s ratification

• A.O.B (Questions)

COMMUNITY
Young Parents Life Group

After two successful meetings, we are looking to hold our third families home group sometime in June. More details on the date and location to follow once we get both confirmed.

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.

CONNECT

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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