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Dear Church,
This Sunday is a new Sunday.
I've spent the last 25 years trying to imagine what changes we could make to the Sunday morning service. How to make it relevant. Challenging. How to spruce it up or be more creative. And while that's a good thing, what I've missed most in the last 2+ plus months is just having a normal Sunday with all of you! But I realise there is nothing normal about any Sunday service. Many in the world do not have this opportunity. Many of our fellow brothers and sisters do so in hiding or in fear. But not us. So for me, each Sunday is new. It is special. And I am grateful! Even more so for this Sunday!
There will be one morning service this Sunday and it will start at 10.00am.
I look forward to gathering with you all,
under one roof,
at the same time,
to worship our great God.
Sunday Morning Prayer Gathering
Before COVID-19 shut us down, our Sunday morning service was bathed in prayer by a faithful group of people who came in early to pray. This faithful group has been a real blessing to us all. I do want to challenge you. If you can, pop in early this Sunday and join them in praying... for the church, for those who will be attending, for all who are serving...
Time: 9.15am - 9.45am
Sunday Evening Service
We are getting back to our regular Sunday evening service.
Sunday evenings always begin by coming together, acknowledging God, sharing communion and then fellowshipping together. We then break out to the different sessions (depending on what's being offered on the evening).
Here is the current calendar of events for the coming weeks. There are plans for other events to happen on the nights below but so far, this is what has been confirmed:
Sunday, June 14
Understanding People, Understanding Reconciliation
Dealing with Conflict
It’s a necessary part of life and any good relationship. How do we engage in conflict that is productive, that works through the issues, and leaves the relationship stronger as a result?
Facilitator: Cathy Sheppard
Location: Flexi-Space
Sunday, June 21
Understanding People, Understanding Reconciliation
Exploring Culture
what is culture? What are some of the different world views and what does this mean for us as a church creating a welcoming culture, a culture where people, no matter what background, feel welcome.
Facilitator: Cathy Sheppard
Location: Flexi-Space
Sunday, June 28
5 Sundays
I'll be hosting four controversial documentaries and one movie that will explore Christianity and some of the issues that challenge us and sometimes, divide us. My hope is that you may engage with these issues. They might make you uncomfortable, they might challenge your worldview, they might make you think a little. That's the point. For those wanting too, at the end of every documentary I will be facilitating a group discussion around the issues raised.
This first documentary deals with the very basic question, "What is the Gospel?" It is powerful and though there are aspects of it I struggle with, you cannot help being challenged by it.
Documentary: The American Gospel - Christ Alone
Location: Main Auditorium
Sunday, July 6
5 Sundays
I'll be hosting four controversial documentaries and one movie that will explore Christianity and some of the issues that challenge us and sometimes, divide us. My hope is that you may engage with these issues. They might make you uncomfortable, they might challenge your worldview, they might make you think a little. That's the point. For those wanting too, at the end of every documentary I will be facilitating a group discussion around the issues raised.
This second documentary follows Rob Bell and the controversy that surrounds him. Where as the first documentary deals with a movement, this one challenges us with a single person. Heretic or anything but, it's hard to stand in the middle. Many see him as a key figure in keeping the message of Jesus alive into the next century, while many others see him as a dangerous heretic. Ultimately, the question is, how do we grapple with these figures and movements that challenge our orthodoxy?
Documentary: Heretic
Location: Main Auditorium
Sunday, July 13
5 Sundays
I'll be hosting four controversial documentaries and one movie that will explore Christianity and some of the issues that challenge us and sometimes, divide us. My hope is that you may engage with these issues. They might make you uncomfortable, they might challenge your worldview, they might make you think a little. That's the point. For those wanting too, at the end of every documentary I will be facilitating a group discussion around the issues raised.
This third documentary challenges us with one of the most uncomfortable topics for Christians. Hell. The challenge for us is how comfortable are with the doctrine of hell? We may or may not agree with some of the voices heard in this documentary, and that's the point, how do we wrestle with such a difficult topic?
Documentary: Hellbound?
Location: Main Auditorium
Sunday, July 20
5 Sundays
I'll be hosting four controversial documentaries and one movie that will explore Christianity and some of the issues that challenge us and sometimes, divide us. My hope is that you may engage with these issues. They might make you uncomfortable, they might challenge your worldview, they might make you think a little. That's the point. For those wanting too, at the end of every documentary I will be facilitating a group discussion around the issues raised.
This fourth documentary chronicles a three-year journey of 80 interviews with pastors and church influencers from across America. In their journey to find the formula for a fragmented and dying church, the two filmmakers find themselves getting closer to a much bigger answer.
Documentary: The Future of the Church
Location: Main Auditorium
Sunday, July 27
5 Sundays
I'll be hosting four controversial documentaries and one movie that will explore Christianity and some of the issues that challenge us and sometimes, divide us. My hope is that you may engage with these issues. They might make you uncomfortable, they might challenge your worldview, they might make you think a little. That's the point. For those wanting too, at the end of every documentary I will be facilitating a group discussion around the issues raised.
This last one is actually a movie. And it's an opportunity for you to invite someone along. The story is about an up-and-coming journalist who finds his world and faith increasingly challenged when he's granted the interview of a lifetime - with someone who claims to be God.
Movie: An Interview with God
Location: Main Auditorium
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May the Lord bless you this week!
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear...
Blessings,
Rob
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