“Be still and know that I am God,” Psalm 46:10, is a popular verse for comforting ourselves and others—many people tend to think this verse means to rest or relax in who God is. This verse does encourage believers to reflect on who God is, but there is more to this psalm than one verse—and verse 10 is actually more of a wake-up call to be in awe than a gentle call to rest. Taking time out of our day to meditate on Scripture and be silent with listening ears toward God is mentioned in other sections of Scripture (Psalm 119:15, Joshua 1:8, Luke 5:16, and others). But this command— “Be still…”—is written in the context of a time of trouble and war; therefore, we should consider the verse with that context in mind.
Instead of interpreting “be still” as a gentle suggestion, the meaning in this psalm lends itself more to: “cease striving” or “stop” and more specifically in this context “stop fighting,” which is directed toward the enemies of the people of God. The people of God should interpret the command for themselves to read more like: ‘snap out of it,’ ‘wake up,’ ‘stop fearing’—acknowledge who your God is—be in awe! However, it is good to note that there is nothing wrong with the words in the translation “be still;” those words are not incorrect, it is simply helpful to note the context of the phrase. Verse 10 has something to say to both the enemies of God and the people of God, but it is the people of God the psalm is written to. Verse 1 starts, “God is our refuge and strength” (emphasis added). The Psalms are for God’s people.
- from "Daily Hope with Rick Warren" email
I read this devotional during my holiday break way back in January. It resonated in my spirit back then and has stuck with me ever since. Little did I know when I read this that I would revisit it numerous times this year reminding myself to stop and acknowledge God’s hand, presence, and plan in all we do.
We started the year with such confidence, we had large numbers of children enrolling and a good flow of inquiries. Then Covid-19 hit, and just like that we were in lock down and everything stopped!
Coming through that lockdown period, we found that what our families and children really appreciated was the contact that the teachers kept up during the Level 4 lockdown. One of our fabulous teachers ‘Mrs Tessa’ did an absolutely amazing job of putting up daily mat-times on our Facebook page. Each day the children could watch ‘Mrs Tessa’ and still feel connected to Footsteps. When it was time for the children to come back to preschool we found that the children settled back into the Footsteps routine with ease. We attributed this largely to the fact that they had kept up the contact with teachers via social media. We are so blessed to have teachers who are passionate and dedicated to our families at Footsteps.
God is our refuge and strength, even though the enrolments and inquiries have slowed down, God is honouring us; all our families returned after the lockdown, which we are very thankful for! Our doors are open, and we are continuing to share the love of Jesus with our families and community. God has a plan and we will keep acknowledging him in all we do, and we will see that plan continue to grow and develop.
Blessings
Naomi Galbraith
Supervisor
Footsteps Christian Community Preschool
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Sunset Times - Fri 28 / Sat 29 Aug / Fri 4 Sep 2020
NELSON - Fri 5:58 pm / Sat 5:59 pm / Fri 6:05 pm
CHRISTCHURCH - Fri 5:58 pm / Sat 5:59 pm / Fri 6:06 pm
INVERCARGILL - Fri 6:12 pm / Sat 6:13 pm / Fri 6:21 pm
Upcoming Offerings
29 August - Local
5 September - Local
Go to eGiving >>
eGiving app tutorial >> | eGiving website tutorial >>
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As we will still be in Alert Level 2 this Sabbath, some church buildings will remain closed. If your church building is closed please do not attend a different church building that is open, as they will not be able to meet safely if they have an influx of visitors.
If your local church is able to meet together, please continue to use good hygiene and social distancing practices and follow all directions from your church leadership. If you have any cold or flu symptoms please worship from home instead.
If you are not able to attend church there are some home church options listed below, or your local church may have another option in place for you.
Let us work together and play a role in reducing the risk of COVID-19 as part of bringing hope and healing to New Zealand.
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Options for Church from Home
If you are unable to attend church this week, here are some church service options that you may like to join in with from your home.
Bishopdale SDA Church Livestream
Ilam SDA Church Livestream
Garden City Fellowship Livestream
Hope Channel Sabbath School & Church
- Website
- TV - Freeview Channel 27 | Sky Channel 204
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FREE to all participants until 31 October 2020
Due to the second wave of COVID-19, the South Pacific Division are making the following courses FREE to all participants until 31 October 2020. Please note it will only include access to the soft copy of the resources. For further information and to register for any of these courses please contact AndreaKross@adventist.org.au.
The Live More Project
Are you ready to give your health and happiness a boost?
The Live More Project brings together scientifically-proven strategies from Neuroscience, Psychology and Lifestyle Medicine into a fun, experiential and life-enhancing program. Developed and presented by Dr. Darren Morton, the Live More Project is helping people improve their health and happiness around the world.
De-stress and thrive
Do you want to manage your stress and experience greater happiness?
De-stress & Thrive is an exciting new resource developed to help you develop emotional intelligence and resilience so you can buffer the stress of life. De-stress & Thrive offers simple solutions for complex problems and shares principles and skills applicable to most stressful situations.
Forgive to Live
How Forgiveness Can Save Your Life
Everyone has a story. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anybody can start today and make a new tomorrow. Forgive to Live can help you start a better journey.
Retirement Ready
Retirement is not just about the money. Get the bigger picture!
Retirement Ready offers a personal and practical guide to making the most of the exciting opportunities of retirement, and meeting its inevitable challenges. While life is uncertain, planning for this stage of life gives the best possibilities for living well in retirement.
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Our Community Champions are involved with various community initiatives as well as our Love Thy Neighbour response right across New Zealand. This has enabled the platform for our Community Champions Network where we come together monthly to be equipped, to share stories and resources, be inspired and network with one another. If you’re not already part of the network and you’re serving your community, or want to get involved in serving your community join us this Sunday! Click here for more details >>
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Free Partner Training – Be A Host
The South Pacific Division is conducting training for Partners (through the Community Transformation Partnership initiative) who want to host Retirement Ready and De-Stress and Thrive in their communities. For further info and to register for any of these courses please contact AndreaKross@adventist.org.au
De-Stress and Thrive host training. 15 September, 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Retirement Ready host training. 20-21 September, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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ADRA CTP Funding (Round 3) Deadline EXTENDED – 31st August 2020
Due to the current lockdown, this Community Transformation Partnership funding round deadline has been extended till the 31st August.
Don’t miss this opportunity for your Church to meet some of the needs of your local community due to the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, in addition to the Love Thy Neighbour response. Kick start a new community initiative, or give your current initiative a financial boost. Maybe you’d prefer to utilise one of the many wonderful pre-designed CTP programmes available?
More information about CTP funding, initiatives, as well as the application form can be found at: www.adra.org.nz/ctp. If you have any further queries, please contact Sally Lavea via email sallylavea@adra.org.nz or phone (09) 625-0883 or 021 1357 494.
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eGiving App
Meet the best yet e-Giving App. It’s never been easier to give! Now you can give anywhere and anytime! You can track your giving and manage your automatic donations right at your fingertips! eGiving is a simple way to return tithes and give offerings and it’s available to all registered churches in Australia & New Zealand. Learn more about it, give with an easy hand and easy heart, share with others what and how they can do it too. And most importantly, be blessed, being a faithful steward, return what belongs to God and share God’s blessings with others. See the Step by Step Guide >>
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Employment
There are currently several new teaching and hospitality roles available.
To see all of the current vacancies around the South Pacific Division,
visit: SPD Employment Notices | NZ Employment Notices
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Please keep an eye on this space over the next few weeks as some events may be adjusted to work in with COVID-19 alert levels.
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August 28-30 - Ignite Weekend for youth and young adults (Online)
September 19 - Invercargill Weekend for Youth & Young Adults
Sep 29-Oct 4 - Junior Teen Camp (Mt Hutt Retreat)
October 11 - Pathfinder Fair Day
October 17-18 - Youth Rally + Volleyball & Basketball Tournament (Chch)
October 24 - Christchurch Weekend for Youth & Young Adults
October 30 - Revolution (Friday night worship for teens & youth @ CAS)
November 7 - Nelson Weekend for Youth & Young Adults
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Mt Hutt Retreat Ski Camp Weekend
Please note that the Mt Hutt Ski Camp weekend has been postponed until 2021 due to the re-emergence of higher Covid alert levels.
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The first IGNITE Weekend this past weekend was an inspiring time of connecting, sharing, worshipping and equipping (all done safely on Zoom!)
It all happens again this coming weekend. It is called the South NZ Ignite Weekend but is open to any young adults aged 18-30 across NZ.
Join in for the chance to grow deeper with God and other young adults!
Rego is FREE and takes 20 seconds.
More info >>
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#weRtheCHURCH – Prepare The Soil
Don’t miss the next LIVE #weRtheCHURCH Sabbath program, this Friday, August 28!
Join SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend and Avondale University College theology and ministry student Renée Vaovasa live as they share more inspiring mission stories and testimonies on how the Church is “Preparing the soil” across the South Pacific.
Livestream will be available via adventistchurch.com/werthechurch and Adventist Media’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
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JT Camp
This year we are running a combined Junior Teen Camp in the first week of the Sept/Oct school holidays. Mt Hutt Retreat will again serve up all the activities, worship, fun, food and connections for our 10-16 year olds.
Rego cutoff is 5pm, Sept 21 (unless limit of 50 campers reached earlier).
Camp fee is $190 per camper. This fee covers all accommodation, food, and activities (NOTE - the actual cost per camper is around $500 and this is heavily subsidised by the Conference).
Download the application form >>
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Young Adult Sabbaths
Want a time and space to meet up with other young adults and worship/connect together? These Adventist churches have you covered! You are invited to join them for any of this year's Young Adult Sabbaths.
Click here for more info
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Our Future in His Hands is a free 40-week online course that will enable you to delve into prophecy for yourself.
An in-depth study of the Book of Revelation from the perspective of its structure and the relationship of its various parts to each other, this course will equip you with the tools to understand the text of Revelation. Each topic in this series is designed to lay foundations for the topics that follow. Through the series the meaning of Revelation will be progressively revealed.
The course has now begun. You are free to join the course and start from the beginning at any time, and share it with your friends and family.
More info & course materials >>
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New Series of Hope Church:
Adversaries of the Heart
with Pastor Tulaga Aiolupotea
This Sabbath: Pride is the feeling that you owe no one and you need no help. But pride comes before a fall. When life begins to go downhill, there is hope. God has a way to keep you from falling.
Sabbath 11am Sunday 9am Thursday 7:30pm
Movie: Hell and Mr Fudge
Based on a true story. A young preacher struggles with his faith and attacks from his church, after being hired to prove whether or not Hell exists.
Saturday 8:30pm Wednesday 1pm
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Freeview Channel 27 | Sky Channel 204 | Live stream
Like us on Facebook or the latest updates, news and inspiration!
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Adult Sabbath School Lesson | 3rd Quarter 2020 (July, August, September)
Making Friends for God: The Joy of Sharing in His Mission
Sabbath School resources >>
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South New Zealand Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Visit - 6H Sir William Pickering Drive, Burnside, Christchurch 8053
Mail - PO Box 5186, Papanui, Christchurch 8542, New Zealand
Phone - 03 365 1020 Email - snzconf@adventist.org.nz
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