Dumela, sawubona, goeie more, good morning!
My greeting to you above is in 4 of the 11 official languages of South Africa, where we have spent the last month.
As always, we returned with mixed feelings. While we are super happy to be home, we are painfully aware of the family members in South Africa who are struggling. Suffice to say that our prayers for our family and the people of South Africa have ramped up since experiencing some of what they have to deal with every day. In saying this, we were pleasantly surprised to encounter many people of faith in our daily dealings. Despite their circumstances, a lot of people go around with the joy of the Lord in their hearts. I praise God for that.
A sobering reminder, in the midst of suffering from a serious dose of jet lag, that the joy of the Lord is my strength!
- Sandra
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God's love and grace for all / Josh van de Worp
Peter goes to the house of Cornelius - Acts 10.
Outcome: God can change the way you see others.
Join us at 10AM in-person or online. We would love to have you join us online for the service if you are not able or unwell.
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For the Kids...
This month the Kids church and main service align. We are all looking at the same passage but may have different focuses or perspectives. We look forward to learning together.
Wonder Kids (Preschool Prgramme): Looking at the story where Paul goes to visit Cornelius (Acts 10) focusing on the theme that I can love everyone as Jesus loves everyone.
Discovery Kids (Primary Programme): Looking at tthe story of Paul and Cornelius focusing on how God can help you change the way you see others.
FBI (Intermediate Programme): To encourage students to recognize the impact they can have on their families and to practice ways they can love the people they live with.
If you have any questions, please email carol@fbc.nz.
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Prayer at 5pm
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. The presence of God’s Spirit fuelled by prayer brings God’s wisdom, strength and compassion into our lives and victory over the many issues that have held us back in the past. We would love you to join us, humble ourselves and pray -Sundays 5pm in the Church Auditorium.
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Coffee cups
We are always considering ways we can efficiently manage our resources. With consideration to the environment and to the rising costs of living, we have made the decision that we will no longer be using single use disposable cups in the church cafe. This will lower our church community waste and also keep our coffee prices the same as our other supply costs increase. Your coffee will now be served in a church mug. You are welcome to bring your own reusable cup for your next caffeine hit.
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Warming up in the Preschool Room
A huge thank you to all involved in warming up the preschool room with the installation of a new heat pump. We are going to really enjoy this space over the winter months.
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Pastoral Search Update
The FBC Search Committee have been working on the pastor profile with all the collated information from everyone. If anything, else comes to mind while you are praying please approach a search committee member or email- searchcommittee@fbc.nz.
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Oasis
Next Wednesday at 10am, we will continue with the Alpha program. If you weren't there when we started the program, please don't hesitate to come as we are using it to help us to grow in our walk with The Lord. It would be appreciated as always if you are able to bring a food item towards morning tea. All are welcome! For more information contact Charlie Potter. 027 529 8211
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Seedpods
Seedpods is a weekly play workshop and friendship group for pre-schoolers and their caregivers. Thursdays at 9.30am during term time. Please contact Lynley Clark on 0276514349 if you are interested in attending. If you are interested but Thursday doesn't suit, please let us know. Flyers are available at the info desk if you have someone you would like to invite.
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Alpha - The Marriage Course
You're invited to join us for 7 sessions to strengthen your relationship.
Whether you've been married six months or 40 years, whether you're in a good place or struggling, The Marriage Course offers practical support to strengthen your relationship.
The course helps couples to:
• Communicate more effectively
• Understand each other’s needs
• Resolve conflict
• Recognize how upbringing affects your relationship
• Develop greater sexual intimacy
• And much, much more...
The course starts middle July and will run for 7 consecutive weeks. Please register your interest here. Or click on “Events” in the Church Center app.
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Alpha Announcement
Exciting announcement of the next Alpha courses to be held at FBC!
Start Dates:
Monday 14th Aug @ 10am (with light refreshments)
Wednesday 16th Aug @ 6.30pm (dinner served)
We have just completed two wonderful courses and we are looking to do the same again.
Please think about who you would like to invite and think, what a privilege it is to journey with someone on their road to faith. Please enroll you and your guests on the form at our information desk or book online here: Mondays / Wednesdays.
Thanks
The Alpha team
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CareyLocal
We have a cohort! Carol is now working with Carey to make sure we have everyone registered. If you have registered your interest but haven't heard from Carol yet, please get in touch, carol@fbc.nz.
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Franklin Food Bank
A huge thank you to all that have been giving donations to the foodbank. They have been most gratefully received. We would love to make regular donations to the foodbank. Please continue to leave canned and dry foods, along with hygiene products at the information desk. Thank you for your generosity.
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Kid's Church
We are looking for people to lead and help in our kids church programmes. We are happy to give training in this, you just need a willing heart. We are particularly asking the parents of primary aged children to sign up to help one week a term. Please email carol@fbc.nz to sign up.
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The "Zion" cult
As a church, we need to inform you about a cult that is having a damaging effect in our nation, and recently has been seeking to influence a few individuals in our own church. We need to be aware of the damaging nature of this cult, sometimes known as “Zion Christian Mission Centre”, “Zion Church / Bible study” or “Shincheonji”. It begins as a friendly Bible study, but becomes a very forceful and manipulative distortion of truth.
We’ve attached an important letter and information from another Baptist pastor who has had to navigate this. (Link to the letter) Please take time to read, and to keep this on the radar for yourself, family members and other Christians.
Please let any of the staff know if you’d like to discuss this. It is important to understand that there is no need to feel embarrassed if you have been affected by this group, as they are very deceptive in the way they operate and portray themselves. Sometimes these people attend churches to seek to gather believers into their group.
Please also pray about this situation, for the church of our nation, and for opportunities to share the gospel truth of Jesus Christ. |
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GAT Prayer
Check out the latest news from the Global Action Team. Click here for the JUN - JUL newsletter. A printed copy is available at the Info desk. Thanks for upholding them and our other partners in prayer.
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Church Resources
We are missing some resources from the kitchen. If you have any baking trays etc, please return to the church as soon as possible or let Den know that you have them by emailing den@fbc.nz
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Booking Rooms at FBC
If you would like to book the use of a room at FBC (either for personal use or church use), please fill out the form. Link for FBC Booking Request Form
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Prayer Chain
If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Prayer Chain, please email Arlene Hutcheon on arlene@ps.gen.nz or send a text to 0274726198. All prayer requests are treated as confidential.
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Giving
You can give online, by automatic payment or direct debit. Our church bank account: 01 0403 0013842 00 or click here to donate now. For the "Renew" giving, please indicate "Renew" as reference for giving through bank. And if using the above link, click "Renew" on the drop down tab.
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Whanau news
If you have something you would like to share in the Whanau news, please email it to staff@fbc.nz by 12 noon on Thursday. Thank you.
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As an encouragement to all of you while you're at home...check out some of the songs we're currently singing on Sundays and a few new ones we might sing in the future. If you have a Spotify account, this is the link to FBC Worship on Spotify
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