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Midweek News
Sunday
9am: In the age of the Da Vinci Code and a plethora of other ‘experts' who say the New Testament is inaccurate and pretty much fiction, how can we ever trust what we read? If we want to know about God, how can we be sure the New Testament gives us the right information? You will be surprised by the answers! Read ahead: Luke 1:1-4
5pm: It seems everyone has an opinion about what Christianity is. A religion. A culture. A way of life. A set of beliefs. But what it Christianity, really? Read ahead at John 1:1-18
Jack de Vries' Commissioning
In the 9am service that day we have the privilege in commissioning Rev Dr Jack de Vries as Ministry Training Coordinator of the CRCA. People from Redlands (Dave Groenenboom, Eddie Bos, Greg Tenni) are heavily involved in the national workgroup who identified, located, interviewed and moved Jack and Jeannie from Canada recently. It's a privilege that our congregation can get to do this. We'd love for you all to be there, Feb 10, 9am, to be part of this.
While not many of us have met Jack and Jeannie, Jack preached for us Sunday, Feb 03. He kindly offered to take Clinton's place for the service at short notice - so thanks Jack, you're a great blessing to us!
feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au
New Elders Eddie Bos and Greg Tenni will be commissioned in the 5pm
Nominations sought for a new elder
Peter Goodridge has decided to close his term as elder. We have been particularly blessed by Peter's role in the eldership and in the ministry team. He has been a great servant - we wish him well as he steps aside, and ask that the Lord will continue to bless him in his future ministry.
Elders Terms & Task
Redlands CRC is blessed with many who covenant with God, through Jesus, to pursue the way of living described below. They live and serve as Elders every day, and their lives would be no different if the title "Elder" were attached to their names. At times, however, God calls out some of these individuals to formally serve in the leadership of Redlands CRC as an Elder.
Qualifications
Elders are chosen according to biblical qualifications outlined in the New Testament (e.g. Acts 20:28; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). They are to be examples to the congregation in terms of spirituality and Christian life. They fully understand, support, promote and protect the mission and vision of this community. The elder displays this with an enduring commitment to
Belong: drawing people into greater levels of involvement at Redlands CRC, and by encouraging the church to enfold and welcome them. This person is committed to community
Journey: leading people into a more mature expression of the Christian faith through the pursuit of teaching which is faithful to Scripture and congruent with our statements of faith. This person is committed to growth
Serve: by encouraging excellence in ministry, drawing people into service, by ensuring the church is prepared for its calling as God's people. This person is committed to ministry
Go: encouraging full participation of God's people into the mission he has given to us. Caring about the world God cares about, this person is committed to mission
Glorify: guiding people to honour God in all areas of life, in every place God takes them, at all times. They believe all of life is spiritual and that the church is called to have Christ at the centre of everything. This person is committed to worship
Responsibilities - Shared with others in the eldership:
- - Engaging in the theological, philosophical, and practical discussions about the kinds of things that Redlands CRC is and protecting passionately against what it is not
- - Shaping the missional identity of Redlands CRC and ensuring that all church structures and ministries maintain alignment with that identity
- - Living and breathing the missional identity of Redlands CRC; talking about it directly and indirectly, formally and informally in every possible situation
- - Participating in the development of a process for identifying strategic plans needed to realise the vision and establishing key success factors for attaining those plans
- - Providing accountability and oversight to the Pastors and the Ministry Team
- - Ensuring that the Redlands CRC community receives excellent pastoral care
- - Leading in prayer, spiritual devotion, and discipleship
Individual Responsibilities
- - Assessing the spiritual health of the church and taking responsibility to strengthen and nurture or move toward wholeness in specific areas as they are identified
- - Shepherding the staff and key volunteer leaders so that they are spiritually equipped to lead the community well
• - Fully engaging unique and sometimes difficult conversations with individuals from within the community who need pastoring or leading with respect to a specific concern or issue
RCRC Community - Welcoming Luncheon
Are you new to Redlands CRC?
Then you are invited to a Welcome to the RCRC Family Luncheon.
When: 17th February 2008
Time: 11am (straight after the 9am service)
This will be a time of getting to know one another, meeting the Pastors Dave and Clinton and the RCRC Elders - a time of fellowship and food and a brief overview of the church, its ministries and missions.
Please RSVP Sherri by 10th February 2008
0415 835 533 or e-mail communitylife@redlandscrc.org.au
We look forward to seeing you there...
"Let's start making a difference together"
Breakfast Meeting
The whole church is asked to come to a breakfast meeting on March 8 from 7:30am. This will be a great opportunity to share some time together, and hear something of the vision and plans for 2008 and beyond. We really would love for you to join us!
The main items of discussion and/or adoption will be
- - Approval to appoint a Ministry Administrator, who will assist with some administrative tasks with a view to helping ministry become more effective and develop in a more responsible manner (this will commence as a half time position)
- - Approval of tender processes for the extension to the current facility
• - Brief outline of various areas of ministry developing at RCRC
Prayer
- Remember all the groups starting with Simply Christianity this coming week - there are around 25 small groups working through this material: what a great opportunity to be strengthened in and challenged by the message of Jesus!
- Michelle Hudson's operation has gone very well, and she should be back in the ward at Wesley today. This is a great answer to prayer! Please continue to remember her and the family in her time of recovery
- Clinton hopes to be back in the office next week. You know how much we need to pray for healing, recovery, and God strength and grace to flow into and through Clinton & Tracy. So please remember these great co-workers here in Redlands, and pray that the Lord will continue to receive all the glory and praise for his ongoing work in their lives (PS Clinton's article in the latest Trowel and Sword is a ripper!)
Key 21+ event this weekend
KEY 21+
Are you 21 or older, then this is for you...
Food, Fun & Sun
BBQ, Pool & Beach Volleyball at the Plantation
Sunday 10th February 11:30am - 3pm
BYO Togs, Towel, Sunblock and You. Cost $6 for entry to plantation.
I've go 4kg of sausages and 50 cans of drink so make sure you bring lots of friends.
Key 21+ will be having social events on the 1st Friday/Saturday of each month (unless advised otherwise), so keep those dates free and invite some friends.
Next Month... Beach Day (Saturday 1st March)
For more info - contact Kim on 0421 128 148 or Elise on 0409 629 023!
See you there!
PS - You must be 21 or older to attend. If it's bad weather it will be cancelled again.
Coffee, Craft, Chat and Games - this Tuesday
The ladies bible study will commence on the 19th after craft. We have lunch together and then bible study.
Hope you can join us. For further information please contact Anna Verkruissen on 3207 4228 (appiean@tadaust.org.au)
Juicing Roster Update
Hi church,
For all those on the juicing roster for Clinton, the update is attached!
See you tomorrow!
Dave
eNews - late edition
From Dave...
Just a small word of thanks to the many who encouraged us last week at Catherine & Dan's wedding. It was just the best day! You're a great church family, and you have been a wonderful blessing to us, not to mention Cath & Dan.
Cath & Dan's new address
7/51-61 Bowen St
Capalaba Qld 4157
In your prayers...
This week and next Clinton will be taking a little time off. It's been pretty busy with family, wedding, baptism, and last week presented a few challenging days health wise.
Let's continue to pray that our faithful God will supply the needs of Clinton and Tracy and the children. Continue to grow the grass, and do your bit on the juicer. Continue to pray and encourage - God is with us for the long haul, and it's our privilege to embody his grace, care and strength for Clinton and his family.
Michelle Hudson will be having surgery coming Wednesday. Please uphold her, Gary and the children, and that the Lord will grant healing and recovery after the operation.
Eldership news
Peter Goodridge has decided to close his term as elder. We have been particularly blessed by Peter's role in the eldership and in the ministry team. He has been a great servant - we wish him well as he steps aside, and ask that the Lord will continue to bless him in his future ministry.
The new elders, Eddie Bos and Greg Tenni, who were recently elected, will be commissioned on Feb 10 in the 5pm service.
Jack de Vries' Commissioning
In the 9am service that day we have the privilege in commissioning Rev Dr Jack de Vries as Ministry Training Coordinator of the CRCA. People from Redlands (Dave Groenenboom, Eddie Bos, Greg Tenni) are heavily involved in the national workgroup who identified, located, interviewed and moved Jack and Jeannie from Canada recently. It's a privilege that our congregation can get to do this. We'd love for you all to be there, Feb 10, 9am, to be part of this.
While not many of us have met Jack and Jeannie, Jack will be preaching for us this coming Sunday, Feb 03. He has kindly offered to take Clinton's place for this service at short notice - so thanks Jack, you're a great blessing to us!
feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au
Midweek News
Sunday
9am: Stock market crashes, rising interest rates, increasing breakdown of family, moral decline. Buy tomorrow's paper and read the human story for yourself. God has a different story: it's one of hope. He's been telling this story since the garden of Eden, and we've seen its outstanding climax in Jesus. The challenge is this: how do we carry the message of hope to the community we live in?
5pm: Taking risks is not always an easy thing to do - but taking risks is at the core of following Christ. What risks? Dietrich Bonheoffer wrote: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Jesus also describes discipleship using the imagery of "dying." What might this look like in the context of living among irreligious people in an ever and rapidly changing environment? This was the challenge Jesus' early disciples faced, a challenge not unlike the one Christ followers face today. So what would it take for unbelievers to "see Jesus" today?
Serving our Church Community.
Thank you to everyone who so faithfully serves in the various aspects within the church community.
As the new year commences, we would like to remind you to check the rosters which are included in the Newsletter every week for when you are scheduled to serve in your chosen area.
If you are unable to serve on the designated date, could you please arrange to swap with someone the week before or after. This way each job is covered every week.
If you are not currently on a roster and would like to help, please complete the attached form and hand it in at the Information Desk on Sunday.
Areas that are available for serving are:-
Creche am pm
Coffee am
Reading am pm
Greeting am pm
Ushering am pm
Kids@Church am pm
Ingeborg de Ruysscher,
Administration
RCRC Community
Welcoming Luncheon
Are you new to Redlands Christian Reformed Church?
Then you are invited to a Welcome to the RCRC Family Luncheon.
When: 17th February 2008
Time: 11am (straight after the morning church service)
This will be a time of getting to know one another, meeting the Pastors Dave and Clinton and the RCRC Elders - a time of fellowship and food and a brief overview of the church, its ministries and missions.
Please RSVP Sherri by 10th February 2008
0415 835 533 or e-mail communitylife@redlandscrc.org.au
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
Craft, Chat, Coffee and Games
We will start again on the 5th of Feb.
We also start our ladies Bible study on the 19th of Feb if anyone is interested to contact Ruth Tenni or Anna Verkruissen on 32074228 .
Can you help?
RCRC needs someone with some standard computer skills who can enter some basic information into our church database. This task needs to be completed before Friday, and will take about 1 - 1½ hrs. If you can help, please email Dave (dave@redlandscrc.org.au) or phone on 0418 383 055. Thanks!
Brief House-Sit Required
Will your home be empty for a little while?
Jack (& Jeannie) de Vries, newly appointed Ministry Training Coordinator if the CRCA, is currently in need of temporary accommodation in the Brisbane area. They have bought a home in Petrie, and need somewhere to stay just for a week or two. Can you help? If so, please call Jack & Jeannie direct 0437 339 008, or email mtc@crca.org.au
Dave Groenenboom: 0418 383 055
Summer in the Park - last chance...
RCRC Community
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Tomorrow 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
(Unfortunately this is weather dependent and so if it is raining - it will be cancelled)
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
Summer in the Park - last chance...
RCRC Community
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Tomorrow 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
(Unfortunately this is weather dependent and so if it is raining - it will be cancelled)
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
Wedding Bells...
...and you're invited
On Saturday January 26, 2008, Catherine Groenenboom and Dan Kroon plan to marry. They want to celebrate the beginning of their lives together with the Lord and with the RCRC church family.
The ceremony will be held at Cor & Ingeborg de Ruysscher's place, 437 West Mt Cotton Rd, Mt Cotton at 1:00 pm.
Please feel very free to join us. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Dave & Leonie Groenenboom, Bart & Tania Kroon
Midweek News
Sunday
9am: How do we as a church decide which ‘model' of ministry to pick? There are lots out there, some of them are very attractive. But what criteria do we use to choose them. For the early church, the model was very simple. They had seen Jesus at work, believed that Jesus continued to work through them, and so they went about ministry the same way Jesus did. Simple. But that was 2000 years ago. Things are very different now. Surely that couldn't work in our time. Or could it? Or should it? Read ahead in Acts 3
5pm: Is Christianity a religion? Is religion good or bad? Why does everyone view religion so negatively these days? You might have heard it say that religion is all about what people try to do to reach God, and Christianity is what God is doing to reach people. While this is true, we want to look at the place of religion in our Christian lives. Does it have any place, and if so, what is it?
Baptism - Sunday Night This Week
This Sunday night we have the privilege of celebrating the baptism of Kezia Berends during the 5pm service.
Come along and celebrate with us.
Place to Live
Dear RCRC!!!
Lance and I have really enjoyed our time at RCRC and getting to know so many wonderful friends! God is so faithful and we are learning to be in constant dependance upon Him as we live in this world but not of this world! So wonderful that our hope is in HEAVEN!!! We have been blessed with the landscaping work and a place to live up until Jan. 22, 2008. I have started teaching swimming lessons at Ormiston College! That has been amazing and a wonderful witnessing tool to the community! If any one knows of any who have a granny flat for rent, or any other living options please let us know. We are still awaiting my Permanent Residency Visa, and are not sure at this point where the Lord will be leading us once the visa is granted. So, until then, we need a place to live.
Please call us if you can help us out! We would really appreciate it! Thank you!
May God richly bless you as only HE can!
Eternally Serving HIM,
Lance and Ruth Bishop
phone: 0432 024 891
RCRC Community Happenings
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Wednesday 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
(Unfortunately this is weather dependent and so if it is raining - it will be cancelled)
We look forward to seeing you there.
Welcoming Luncheon
Are you new to Redlands Christian Reformed Church?
Then you are invited to a Welcome to the RCRC Family Luncheon.
When: 17th February 2008
Time: 11am (straight after the morning church service)
This will be a time of getting to know one another, meeting the Pastors Dave and Clinton and the RCRC Elders - a time of fellowship and food and a brief overview of the church, its ministries and missions.
Please RSVP Sherri by 10th February 2008
0415 835 533 or e-mail communitylife@redlandscrc.org.au
Golf Mornings
When: Middle and Last Saturday of the month
Time: 7:30am
Where: Howeston Country Club (Creek Street, Birkdale)
For more information contact: Gavin Dickie - Ph: 3822 4614
All welcome to join in for a casual time of fun, great conversation and not forgetting some good golf too!
"Lets start making a difference together"
Summer in the Park - on again!!!
RCRC Community
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Wednesday 9th / 16th / 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
(Unfortunately this is weather dependent and so if it is raining - it will be cancelled)
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
Midweek News
Sunday
9am: Lead us not into temptation, that's the start of the 6th petition of the Lord's Prayer.
Some Bible stories may indeed give the idea that God does lead people into temptation, but at the same time the Sciptures make it clear that God does not do that.
Rather, it is the evil one, Satan, the prince of darkness, who tempts us. But in that same situation God is testing us: will my child remain faithful; will my child resist the devil, and make him run away!
5pm: Looking at Ephesians 3. The main focus will be on how the gospel has set us free and how the church is God's instrument for taking the Good News of the gospel to the world.
Can you help?
With the influx of family for the upcoming wedding, we were wondering if anyone out there that has a house that needs sitting. This is for 2 couples (one with child) from the 22nd - 28th January.
If you can help, please contact Dan (kroony@mac.com; 0438332695) or Clinton (clinton@redlandscrc.org.au; 0424477487)
Movie Review
On Dec 9 the newsletter included a short piece about a movie called the Golden Compass. Some people have questioned the wisdom if including this in RCRC's newsletter. In retrospect, it may not have been wise to include it, and we're sorry if the article created confusion for any readers. The views expressed in the article do not necessarily represent the views of the RCRC leadership.
Of course, it is always good to apply common discernment to all media and entertainment forums. It's even better to use films and media to teach our own children to think wisely, and for families and children to evaluate the culture in which we live with mature Christian minds."
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Wednesday 16th / 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
(Unfortunately this is weather dependent and so if it is raining - it will be cancelled)
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
Summer in the Park - Tomorrow
RCRC Community
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Wednesday 9th / 16th / 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
(Unfortunately this is weather dependent and so if it is raining - it will be cancelled)
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
Midweek News
Sunday
9am: God wants us to make the most of opportunities for the Gospel - but what does that mean? And how does that fit with a belief in God as sovereign? How do we balance faith in God, and our responsibility to make things happen - or is carpe diem just a figment of pagan philosophy? Given that we're just about to embark on a major evangelistic effort, there could hardly be a more important question for 2008. You can read ahead at Col 4:2-6
5pm: Who or what should people encounter when they come in contact with the people of Jesus? Perhaps people, pastors, programs, music, love. Maybe all of these. When we read the story of the early church it becomes clear who they are about - and who people come in contact with when they meet with church. Its Jesus - because his life and his story is everything that the church is to be about.
Dave & Co on leave...
Dave is taking three weeks leave from today - and will be back in the saddle again just after Cath & Dan's wedding (Jan 26). We look forward to a restful time away and trust that the Lord will richly bless the RCRC family while we're gone. Many thanks to those who are stepping into the breach during our absence: Dan Kroon, Rod McWilliams, and Greg Tenni. I can also say how thankful I am that Clinton is still keen to open the word with us - how good is that?
Simply Christianity: starts Feb 10
You will hear more about this in the coming weeks. Simply Christianity is a five week course which opens up who Jesus is and what he came to do. All our small groups will be running with this program. It will be a key opportunity to refocus on the central realities of the Gospel. It will also be a great opportunity to ask friends who want to know more about Jesus along to your small group. Our Sunday teaching will be focussing on the Simply Christianity themes for the 5 weeks from Feb 10 through to March 16. So start praying and planning now, and watch this space for more information! Any questions can be directed to Dave or Clinton. You can find out more about Simply Christianity by going to http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/Samples/sc.html
Welcome to Jack & Jeannie de Vries
A team of people from RCRC: Dave, Eddie Bos and Greg Tenni are part of a national Committee in the CRCA who have responsibility to help congregations become more intentional about developing leaders and embracing mission. Recently this Committee, the Ministry Formation Workgroup, have been able to employ Jack de Vries, a Canadian specialist in this field, to assist the workgroup with their task.
As a result, Redlands will host the installation of Jack de Vries as the CRCA Ministry Training Coordinator on Feb 10. While few of us know Jack at present, this will be a key opportunity for us to see something of the wider denominational priorities. Jack will not be on RCRC staff, and he and Jeannie will probably settle on the Northside in the Bray Park area. Our involvement in this service is simply an affirmation of his role, and a local church expression of the CRCA's prayer and desire that his work will be a great blessing. On the day, the installation will have a similar form to when new elders are installed.
We fully encourage the RCRC family to be present at the 9am service and extend to Jack and Jeannie the warm RCRC welcome they deserve.
We'll give a few more details as the time draws near...
A New Years' Message
Some of us receive an occasional email from ‘Purpose Driven'. The one we received on Dec 31 was brilliant, and gives us plenty of food for thought as we commence 2008. We reproduce it here for your consideration:
When Saddleback Church celebrated its 25th anniversary, Rick Warren called for a radical commitment from God's people - all over the world - to tackle the giant obstacles that keep people in spiritual darkness.
In this new year, we can "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13b-14, NIV). We can, once again, affirm our commitment to the work of the Great Commission. My prayer is that we will view this declaration as a covenant with God, promising him that from now we will do whatever it takes: anytime, anywhere, anyway.
A Call to Radical Commitment
By Rick Warren
Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling, and I'm finished with wavering. I've made my choice; the verdict is in; and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying.
Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, "we" over "me," character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me.
When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway.
Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes!
I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!"
What does this mean?
Today, I affirm this commitment to God and submit to his plans and purposes for my life, no matter what it takes.
________________________________
Signature
________________________________
Date
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Jon Walker is writer/pastor for the Web site www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted (c) 2007 by Jon Walker.
Prayer
- How's the ‘prayer as attitude' going for you? If you're wondering about how all this works, and missed the message of Dec 30, you can get a copy at www.redlandscrc.org.au/sermons
- Remember the worlds trouble spots: Pakistan, Kenya, and so on. Give thanks for stable Government, and ask God to work through people of peace in areas of unrest
- Pray for Burma: the situation has settled, but is still unstable. Pray especially for the orphanage, the children, and the leaders of the work there
- Remember Clinton and Tracy and the children. How much they need the Lord's strength every day. Keep praying that God continues to work through Clinton's treatment - and beyond it - that Clinton may be brought to health.
- Simply Christianity starts Feb 10. Pray for open doors, use grace filled speech, make the most of every opportunity so people can hear the life transforming message of Jesus
Update from Clinton
To our church family,
Well, we have just come through Christmas, and with
the way
were told the cancer could have progressed, we are extremely thankful to
be
still writing these emails. We also thought it was high time that we let
you all
know how things are going for us.
Overall, I am feeling pretty good. I get a little
tired
towards the end of the day, but this is mostly diet related, as I
don’t
get to eat sugar (except fruit), or many carbohydrates, so therefore,
not a lot
of fuel. I have had a few aches and pains (mostly in my legs and feet)
but
it’s hard to know whether this is cancer related, diet or
completely
unrelated. But on the whole, I continue to enjoy good health, for which
we are
truly thankful.
Lots people have asked what exactly my diet is.
Well, there
is a lot of juice. I drink 2.5l a day of juice (carrots, beetroot, wheat
and
barley grass, and herbs from various gardens). Now before you ask, no it
doesn’t taste great, and no, you don’t get used to it. I
drink it
in 10 glasses throughout the day, and its always good to get to the end
of it.
Apart from juice I eat oats for breakfast, lots of veges, fish, a little
chicken and red meat (once a week), raw nuts and a fair amount of fruit.
I have
also managed to find some organic rice and pumpkin bread, and so I have
a slice
of that a day. (It’s a bit of a highlight really). Since I can
also have
natural yogurt, we also make fruit smoothies with ice – another
treat.
But that’s about it. No, I don’t eat chocolate, cakes, coke,
Hungry
Jacks or anything else that I would love to devour at this
moment.
Its all a pretty full on and busy routine. From
collecting
the ‘herbs’ for juicing, making sure we have enough
vegetables,
collecting carrots from the organic farm, to daily B17 injections and
twice
weekly Vitamin C infusions – it takes a fair bit of time.
Currently I
spend 10am-2pm in the office at church, 4 days a week, and preach every
second
week.
We have our moments, but on the whole we are
holding up OK. The
kids have found it a bit unsettling, people in and out of the house all
of the
time, extra stress on Mum and Dad, so we do our best to spend some
quality time
just with them.
We are extremely thankful to God for all the help
we have
received over the past 3 months. Our parents have been available when we
need
them, the church has been amazing in terms of love, and practical
support
(juicing for us, baby sitting, meals, growing ‘grass’ for
the
pastor). People from all over the country (and even overseas) have been
supporting us in prayer and with encouragements.
God has blessed us already with more months of
health than
were predicted, and we continue to trust and hope that our lives are in
his
hands and that is the best place for them to be. We have no idea what
the
future holds. We live with the tension that I could fall ill tomorrow,
or that
it maybe next week, or that God may heal me completely. It’s a
tough
place to be, but every day of health is one that we receive
gratefully.
Our plan, at this stage, is to hold off on scans
until late
March. At that time we will see what God has done with the treatment so
far,
and make some decisions about what we will be doing beyond that. If God
continues to give good health, we will make a trip to Perth in early
March to
visit friends, and then Tracy and the children will continue on to spend
some
time with family in Geelong, giving Clinton a rest at home by himself
for a few
days.
We want to take this opportunity to thank you all
for your
continued love, support, and encouragement. Words can barely express our
gratitude to you, we are thankful for God’s love expressed through
the
church.
Our love to you all
Clinton, Tracy, Tane, Ky and Kezia.
These next few weeks... please pray at home
During the next few weeks while so many of us are away, can I encourage you to pray at home? The 6:30pm prayer meeting will reconvene in January on a date to be advised.
We rejoice that God continues to give Clinton strength and health - what a blessing to see Clinton preach on Christmas Day! We continue to ask that God will give this sort of strength - and more! Please remember Tracy, Tane, Ky and Kezia as well.
Let's remember also, as we enter a new year, that the opportunities to serve the Lord are all around us. Please pray for continued unity and for the desire to be salt and light in the community the Lord has placed us in.
Please Pray...
Matthew Nelson was this morning (Monday) rushed to the PA Hospital for an emergency appendix operation. As at 7pm he was entering the recovery ward. Please uphold Matthew in prayer.
Midweek News
Sunday
9am: So easily we think of Christmas as nice and pleasant. Apart from the busy-ness of these hectic days, Christmas does give many of us warm feelings, and all that.
But there is much more to the story of Christ's birth, and via Zechariah we realize that there is plenty of doubt, pain and grief. The only thing that enables him and us to go on is a strong focus on the faithfulness of God. His promises are sure!
5pm: We all know how we can get impatient, waiting for Christmas morning to see what Santa brought us this year. Sometimes the suspense gets the better of us so we try to guess what it is. We might shake it, poke it, drop it, do whatever we can to get an insight into what the mysterious thing could be. This Sunday night we'll be looking at a mysterious gift that people were poking for 5,000 years or so. What could it be? And how was it finally revealed. Come along and find out! Read ahead in Hebrews 1:1-4 if the suspense gets the best of you.'
Christmas Day
We'll be meeting as church family to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Saviour at 9am. This will be a rare opportunity for AM & PM congregations to celebrate the grace of God together! And what a blessing that Clinton will be preaching that morning! It promises to be a very special time indeed! We'd love to see you, so make a point of coming, and be here early, it may well be a full house!
Newsletter (hard copy) over the Holidays...
Coming Sunday will be the last newsletter for a number of weeks. It will contain a bumper edition of the rosters (please check to see when you're on, and arrange for a replacement with someone else if you can't make it). There will still be eNews broadcasts into a Inbox near you, so we can keep most posted with the latest developments. If you want to put something in this week's newsletter, please make sure to email it to office@redlandscrc.org.au by 9am Friday morning (if you could do it before then, it would be really great...). The next hard copy newsletter will be Feb 03, and we may issue one on Jan 13, but we'll wait and see whether the need is there.
Can I also direct a special words of thanks to Ingeborg and Joyce, whose labours are evident every week. They give their time as volunteers freely and gladly, and they do an outstanding job: well done, girls!
Today Devotional books
Some will already be taking the small devotional books called "Today" from the information counter. For those who would like to receive this in their Inbox every day, you can sign up for free at http://www.btgh.org/subscribe.php
Blessings to all...
Finally, Leonie and I would like to say a big thank you to the church family! It has been a very eventful year for us, personally and as a church family. I am reminded of the reality that God leads us into places of struggle and hardship so we may learn to trust and rely on him and not on ourselves. My belief is that we are still to earn more of that lesson. My confidence is that God has always remained faithful to his people, and has never gone back on his promises. Tonight, at the prayer meeting, we heard the 2000 year old testimony of Mary, who said, He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors (Luke 1:55). Followers of Jesus enjoy a wonderful sense of connection: they are one with those who have been faithful through the ages, and they live in the comfort of the Lord's faithfulness which continues to all generations (see Luke 1:50).
I count it a wonderful privilege to serve the Living God with all of you. With the testimony and shared servanthood of the Carols so fresh in my mind, I look forward to many, many more years of service with you all. And may God in his rich mercy grant that these are years we share also with Clinton, Tracy and the boys.
Lord, your faithfulness reaches to the heavens. Let you love, grace and power be seen in us in 2008!
December 30, 5pm service
We have a treat planned for you! We have a DVD of a sermon preached by John Ortberg, from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, California. Ortberg challenges his listeners to consider what actually rules them and governs the decisions they make on a daily basis. Working from the book of Ruth, Ortberg's message is just what we need to hear as we enter into a new year. Love to see you there...
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Wednesday 9th / 16th / 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
News from New Life Orphanage
Many in the Redlands CRC family follow closely the work of the New Life Orphanage in Burma. This is a key ministry of RCRC's mission extension.
We attach the latest newsletter: youy may even be able to see the pyjamas you bought during the recent fundraiser!
Thanks for your generous support and for making the message of Jesus real to these friends of ours (Matt 25:40).
Dave
Prayer Meetings Wednesday
Hi church,
Our Wednesday prayer meetings are on again tomorrow. Early birds at 6:30am and Night Owls at 6:30pm.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus - 1 Thess 5:16-18
Thanks Church!
It was great Sunday night to celebrate the birth of Jesus with you all in Carlos in the Carpark. Estimates are that around 500 joined in our program. The Choir was great, the children were terrific, and Dan Neville's message engaged the crowd most effectively. It is just so good, from my perspective, to see how wonderfully the Redlands family works together: the small army of sausage sizzlers, stage builders, sound and vision technicians, glow stick distributors - not to mention Peter Goodridge's wonderful planning Committee - it's just so good to be part of a great church! May God receive all the glory for his work in his poeple!
If you'd like to pass some feedback to the Committee, feel free to send a return message to dave@redlandscrc.org.au
K@C holiday helpers
Dear RCRC family,
It is holiday season and the K@C teams are having a well deserved break.
We need some parents to take the little children (kindy to year two) during morning church services on the 6th, 13th, 20th January. It is only a 30-45 min session with usually 10-15 children.
The only requirement is that you need a blue card and a love of children.
Please email me lisa@redlandscrc.org.au or ring me on 0421 832 064 if you are available on any of these dates.
Have a great Christmas break,
Lisa Keegan
Carols in the Carpark
5:30 pm Carols in the Carpark
The flyers are out, the choir is rehearsing, the sausages are ordered, so bring your family and friends tonight -
BBQ: from 5:30pm
Carols: from 6:30pm
Bring your own chair...
Please pray...
Heather Zerk's sister Pam, and her husband Luke were involved in a serious car accident yesterday. Luke has a badly broken leg, and as a result of the accident Pam has also lost the baby they were expecting. Please uphold this family before God's gracious throne
Tomorrow night (Sunday) we'll be gathering for the Carols in the Carpark. Let's pray for clear weather, and a clear message about the love of God in Jesus Christ. See you at 5:30pm...
Giving Thanks!
This Sunday Andrew Hazelton and Emma Harwood will be married at St Paul's Anglican Church, Cleveland. Emma and Andrew have both been part of the RCRC family in the past, and we wish them every blessing as they commence their lives together under God. Emma's parents, Kim & Margaret are well known to us here at RCRC. May the Lord's richest blessings be with Emma and Andrew!
Midweek News
SUNDAY
9am: We are in the busiest time of the year - and who wants to be waiting for anything? Not parking spaces, not appointments, not sitting in the car waiting for the kids, not that email that still hasn't arrived, and especially not anything that we might receive for Christmas. But is it possible that ‘waiting' may have something to say to us? Can we learn anything from it? About ourselves? Our world? God? Or why Jesus came? Read ahead at Ps 130, or better still, have a look at Simeon (Luke 2:25), who seemed to have turned waiting into a spiritual gift...
5:30 pm Carols in the Carpark
The flyers are out, the choir is rehearsing, the sausages are ordered, so bring your family and friends -
BBQ: from 5:30pm
Carols: from 6:30pm
Bring your own chair...
News from the Elders
At our last meeting (Tuesday, December 11) we made a decision on the following which we wanted to lay before you for consideration
Employment of a Ministry Administrator (.5 - 2½ days per week)
One of the challenges that we face at RCRC is not just the effective management of our records, but doing that in a way that really works for ministry and mission. Our needs in this area have moved beyond what can be accomplished by volunteer labour. We are so very thankful for the continued work that Ingeborg and Joyce do with the newsletter and in book keeping - they are both more than willing to continue in these specific volunteer roles. There are other aspects of this work, however, which really need some attention:
- - Maintenance and development of relevant policies (Blue Cards, Child Protection, Occupational Health & Safety, Privacy, etc). Some of this work has already been done, but we are lagging behind in other areas.
- - Development of our church records and membership data: we want to do this work very well, and not have people in the church family neglected or overlooked. We want to use this information to improve the way we minister and engage in mission
- - Encouraging volunteers and enabling us as a church community to more effectively draw people into ministries where they can use their gifts well
- - Take some of the administrative load from the pastors, enabling them to concentrate on their ministry focus areas
It is our hope and prayer that this position will enable us to reach new levels of administrative effectiveness, and assist us with the development of ministry that brings glory to God.
While the Elders are convinced this is an important step, we don't want to move ahead without giving an opportunity to talk this through with the church family. So we will bring specific recommendations about this position for congregational approval early in the new year.
Summer in the Park
You are all invited to join us for a time of sharing and fun.
When: Wednesday 9th / 16th / 23rd January 2008
Where: Wellington Point BBQ picnic area
Time: 5.30pm onwards
What to bring: BYO BBQ or picnic, chairs, family and friends
This will be a time of sharing and getting to know one another, so bring along your bbq or picnic supper and lets enjoy our summer in the park together.
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Lets start making a difference together"
Prayer
- Carols in the Carpark is on this Sunday from 5:30pm. What a great opportunity to show the wonder of Jesus and the blessing of community (yes: we have a Plan B if it's wet...)
- Pray for peace at Christmas. Too many people find this a such stressful time. Others struggle because of family breakdown. So let's pray for peace, and bring the peace and encouragement of the Gospel to all around us
- Pray for your neighbours. Ask them along for Sunday Carols and Christmas Day. Greet them warmly and bring some Kingdom community on your street
- Clinton's oncologist originally said "you may have till Christmas" - Give thanks that Clinton is still with us, pray for life and healing, and for strength and hope for Clinton, Tracy and their family. Give thanks to God for answered prayer! Clinton is scheduled to preach on Christmas Day: what a witness to God's grace!
Prayer Meeting Tonight (Wed) 6:30pm
Hi Church!
We'll be meeting for prayer again tonight at 6:30pm. There's so much to bring before our wonderful Lord, and so much to thank him for. God is very good.
Love to see you there!
Accidental Food Grab
This morning I dropped off a few bags of food and placed them on the kitchen bench at the church, sometime between 7am and 8am the food bags dissapeared. I am enquiring to see if anyone took them by mistake thinking they were for an occassion or something along those lines or maybe even put them in another area. I'm the Chaplain at Wellington Point Primary and these food items were for a morning tea to bless the teachers at my school. So if you have grabbed them by mistake then that's ok, I am just wondering where the food, especially the chocolate ;) got to.
Thank you
Chappy Bek
Please call me on 0402744792
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