eNews

Midweek News

Public Launch: Matthew Stanley Foundation

Tomorrow the Matthew Stanley Foundation will be launched at 10:00am at RCRC. Please feel free to come and be part of this event, and show your support for the desire to break the cycles of violence that we all too often witness. ABC 612 will broadcast Madonna King's entire morning show from RCRC from 8:30am to 11:00am.

Emma Miller' Memorial Service

Emma Miller died early on Wednesday morning: something she had been seeking for a number of years. While Emma will be buried in Sydney next week sometime, a memorial service will be held at RCRC coming Saturday (June 2) at 1:30pm. This will be a celebration of Emma's life and witness, and the entire church family is welcome to attend. These are great times to support and encourage those who are grieving. Enquiries: Jo Lindeman djol@optusnet.com.au (0423 438 079). Bill and Corrie Lindeman are planning to cut short their trip, leaving from Canada tomorrow morning. Please uphold the family in prayer, remembering the hope we share in the Gospel of Jesus is a certainty: the guarantee of life being written in his own blood and confirmed in his rising again.

Sunday

9 am: There's little doubt that Paul is a passionate man: he seems so driven. But why? What is it about following Jesus that makes him so energetic, so focussed? Is it the internal consistency of the Gospel? Is it that it's scientifically verifiable? Its historical tradition? Its ability to transform, or even harness social and political power? The answer might surprise you, and it might just change your life.

5 pm: Good things happen to good people. Right? That's the assumption, that somehow the law of Karma means that God will reward those who have done well, and punish those who haven't. Which is all well and good if you can be considered in the ‘good' category. But the story of Jacob blows that out the water, because Jacob is a crook and the thief - and yet somehow gets a blessing from God that we might only dream of. So maybe there is something else at work. Remember, read Genesis 25-35 in preparation for Sunday Night.

Kids@Church Year 6/7

Sadly, due to the lack of Kids@Church helpers and volunteers, at this stage we will be suspending Kids@Church classes for year 6 and 7, from the beginning of term 3. This is a regrettable situation, and as soon as we have the people resources available, we will recommence the groups.

If you would like any information about this, then please speak to Clinton (0424 477 487, clinton@redlandscrc.org.au).

We would encourage parents to continue to bring their children of this age to church to be a part of the service and to continue encouraging and nurturing them in your home. If you would like any ideas / suggestions of how to do this, then please speak to me.  Clinton

Discovery Service: June 17, 9am (only) "Too much to carry...?"

It's amazing that in a country where there is so much freedom that people can experience such heavy burdens. Like, they are stuck in a rut and they can't get out. The weight of living can be incredibly heavy. Unbearable, even. In the NT world, the great gods were Rome's peace and prosperity and the religious power typified by Judaism. Neither of these gods brought freedom. Nor do the gods of today. They only freedom worth considering is the freedom Jesus brings. This service will especially be for your friends and family who do not know Jesus. On Sunday everyone will receive small invitations to pass on to others: please use them liberally. Please also pray that God will call people to himself through this service.

Breakfast meeting: June 23

You're invited to another RCRC Happy Meal! We will get together for a breakfast meeting on June 23! We'll be discussing

• Latest developments in the building program. The committee will be presenting options to the congregation before the meeting. These options will outline the nest recommended stage of development for the facilities at RCRC.
• Leadership Structure: Sometimes people ask ‘what do the elders do here?' - the new leadership structure has enabled us to refocus the elder's role in a way which we believe will benefit ministry at RCRC. We'd love to be able to tell you more about it
• 2007/2008 Budget. Eddie Bos will present the budget for the coming financial year. Ministries and groups are asked to forward allocation requests without delay. Printed material will be made available well before the meeting.

AM Church

If you've been at RCRC the last few weeks you will have noticed a change: more space. The main reason for this is that a swag of people - at our encouragement - have switched to the evening service. The whole idea with this was to make more space in the auditorium, and that has been achieved. Of course, there is a greater purpose in all this: that we have more opportunity to build the AM service attendance once again. We get to refocus and redevelop the AM community. That will take a bit of effort, but the returns always outweigh what we contribute in time, energy and resources. If you identify AM Church as your ‘home' I would like to encourage you to do the following:

• Bring your friends. Did you know that there is a high percentage of people in the general community who would probably attend a service in a church if they were asked by a friend. That's you! Do you have friends who don't know Jesus? Then make a point of asking them along. God in His sovereign plan may use you as an instrument of grace, just one of a number of ways he may use to draw people to himself (Rom 10:14-15). We're planning some AM services designed specifically for people who don't know Jesus (more about this next week), so start thinking and praying about this now.
• Become more regular in your own attendance: make a commitment to be here every week. We all know there are lots of things on our agenda, life is busy. Sport. Leisure. Need for extra sleep. Yep, got that. This big issue here is that none of this builds the church! None of that extends fellowship. None of that encourages your brothers and sisters in Christ to follow their King. The reality is that the church is blessed when followers of Jesus are committed and regular in meeting together. That's why there are hearty calls in the New Testament to do just that. When the Christian community is meeting and worshipping with their best, the church is strong (Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-27)
• Make a commitment to use your gifts more effectively. More gaps apparent = more gifts required. There are more opportunities than ever for you not only to show your thanks to the Lord for new life in Jesus Christ. Using your gifts is a great way to show the nature of the Kingdom. That by grace we are salt and light, and God is in the business of restoring and reconciling his world to himself in Christ. So be bold. Sign up on the sheets provided in the newsletter, and let's continue to build God's new community.

Further, we believe the PM service is well full enough now. We want to have both services in a position where there is plenty of room for newcomers, so we don't need any more people to ‘do the switch.' We want to see both services as places where there is a good variety of ages. So if you're not one of those original people who indicated they would make the move, please retain your commitment to the AM service - it won't help to have the AM service under resourced. These things will take a little time to ‘settle in', and at the end of it all we're confident that RCRC will grow into these challenges quite effectively.

PRAYER

- Matthew Stanley Foundation Launch will be positive and honouring to God.

- Family and friends of Mrs Emma Miller as they come to terms with their grief.

- Bec Cooper as she recovers from another knee operation.

- Members of our congregation who are suffering with illnesses, and those caring for them, that they may have the strength to do so.

Mrs Emma Miller - with Jesus

Hi church,

This morning Emma Miller went to be with the Lord Jesus. Emma was mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to many in the Redlands Church family. We ask the Lord for his grace, mercy and strength for Emma's family - and all of us - as we move through this time of grief. Please support the family prayerfully. Details about funeral arrangements will be made when they are known.

Prayer Request

Hi church - please make the following a matter of prayer

• Carol Bottema has heard yesterday that her father died quite suddenly. Please uphold Carol, Fred, Chris and Natalie as they prepare to travel to Mittagong, south of Sydney, for the funeral. Pray that the comfort of eternal life in Jesus Christ will surround Carol and her wider family during this time of grief
• Some at RCRC will know Michael and Leonie O'Brien - last week Leonie learned that she has a tumour on one of the vertebrae in her neck. Further tests are being done: please pray for strength and peace, and for healing

Thanks for being a caring community!

Midweek News

Sunday

9am: Its becoming more and more popular today to be positive about Jesus - but less keen about ‘church.' We even notice some of those trends in our own church community with church engagement dropping - but personal spirituality still very much alive. But is this really possible, is this what God has in mind? Thi Sunday we will look at why the church is so important in God's plan, in the future of the world and in our own lives, and what response this calls for from us.

If you want to read ahead, try Psalm 122 and Hebrews 12:22-24

5pm: If you watch Oprah or read dFine (the local lifestyle magazine) maybe you've heard about "The Secret": How ‘the universe' always answers the requests of people who believe, ask and (expect to) receive. You name it: a nice diamond ring, a new car (or bike), snazzy clothes. Yes, people actually believe this stuff. Interestingly, when Paul writes to the Colossian church he speaks of the Gospel as a mystery, a secret - so what is it? And is God's secret better than the so called ‘secret of the universe'? Hey, you probably already know the answer is yes, but you really want to know ‘why', don't you!

Read ahead at Col  1:24-29

Discovery Service: June 17, 9am (only) "Too much to carry...?"

It's amazing that in a country where there is so much freedom that people can experience such heavy burdens. Like, they are stuck in a rut and they can't get out. The weight of living can be incredibly heavy. Unbearable, even. In the NT world, the great gods were Rome's peace and prosperity and the religious power typified by Judaism. Neither of these gods brought freedom. Nor do the gods of today. They only freedom worth considering is the freedom Jesus brings. This service will especially be for your friends and family who do not know Jesus. On Sunday everyone will receive small invitations to pass on to others: please use them liberally. Please also pray that God will call people to himself through this service.

Breakfast meeting: June 23

You're invited to another RCRC Happy Meal! We will get together for a breakfast meeting on June 23! We'll be discussing

• Latest developments in the building program. The committee will be presenting options to the congregation before the meeting. These options will outline the nest recommended stage of development for the facilities at RCRC.
• Leadership Structure: Sometimes people ask ‘what do the elders do here?' - the new leadership structure has enabled us to refocus the elder's role in a way which we believe will benefit ministry at RCRC. We'd love to be able to tell you more about it

AM Church

If you've been at RCRC the last few weeks you will have noticed a change: more space. The main reason for this is that a swag of people - at our encouragement - have switched to the evening service. The whole idea with this was to make more space in the auditorium, and that has been achieved. Of course, there is a greater purpose in all this: that we have more opportunity to build the AM service attendance once again. We get to refocus and redevelop the AM community. That will take a bit of effort, but the returns always outweigh what we contribute in time, energy and resources. If you identify AM Church as your ‘home' I would like to encourage you to do the following:

• Bring your friends. Did you know that there is a high percentage of people in the general community who would probably attend a service in a church if they were asked by a friend. That's you! Do you have friends who don't know Jesus? Then make a point of asking them along. God in His sovereign plan may use you as an instrument of grace, just one of a number of ways he may use to draw people to himself (Rom 10:14-15). We're planning some AM services designed specifically for people who don't know Jesus (more about this next week), so start thinking and praying about this now.
• Become more regular in your own attendance: make a commitment to be here every week. We all know there are lots of things on our agenda, life is busy. Sport. Leisure. Need for extra sleep. Yep, got that. This big issue here is that none of this builds the church! None of that extends fellowship. None of that encourages your brothers and sisters in Christ to follow their King. The reality is that the church is blessed when followers of Jesus are committed and regular in meeting together. That's why there are hearty calls in the New Testament to do just that. When the Christian community is meeting and worshipping with their best, the church is strong (Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-27)
• Make a commitment to use your gifts more effectively. More gaps apparent = more gifts required. There are more opportunities than ever for you not only to show your thanks to the Lord for new life in Jesus Christ. Using your gifts is a great way to show the nature of the Kingdom. That by grace we are salt and light, and God is in the business of restoring and reconciling his world to himself in Christ. So be bold. Sign up on the sheets provided in the newsletter, and let's continue to build God's new community.

Further, we believe the PM service is well full enough now. We want to have both services in a position where there is plenty of room for newcomers, so we don't need any more people to ‘do the switch.' We want to see both services as places where there is a good variety of ages. So if you're not one of those original people who indicated they would make the move, please retain your commitment to the AM service - it won't help to have the AM service under resourced. These things will take a little time to ‘settle in', and at the end of it all we're confident that RCRC will grow into these challenges quite effectively.

Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au

Can you help?

Can you help

Peter and Miranda Goodridge require a house to rent for approx 6-8 months while their new house is being built. Ideally the house would be 4 bedroom, positioned in the Redlands area and available from around the 8th June.

If you have or know of anything available please contact Peter and Miranda on Ph 38229635 Ph 0412161597 (Peter)

Midweek News

Sunday

9am: How to deal with your heart problems. My early career as an engineer was a disaster. I always wanted to find out how things worked, so I pulled some of them apart: a toy train, a golf ball (full of surprises), a new puppy (just kidding). It's true, though. Sometimes we really need to look inside something before we can really get a handle on how it all works. What about people? What do we find when we look inside? No bed of roses, that's for sure. The important thing is that the Bible is the account of how God has started to bring about another reality through Jesus. And the results, especially for people who struggle with questions like "am I really accepted by God?" are outstanding. Read ahead at Colossians 1:21-23

5pm: When people find out what I do, they will often ask "So are you religious then?" I am never quite sure how to respond to that. In one sense, I am religious, I have a faith, a set of beliefs through which I view life and to which I adhere. But on another side, I am not. If religion is about rules, regulations and control, then this is definitely not what Jesus is about, and so it is not what I am about. This week, we will see what happens when Jesus meets religious people, and ask the question, are we more about religion, or Jesus? Read ahead in Luke 13:10-17

Breakfast meeting: June 23

You're invited to another RCRC Happy Meal! We will get together for a breakfast meeting on June 23! We'll be discussing

• Latest developments in the building program. The committee will be presenting options to the congregation before the meeting. These options will outline the nest recommended stage of development for the facilities at RCRC.
• Leadership Structure: Sometimes people ask ‘what do the elders do here?' - the new leadership structure has enabled us to refocus the elder's role in a way which we believe will benefit ministry at RCRC. We'd love to be able to tell you more about it

AM Church

If you've been at RCRC the last few weeks you will have noticed a change: more space. The main reason for this is that a swag of people - at our encouragement - have switched to the evening service. The whole idea with this was to make more space in the auditorium, and that has been achieved. Of course, there is a greater purpose in all this: that we have more opportunity to build the AM service attendance once again. We get to refocus and redevelop the AM community. That will take a bit of effort, but the returns always outweigh what we contribute in time, energy and resources. If you identify AM Church as your ‘home' I would like to encourage you to do the following:

• Bring your friends. Did you know that there is a high percentage of people in the general community who would probably attend a service in a church if they were asked by a friend. That's you! Do you have friends who don't know Jesus? Then make a point of asking them along. God in His sovereign plan may use you as an instrument of grace, just one of a number of ways he may use to draw people to himself (Rom 10:14-15)
• Become more regular in your own attendance: make a commitment to be here every week. We all know there are lots of things on our agenda, life is busy. Sport. Leisure. Need for extra sleep. Yep, got that. This big issue here is that none of this builds the church! None of that extends fellowship. None of that encourages your brothers and sisters in Christ to follow their King. The reality is that the church is blessed when followers of Jesus are committed and regular in meeting together. That's why there are hearty calls in the New Testament to do just that. When the Christian community is meeting and worshipping with their best, the church is strong (Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-27)

Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au

Kids@Church Year 6/7

Sadly, due to the lack of Kids@Church helpers and volunteers, at this stage we will be suspending Kids@Church classes for year 6 and 7, from the beginning of term 3. This is a regrettable situation, and as soon as we have the people resources available, we will recommence the groups.

If you would like any information about this, then please speak to Clinton (0424 477 487, clinton@redlandscrc.org.au).

We would encourage parents to continue to bring their children of this age to church to be a part of the service and to continue encouraging and nurturing them in your home. If you would like any ideas / suggestions of how to do this, then please speak to me.

Clinton

Church Planting Exploration Team

Next meets on Monday 28th May, 7.30pm @ the church

Discussing: Listening to our Community

For more information, talk to Clinton (0424 477 487, clinton@redlandscrc.org.au)

STUDY TOUR - 2007 - UNITED KINGDOM

London, Birmingham, Sheffield

Focus: Churches that are active in Community Engagement and Church Planting

Includes the Total Church - Church Planting Conference

Dates: 18-31 October, 2007

Cost: Approximately $3500

For more information, contact Clinton

Prayer Chain

RCRC PrayerMail

Hi church - here are a few things to inform your prayers over the next few days

•·         Alexandra Salisbury heard today that her father had died suddenly in Canada. Although 79 years old, the family had believed he was in reasonably good health, so his death has come very suddenly. Alexandra will fly to Toronto tomorrow (Wednesday) for a Saturday funeral. She will be there for two weeks. Please enfold Alexandra and her family in prayer, also Peter and the children who will remain here during this time

•·         Rani Gillan has undergone another operation to remove her ‘stoma', with a view to her system operating normally again. This is not always an easy road, and Rani has had her share of difficulties. Please pray for a smooth recovery and continued healing.

Midweek News

Sunday

9am: Ever wondered about how God wants Christian to relate to the world? Ever struggled with whether your faith should be seen at work, or school? Or what impact the Cross has, or even should have, on the non-human part of creation? And with an election in the winds, should we take the advice of current and past Prime Ministers (Howard, Keating and Hawke have all said it) that the church should just stick to matters of faith and let the politicians look after Government? Do you buy that? Really? Would St Paul? And dare we ask, would Jesus? Colossians 1:15-20 says some of the most countercultural and revolutionary things we will ever hear. These words are designed by God to comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comfortable. So, where will you fit in? How will you hear them? How will you respond?

5pm: So you come to church, sing songs to Jesus and stick a fish to the back of your car. So what? What does faith really mean? What does it mean when the smelly stuff hits the fan, what about when life is great, what about as a church? When Jesus meets people, there is always a response, what will yours be? Read ahead in Luke 8:22-25

CHEESE AND WINE PARTY CANCELLED

Please note that the Cheese and Wine party that was due to take place this Saturday 12th May has now been cancelled due to lack of response via RSVP
 
Kind regards,
 
Marcel & Paula Doedens
Dwayne & Pauline Aitcheson
Jan & Linda deBeer
Cameron & Margaret Nugent
Alex Grobbelaar

Kids@Church Year 6/7

Sadly, due to the lack of Kids@Church helpers and volunteers, at this stage we will be suspending Kids@Church classes for year 6 and 7, from the beginning of term 3. This is a regrettable situation, and as soon as we have the people resources available, we will recommence the groups.

If you would like any information about this, then please speak to Clinton (0424 477 487, clinton@redlandscrc.org.au).

We would encourage parents to continue to bring their children of this age to church to be a part of the service and to continue encouraging and nurturing them in your home. If you would like any ideas / suggestions of how to do this, then please speak to me.

Cadets / Boys Ministry

Over the last few months we have been seeking to get Cadets, or an equivalent primary aged boys ministry, off the ground. At this stage we are nearly ready to go, with the beginnings of a leadership team in place. We are hoping, and praying that this process will be completed and the ministry beginning in the next 4-6 weeks. One of our biggest hurdles is leadership. To run the ministry responsibly we would need 1 adult leader to every 5 boys. If you are in a position to help with this, we would love to hear from you ASAP. Please contact Clinton (clinton@redlandscrc.org.au, 0424 477 487) or Hector (ilfoo@bigpond.net.au, 0409 605 041)

Church Planting Exploration Team

Next meets on Monday 28th May, 7.30pm @ the church

Discussing: Listening to our Community

For more information, talk to Clinton (0424 477 487, clinton@redlandscrc.org.au)

STUDY TOUR - 2007 - UNITED KINGDOM

London, Birmingham, Sheffield

Focus: Churches that are active in Community Engagement and Church Planting

Includes the Total Church - Church Planting Conference

Dates: 18-31 October, 2007

Cost: Approximately $3500

For more information, contact Clinton

Thursday May 31... Media Launch of the Matthew Stanley Foundation at RCRC

We have all heard about the tragic death of 16 year old Matthew Stanley at a party in our neighbourhood on last September. Since that time a number of people have formed the Matthew Stanley Foundation. Paul Stanley, Matt's father, invited Pastor David to Chair the Foundation at its inception. This foundation seeks to stimulate the community to embrace safe parties, responsible youth, and families that work to break the cycle of violence.

On Thursday May 31 the Foundation will be launched at RCRC (10:00am - 12:00pm). That morning 612 ABC's Madonna King will broadcast live from RCRC from 8:30-11:00am. The launch will be attended by the Rt Hon Judy Spence, Minister for Police, the Qld Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, and many others. This is a big event, and the RCRC family is advised that the whole facility will be required that morning. There will be limited public gallery seating available for any RCRC people who would like to attend the launch. With the radio broadcast, it's expected that seating will be in high demand. If you'd like to attend, please plan to be early. Any questions can be directed to Pastor Dave.

Prayer

• - Please remember Willy Haslip, and others in advanced years who long to be with the Lord. Pray for the gift of God's patience and the blessing of endurance.
• - Continue to pray for rain... The drought may be a blessing, in that it's one of the few reminders every Australian receives that there are some things we cannot control. Even so, pray for the rain of God's grace to quench the thirst of both land and lives
• - Budget: A healthy economy is a blessing, but is anyone talking about foreign aid and debt relief to some of our nation debtors who cannot pay? Lord, make us a truly compassionate country, one that employs our wealth compassionately to those weighed down with unbearable burdens of debt.

BIBLES

Do you believe everyone in the world should have access to the Word of God? Then be part of Koorong's exciting Bibles For India project.

During May, Koorong is partnering with the Christian charitable organisation STL OM Books India to distribute bibles throughout India.

To join in this vital project, it's as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. YOU DONATE A BIBLE - From 1st to 31st May, bring any bibles you don't need to your local Koorong store and deposit them in the area labeled ""Bibles For India". Any gift of Scripture will be used and greatly appreciated - regardless of condition.
Koorong will kick-start the project by donating1000 bibles.
2. KOORONG & STL OM BOOKS INDIA WILL SEND YOUR BIBLE - After 31st May, we will collect all the donated Bibles from our stores and pack them into a container at our main warehouse in Sydney. They will then be shipped to STL OM Books India for distribution throughout India.
3. PRAY - Join with us in praying that your donated Bible will change the life of someone in India.
 

Find out more about Bibles For India
What kind of Bibles can I donate?STL OM Books India welcomes the donation of ANY bible. It doesn't matter which translation or format, or the condition of the bible. Any piece of Scripture will be appreciated.

If you don't have any spare bibles but would still like to be involved, feel free to purchase a bible to donate. Koorong is offering a number of bibles at budget prices during May, especially for this project.

You can also greatly contribute to this project by providing prayer support. Please pray that these bibles will change the lives of those who receive them, and that they will further the spread of God's Word and the Christian faith throughout India.

Why India?

There are currently around 1.1 billion people living in India. According to government figures, the estimated Christian population is 2.6%. However it is estimated that the true figure is around 7%.

Over 80% of India's population is Hindu and the country also has the second largest Muslim population in the world. Other religious groups include Sikhs, Buddhists, Baha'is and Jews.

This diversity of religions, coupled with the size and growth of India's population, make it a prime place to target evangelism projects.

Who is STL OM Books India?

STL OM Books is a fully integrated publisher, distributor and retailer of Christian resources in South East Asia. Based in Hyderabad, India, the not-for-profit company aims to produce quality products to resource the Christian community. As part of the STL group, the company is the largest distributor of Christian products in Asia.

STL (Send the Light) and OM (Operation Mobilisation) first partnered to distribute Christian literature in India in 1964, with STL OM Books India officially created in 2006.

OM Books now has 23 stores throughout India. The organisation also resources 300 hundred agencies across India that also sell Christian products, including retail stores, libraries, bible seminaries and third party agents.

The mission of STL OM Books India is to advance the Christian faith through the publishing, distribution and retailing of quality Christian resources. Part of this aim is to provide the Indian church with low-cost Bibles.

How will my bible/s be distributed in India?

After 31st May, the bibles will be collected from all Koorong stores and packed into a container at our main warehouse. They will then be shipped to STL OM Books India for distribution throughout India. Many bibles will be given away, while others will be sold for a small amount. All proceeds will go to STL OM Books to further their work in resourcing Christians throughout India and across Asia.

Will Bibles in English be of use to people in India?

Yes! For most people in India, English (and not Hindi) is the "common" language. Around 80% of the products STL OM Books produces and sells in India are in English.

If you have any questions or would like further information about Koorong's Bibles For India project, please send an email to BiblesforIndia@koorong.com.au