Prayer Chain Update

In your prayers...

Please remember Anne White, and children Nicole, Rebecca and William. Anne's husband, Bill, passed away this morning in the Mater Public Hospital. Bill had suffered a stroke some weeks ago, and his condition had deteriorated over the last few days.

Bill's funeral will be held at the Mt Thompson Crematorium (West Chapel) on Thursday at 11:00am

Please support the family in prayer, and ask that God in his grace will give all they need in this time of bereavement. Our hope as followers of Jesus, in not in what is seen, but in what is unseen: the promises of eternal life in Jesus Christ, guaranteed by his death on the Cross and his rising again from the tomb.

...The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:4-7

And for tomorrow...

20twenty is back!

In case you missed it, 2006 was the inaugural 20twenty inter-church cricket competition. It makes it's return for version two in less than 3 weeks! Make sure you don't miss it this year...

Why cricket? Why not! It's the perfect way to make some friends within the church or to introduce your friends to people at church. RCRC's sport ministry is all about leading people to Christ and what better way of doing it than cricket! Please think about joining, but don't delay because almost everyone from last year wants to go around again (important note - ALL of the people from the team who don't know Christ have returned for 2007).

Details?
When - Saturday 1pm-4pm
Where - All games in Cleveland
How Long - 10 Weeks
Ages - EVERY age above 15 (RCRC is an all ages team)
Cost - $5.50 per game (that's a $1.50 saving from 2006)
Gear? - Great if you have some, if not, don't stress
Who are RCRC thrashing this year? Same local churches as last year, but this year there are two new additions: Gateway Baptist & Victoria Point Baptist

We'd love for you to be involved, and there's plenty of ways that you can this year!
Player - Be quick
Umpire - Part of all the action without the energy (don't worry we're not playing for sheep stations - except when we're playing the Uniting boys)
Canteen - The off field action is ramping up this year. Want to sell the drinks and sausages?
Support - Come and cheer us on. Bring the kids. And follow the results - we'll put them on the screen each Sunday like last year...
Prayer - COME ONE, COME ALL. We're talking about lost souls here!
$ - if you would like to sponsor some shirts. Thanks to Digiart for their 2006 sponsorship!!

All questions please email or see Josh Hemelaar
josh@royalfoods.com.au

Burma Mission Report

From the Team in Burma

[Email received from Frank Thursday night]

The rapport between all team members is fantastic.

Each person has been so focused on their tasks, and the kids are loving our being here. We have morning and tea times set on the agenda, but we yet to have one, as the kids just keep wanting to work through.

Steve Flood has got some awesome drum beats coming out from his corner of the yard. And if you can't hear Steve, then you can't miss the noise coming from Cor's group. They are busy cutting and planing, drilling and screwing timber into some wonderful tables and benches. Cor's team were originally supposed to make up 10 table and bench sets, but that job has more than doubled.

The church donations have been used to pay for the timber, tools and extras.

The timber is bought by the tonne, and the first lot of 1.8 tonne cost over $800 The craft groups are just having an absolute ball. These kids just love being creative, and are grabbing these once a year opportunities with both hands. Nat and Rowena who have the largest group have got the kids spell bound.

Alette, who is teaching recorder, is getting some of the squeaks to start sounding like a rhythmic melody. We look forward to seeing their performance at the end of the week.

Beverley has a group of seamstresses working away on making their own skirts.

Her sign language is getting pretty good, because the translator in her group doesn't know too much English.

And as for Dr Maria, she is setting records. So far she has been able to analyse 100 children. She is very impressed with the general health of the children. It shows that the leaders are doing their best to look after the well being of the children. She has found a few bugs that need immediate attention, but we'll be more specific about at a later stage.

Janette, Minandi and Nancy are teaching cross stick, card making and jewellery. The results of their fantastic work will be seen when we come back. I'm sure there will be plenty for you to buy. Again, the children just don't want to stop when its time for a break.

Ryan is having a ball in the room set up like an office. He has 8 PCs running and seeing the concentration on the children's face is just beautiful. They are just so thankful to have the chance to play with modern technology.

Olive, our 75 year old faithful from Victoria (it's her 13th trip), is just doing her magic with the small children, reading stories, singing songs, and craft work.

And finally, Shelley is doing a wonderful job teaching those who are interested how to cut and manage hair. She has fitted into the group so well. Please continue to pray for her.

We thank you all for your prayers, and support.

Frank and the Team.

eNews Update

Sunday AM

Jesus called Thomas to 'stop doubting and believe...' - but what is faith, really? Is it grounded in my emotions? My intellect? My will? If faith is about 'feeling' does the 'right side of the brain' (the analytical 'let's see if this stacks up' part of the brain) ever have to be used? How can we call people to faith, praying that they will have faith, and be fuzzy on this? The po-mo's might even ask 'what does it matter?' ...well, does it? Read ahead at 2 Cor 5:1-5 and Heb 11.

Sunday PM

No one doubts the trouble humanity is in, and no one needs to be convinced about the general spiritual state of human beings. But how does God respond to people like that? People like us? Read ahead at Eph 2:1-10

Yep: It's official...

Dave & Leonie are thrilled to announce the engagement of Catherine to Dan Kroon. Dan proposed to his beloved on the Great Ocean Road (Victoria) on Tuesday morning. Catherine has gladly accepted. Cath & Dan are not setting dates just yet, but just celebrating and rejoicing in this new direction together. We wish them every blessing!

Clinton is on leave...

Clinton, Tracy and family are enjoying some time off this week with Clinton's family. Next week it's Dave's turn. He will be on leave from the 16th to the 22nd.

Thanks again:

To all the Redlands CRC people who volunteered their time at the Redlands Easter Family Festival: thanks so much! The day was a great success, and it was a thrill to see the high level of RCRC involvement. Special thanks to Doug Kiltscher, who coordinated RCRC's volunteers, as well as giving many nights to the REFF Executive. Well done! You have been a real blessing!

The Bridge...

Lots of people walked over the bridge last Sunday morning. If you'd like to share what crossing the bridge meant to you, I'd love to hear your story - everything received in confidence, of course. Send your note to dave@redlandscrc.org.au

Prayer:

• Remember those who are working in schools: this week they are having some time off - well deserved no doubt. We're thankful to God for the ongoing contribution made by teachers, Admin and adjunct staff. Rest well, friends, you are a blessing to us!

Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au

Children's Ministry Coordinator

Easter

Easter Sunday

9am: We've had some high powered messages calling for big commitment in recent weeks - what about the strugglers? The battlers? The people who do not see the tunnel, let alone light at the end of it? What about people plagued by doubt? Or people so riven with pain and struggle they wonder what they have to do to get God's attention? Then let's think of Thomas (all everyone else who has ever doubted/struggled. Let's look at the way the risen Jesus gently addresses his doubt, and draws him into true life. The resurrection appearance to Thomas is a powerful reminder that Jesus is the God of 'those who missed out'. God is remarkably patient. He wants to lead us to faith, to hope and to transformation. He can, and usually does, take a lifetime to do his work, but he wants us to begin with one step. One step of faith in Christ will begin the journey of hope. Today he calls you to reach out and take a step of faith - cross the bridge, and in His grace, strength and to His glory, have a new beginning in Jesus.

6:30pm: Redlands Easter Festival Combined Churches Service - At the Cleveland Showgrounds. Please join us in celebrating our risen LORD together.

Monday

Redlands Easter Festival - Join in for a FREE day of food, rides, entertainment and celebration at the Cleveland showgrounds.

Missed Last Night's Meeting?

So you missed last night’s meeting and you really wanted to be there…

You can still be kept in the loop with what went on, and what was talked about.

For an email with the resources from last night, drop a line to churchplanting@redlands crc.org.au

Able Bodied Men Required...

Can you help set up the Easter Festival?

We do not have enough Christians (men of faith) to

1} move gym equipment on Thursday afternoon or

2} putting up and pulling down on Monday.

As much as we want to help our brother in Christ, Tony, we do this for God.

Whilst we all have faith, we must also be practical and must all put our hands to the plough. We are not asking you to commit to a full day but for a few blocks of time on the day.

If you can help even for a short time please contact Tony Willis on 0401 268 990 or freehire@bigpond.net.au ASAP.

Yours In Faith

Easter Festival President

Deborah Wagner