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MISSION’S REPORT
This week I’ve been studying ‘Missional Spirituality’ at Carey, and among the many challenges presented has been the
Mission is not located in the church first, it is embedded in the nature of God – the missio dei. But because we bear His image, we are about His business and His business is Mission. Just as Jesus was sent by the Father to us, Jesus sends us to the world. Not just the select few, but all of us, in many different ways.
Wow, so what does that mean for us at GBC? What does it mean for you?
Perhaps it means that this is the beginning of a journey for each of us, and all of us together, to figure that out.
As we head towards June and the re-launch of our Faith in Axion programme, it is timely to think deeply about what it means to be connected with the exciting business of mission through five different partners around the world. What does it really mean to say that at GBC we have families in Bougainville as part of our congregation? Is it enough just to send some funds, or to pray occasionally?
What other responsibilities might we have to them? If it is a partnership, are there things that they can bless us with in return? Are there things we can learn from them? These are just some of the questions that we could be considering as a church family.
What do you think?
We’d love to hear your thoughts, dreams and hopes for mission at GBC. As a mission team we are in a transition phase, the
Ruth Bloomfield is happy to keep you updated with prayer requests and responses in this way if you would like to join in on this. There are also opportunities for people who would like to be involved in building friendships with our mission partners, or helping to tell the stories of what is happening ‘out there’ in mission, to all of us here at GBC.
We also want to invite people to dream with us about what things could grow into in the future, and how we might shift from ‘doing’ mission as a church to recognising that we are actually supposed to be ‘being’ a Missional Community. Oh, exciting stuff!
We invite you to be part of what God is doing. Let’s be a church where “the whole people of God, bring the whole gospel, to the whole world.” I look forward to hearing your thoughts! In the meantime, keep the pledges coming in to support our awesome cross-cultural partnerships.
Emma Stokes
Mission Team
The Music Ministry
Psalm 34:3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.
We are a ministry group at GBC that you see every week and thus you may feel that you know all about us. What you see on a Sunday is only a small part of what has gone on behind the scenes.
The role of our ministry is to serve our church family by assisting people to “connect” with God each time we gather
The music, as you see it on a Sunday, has already had two and a half hours work by the music team as well as the prayer and time taken to choose the songs. Working together to produce an accompaniment that enhances each song takes us time, practice and sometimes compromise. We also have workshops during the year when we work on new songs together or engage in some “professional development”. We do not have everything perfect; however we do strive to give our best each Sunday.
We have two music teams, each consisting of a combination of musicians of vastly different skills, experience and musical styles. Altogether we number at least 20. Some faithful music team members are involved very regularly; others bless us with their talents on a short term basis, like Laura with her flute. We are grateful for the contribution of each person.
It is very encouraging to have Nathan L instigating a Youth Band, who practise on Sunday afternoons. This will be a great way of training up young musicians. We look forward to their contribution in the future.
Thank you to those who encourage us. Please keep praying for us – this is a 52 weeks of the year ministry.
On behalf of the music ministry
Ngaire Stokes
Welcome to Easter morning 2010
What is the meaning of Easter? Ask any child: “Easter is Easter bunnies and Easter eggs.” Ask any mother: “Easter is Easter sales for new clothes.” Ask any dad: “Easter is a good Easter dinner.”
Is the preacher the only one who responds, “Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection!”? We have turned from an empty tomb to an Easter egg, and the symbol of the Easter bunny has displaced the cross. The real meaning of Easter escapes us. Can we recapture it?
Easter quite simply means that Christ is Lord. The angel at the tomb told the women, “He is not here: for He is risen” If Easter means anything, it means Jesus Christ is Lord. He has authority over life, death and salvation.
The Scriptures stress that Jesus actually rose from the dead. The apostle Paul declared this fact as the basis of his personal faith and listed as proof many eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). The empty tomb convinced Jesus’ disciples of His lordship, for He was “declared to be the Son of God with power, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). If His body had remained in Joseph’s family plot, another prophet would have passed this way, but no Saviour.
The message of Easter is that Jesus is alive. Christ is our living Lord. He has the power to resurrect us from “death unto life” (John 5:24).
To carry the news of the Battle of Waterloo to England, a sailing ship signalled to a man on shore, who relayed the word to another on a hill, and so on across Britain. The first word, Wellington, was signalled. The next word was defeated. Then a fog closed in, and the message halted.
Across England people wept over the message. “Wellington defeated.” Then the fog lifted. The communication continued with two additional words: “the enemy.” Englishmen celebrated the victory.
There was great sorrow when the body of Jesus was carried from the cross to the tomb. The signal seemed to say, “Jesus Christ defeated.” But three days later the fog lifted and the angel announced, “Jesus Christ defeated the enemy.”
In the busyness of this weekend, among the Easter Eggs, sales and meals take time to sit and read Matthew 28:1-15. Come to terms with the real purpose of this long weekend.
Have a great day and awesome week, secure in the knowledge that “He is not here: for he is risen indeed”
John
SENIOR GIRLS RALLY UPDATE
On Monday afternoons and evenings once a fortnight during term time we hold Girls Rally.
Senior Rally runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and is for Intermediate (Yr 7) age upwards. There are 35 regulars in this group, all of whom are very keen and enjoy the programme. The cost for attending rally is $2 per night or $7.50 per term – if you would like to sponsor a girl please see Mary.
The leaders are Mary Persson, Juliet Holdaway, Liz Martin, Alicia Best – devotions, Margery Robinson – books, and Heather Doake – badge-work and helps. We have been truly blessed with 2 new leaders this term – Alicia and Heather, who are getting to know the girls well, and we hope will be with us for quite some time.
We have a wonderful group of ladies in the church who are prayer partners for our girls, praying for approximately 4 girls and a leader each. We are really appreciative of their
Our needs are varied but it would be great if we also had a group of ladies whom we could call upon, at short notice, if one of our amazing leaders cannot come.
Last year we had some wonderful ladies who taught our girls sewing – they were a great blessing. If anyone else is interested in coming along to see what we are doing you are most welcome.
In January Mary, Juliet and 9 of our girls – 6 seniors and 3 juniors - attended Rally Arura. This was an International Rally Camp at Totara Springs. The girls had a wonderful time and want to go to the next one in Tasmania in December 2011.
Sept/October this year will see Senior National Camp held at Katikati Horse camp. This camp open to High School students and we hope that a number of our girls will be able to go.
Thanks to our GBC church family for all your support.
Mary Persson
Did you know that being part of our Faith in Axion mission programme helps support Kidron Ministries on the island of
Kidron Ministries is an interdenominational ministry fostering peace, unity and reconciliation in this war torn island, with a vision to evangelize the Pacific, plant churches and train people in the work of God.
The Bible School was established in 2003; four main churches (with many daughter churches) have been planted in the Siwai area. Two in the central region and a network of churches has been established in the northern region. Kidron Ministries have even planted a church in the neighbouring Western Solomon Islands.
The last report from Sammy Maurua (Leader of Kidron) informed us that over the last six months an additional 12 more smaller churches have been planted in the south and central part of the island. Simon Hoguruho has planted and is pastoring a large church in Buka (the capital).
Be encouraged GBC family, as your Faith In Axion dollars make a difference in the lives of those folk whom Jesus died for, on the island of Bouganville.
On behalf of the GBC Mission Team
John
Today at GBC we, as a church family, are going to pray for our GBC Life Group leaders for 2010.
Life Groups play a large part in the life of Greerton Bible Church. The Life Group system is the primary source of pastoral care within the GBC family. Each group has the passion and commitment to ensure that adequate care and support is given to all the group members when required.
If you would like to become part of a Life Group please contact one of the following leaders /co-ordinators:
Bruce & Florence Adams
If you are unsure of who to ask, or feeling a bit shy, please do come and have a chat with me and I will endeavour to find you a Life Group where I know you will be welcome with open arms.
John
Over the previous three weeks I have shared with you 3 New Year resolutions or commitments which have the potential to make a radical difference in the life of us as individuals and as a church family.
The first 3 have been:
COMMIT YOURSELF TO FORGET YOUR FAILURES
Finally Number 4 is: COMMIT YOURSELF TO TURN YOUR BACK ON YOUR WRONGDOING.
Recently I read a book about the American Civil War. I discovered that after the war the slaves had been set free. Many slaves, however, decided to stay with their former masters and continue to do what they were told. They were set free but they chose to live as slaves.
Thinking about it the New Testament says that is exactly how many of us as Christians choose to live. Christ died to set us free. The Holy Spirit has given us the power to be free, but just like those former slaves we still choose to obey our old master - sin.
Romans 6:2 says: ”Do not let sin control the way you live, so do not give in to its lustful desires...we are no longer slaves to sin.”
Folk, I can’t make it any clearer - Jesus’ death broke the power of sin, the Holy Spirit can help us resist sin and that means that you don’t have to go through this year still being defeated by the same old sin. You can have victory over it. God says you are no longer a slave to sin, so don’t be one or act like one.
It all boils down to this: will 2010 be just another calendar changing event for you, or are you willing to rise to the challenges from God’s Word and make these commitments and make it a life changing event?
Let us, as a the family at GBC, make these 4 commitments so much a part of who we are that the world will know ‘that we are His disciples’ because we are “no longer to be a slave to sin.”
It is great to have you here this morning. Sit back, take pleasure in the presence of God and enjoy being His children.
Following on from last week the second New Year’s resolution that I want to share with you is COMMIT YOURSELF TO GIVE UP YOUR GRUDGES.
These words from the book of Colossians are a direct challenge from God. “Bear with each other and forgive each other whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Col 3:13.
God, in those words, is challenging you and I directly and personally to give up our grudges. That is what He means when He says forgive each other whatever grievances you may have against one another.
What’s a grudge? A grudge is a deep ongoing resentment that we cultivate in our hearts against someone else. A grudge is an unforgiving spirit that leads to unforgiving attitudes and unforgiving actions. Now I know you know what I’m talking about.
Harbouring a grudge is about nursing a dislike for someone.
Grudges break up families. Grudges ruin friendships. Grudges split churches.
This morning we are looking at Jesus being ‘the bread of life’. Let’s ensure that we are living a life that is hallmarked not with grudges and negative comments, but let’s be a people who speak well of each other and speak words of life into each other’s lives. Let’s live like we really believe that Jesus is the Bread of Life’.
John.
The Greatest Gift (part 3)
As we have looked at this amazing gift over the last few weeks we have recognised that this is the greatest gift, this is a gift of great value and finally, it is a gift that must be
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” – John 1:12 .
Not all who heard about him, or agreed with his teachings; not all who attended church; not all who tried to follow the golden rule, but all who received him. Some people
Now, maybe you opened that gift years ago, but lately it’s been sitting on the shelf. You’ve been too busy, or too distracted, or too hurting to give Christ the time and attention you know He deserves. Or maybe for you that gift is still under the tree, wrapped and ready to be opened. My appeal to you this Christmas is ‘Don’t leave Christ on the shelf; don’t leave Him under the tree’. Take him into your heart and into your life, even today. That gift from God has a tag with your name on it. What better time of year than Christmas to renew your commitment to Christ; or what better time of year than Christmas to begin a new life of fellowship with Jesus Christ, a new life of joy and peace and love?
Have a great Christmas and safe holiday
John
The Greatest Gift (part 1)
ICONZ Adventure
This is a boys’ programme aimed at ages 8-11 (Year 3 – Year 6). We meet every second Tuesday from 6pm – 7.30pm during the school terms.
Some of the activities the boys have done are:
Our goal is to give the boys access to activities, role models and opportunities that they may not otherwise have. Our ultimate goal is obviously to lead them to a relationship with Christ but if they also learn how treat others, (peers adults and family) then we are running a successful programme.
If that sounds like you then come and join Dan Martin, Carol Parsons, Arthur Hudson, Paul Managh, Jonathan Silby (a parent) and Peter Shennan in working with these boys. We would love to have you even for a night or two if you have an area of expertise that you would like to share. There are currently close to 30 boys at this age level, mostly from the community but unfortunately we lose them when they go to Intermediate School. There is an ICONZ Extreme programme we would love to offer so please see Peter if you’re interested.
Peter Shennan, on behalf of the Team
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