Welcome to our service today. It is great to have you here and we would love to invite you to stay after the service and join us for tea and coffee.

Last week we were away in Hanmer Springs for our annual e4 Summer camp/conference. I'm sure you have had times when a particular scripture or sentence jumps out at you as if it is an 'aha' moment. I had this happen during one of the Bible studies on John 13 when we were looking at Jesus in the Upper Room with His disciples. The phrase was "we are to serve out of surrender, not out of our own strength". 

Surrender means to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favour of another.  As Christians we are to give up everything just as Christ did for us when He died on the cross. The problem with serving out of our own strength is that when we get tired, can't be bothered or see no value to ourselves in it we struggle with the service. We may become critical and negative as we serve. However when we serve out of surrender, we do it out of the love we have for Christ and for one another. We give up our own rights, desires and feelings and serve as if we were serving Christ Himself.

This was a great attitude check for me at the start of the year. This year will come with trials, rejoicings and opportunities. Let us, as we seek to enlarge the Kingdom of God, serve together out of surrender and not out of our own strength, for it is 'not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord.

Blessings, Sandra

Welcome to our service today. It is great to have you here and we would love to invite you to stay after the service and join us for tea and coffee.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11.

As I read these well known verses a few key words stand out to me - GREAT joy, ALL people, a SAVIOUR. As we celebrate Christmas this year may we remember that it is indeed a celebration of joy. Despite everything else that may be going on in our lives, let’s give thanks for the most amazing gift ever given to all people — our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ — the hope of the world.

All that remains to say is that we are so grateful for each one of you. Your prayers, support and encouragement as we serve together to see the lost saved and discipled is greatly appreciated and means so much to us.

From our family to yours - may you have a very blessed Christmas and New Year.

With love & blessings

Tony, Sandra, Olivia, Luke, Jono & Nic

Welcome to our service today. It is great to have you here and we would love to invite you to stay after the service and join us for tea and coffee.

I find it hard to get my mind around the birth of Jesus. It is truly 'a wonder' to behold. The Holy Spirit overshadows the virgin Mary so that a Holy Child is conceived in her womb. He develops for nine months and at last the time comes. As He emerges He takes His first breath and cries aloud. Welcome to the world Jesus!

Most people adore a sweet newborn baby with all the joy they bring. However they are also completely helpless and vulnerable. As was Jesus. He had no words, no strength and no knowledge when He came into the world - completely dependent on the comforting arms and care of His mother Mary. What amazes me is that God would become helpless in order to help us. But it's not that merely an infant is helpless while we who are grown up have things sorted out. Sometimes we are pretty helpless too. And all our hope depends on the help of the helpless baby whose birth we will soon celebrate. 

With love & blessings

Sandra

Welcome to our service today. It is great to have you here and we would love to invite you to stay after the service and join us for tea and coffee.

The wise men travelled a long way to bring gifts for Jesus and when they arrived they worshipped Jesus for who He was - Messiah, Immanuel, our Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, Good Shepherd, Light of the World - our Saviour. This is the essence of true worship - honouring Christ for who He is and being willing to give Him what is valuable to us. 

We are to worship God because He is the perfect, just and almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best we have to give. How often do we give Him the leftovers or only a part of what we have? We are called to worship Him with all of our lives, with our full devotion and with our eyes fully fixed on Him, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Let's make sure this Advent season that we especially take time to worship Him in whole and not just in part, for He is the reason for this season.

With love & blessings

Sandra