Should services have recommenced, on the 31st May there will be an opportunity to give the gifts you have set aside in a collection during the service. Please also feel free to give your gift online. Please identify your online gift with PASD 2020.
The whole service was recorded in the church building keeping to Level 3 restrictions, so you will see that there is no playlist of songs for today, as Heather has played within the service video. There is a separate communion video below.
Written version: Pastor Russell Watts – The Upside Down Kingdom – Mark 10
Dear church family,
Adrienne and her Covid 19 team together with our key church leaders have been working through what church might look like when we are finally able to meet again as a family.
Under level 2 with gathering restrictions of up to 100 people indoors we are compelled to go to two morning services. Whenever level 2 happens, we want to be well prepared and able to assure you that you and your family will be safe. You can only enter through the main doors on Bank St. Once we get to 100 people, folk will not be able to enter the church and instead will be asked to watch the service online when it is posted later in the day. Alternatively, they may choose to come back for the 11am service. In a week’s time we will ask you which service you are most likely to attend so that we get a picture of the numbers we will expect. We would appreciate you coming at the time you have nominated.
The service times we are looking at will be 9am and 11am. These will both be one-hour services with a reduced number of chairs.
Pre-service prayer meeting will be before the 9am service at the Bank St end of the old hall.
As you arrive, we will resist our inner desire to give you a hug or a handshake or hi five. We miss you! Instead one of Marion’s team will take down your names as you enter (complying with government requirements to gather contact tracing information).
The children will be directed to the lounges with Pastor Brigitte for the whole service where they will have a lot of safe fun and encounter our good God. If you have a younger child who will need a drink or a snack, please send those along with them.
The offering will not be taken up (most of you are now giving through direct debits) but if needed you will be able to place your offering in one of the two large white boxes as you enter the aisles. You can also still make offerings through eftpos. There will be hand sanitizer available for you to use.
As you come into lots of smiles and uplifting worship, please fill in the church from the front. During the service we will remain seated for the family prayer time (ie no moving and laying on of hands) but you can still dance and worship in your space. As the service comes to a close we will exit out the rear of the church past the toilets or through the side doors at the front of the church towards Wolfe St.
At the close of both services, we will be looking for volunteers to wipe down the chairs, and clean the toilet block.
We are part of a church that God wants to grow in faith, in flexibility and through salvations.
We are so looking forward to having you back soon and are excited about what God will do in us and through us going forward.
The Lord bless and keep you all
Russell and the Covid 19 team
The video of Pastor Russell’s sermon will be available today, Sunday 26th April on Facebook at 10am. It will be uploaded here on Tuesday 28th April.
Written version: Mark 9 – What really makes a person great?
Worksheet/Outline for Mark 9 – What really makes a person great?
Reflection for Sunday 19.4.20
How are you all doing out there, family? God has His eye on each ‘bubble’ and every precious soul in it. Trusting you are keeping safe and staying well. Connect as you can, enjoy each other, and enjoy the Lord. Whatever the decision on Monday, it is clear that restrictions will continue for some time yet. Philippians 4:11 – I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation.
Here in NZ we are blessed to have wise and compassionate leaders. We need to keep upholding them in prayer as they make difficult and wide-reaching decisions, and pray that these will bring the best outcome now and into the years ahead. 1 Timothy 2:1,2 – I urge then … that all petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority.
It is also reassuring to know that over and above our Government, and above all other world leaders, is our all-loving, all-powerful God. However much we feel the whole world has been turned upside-down by Covid-19, we can be sure that God is still on the throne. He has not changed. His arm is not shortened that He cannot lift us or hold us through this. His unconditional love and faithfulness are constant and everlasting. We can absolutely trust His promises: Hebrews 13:5 – God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” During Lockdown, there are people busy on the frontline, juggling work and children at home, feeling overwhelmed, isolated, trying to pay the bills… Philippians 4:19 – My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. God knows each situation and longs for us to ask His help: wisdom, patience, strength, provision, comfort. And always “underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27
Some of us have more time and fewer distractions – a perfect opportunity to reconnect or deepen our relationship with the Lord Jesus – to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus by continuing His work. Right now there is a lot of anxiety and fear around, and these feelings must surely be heightened in those without faith in God. As Christians we have hope and the treasure of the Gospel, along with the responsibility of Jesus’ Great Commission – Matthew 28:20. This is a time to put our faith into action, seeking the guidance and enabling of the Holy Spirit – to reach out with loving support and words of life in whatever ways are permissible during these weeks, so that through the very real pain and sacrifice there will also come a harvest for the Kingdom. I encourage us all to do this. There is nothing so faith-building as stepping out of our comfort-zone for God and proving His presence and strength.
The health and economies of the world are being devastated, but we can still rejoice in the Lord, and proclaim His greatness, power and love. Habakkuk 3:17, 18 – Though the fig tree does not bud, … yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. May the words, music, and beautiful images of these songs inspire you to worship and praise our wonderful Creator, Saviour, and Anchor of our souls. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.
Pastor Brigitte Crowe – Resurrection Sunday (written version)
Playlist chosen for Easter Sunday by Rene Kalkoff
Rene’s Devotional:
Early on the first Easter morning, a small group of women made their way to the tomb to anoint Jesus’s body. “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance” they asked. But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
That morning the women found, that Jesus was not there. The lamb of God had conquered death. The King of kings was risen.
Ps 57:8 “Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn”
Fear, worry, panic, depression, and much more are plaguing many of our mind of late. But in all of this, we have God. We have His peace that He gave us, and we can focus our thoughts on His peace alone. But we do know that Jesus already overcame the world. He took our sins to the cross, bore it, and died as a sinner, when He was never one to begin with.
John 16:33 “ I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have many troubles. But take heart! I have overcome the world”.
I am no longer a slave to fear.
We are God’s children. He gifted us a great peace, and we can focus our thoughts on His peace alone. So, let’s keep renewing our minds in His Word. Press pause on all the news /messages/newspaper articles and focus on God. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast on you, because he trusts in you” Isaiah 26:3
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”
His resurrection proved that Jesus was who He claimed to be, the Son of God, sent from Heaven to save us from our sins. But it also proved for all time, that there is life after death. The Resurrection Story.
John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” The resurrection is our great hope. And today the world needs hope more than ever. Do we believe him. That what Jesus says is true. That he is who he says he is.
Jesus, never leaves our side. Even as things are looking very bleak and dark, know that He is there. Let us rise to praise him even as the pandemic storm is raging around us, let us take comfort in the fact than when our strength feels low He carries us, He is with us always. His mercy and grace is greater than ever, when we need it the most.
Psalm 121: 1-8 Let him watch over you now and forevermore.
kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui: Be strong, be brave, be steadfast, Whangarei Central Baptist Church.
Written sermon: Mark 15 – Don’t Sew the Veil Up