AT HOME – LEADING |LOVING | LEARNING. We will share how love is the purpose of leadership. We don’t lead in order to posture ourselves as lords…but to posture us in love. Leadership has boundaries and influence should always honour the truth of Jesus Christ. Fruitfulness is the pleasure in leadership and spiritual offspring is the greatest joy in an unbelieving world.
‘The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.’ 2 John 1:1-4 NIV
How leading, loving and learning makes every home a possible house of God
The devil hates healthy homes…he loves destroying the home as the foundation for a healthy community. Why…you may ask? The home is the primary place where we
model following Christ
establish identity and security
teach and transmit values
make and store lifetime memories
develop hidden talents and potentials
learn how to love and forgive
grow in a safe environment
learn honesty and transparency
We can see from the first chapters in the Bible all the way through to today how homes were attacked on various levels. We know that God has revealed to us in scripture the ideal foundation for home life:
'That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. '
Genesis 2:24 NIV
This ideal foundation is called marriage. Even though there is a lot of leeway in the finer nuances of how marriages and families can work, there are a few basic ideals, which seem more and more difficult to attain as history presents itself. Even in Australia – home life is not a static reality. The Australian Institute of Family Studies has made the following observations in 2016 on the basis of the Australian census:
Households are becoming smaller and smaller
Indigenous households are increasing
Immigrant households are increasing
Extended family households are increasing
There is a definite decline in “couple-households” with children
One parent households are increasing
There is an increase in older-couple households
These expressions of the family read very much like what we see in scripture as reality meets family!
Great guidance for “non-perfect” families is found in the bible, and over the next three weeks, we will be looking at a very unique letter in the Bible written to a seemingly single mother, who had challenges with some of her children, while leading a church from her home. It is the second letter of John, or 2nd John. This will prove to be a great resource over the July school holidays for households. Over the next three Sundays, we will look at how we can lead, love, and learn at home what it means to be a Christ follower. There will be
a study for the household
practical tools for the household as well as
a surprise for all households engaging with this study
These can all be collected on Sundays at the Next Steps desk one per family.
SYG | Highlights
A few weeks ago, we took a group of 150 individuals down to Lardner Park for our first State Youth Games in 3 years! It was an incredible weekend filled with sport, fun, worship, powerful sermons, rain, mud, fires… and did we mention rain and mud?! Despite the worst weather we have seen at SYG in over a decade, it was an amazing time away where God’s presence was felt undeniably, community was strengthened, friendships were formed and salvations celebrated across a weekend to remember!
Overall FUSE Youth came 2nd out of over 40 churches in attendance! What an effort!! However, the true highlight of SYG was seeing our community of youth and young adults embracing the ‘Spirit of the Games’. Seeing our guys demonstrate what it looks like to be gracious in winning and in defeat, going out of their way to interact and meet new people, encouraging other teams and churches by blessing them with lolly packs and words of encouragement and all choosing to help out our leaders and volunteers across a very big weekend was a joy to witness!
Lastly, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who gave of time and resources across the weekend! A massive camp like SYG simply can’t happen without the incredible volunteers that cook and supply food, drive buses and cars, set up and pack up our mini tent city and help with clean up back at BCOC.
I also want to thank everyone who sponsored youth to come along and be part of this life changing weekend! Without the generosity of our incredible church family, all of the lives changed and fun had, couldn’t have happened so we are truly thankful.
Check out this little highlights video of Fuse at SYG 2022!!!
Policy | Update
As safety is a high priority in the Church, we regularly review existing policies or introduce new policies if required. This month, we have reviewed three policies (listed below) and we strongly encourage everyone who actively serves in ministry to read these policies. All our policies are available on the church website.
Privacy Policy
Policy Check Policy & Procedure
Transport Safety Policy
If you have any questions in relation to our policies, please feel free to speak to contact Karen Fletcher on 03 9702 1011 (Tuesdays to Thursdays).
Your Story | God moves mountains
“The Food Pantry Ministry” God never stops working. Last week due to a shortage of staff the Food Pantry was closed. I had promised one of our clients some packing boxes for moving house. The previous week she informed us of her dilemma, she had to move out of the house she had been renting for 17 years. Without savings, health issues, living on JobSeeker payments, and knowing the current rent crisis, getting even just a caravan seemed impossible! Keeping my promise, I took her boxes to her home. After hearing her story about all the rental rejections she had faced during the previous week, I told her that I had faith that God would answer this prayer. So I prayed with her, asking God to lead her to the house He had chosen for her. Later that day she rang me and told me that she had a house, but didn't have the $3,200 she needed to move in. I praised God and told her that with God all things are possible. We see mountains, God moves mountains. I gave her some phone numbers of organisations that may be able to help. My faith and trust in God were really being challenged by the enemy. Over the next 3 days, God answered my prayers by providing the money required to meet the rent agreement. God is good all the time! This lady doesn't only have a roof over her head, but a three bedroom house with a garage and yard for her 2 dogs.
We love to hear inspirational stories about how individual lives have been changed! If you would like to share 'Your Story', please email: [email protected] and inspire others!
Fuse Youth | Friday 24th June
This week at FUSE Youth is our fourth and last discipleship night as well as our last night of term and we’re having an awesome guest speaker and some worship! Fuse will be having a short break over the school holidays so we will see you next term!
Details:
Time: 7.00pm – 9.30pm
Cost: $5
Kids Church | Sunday 26th June
Join us in person or online 10am this Sunday at Kids Church…
PREP – GRADE 2 | The Principle of Patience We should treat others the way we want to be treated | Prov 15:18
WONDERKIDS & LITTLE SPARKS | Jesus can help me do everything Simeon at the temple | Luke 2: 22-39
A quick reminder that our fantastic Kids Church leaders will be having a well earnt break, so there will be no Kids Church on Sunday 3rd July. We will provide colouring sheets found at the back of the auditorium.
Baptism Celebration | Sunday 26th June
Come along to help celebrate baptisms this Sunday. Congratulations to those who will be participating. If you are interested in getting baptised or would like to know more, please visit our website for details.
Sunday Service | New Series | At Home
Join us as we start our new series, AT HOME – LEADING |LOVING | LEARNING. We will share how love is the purpose of leadership. We don’t lead in order to posture ourselves as lords…but to posture us in love. Leadership has boundaries and influence should always honour the truth of Jesus Christ. Fruitfulness is the pleasure in leadership and spiritual offspring is the greatest joy in an unbelieving world.
‘The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.’ 2 John 1:1-4 NIV
If you can’t make it Sunday in person, join us online and watch live stream via YouTube or Facebook at 10am.
Playgroup | Update
Playgroup is currently in recess for the school holidays so it’s a great time to think about joining us ready for term 3!
If any of the following apply to you, please get in touch:
You have little ones in your care (kids or grandkids) and regular free morning and would like to connect with others from the church and community
You don’t have little children but are 0-99, love young families and love the Lord, and have a free weekday morning
See our website to find out more and get in touch or call Sue 0403 822 324 any time.
Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 13th July
Our Seniors Ministry will learn more about this country that is presently in conflict with Russia. A freewill offering will be taken for those in the conflict in Ukraine.
Details:
Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
Bring: please bring a plate for everyone to share
Search To Find | Tuesday 19th July
Is there a better option for life? Experience connection, hope, and purpose. Come along to an initial meal and Introductory Talk, ‘Is it True?’ You then decide if you would like to continue the search. Book now.
Men’s Event | Sunday 7th August
Essendon Football Clubs chaplain Mark Purser, is in his sixth season after serving the Adelaide Crows in the same role for 5 seasons where he dealt with the deaths of two prominent coaches at the Crows within a 15 month period. Join us as Mark shares how being resilient can help you reach your goals.
