Australia has become more “spiritual”…but less “Christian” according to the McCrindle institute’s research.  

“Over the last four decades, the number of Australians selecting “no religion” on the Census has more than tripled from 6.7% (1971) to 22.3% (2011) of the population. However the majority selecting this response could be classified as “spiritual not religious” rather than 200“neither spiritual nor religious”. In the 2011 Census, only 2.2% of the “no religion” respondents indicated “atheist”, “agnostic”, “humanist” or “rationalist” as their worldview.“

I believe our environment is as spiritually loaded as in Jesus’ time, it only presents itself differently than in those days. It is therefore that we are in need of restoring the pre-eminence of the Holy Spirit in our world. The Holy Spirit makes our faith a manifested reality in this world. Not only does he counsel, comfort and cultivates our hearts, but He demonstrates through us the power that is in the name of Jesus:

'God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. '

Acts 2:32-33 NIV

'Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. '

1 Corinthians 12:7,11 NIV

As we celebrated Pentecost the past week, let’s posture ourselves in expectation to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This will bring about spiritual power that this world so desperately needs. This Coming Sunday we will look at how the Holy Spirit gifts can work through us and in us as a Church.

Book your seats for this weekend’s onsite Sunday service, Colour Your World | SPIRIT. Bookings are essential.

At 6pm last night (Tuesday 25th May 2021), masks must be worn inside for individuals aged 12 years and over. The following will proceed, but masks must be worn inside. Search To Find | The Shed | Fuse Youth | Sunday Service.

What a Sunday! Hundreds of balloons filled the auditorium and chaos began. There was so much laughter and joy. If you missed the weekend message, you can watch here.

We had 2 wonderful baptism celebrations this past week, Bailey adding to the number of our youth who following an encounter with God at our recent youth camp have committed to surrendering their life to follow Jesus, and the incredible story from Kevin who has confessed to going his own way, and finding himself in a mess, leading to repentance and a new fire to follow Jesus. We continue to pray for these men and their own journey of transformation.

We had a fantastic turn out for our Annual General Meeting held on Sunday. We would like to thank our partners for their contribution and support.

Roger Simons who served faithfully for more than twenty years have decided to take a break on eldership as a Board Member. His experience and wisdom have been a great asset to the board and our church. He will enter a season wherein he would steward his gifts and talents towards area’s he feels led to for the next season. We are so thankful for his role in our movement as a leader and a shepherd.

We would also like to congratulate Glenda Hutchinson and Matt Ormiston who has been endorsed for three years as members of our board. We celebrate their leadership and character as elders!

What an amazing opportunity we have following an incredible sermon from Pastor Braam on the 3 colours of God, we all have our own bent, this impacts how we engage with the world around us, and the gift assessment will help you understand the way God has put you together, and how you can best serve His church.

We had a wonderful response to the invitation to take a free assessment, the church will cover the cost, and we will celebrate with each of you the unique gift mix you have, emails will be sent out in the near future, click the link, create your assessment, ask for 3 or more people who know you well to help you with this, Pastors who know you well are ready to help with that, do not hesitate to list us on your assessment. Looking forward to learning more about you all.

Currently we have around 20 Participants doing the Search to Find course. One group meets on Tuesday nights at the church, the other a group of young adults meet in Clyde on Sundays. Both begin with a meal. It is amazing to watch as people from all different backgrounds join together to explore Spiritual Reality, God and faith. One person from a cult background asked Ken what the difference was between different churches such as catholic, orthodox, and protestant

Ken explained a couple of things about the cross of Jesus in contrast to religious efforts to get right with God, then used the following illustration.

Imagine you go to the supermarket to buy Baked Beans. There are a variety of options. Baked beans and ham sauce. Spicy baked beans. Plain baked beans. Brand labels baked beans and generic varieties. The important thing is the baked beans.

The important thing for different churches is the central message of Jesus' death on the cross and the only way we can be made right with God is through faith in what Jesus has done for us. Now some churches may be hot and spicy, others more plain, but what counts is the baked beans.

However, imagine you bought a can of baked beans but when you opened it, inside was spaghetti. You’d say hang on something is wrong here.

The person Ken was talking to immediately named the cult group, and said, “I got given spaghetti!”

We have taken the first steps in opening up our after school program in the newly refurbished shed, Thursday’s are open to grades 5 & 6 from Berwick fields, a great way for us to serve our local families and their children, teaching them wisdom for life, while making connections with them that ultimately lead to encounters with Jesus. If this excites you, we would love more leaders to assist in the delivery of this program from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.

Our Shed is also open for our local youth on Friday from 4pm until 5:30pm, we have a great team of volunteers, and invite you to encourage the teenagers in your home to bring a friend who wouldn’t normally attend youth or a church service, this will provide a them with a safe pathway to get connected to our youth ministries.

Playgroup continues to grow and meet a real need in our community for connection and friendship for children and their caregivers.  We would love to give more mums and grandmas from our church the chance to join a weekday playgroup with your children/grandchildren and “be His presence".  Or you may have some time and would like to bless our ministry as a child-free helper.  Either way – touch base with me any time to find out more about playgroup!  Sue 0403 822 324

We will be conducting a Safe Church Awareness Workshop for volunteers Saturday July 31^st. Morning tea will be provided but please bring your own lunch. For more information, please contact Karen Fletcher at the Church office on 9702 1011 (Tuesdays to Fridays) or email [email protected]

We have a large collection of lost drink bottles searching for their owners. They are located in the small kitchen waiting for you to pick them up.

Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place! 

BRAAM BOTHA

Senior Pastor