Order In A Volatile Environment
We as the church are called to reveal the greatness of our Lord!
He who is the head over everything works through us to create a Kingdom that is not of this world. It is therefore important to understand the tension we experience with the world wherein we find ourselves. Jesus said it best when He prayed for us before he ascended:
'My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. '
John 17:15-19 NIV
To be sanctified is to be set apart for a specific purpose… and not be contaminated by common use (like we do when we use a steak knife as a screwdriver…). As we navigate ourselves out of lockdown it is critical that we do not allow our lives to be absorbed by that which is superficial. One of the best ways to sanctify your life is by saturating your mind with Jesus’ truth! We want to urge you to make the Word of God a priority in your life in this next season…and by it be sanctified for His use!
An exciting Casey City initiative!
“Casey Church Unite” is a day of fasting and prayer, that church leaders in the City of Casey are calling as a response to the various outcomes brought about by the current pandemic. We feel a directive from the Lord based on Joel 1 and 2 to call for a “sacred assembly” and for His Church to come together in unity.
“Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly;
Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land
Into the house of the Lord your God,
And cry out to the Lord.” (Joel 1:14 NKJV)
Based on current restrictions, we have scheduled a 4 Hour live Zoom prayer on 1st of November 2020 from 1pm to 5pm. The body of Christ from various churches will unite in prayer as we stand in the gap in full expectation for God to act on behalf of His people in a significant way.
Our Focused theme:
- Repent – Joel 1:13 – 14, Nehemiah 1:4
- Return – Joel 2:13
- Restore – Joel 2:25
- Rebuild – Nehemiah 2:5
Thank you for responding and allowing the Spirit of the Lord to draw His Church together that the sounds of His children crying out and rejoicing in hope will transform the landscape of our City and Nation. We collectively call on the Lord to release Kingdom resources – “may your Kingdom be established here on earth as it is in Heaven (Mt 6:10).
We are hungry to see the Lord pour out His Spirit over the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit and expectant with excitement for the Lord to inhabit our praises as one people, with one voice, declaring His Lordship.
Program Outline – 4 Hour live Zoom prayer on 1st of November 2020 from 1pm to 5pm
To lead the prayer time starting off with their worship/music focusing on one of 4 stated themes.
First Hour (1pm to 2pm) – Repentance
1.00pm – 1.30pm Casey City Church
1.30pm – 2.00pm Turning Point Community Church
Second Hour (2pm to 3pm) – Return
2.00pm – 2.30pm Uwezo Church
2.30pm – 3.00pm Reveal Church
Third Hour (3pm to 4pm) – Restore
3.00pm – 3.30pm Urban Praise Fellowship
3.30pm – 4.00pm Winepress
Fourth Hour (4pm to 5pm) – Rebuild
4.00pm – 4.30pm C3 Community Church
4.30pm – 5.00pm Berwick Church of Christ
Click on the link or QR Code provided to take you into the Zoom platform and based on the numbers present, you may be randomly assigned to a zoom room giving you the opportunity to pray with others who may not be from your church.
Click to join ‘Casey Churches Unite’ Zoom meeting.
Please attend the sessions prior to your church where possible. We encourage you to participate as much as you feel comfortable and available through the 4 hours – it's an amazing experience as believers pray in unity as one body!
Please take time to meditate on key suggested scriptures (but not limited to) that embody each theme and each hour –
- Repentance – Joel 1:14; Joel 1:16-19
- Return – Joel 2:12; Zachariah 1:3; Nehemiah 1:9; Hosea 14:2
- Restore – Joel 2:25a, 26a; Joel 2:19–21; Joel 2:28-32
- Rebuild – Nehemiah 2:5; Isaiah 61:4-9
The Lord will, I’m sure, also reveal other promises to declare and pray into – please do not hesitate to pray, declare and share in the chat section so we get to compile what the Lord is releasing through His people for such as time as this!
Please feel free but also be conscious that we come from various denominations and therefore bring the flavour of our church and denomination. This is something to truly celebrate and is not intended to keep us apart. As such, we request that prayer/intercession and prophetic words shared be undergirded with scripture and glorifying Jesus – His Name be lifted and glorified as none of His promises will fall to the ground and shall not return void!
Upon entry in the zoom room please mute yourself to sing along (or play your own instrument at home!). When appropriate, please raise your hand (select “RAISE HAND” feature in participants menu) and the HOST will UNMUTE you to pray.
The Zoom HOST is responsible for admitting people throughout sessions, and helping to unmute participants as appropriate, in response to each PASTOR leading their allocated time slot.
The call in Joel 1 is for all “leaders and inhabitants” to gather together. We are a beautiful tapestry from many different churches and will therefore have different ways of flowing in worship and prayer. God can use it all and it will be a blessing as we gather before Him in humility and celebrate variety that is before us.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” – Heb 11:1-2
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is AT WORK WITHIN US, to Him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus…" – Eph 3:20
Please share the event and invitation amongst your network of influence and encourage believers to come together, humble ourselves and stand in gap. This is an opportunity for the body of Christ to come together and intercede!
Really looking forward to worshipping and praying with you all.
The Roadmap changes and its impact on our functioning
You would be aware that from 19 October 2020 a number of restrictions were eased with Metropolitan Melbourne moving into Second Step restrictions.
We are aware that people can meet in a group of up to ten people from a maximum of two households outdoors in a public place to socialise. Unfortunately this does not yet permit gatherings that enable Life Groups to meet face-to-face, because when our Life Groups meet there are more than two households that are being represented.
What is currently permitted in metropolitan Melbourne?
- Outdoor religious gatherings and ceremonies of up to five people, plus one faith leader are allowed. The 25km limit applies.
- These should occur near the place of worship, with only one group permitted at a time. No sharing of food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels. ceremonial and consecrated items or other equipment by participants is allowed. You are encouraged to use online services instead, where feasible, to engage with others in worship.
The Premier of Victoria will announce the lifting of some more restrictions this coming Sunday and we will inform the whole church about how the easing of restrictions affects the various aspects of church life and ministry.
We miss you and can’t wait to see you again!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
Being His Presence In Every Place
