March 26, 2006
pilgrimage : digestion passionate practice
1.Go for a walk each day for the next 5 weeks. As you walk, pray the same pilgrim prayer. See what you learn.
God be with me in every pass,
Jesus be with me on every hill,
Spirit be with me in every stream,
Each step of the journey I goest
2. Go to Easter camp.
3. Do an internet pilgrimage. Go here twice a week for the next 6 weeks.
March 24, 2006
Pastors para
This week has been an exciting and emotional rollercoaster for the way Opawa Baptist interacts with the community through the many ministries which are a part of who we are. With the preparation towards the Waltham Community Urban Fair, and its postponement, this has definitely been a heavy week.
During the week we had the emotional weight of the decision about whether or not we as a church could host the Waltham Toy Library within our premises.
We have decided not to accept the tenancy of the Waltham Toy Library. We felt that given the priority of the Children’s Ministry, and the sense that we couldn’t possible foresee one month down the track let-alone 6 months, it would be unwise to allocate prime real-estate to the Toy Library. The Children’s Ministry is one of the critical areas of the church and as such, we can’t afford to reduce the space and resources without adequate planning and reflection towards possible outcomes. We all felt it would be a great ministry into the community having the Toy Library here at Opawa Baptist, but this could be at the expense of properly accommodating children and new families who are looking for a spiritual home.
This decision was not taken lightly, but sensitively and prayerfully by the Board and the Ministry Leaders and I believe we have arrived at the right decision.
Jason King
Waltham Community Day Postponed
The Waltham Community Fun Day has been postponed until next Friday (31 March) due to dodgy weather.
March 23, 2006
It's another boy
Samuel Alan Taylor (Sam) was born to Lucy and Adrian 11.26pm Wednesday (quickly). 6lb 13, all well!
March 22, 2006
March 20, 2006
It's a boy
William Buchanan was born to Peter and Lisa at 6 pm on Friday. Slightly over 7lb!
March 17, 2006
pastor's para
Tuesday: I spoke to the Christchurch Presbytery about mission and Opawa. They were hugely encouraged by Opawa’s willingness to follow God into a new mission future.
Wednesday: 20 people gathered to talk about birthing a Friday evening Intermediate-aged community programme. Steve J and Amy H presented their hopes and dreams, followed by discussion and sharing of ideas. They hope to start in Term 2 and would love to hear from people who might to pray, help or lead.
This is continuation of our Opawa birthing: evangelism-as-process.
The next information sharing are;
Saturday March 25th, 10:30am, foyer. Resources for spiritual seekers through spiritual journaling and baby dedication/naming ceremonies.
Sunday 26 March, 12 noon, back Sunday School room, Monthly Family Film Night For church and community families with take home questions for reflection.
Thursday: I held a Membership information evening. I always appreciate these times, sitting with people new to Opawa and hearing their dreams for our future
Next week: I am starting Baptism information evenings for three consecutive Thursdays starting Thursday 23rd March. Anyone considering what it means to seriously follow Jesus or baptism as a possible next step in your spiritual journey should attend. (We are lengthening and strengthening these Baptism information evenings by making them three weeks, rather than one week. This is a project that Paul M (our new Spiritual Growth co-leader) and I are sharing as part of our commitment to our vision; enabling people to walk and grow with Jesus. We want to be a church that takes the time to explore the fullness of the gospel, including the 10 gates of the cross and see baptism information as an ideal forum.)
This weekend many of our women are attending the Opawa Women’s Camp. The theme is “God restores my soul.” Let’s pray this for all those attending.
Congratulations Amanda
Congratulations to Amanda L
who passed her recent exam...
(Yay!)
A prayer of St Patrick
This day I call to me:
God's strength to direct me,
God's power to sustain me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's vision to light me,
God's ear to my hearing,
God's word to my speaking,
God's hand to uphold me,
God's pathway before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's legions to save me.
March 11, 2006
Today is Saturday 11 March
Today is Saturday 11 March. There are Opawa people;
: meeting in the foyer training in youth leadership
: meeting at the Christchurch Polytech to learn how to make coffee in the church coffee machine
: meeting in my office talking about global mission and prayer
: fasting and raising money for mission through the 40 hour famine.
It's a snapshot of our life as a church; diverse, caring, outward.
March 10, 2006
Pastor's para
Last Sunday morning the focus of our service was on Opawa birthing. The story of Mark and Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45) led me to John 3:3 and to explore the uniqueness and significance of being born again. I tried to be practical and offer a variety of ways we could take Opawa birthing seriously;
Pray for the upcoming Greg Laurie meetings;
Give time to be a Counsellor at these meetings;
Be on a “disciplers” call-up roster. I need five people willing to be disciplers” (Thanks to the two people who offered on Sunday)
We also profiled 5 new evangelism initiatives that Opawa people are conceiving;
Intermediate Friday night club (Steve Jaeger and OBY)
Friday night life-skill’s programme for intermediate aged children, hope to start Term 2.
More info: Wednesday 15th 6pm to 7:30pm – bring your own fish n’ chips!
Monthly Family Film Night (Lynne Taylor)
For church and community families with take home questions for reflection.
More info: Sunday 26 March, 12 noon, back Sunday School room
Third age programme (Bert Bowden)
Opawa and going towards the Third age. We are trained for different times of life but little for the Third Age/retirement.
More info: Talk to Bert
Parenting & good grieving courses (Bob & Dianne Jaeger)
Chaplaincy to state schools, and parenting courses.
More info: Sunday April 2, 12 noon.
Spiritual journaling and Baby Dedication/naming ceremonies (Steve Taylor)
Resources for spiritual seekers
More info: 10:30am Saturday March 25th here at the church.
These are very exciting initiatives that offer us a whole number of ways to participate in Opawa birthing.
March 07, 2006
Lent 06
Jesus prepared for ministry by retreating into the wilderness for 40 days. Christians through history have followed Jesus by using the 40 days leading up to Easter to refocus on Jesus and prepare themselves for Easter. This is called Lent, and this year it began last Wednesday.
Traditionally, three practices are taken up with renewed vigor during Lent: prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbor). Today, some people give up something they enjoy, and often give the time or money spent doing that thing to charitable purposes or organizations.
The goal is not self denial, but refocusing on Jesus.
In a couple of weeks time we will have a Lenten art installation in the church. Take some time to utilize that as a Christian spiritual resource. Available now is a CD-rom (called “40”) of reflections on Jesus 40 days in the wilderness ($15).
Let’s make the most of our preparation for Easter.