Last Sunday morning we celebrated the baptism of Graeme R. In the afternoon we joined with friends and family to witness the renewal of wedding vows of Graeme and Tess. Both were special occasions of celebration and commitment. Please continue to pray for Graeme, having made this important step on his Christian journey, that he will continue to grow in his relationship with God.
On Friday night a group called Spirited Exchanges met. This new group is particularly for people who have been hurt by past church experiences, and is a safe place to talk about church and spirituality. Elizabeth T is facilitating this group.
Also over this weekend the Greg Laurie events enabled many people to hear the good news of what Jesus’ life, death and resurrection can mean for us today. Last chance to hear Greg Laurie tonight, 7.30pm Westpac Centre.
Today (Sunday) we are holding a Newcomers Café after the morning service. These occasional events are for people who are new to the church, giving an opportunity to meet staff and board and hear a little of the history and vision of the church, as well as meeting other newcomers. Any “old-timers” feeling like they are missing out? We could be persuaded to host a couple of such lunches for people who haven’t had the opportunity to come to a Newcomers Café. Tell one of the staff or board if you like this idea.
Koru starts next Friday night. This is a new programme for Intermediate aged children in the church and local community. Please be in prayer for this exciting new outreach and the team (led by Steve J and Amy H) who are running it.
We are looking forward to Pentecost weekend, and to discovering more about the activity of God’s spirit in our world. Plan to be around for this special weekend.
And that is just some of what is happening in and around Opawa Baptist. It is exciting to be a part of it.
(Lynne Taylor)
Amy writes...
While Opawa Baptist was transformed into an amazing art installation hosting 1360 people through An Easter Journey over the week, a group of young people headed off to Eastercamp at Spencer Park to join another 3000 campers.
I’m so proud to be part of a church of people who give up a long weekend to serve. Kristy & Rob kept busy as Camp Parents. Kate, Randall, Adelle, Aliesha, and Steve did a superb job as youth leaders. Alistair, Annette, Gavin, Bob and Dianne did an amazing job in the kitchen preparing meals for 3000 people while Aaron kept busy as handyman, Randall picked up loads of rubbish & Warwick led a nightshift security team.
This is the first Eastercamp I have been to that it has not rained! What a difference it made. Praise God. Camps are always a great time of bonding together and growing spiritually. A real highlight for me was seeing God moving in the hearts of the young people. The speakers challenged the youth to follow Jesus 100%, to share their faith and to action their faith practically in our world. In response we decided as a youth group to sponsor a child. Thanks to those who prayed for us and helped financially.
This year about eight new community young people have attended youth group which is really exciting. We are hoping to offer a youth alpha programme next term.
Koru (the name of the intermediate programme) is starting on 5 May for children in years 7 & 8. Steve Jaeger & I will be advertising the programme to the kids at Waltham School assembly next Friday. All children in this age group from Opawa are invited to come along. We would very much appreciate your prayer support.
The week leading up to Easter is for Christians one of the most special weeks of the church year. I am struck again this year by how much Opawa loves Jesus, as I watch Peter, Joyce, the artists and the helpers set up An Easter Journey and as others set off to serve and camp at Easter Camp.
Here at Opawa there are many ways for each of us to enter the love of Jesus in this most special week.
Walk the Easter Journey (Open 7-11 pm every evening). Walk it most especially if you have heard the Easter story before, because An Easter Journey offers such new and fresh insights into the love and sacrifice of Jesus.
Attend a short worship service any evening through the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). These will include prayer and the reading of Scriptures. They are designed to allow us to enter into what Jesus was doing each day of his Easter Week. 7:00-7:20 pm in the Courtyard of An Easter Journey.
On Good Friday we are offering two services, one at 9 am, the other at 10:30 am. They are identical and are offered because our one Good Friday service last year was over-crowded.
As your pastor, can I encourage you to take every opportunity to walk with Jesus this Easter.
“Opawa birthing” is one of our values for the year, a commitment to take new birth seriously. And so, serious preparations continue for the Easter Journey. Pray for Pete and Joyce and the team as they face a very busy week of setup. If you have a free hour or two this week, pop and down to the church, there’s bound to be a job just for you.
Five evangelism-as-process ideas are underway and it has been so exciting to see people gather around these ideas over the last weeks.
Intermediate-aged Friday evening ministry will start in Term 2 (Steve Jaegar)
Family film evenings, monthly, with the intermediate ministry (Lynne Taylor)
Spiritual journaling course is being planned for Spring and a Life rituals for new babies for the Pentecost NorWest Festival, Queens Birthday (Steve Taylor)
Third age programme continues to be developed (Bert Bowden)
Bob and Dianne Jaeger are sharing about parenting, chaplaincy, grief counseling after church this Sunday.
All are still in formation, so please continue to pray and offer support.
On Friday Waltham Primary School was the centre of Waltham for a day as the annual Waltham Community Urban Fair hit town! There were food stalls, information stalls, there was a concert, (well done Amy Hay for your performance) and lots of activities for the kids! Thank you for all those who were involved; Amy, Aliesha and your team for the OBY information stall and sausage sizzle! Thanks to Aaron Stewart for the Stage and Sound, thanks to the volunteers on the Opawa Baptist stall: Michial Wood and Paul and Anne McMahon. It’s great to be part of such an active community.