Hi there, New Life Family.
Well, these are really changing times, arent they? Last week we were getting ready to open services to accommodate up to 50 people, but within the space of a few days, restrictions were reintroduced, and now we are back to having only 20 people in a worship service, or church related meeting. Home meetings are restricted to only 5 guests in the house. At this stage, we are happy for people to attend Sunday services on site, but would ask that you please just phone ahead and let us know you are coming in case we have to prepare the overflow room for extras. In the meantime, we hope you are enjoying the online services. We have had lots of folk call as a result of the live-stream services, requesting prayer and making enquiries. I do believe that this element of our ministry will be an ongoing part of life at MNLCC. We are also encouraging you to gather in small groups for communion and Bible study, and of course fellowship. Remember to observe the physical distancing guidelines, and health and safety protocols such as hand-washing and sanitising surfaces. And please – don’t be offended – but please stay at home if you are at all unwell – you are welcome to call and we will pray for you and organise a home visit if you require. We certainly care about you, and the pastors and leadership team are working hard to meet the pastoral needs of the church. We would love to hear from you! We would also love to hear your stories and testimonies.
Let me recap a little from Psalm 121. “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains – from where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
Jesus looked at a mountain as well. He told his disciples they could speak to the mountain and it would be cast into the sea. There are mountains to face. There are storms to ride out. But God is the One who watches over his people, he doesn’t sleep – not even a nap! He knows what we are going through, and he says he is there to help us through it. I will not focus on the problems, the issues, the virus, the unrest, the economy, the uncertainty. I will keep my eyes on Jesus. I will do what I see him doing and say what I hear him saying. He is bigger than any battle you may be facing. And he promises to be there in the shadows and the valleys. He watches over our going out and our coming in.
May God continue to bless you and keep you in these coming days.
Lots of love to you each one.
Glenda
Here is a good old song that may cheer you up. It is a bit of an “ear worm”, so only listen to it if you want to be singing it the rest of the day! 🙂
https://youtu.be/2KiDj7qGL10
Dear Church family,
Greetings to everyone. I hope this letter finds you well and that you are rejoicing in the love of Jesus as days go by.
Things are beginning to move, and we are along the way to being able to re-open the doors of our church to our regular attenders and the wider community. We are closely following the government protocols and guidelines for our health and community safety. From June 22nd, we are officially allowed to have up to 50 people in a public gathering. However, we still have to comply with the 4 square feet per person rule. This means that in the space we have available in our church hall, we can still only have up to 30 people meeting at one time. Therefore, we are asking that if you would like to attend either in the morning service, or you can take part in the afternoon Churchill service (which is still being live-streamed from Moe) that you call or text either Steve or myself to reserve a place for you and your family. We are considering creating an “overflow” room with live-streaming to the dining room, and possibly to the small hall depending on demand. We are also looking at the possibility of multiple services.
So, the plan is as follows as from June 22nd
* Small groups and home fellowships can meet, as long as the numbers do not exceed 20 people, (including children) and social distancing, sanitising and signing in procedures are being followed. Rooms must be cleaned and sanitised before you leave.
* Sunday Services can accommodate up to 30 attendees, with extra room for “overflow” if necessary. The same personal-distancing, sanitising and signing in rules will apply. We would love to prioritise people who have not been able to access on-line services.
* On-line services will continue for the foreseeable future, with live streaming on Sunday morning and later available on you tube and our web-site. Also, the Churchill service in the afternoon at 2.00 will be live-streamed until their venue is open to the public.
* Please book ahead if you intend to attend Sunday services.
* Please stay at home if you are unwell. We love you and care about you, but not your germs!
* If you would like to clarify any of this information please call Steve, Sandie or Glenda.
Don’t forget there are many people doing it tough out there. Joan is collecting knitted beanies, scarves and gloves for the homeless. Please drop them off to the church for collection and distribution.
Remember that the Lord is calling us to get ready for the move forward. It is time to wake up and prepare for the time ahead. Are you weary? Are you sad? Remember what Isaiah the prophet says, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless….But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.”
I hope to see you all in the near future. In the meantime, may God bless and keep you in his loving care.
Pastor Glenda
Our live-streamed service on Sunday 14th June.
Our world is being shaken, there is no doubt. We have seen natural disasters, bushfires, the Coronavirus pandemic, and now recently protests, riots and injustice. Some of these things are quite out of our control. How do we, as Christians, deal with these things. I have heard it said, it is not the things that happen to us that test us, so much as how we respond to them. When we see injustice, it is right to see it and call it, and do something about it. Jesus did this as he walked this earth. He exposed injustice, and time and again, he lifted people up and helped them and others to see their dignity and worth. Sometimes it is right to get angry over issues – but then we are left with a decision to make – how do I respond? The Bible says, “be angry and sin not. Don‟t let the sun go down on your anger, and don‟t make room for the devil”. Anger can cloud our judgement and cause us to react in destructive ways that can create more problems, and not deal with the real issues. In these challeng-ing times, I am sure we have become a bit frustrated and angry at the things going on around us. But that is not a reason to take it out on the people around us. Whether it is in our own homes, or whether we feel strongly about the things going on around us – the racial tensions, the riots and unrest in America – these things can produce very large emotions within us. But there is one thing we can do to help alleviate those feelings of anger and frustration. We can pray. We can look to our Heavenly Father and see the example that Jesus set for us. We can take time to pray for all people – both sides of the argument. We can pray for those in leadership and ask for wisdom and direction for them that we may live in peace and safety, and live quiet lives in godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:2) We can lead by example, offering love, compassion and forgiveness to others. We can be compassionate, kind, and look for ways to live God‟s righteousness and show his mercy. (Micah 6:8). There may be times we need to speak up. I pray that then we will speak in the wisdom, truth and love of God‟s word, and not out of our own opinions or mis-guided theology.
I pray that you will have a great week ahead. As things are getting back to a bit more “normal” we are loving opportunities to get together in small groups. I encourage you to keep in touch. If you are feeling disconnected, please remember there are people who love and care about you. Let us know how you are doing. Our church community is so much wider than just our Sunday service, and there will be someone who can reach out, visit with you, give you a call and encourage you, and we can point you to a small group that you might like to attend at least until our meetings go back to normal. If you would like to attend the Sunday Service, please contact us, as numbers are still restricted.
Blessings as always,
Glenda
Download this week’s newsletter
Pastor Steve and Pastor Glenda chat about the BlackLivesMatter demonstrations.
Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday. It is a day that we celebrate the birth of the church as the Holy Spirit was poured out, firstly on the 120 in the upper room, then on the church as the gospel spread, people responded and were transformed by Holy Spirit power. Jesus promised he would send the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-17. He would be an advocate, to help and be with us forever – Jesus called him the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit would come to live with us and in us. While it is great celebrate on Pentecost Sunday, I just want us to pause and reflect on the fact that as a Pentecostal church, every Sunday is Pentecost. Let us be known as a Spirit filled church, moving in Holy Ghost love, power and authority to see our Community renewed and transformed as we live out the great mandate to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”
We are getting closer to the time we can meet together onsite at MNLCC, but It will be some time yet before we can be together as a whole community. We must remember that even though we cannot yet meet physically together, we are united by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit breaks down every barrier between us – culturally, economically, geographically, to make us into one body – the Body of Christ. We are united in Christ through the Holy Spirit, and held together with the bond of peace. Let us be intentional as we pray for one another, and care for one another through this challenging season. We will be back together soon – and oh, what a celebration that will be. But until then, let us continue to uphold one another, care for and comfort one another, and “make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:3 NLT)
Pastor Glenda
Diana’s Armchair Chat from 3rd June