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

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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

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Hi everyone,

Well, officially, I am on time off. Can‟t really say “holidays” as I‟m not really going anywhere. My aim is to have some time off, not because I am in self-isolation, or forced lockdown, but just because I think it is important to have some time to think, to pray, and to seek the Lord about what life for us as a church community is going to look like as we emerge from Covid19 quarantine.

We look forward to meeting more and more in person, but I am sure that church online will continue to be an important part of our future. The eldership, the leader-ship team, and the management team are all in discussion over the coming weeks to form a road map for our journey back to “normal” whatever that looks like for us. I hope you will pray with me as we make decisions about who and how and when and what and why, and which meetings will resume, and which to let go, and maybe some new things we haven‟t even thought of yet. “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). I believe the Lord has a plan and a purpose in mind. These words were written in a letter to encourage people in exile. Jeremiah told them to look forward to the future. He said, live well while you are there – plant crops, marry, have children. But there will be a day when you will no longer be in exile, but a time of spiritual and material prosperity will come to those who listen to the Lord and obey wholeheartedly. We need to just rest in his plans and follow his instructions as we discover what they are and how they should come to pass. We ask for your patience, your support and your prayers as these decisions are made, and as we work towards our future. It is going to be good. It is going to be exciting.

I believe that we will see fruit, and increase and new leadership emerging, and new people attending. But just like building a house, we need to consider all the elements involved and how all things will fit together. We will not be having open meetings for a while, even though we can have up to twenty people attending. We need to make sure there are good health and safety protocols to follow, and that we will not be creating problems or issues. In the next couple of weeks, we will make it clear who can attend, and how that will happen.

In the meantime, may God bless you, and may your life be filled with his joy and peace, and His blessings be on you and your family.

With love,
Glenda

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