Well, it seems like we're back on track! Easter behind us; US behind us; Ash Cloud behind us; Andrew Willis behind us! It's all systems go and the way ahead is clear enough to make further advances in the coming weeks. So let's move forward "together". Even as I write this Weekly Contact many of our women are at GLOW, while others sadly have chosen not to be there. I can only hope we will finally produce men and women and young people who will become so supportive of all we do that all of our Teams and their respective ministries will totally flourish for the good of the church and its outreach to the community. Anyway, it's great to be back!
Sunday Morning: Thanks for the great welcome back. We really missed church and everyone in it during the past 5 weeks. What an amazing turn out, helped of course by the family friends of Amy Gould & Lee as we Dedicated baby Naomi Elizabeth Gould. From the moment we began to sing and worship there was such a sense of God's presence that worship just flowed, helped of course by the Worship Team that was "on form".
The message I brought was entitled "It's Time for Breakthrough". The core point of the message was that Breakthrough is not an event or a weekend of events, but Breakthrough is an entrance into a new way of living or a new way of doing things; and that Breakthrough takes you from where you are to where you are meant to be; not where you want to be, but where God wants you to be.
Real Breakthrough will come when you:
1. Become as committed to listening to the Word of God being preached as you are to the worship time.
2. Get behind the Leadership of the church instead of sowing seeds of discord.
3. Devote yourself to the Word of God, Prayer, and Worship (should have mentioned "fellowship").
I thanked God for the moments of Breakthrough in our lives and in the life of the church, but then made the point that we need God to do it again. We need God to break in and breakthrough our:
1. Stinking thinking.
2. Little makeshift comfort zones.
3. This is my little ministry mentality.
4. In raising enough people who will carry the vision of the church.
I finished by making the point that Breakthrough begins the moment you do what you know you need to do. Just like David who enquired of the Lord and then did what God told him to do. That's when you'll get real Breakthrough (Read 2 Sam. 5. 17-20).
Dedication: After the message we dedicated baby Naomi Elizabeth Gould, and prayed for Amy and also for Lee, and for Peter and Sasha who stood with them. Life is always precious to God. What a great turn out of family and friends.
Colin & Carole Morrison: As announced this morning, Colin and Carole will be returning to New Zealand on 6th July. We have deeply appreciated their commitment to New Life in the time they have been with us and are disappointed they are now leaving us. However, they do so with our love and blessing and with having established so many friendships that will continue beyond the 6th July. Our prayers are with them over the next couple of months as they make final plans and will be with them when they return home.
Weekly Church Programme: Hopefully you are all aware of the different events that take place each week. I am therefore appealing to you once again to support the relevant activities whether it's the Thursday night Bible Study and Prayer Time; GLOW; FIST; JC's and Revolution. These are "the main" church activities. Everything else should be complementary and supportive to the these and to the overall life and ministry of the church.
Bank Holiday Monday: If you're looking something to do, several people have planned to go to Crawfordsburn for a Bar B Q etc. Meeting at the church at 11.30 am.
Thanks to everyone who works hard for the development and advancement of New Life City Church.
We know that New Life City Church is not the perfect church, but with your help we can tick a few more boxes.
Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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