"Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
- Matthew 11:28-30
Ahoy Church,
To join our camp on June 19-21, check out Church Camp 2026 Booking Details. To join us this Sunday, just turn up to Home Church at 9am or Beach Church from 4pm!
BYO Dinner this Sun at Beach Church
After January's fabulous post-dinner hang time, we want to double down and invite you to BYO dinner this Sunday, with enough to share if you're able :) Can't BYO or forget? Just turn up! There'll be enough to go around.
Jesus' Supper with His Followers
This Sunday, it'll be great to share in the Lord's Supper, or Communion, as it's often known. The Lord's Supper is our family meal - the time when we celebrate what's most important ot us, Jesus. 2,000 years ago, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus said that all those who would follow him were to "remember" him via this simple meal of bread (or crackers) and wine (or juice).
While there are many, many ways people celebrate the gift of Jesus body and blood for us, in the churches many of us grew up in, we would often have a mini-sermon or devotional thought before we take the meal.
While I've often loved these, you'll know I've experimented with some short, ancient prayers that Christians have prayed over the centuries. I'm experimenting again, with a more modern revision this week. There are a few reasons for this.
Firstly, I'm always keen to simplify what churches complicate.
Secondly, some of what we say in these mini-sermons isn't as wonderful as we hope :) I'm aiming to lead with something meaningful, but biblically sound.
Thirdly, I desire that many of you would become confident in leading communion yourself. Some of our youth and young adults are already doing this in their own way! By writing something down and passing it on to you, I want to encourage you that you can do it too - my way, or your own, just like your young people are doing.
Below you'll find my "script" for Sunday. While I grew up despising "scripted prayers" as inauthentic 😄, it's my hope that the words might add meaning to your experience of remembering our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The introduction connects the meal with the fullness of our faith in Jesus. The prayers are designed to connect us with the meaning of the meal. The responses are ancient and designed to engage our minds with the moment.
On a more personal note, I've been challenged in recent years to have a greater expectation of God's work and presence in this meal. While I often expect God to work during a sermon, when we pray, or when we anoint people with oil or lay hands on someone, I haven't always had that same expectation when we take communion. I'm encouraged to raise my expectation of how Jesus might transform us in the moments we quiet ourselves to remember him.
If you have any questions or comments, please hit REPLY now and let me know.
Is this helpful to see and read? Or do you prefer a more free-flowing communion and prayer
Much love and see you Sunday,
Dan
LEADER: "The Lord's Supper is an act of faith"
By faith we eat + drink, remembering the body + blood of Jesus:
- Faith that the Father forgives us and sets us free through his Son’s death and resurrection.
- Faith that the Holy Spirit fills, leads, and empowers us, just as he did Jesus.
- Faith that Jesus is our way, our truth and our life.
LEADER: “Please take the bread”
Our Father,
we thank you for the body of your Son-
the bread of heaven, in whom we have resurrection life.
We love you; make your home in us.
ALL: To you be glory forever.
LEADER: “Please take the cup”
Our Father,
we thank you for the blood of your Son-
poured out for us as a ransom for sin.
Through the cross, you have loved us and granted us life.
ALL: To you be glory forever.
LEADER: Closing Prayer
Jesus, we rest in your presence; we rest in your cleansing.
Unite us as one, until you return for us all.
ALL: All glory and power are yours, forever. Amen.
Emotionally Healthy Discipleship - Term 2
In Term 2, Renee, Matt McClymont, Megan, Diana, Katie and Noah are leading the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course, which is the first part of the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship program.
The course will run on Monday nights from 27 April to 22 June, with a one-week gap for the Labour/May Day weekend. We are holding an Information Evening on Monday,, 30th March for all those who want to check it out. Details below.
The courses help you learn to cultivate a deeper love for Jesus. In the 8-week course, Pete and Geri Scazzero help to unpack core biblical principles to guide you into an experience of lasting below-the-surface transformation in your relationship with Jesus.
The estimated cost is $70 for the book, workbook and daily devotional (contact Dan or Renee if finances are a challenge).
To Register please contact Katie Smith E: katie@ksidesign.com.au or M: 0412 500 940
1-Hour Information Evening - Monday 30th March
To find out more, join us Monday 30 March 6.45 arrival for a 7pm start.
Peter & Renee’s home, 3/6 Burgess St Kings Beach.
If interested in attending, please speak to Renee or contact Katie
M: 0412 500 940
E: katie@ksidesign.com.au
Additional info in last week's email update.
Coming Up
March - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Mar 22 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Mar 29 Home + Moffat Gatherings
April - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Apr 05 Home Gathering + Monthly Worship [Easter Long W/end]
Apr 12 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Apr 19 Home + Moffat Gatherings + Baptisms
Apr 25 Anzac Day
Apr 26 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Apr 27 EHD: "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" Launches (till June 22nd)
May - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
May 03 Home Gathering + Monthly Worship
May 10 Home + Moffat Gatherings
May 17 Home + Moffat Gatherings + Baptisms
May 24 Home + Moffat Gatherings
May 31 Home + Moffat Gatherings
June - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Jun 19-21 Church Camp @ Cobb & Co
Jun 22 EHD: "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" Ends
Church Camp!
We are planning a church camp at Cobb & Co around mid-year. Stay tuned.
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Vision
Fully Alive through faith in Jesus. To see vision come to life, we developed FAM, our Fully Alive Model. Ideally, you can work through FAM with someone else.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share, or pray with this weekend?
Giving Up, In, and Out
Our church follows the same simple pattern of giving that we encourage each other individually: UP, IN, and OUT.
Giving UP
As a church, we give 2.5% to our denomination to support what's happening in churches like ours statewide and show appreciation for all the support they provide. We encourage each follower to consider giving "up" to support their local church - in this case ours :)
Giving IN
We give to personal/family needs within our church from our $5,000 Giving Kitty. Please alert us if you know someone with genuine needs that you're unable to meet out of your own resources.
Giving OUT
We encourage giving to several Christian projects beyond our church and local community: individual missionaries in Africa and Mongolia, an aid project in Cambodia, a local community non-profit called Sprout, and a church plant in Walkervale (Bundaberg). We'll give to them as a church, and we encourage you to give to them too.
Last month's giving: $10,157
Last month's expenses: $19,773
Balance: $75,121
Giving in : Oct 23-Feb 26: $5,000
Giving out : Oct 23-Feb 26: $18,293
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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