"What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. "
- 1st Corinthians 14:26
Ahoy Church,
This week we will worship together at City Life from 3pm! We had communion on the beach last week, so will just worship and pray this Sunday.
Listen to/learn the songs for Sunday here. Including a great new song called, "Trust in God".
For those who missed it, I shared differently than usual, discussing our three ingredients for church. I've written emails about this twice previously if you're interested: Three Ingredients for Church and The People of God, the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
For history buffs or those interested in how church was done 2,000 years ago, I a very early, non-biblical description of Christian gatherings by Justin Martyr around CA156. While each account varies somewhat (others include singing, hymns or oaths), they all share a powerful simplicity and hyper-focus on Jesus! Check it out.
When it comes to how we "do church", Martine and I have attended and led a variety of churches - small, medium and large. These churches have met in auditoriums, lecture theatres, local halls and the beach, and each one has had it's place in God's plan of life and love for the world.
No matter what style of service we've been in there is a characteristic that most of the people who "enjoy" it share with each other: a vibrant, midweek faith in Jesus.
while churches go to great lengths to make their services attractive, what people who attend and enjoy church share in common is their appetite for God. New Christians or those sensing a new for faith are drawn to every sort of church - mainstream, orthodox or fringe - without ever assessing how much it fits their needs. Similarly, Christians with a habit of getting to know Jesus and follow his lead turn up to all kinds of churches and enjoy it.
- The carpark can be full and they celebrate those who are new to church
- The music can be awkward and yet their heart is still full of praise.
- The sermon can be stale and God's words in the Bible still ring in their ears from that morning.
- The service can be disorganised but they can celebrate what God's doing in peoples lives.
A good friend hadn't enjoyed his church for some time. But God spoke to him midweek and reoriented his heart towards weekend gatherings. Jesus led him to believe that his purpose at church wasn't to "enjoy" the worship, but to bless and "build up" (Hebrews 10:24-25) the other worshippers there. To bear their burdens, encourage them amidst their challenges, celebrate their successes and simply enjoy their presence.
So I encourage you to join us to join us as we sing praises to God on Sunday, but also to take time this week to grow your faith personally.
Not sure how to do that - hit REPLY and I'll pray with you and help if possible.
Cheers, God Bless and have a fruitful and faith-filled pre-Sunday,
Dan
Dan Harding
,
Dan Harding
JOIN Open Road on the Bible App
Could you please visit Open Road Community Church on the Bible App and connect with us as your church? Two reasons to connect with us on the Bible App are:
#1 It may help you read/listen to the Bible!
As we heard last Sunday, we want to take Jesus and his life-giving words seriously! The best way to do this is to begin to familiarise ourselves with the gospels and the rest of the Bible. If you can do this every day you'll notice
#2 It helps other locals find Jesus/us
If we have a few more people 'connect' with us via the app it means we will be more easily discoverable!
Connect with Open Road on the Bible App so locals can find us.
Local Family Support/Donation update
Earlier this year we gave a donation to SPROUT to support a local solo dad with three kids. Thanks to the enthusiasm of those who made the generous decision to support him.
Here's the update from Dean Thomas, a local pastor also employed by SPROUT for those who need extra support:
I thought it was about time I gave you a update on where the money you mob gave in support of Sprout has gone :-)
It went to support a solo dad of 3 kids. At first very resistant to receiving support due to bad experience with ‘organised religion’. Now his attitude has changed and he’s very welcoming.
Wendy and 1 other support worker is in the home weekly. The change in the kids behaviour is seen by:
Meltdowns have reduced in intensity and frequency.
The dad is commenting on the peace that SPROUT is bringing to the home.
Let's keep looking for the needs around us. As we heard last Sunday, meeting the needs of those around us was a weekly part of the earliest Christian gatherings!
Dignity Freedom Network - Tue Aug 12th
Paul and Sheryl have been involved for a long-time with Dignitiy Freedom Network (DFN), who have an upcoming dinner you're encouraged to check out!
Hidden behind a veil of culture & tradition, thousands of young girls are condemned to a life of ritualised sexual abuse. DFN's vision is to completely end this heinous practice. Celebrating our decade of dinners, Dr Beryl D’Souza will share updates & stories of restoration. Hear how you can help expand our reach, providing freedom & dignity to thousands facing exploitation. Join us to help end this form of modern-day slavery.
RSVPs essential for catering purposes.
Registration cost for each dinner is $30.
Register easily: dfn.org.au/dinners
Coming Up
July
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 27 Beach Gathering at Moffats
August
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Aug 03 Worship with Hill Family at City Life
Aug 10 Beach Gathering at Moffats
Aug 17 Beach Gathering at Moffats + Baptisms Anybody?
Aug 24 Beach Gathering at Moffats
Aug 31 Worship with Jared + Co - Venue TBA
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
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?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $9,053
Last month's expenses: $10,681
Balance: $81,732
Giving in : Oct 23-Jun 25: $5000
Giving out : Oct 23-Jun 25: $14,082
"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.
Keen to know more?
Subscribe: At the bottom of every page you can subscribe to our newsletter.
Updates: View a list of all our weekly updates.
