Below is a reflection on my invitation for our church to seek to open our lives to B.L.E.S.S. others. If you haven't heard about this yet, please click the link and learn the simplest way we can all share God's love with those around us!
"Serving" others as a way of sharing Jesus' love [Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Share - read more], is a bit confusing for those of us who grew up in church! The modern churches most of us have been a part of primarily understood "serving God" by "serving in Church". This is neither a surpirse, nor a bad thing. In fact, much of my waking life is given to "serving in Church".
It's no surprise given passages from the OT (the pre-Jesus, Old Testament) like, "choose you this day whom you will serve", we tend to think, "OK, I better get busy serving God somehow". Inevitably, many Christians gravitate to the most obvious place to serve - the church building in which they gather each week.
However, Jesus' life and teaching points to a more urgent and necessary form of serving. After teaching his disciples to (literally!) wash each others feet he said, "I came to serve, not to be served". In other words, He wasn't asking his disciples to serve him, but asking them to follow his example of serving others!
Despite the typical need for people to serve inside church buildings, Jesus' primary focus seems to be serving outside church buildings - literally loving our neighbours as ourselves.
As we continue to pray for those around us, eat with them and listen to their story, let's ask God to show us any opportunity to lovingly serve them like Jesus calls us to. It could be keeping them company, making them a meal, connecting them with someone whose help they need, mowing their lawn or simply inviting them into your life in some other way.
While many spend much of their life faithfully serving an institution, all of us need to focus our life on faithfully serving the people around us.
This week, as Holy Spirit prompts you, go "all-in" serving those around you. This is the life you and I were designed for.
Cheers,
Dan
This Sunday: Worship + Prayer
3-6pm @ Caloundra Christian College, 7 Gregson Place, Caloundra
Join us as we gather for afternoon tea, communion, worship + prayer for the future of our young church!
BYO plate of food (arvo tea or light dinner) and a rug or chair as we gather together under the tents on the College Green at Caloundra Christian College.
We encourage you to listen to the below playlist to get to know the songs we are singing in the coming months!
Prayer
As we shared last week, we want to be asking God to speak to us on a number of topics:
- Rhythms: how will we foster our simple rhythms (know, invite, gather)?
- Elders: how will we structure our long-term leadership and who will be on the team.
- Generosity: how would God have us become the generous individuals and church he's called us to.
- Future: how and where will we continue to gather.
Church Family Needs
- Praise God that Matt + Sophie's rental was approved! Thanks to all for praying!
- Pray for a meeting we have with a local organisation that may have a suitable venue for us.
Coming Up
Sun 04 June 3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering @ Caloundra Christian College
Sun 11 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 18 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 25 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 02 July 3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering. Location TBC
Sun 09 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 16 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 23 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus
Our Rhythms
Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you bless this week?
Gather and get involved: How can you connect, listen, share or pray with others this week?
Our Giving
If there is someone in need around you we'd encourage you to team up with another Christian friend and ask God to show you how to meet their need directly. You can also get started with giving to Open Road or get in touch with any questions you may have.
Last mths giving: $9,260
Last mths expenses: $5,778
Bank Balance: $17,957
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
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