“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:12
Ahoy Open Road!
Why was it so good to eat dinner together last Sunday night?
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts”
- Acts 2:46 ESV
Well, humans like us were designed for it. But also, Jesus' followers are called to it. We are a family of followers who are at our best when eating together, just like any other family.
If you have any suggestions for future dinners, let us know. Given the feedback, we'll do it again soon.
As I said last week, we model together on Sunday what most of us can do personally on Monday. Some of us have exceptional, well-developed hospitality gifts. Some of us are growing in that gift. For others of us, it's like driving on the right-hand side of the road, challenging!
If you are mature or growing in hospitality, now's your time to shine. Would you ask God to show you how to invite people to your favourite activity, app, cafe or home?
If you've never experimented with inviting people into your home or you know it's a challenge, I'd encourage you in two things.
- You could ask God to have someone reach out to you.
Maybe you can be the answer to someone else's prayer and say, "Yes, I'd love to go for a walk/cuppa/meal"! If you've been isolated or insecure in your life, being open to a new or old friend may be the best step for you in the coming weeks and months.
You don't have to do hospitality anyone else's way.
- You could ask God to give you the courage to reach out to someone else.
You don't have to do hospitality anyone else's way. God may show you a novel way to "love your neighbour" that you've never thought of before! You may even start off online - commenting with kindness on a friend, or strangers (!), social media post.
If you're willing, God will guide you. Who knows, you could be the answer to someone else's prayer, or you may even have a gift you didn't know existed!
Whatever your gifting is, whether to strangers, family or friends, hospitality is a foundational part of our ancient faith. Jesus explicitly modelled and taught that a life modelled after his would find ways to intentionally invite others into it.
"Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength...Love your neighbour as yourself" - Jesus
When it comes to loving God, we know that while everyone has their own relationship with God, it's something we're all called to. It's not just grateful towards God or an appreciation for His truth; it's a holistic, deep love.
Similarly, loving those around us is not simply "thinking nice thoughts" about people generally, but heartfelt, expressed love. If Jesus called every one of us to love our neighbour as ourselves, we must believe there is a way for every one of us to participate in what Jesus says is the second most important activity you will ever do.
Much love and see you Sunday,
Dan
FAM, our Fully Alive Model
You can read about FAM on our website. It will make the most sense if you understand our church's Vision, Mission, and three simple rhythms.
If it's totally new or overwhelming for you, ask someone you trust where they think you should start.
If it feels old hat or too simple, ask God who is around you, who needs you to walk with them through it?!
Coming Up
January - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sun 25 - Home/Moffat Gatherings
February - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Feb 01 Home Gathering + Monthly Worship
Feb 08 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Feb 15 Home + Moffat Gatherings + Baptisms
Feb 22 Home + Moffat Gatherings
March - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Mar 01 Home Gathering + Monthly Worship
Mar 08 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Mar 15 Home + Moffat Gatherings + Baptisms
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
May - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
May ? Church Camp Sat-Sun
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?
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: $20,505
Last month's expenses: $12,258
Balance: $85,776
Giving in: Oct 23-Dec 25: $5,000
Giving out: Oct 23-Dec 25: $16,293
"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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