Welcome to 2011! We're looking forward to an exciting year and, together, we want to commit this year to the Lord.
* We want to rely on God because we need Him.
* We want to hear His clear direction as we move forward.
* We want to take His heart into the communities that we connect with.
* We want to be a people who are filled with the joy of serving God.
Let's also pray for the Cato Ridge site: for the existing congregation as they make many changes, for John and Kirsty as they take on the leadership of the site, for the smooth running of the pre-launch event, and for the many people involved in the practical details. We thank God for preparing the way for us.
Matthew 17:20 "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
God, please fill our hearts with faith!
God bless,
The Eldership team
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
12th December 2010
What a season we find ourselves in... Christmas offers some really unique opportunities for reaching out to family and friends with the story of the Gospel. As we were encouraged on Sunday morning, it is the whole story of Jesus working its way through our lives on a daily basis that makes who we are so significant. It is lifestyle, not just decision. Can we pray over two very strategic moments in the life of the church?
1) Carols on 17th December at the Hillcrest Corner; a very purposeful opportunity to let the story of Jesus shine through our lives into the community.
2) Christmas day 25th December at 8:30am across all sites: Hillcrest, Waterfall and Westville.
Let's trust God for moments within our friendships and family relationships that would allow us to shine His life, as well as to invite those we are trusting for, through to experience these moments with us.
Ephesians 3:7 - 11.
God bless,
The Eldership team
1) Carols on 17th December at the Hillcrest Corner; a very purposeful opportunity to let the story of Jesus shine through our lives into the community.
2) Christmas day 25th December at 8:30am across all sites: Hillcrest, Waterfall and Westville.
Let's trust God for moments within our friendships and family relationships that would allow us to shine His life, as well as to invite those we are trusting for, through to experience these moments with us.
Ephesians 3:7 - 11.
God bless,
The Eldership team
Monday, December 13, 2010
28th November 2010
"It is the season to be jolly." As we enter into this silly season with all its tinsel and hype, and the giving of gifts, let us in turn use the gifts that God has given us to be a blessing.
Romans 12:6 - 8 "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
This Sunday we are celebrating the many folk that serve in the life of HCF and give of their time and gifts so generously. Let us give thanks for the many willing hearts that sow into the life of HCF. Let's ask God to pour out His blessing and favour upon each of them, and that they'll come back in the new year with great zeal and passion.
We are excited for the plans God has for us in 2011 to reach the city, and with that comes the opportunity for many more willing hands to serve. Let us pray that God would stir the hearts of many more people to build His church.
God bless,
The Eldership team
Romans 12:6 - 8 "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
This Sunday we are celebrating the many folk that serve in the life of HCF and give of their time and gifts so generously. Let us give thanks for the many willing hearts that sow into the life of HCF. Let's ask God to pour out His blessing and favour upon each of them, and that they'll come back in the new year with great zeal and passion.
We are excited for the plans God has for us in 2011 to reach the city, and with that comes the opportunity for many more willing hands to serve. Let us pray that God would stir the hearts of many more people to build His church.
God bless,
The Eldership team
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
21st November 2010
What a great Sunday we had! It's always a wonder to see God adding to His church through people committing their lives to Him.
As we continue with the discipleship series, we learn that we are an interdependant people. We need fathers and we need to be fathered. 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Let us pray for the following this week:
God, help us to be connected to the body through one another and to connect those who find themselves on the outside. Lord, teach us to take the posture of being sons and daughters and, at the same time, to look out for those you are calling us to father. Thank you for the never-ending opportunities You open up for us as we live life with You.
God bless,
The Eldership team
As we continue with the discipleship series, we learn that we are an interdependant people. We need fathers and we need to be fathered. 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Let us pray for the following this week:
God, help us to be connected to the body through one another and to connect those who find themselves on the outside. Lord, teach us to take the posture of being sons and daughters and, at the same time, to look out for those you are calling us to father. Thank you for the never-ending opportunities You open up for us as we live life with You.
God bless,
The Eldership team
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
14th November 2010
We were really encouraged and stirred on Sunday to be mindful of those who are just not "thriving" within the life of the church at the moment. There may be a number of reasons for this evidence in people's lives, but the fact remains that we are, together, the body of Christ; a family of which Christ is the head and, when one part hurts, we all hurt. When one part is not "thriving", we need to be aware and stand along side them. 1 Corinthians 12:14 - 21 and 26 - 27.
Can we be mindful, in our times of prayer, to be lifting each other up, praying for the church and trusting that God would give each one of us strategies for how to embrace those that may find themselves on the outskirts; those that long for a sense of belonging but are just not sure how. Let's pray for a commitment and contentedness within the body of Christ.
God bless,
The Eldership team
Can we be mindful, in our times of prayer, to be lifting each other up, praying for the church and trusting that God would give each one of us strategies for how to embrace those that may find themselves on the outskirts; those that long for a sense of belonging but are just not sure how. Let's pray for a commitment and contentedness within the body of Christ.
God bless,
The Eldership team
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
7th November 2010
"I am closer than you think."
We have so much to be grateful for! We are about to enter into that beautiful Christmas season. Whilst it can be rediculously busy, we pray for a season of joy, restoration and thanksgiving.
2 Cor 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." God sent His Son, to take our sin and give us His righteousness! What an absolute privilege to be called His! Let us open our hearts to God and be thankful and mindful of all that He gives us; from the salvation we have received right down to the air we breathe.
Here are some things we have felt to pray for this week:
1. Let's remember those churches that have been planted out of HCF as well as the sites: Cliff & Hayley, Mark & Rose, Peter & Lee-anne, Henriques & Sanel, Sam & Mucha, Michael & Lucinda:
a. for refreshing
b. for recourses
c. for a harvest; that people would hear the gospel and respond.
2. For unity amongst us as a church; that we would continue to move forward in all that God has for us.
3. Let's also pray that all that God does around us and through us, finds it's foundation in love - love for one another.
God bless,
The Eldership team
We have so much to be grateful for! We are about to enter into that beautiful Christmas season. Whilst it can be rediculously busy, we pray for a season of joy, restoration and thanksgiving.
2 Cor 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." God sent His Son, to take our sin and give us His righteousness! What an absolute privilege to be called His! Let us open our hearts to God and be thankful and mindful of all that He gives us; from the salvation we have received right down to the air we breathe.
Here are some things we have felt to pray for this week:
1. Let's remember those churches that have been planted out of HCF as well as the sites: Cliff & Hayley, Mark & Rose, Peter & Lee-anne, Henriques & Sanel, Sam & Mucha, Michael & Lucinda:
a. for refreshing
b. for recourses
c. for a harvest; that people would hear the gospel and respond.
2. For unity amongst us as a church; that we would continue to move forward in all that God has for us.
3. Let's also pray that all that God does around us and through us, finds it's foundation in love - love for one another.
God bless,
The Eldership team
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
31st October 2010
Ephesians 1:15-19 "For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might..."
As we read the text, let us do so with the same prayer that the apostle Paul prayed. Let us look to the "God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory," that He might give to us "a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him," so that "the eyes of our heart may be opened, and we might know what is the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."
God gives life to the church, directs its growth, and controls its destiny and so Paul prays to God on behalf of the church.
Can we make that a personal prayer for each of us this week?
1) Let's pray for a "spirit of wisdom and of revelation" (verse 17)
2) Pray that the "eyes of their hearts may be enlightened" (verse 18).
3) Pray that we, the saints, may come to grasp the hope of His calling, the glory of His inheritance in the saints and the surpassing greatness of His power.
The second reason that Paul gives for his prayers is stated in verse 15 as well. They have faith in the Lord Jesus, and they have a love for all the saints. Loving God and loving others are the marks of a true Christian. If we have not love, we are nothing but a clanging cymbal. May we become more like Him?
God bless,
The Eldership team
As we read the text, let us do so with the same prayer that the apostle Paul prayed. Let us look to the "God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory," that He might give to us "a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him," so that "the eyes of our heart may be opened, and we might know what is the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."
God gives life to the church, directs its growth, and controls its destiny and so Paul prays to God on behalf of the church.
Can we make that a personal prayer for each of us this week?
1) Let's pray for a "spirit of wisdom and of revelation" (verse 17)
2) Pray that the "eyes of their hearts may be enlightened" (verse 18).
3) Pray that we, the saints, may come to grasp the hope of His calling, the glory of His inheritance in the saints and the surpassing greatness of His power.
The second reason that Paul gives for his prayers is stated in verse 15 as well. They have faith in the Lord Jesus, and they have a love for all the saints. Loving God and loving others are the marks of a true Christian. If we have not love, we are nothing but a clanging cymbal. May we become more like Him?
God bless,
The Eldership team
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