This Week 

Phillip Larking - Christian Life and Christian Hope

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christian hope makes a difference. At home and in your life groups, recall stories of times when you have experienced hope; here are some guiding questions:

- Did you experience hope in a time of hardship or another challenging circumstance? Can you describe those circumstances?

- Were there people in your life who helped you to realise hope, or enacted hope in a practical way?

- Were there practices in your life that helped you to experience hope (such as prayer, conversation, Bible reading, reconciliation)?

- What did hope do? What difference did hope have in your life? (This might be about having strength to continue, or having new understanding of your circumstances, an experience of God's presence, or something else?)

In your life groups, if possible, share a number of stories based on the above questions. What differences do you notice between the stories shared? What passages of Scripture come to mind? How now can you pray in response to these stories, and for those circumstances for which hope is needed.

As always, follow along on the Bible App:
 

Church on the hill update:
Kia Ora church family. So, we met with the Kaimai Presbytery last night and it seems clear to me that God has not closed the door. We believe they have an interest in us owning the property. However, how we get there will be a process that will require continued prayer, faith and patience. Moving quickly on a sale doesn’t appear to be on the agenda.

What we learnt from the meeting and next steps:

-The KP need to test the current market (downturn) before they could accept any offer, and this includes working again with the Real Estate agents.
- The KP we met with last night will not make the final decision, that will be the 'Presbytery Property Trustees' to whom they must report and who will make the final decisions. 
 
We will follow up with the KP about the time frame of when they know what the market value is.... and then ask that they inform us so we can put forward an offer. We will also ask that they contact us if any other party puts in an offer so we can make a counter-offer – like a ‘first right of refusal’.
 
We believe they are interested in us owning the property.
  
Together let's Pray, trust & unite as we seek God’s plan and provision in all of this. Further collective prayer dates to be announced soon.

 

Hope Project Prayer Gathering  

Saturday 25 March between 7-8pm at the Church Office. Prayer for the impact of the delivery of booklets around Welcome Bay. Volunteer attending will be able to take the booklets for their area home and start delivery from Sunday 26 March.

Please contact Bruce Wallen, the Welcome Bay Co-ordinator if you have any questions
021 630 529