“Greetings From the Ministry Team May 2017”
As we plunge into May after all the excitement of Easter and Autumn Fair, we ask you to
take a deep breath… hold it in…and slowly exhale. Everyone - take a break! You all deserve
a rest. To all of the many people who assisted in preparations for our Easter services, and
then for the huge effort from our whole church that achieved such a successful Autumn
Fair, we express our sincere thanks and appreciation. It is inspiring to work with you - a
wonderful group of people who give sacrificially of their time and energy to serve God
through this church. Thank you from Rod and Matt.
Over the month of May, our focus at The Gap church is on Small Groups. We are pleased to report we have
several groups that meet regularly to support each other in their Christian walk, some of these groups have
been meeting for ten years! This is a great achievement and we encourage you to take the opportunities that
are offered over the coming weeks to connect in with a small group. If you’re wanting to go further in your
relationship with Jesus, and to find a place to talk through the ‘stuff of life’ that we all encounter, then small
groups can be a perfect environment to further your emotional and spiritual growth.
Starting Sunday 30th April, a five week, short term course begins – “A Tree With Good Fruit”. There are eight
groups meeting to create an environment that will be a place where you can be open to God’s leading and
consider your own journey, (and where you are called to), knowing that you are among people who are also
excited about their personal growth. Details about the groups are inside this newsletter.
Please take a moment to read this beautiful passage to consider what a healthy church can be, as seen in
Ezekiel’s vision.
Then he brought me to the bank of the river, where he had me sit. Along the bank of the river I saw very many trees
on both sides…Where ever the river flows every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live there…It will
become fresh and everything will live where the river goes…Along the banks of the river, there will grow all kinds of
trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor the fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the
water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing. Ezekiel 47: 7
May the fresh, healing waters from our
Lord be a constant presence in your life.
Matt, Rod, Ruth and Silvia.
Week 1
30th April – 6th May
“The Tree of Life”
(Sunday Worship)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Genesis 1: 26-27; Revelation 22: 1-5
We are created in the image of the God of Life, so that we may
bear fruit.
What does it mean to be created ‘in the image of God?’
What kinds of images/ideas does that raise for you?
How are they helpful? How are they not helpful?
(Small Groups)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Ezekiel 47: 7-12
An awareness of God’s presence in my personal life is essential to spiritual growth.
What does ‘sacred space’ mean to you? What are some important features?
How can you cultivate a sense of ‘sacred space’ within groups?
Week 2
7th May – 13th May
“Asleep to Awake”
(Sunday Worship)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Luke 22: 39-46; Luke 24: 13-34; Ephesians 5: 14
Jesus calls us to ‘wake up’ to the realities of the kingdom of God.
In what ways have you ‘fallen asleep’ in your life? In your faith?
(Small Groups)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Week 3
John 11: 1-43
Our journey into the kingdom of God is not about travelling from A to B, doing good things
along the way. Rather, it is a journey from ‘asleep’ to ‘awake’.
In times when you (or someone else) is ‘asleep’… What is your role? God’s role?
What is the role of the group/community of faith?
What can you do to prevent yourself from ‘falling asleep’ in future?
14th May – 20th May
“Safe Place / Safe Environment”
(Sunday Worship)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Judges 6: 11-16; Philippians 2: 1-11
To walk with God, we need to know who God is, and who we are in God’s sight.
How does your understanding of God limit your ability to grow?
How does your understanding of yourself limit your ability to grow?
(Small Groups)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Matthew 27: 4; Romans 8: 1-2
We need to create safe environments to foster healthy lives and communities
What would you consider to be the essential ingredients of a ‘safe environment’?
What thoughts/behaviours are helpful/unhelpful to this?
In what areas of my life to I need to work on creating healthier boundaries?
Week 4
21st May – 27th May
“Fruitful Living”
(Sunday Worship)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Galatians 5: 22-26; Ephesians 4: 1-13
The fruit that I produce in my life is a result of my ‘posture’ before God.
What is the ‘posture’ I have when serving God? What can I change?
What kind of ‘fruit’ comes from my life and faith? What can I change?
(Small Groups)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
1 John 4: 10,19; Galatians 6: 2,5; John 10: 17-18; Acts 6:3
When I am aware of the presence of God within me, I am enabled to love freely.
In what ways am I intentionally building relationships where love can thrive?
In what ways are my motivations to do things driven by a fear of something?
Week 5
28th May – 3rd June
“Healthy Church”
(Sunday Worship)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14 (Yes! All three!); Philippians 3: 12
Our weaknesses and differences, when held together by love,
are used by God
What are some of the spiritual gifts you see in others? In
yourself?
What are some of your hopes and dreams for what our church could be?
What is your ‘that’?
(Small Groups)
Scripture:
Key Idea:
Questions:
Ezekiel 47: 7-12; Revelation 22: 1-2
Our images of God and Church affect our spiritual health and growth.
What ideas/images of God (or yourself) have changed over the past 5 weeks?
What have been some of your key learnings during this course?
What is one thing you are going to do more/less of in future?
What is one thing about small groups you want to share with someone else?
PENTECOST CELEBRATIONS
AUTUMN FAIR 2017
Our wonderful series throughout the month of May leads us up
to the celebration of Pentecost (4th June), a time when we
remember the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the
church. This is always a wonderful reminder of who we are as
the people of God.
What a fantastic day! We certainly have a lot to be grateful for. The
weather held off for the day, our community turned up and
interacted with us which resulted in a family-friendly environment
enjoyed by all.
Perhaps
most
importantly, the vibe/
feeling on the ground
was
wonderful.
During setup and
pack up there was a
sense of working
together, fun and just
a
touch
of
cheekiness.
Many
visitors gave their
feedback on the
welcoming atmosphere and that our congregation should be proud
for the effort and work we put into running a great community
event!
For all those involved in preparation and helping on the day thank
you for keeping the days free, putting the time in, finding friends to
help out and working together. The Fair runs thanks to the ‘all-in’
approach our congregation takes.
Although everyone deserves thanks, a special mention must be
given to the Autumn Fair committee. These wonderful and dynamic
people have helped to support the Fair and our congregation with
creative ideas and ensuring that we are organising the best Fair
possible.
With so much time and effort being invested in such events it
always nice to see it reflected in the financial results and again this
year we have been achieved beyond our targets. Our financial result
is sitting at about $38,500 after a few additional receipts!
If you have any outstanding report or feedback, please pass that
onto the correct Coordinator by Sunday May 7th in order for it to be
incorporated into our wrap up meeting. This meeting will also lay
the building blocks for the 2018 Fair and the committee will
commence again at the end of October. For 2018 we are seeking a
Chair – not to be involved in all the details or to organise everything
themselves, but to provide support, guidance, direction and
encourage the change and growth within the committee that is
needed in large events like this – if this is something that might
appeal to you please let us know!
Thank you all for an excellent Fair – I hope that you enjoyed it half
as much as we did!!
The Autumn Fair Committee
That evening, we will continue the practice we have had for
many years in this community by joining with people from other
churches around The Gap to celebrate Pentecost together.
Each of our local churches will be leading and participating in
different parts of the service. This is also an opportunity to
reinforce our support of chaplaincy in our local schools, and to
spend time in prayer for on another. The details for this year
are below:
Where:
When:
Who:
The Gap Baptist Church
1125 Waterworks Road
4th June @ 6.00pm
All are welcome!
UNITING CHURCH TURNS 40!
The 22nd June commemorates the birth of The Uniting Church
as a fresh movement of God’s people in this country. Many
people remember this event, and many more have never heard
the story. After Pentecost, we will spend the rest of our worship
services in June celebrating this occasion by engaging in
different ways of imagining
who we are as the church,
both now and into the future.
Stay tuned to your notices for
more information about our
“All-Age Engage” celebrations.
MINISTER:
Rev Rod Fisher
0419 678 619
FAMILIES PASTOR:
Matt Smith
0409 917 729
1050 WATERWORKS RD, THE GAP Q 4061
[email protected] www.thegapuca.org.au
3300 2712