The Land Between – Part One

Last week at our Robina morning services we explored the Land Between the certainty of the past and the uncertainty of the future. We reflected on just how it is possible to find God in difficult transitions in life, especially as we learn the art of sanctified grumbling, or lament. You can read my message or download the podcast here: http://www.stucameron.typepad.com

Conquering Conformity

At 12two we jumped into an exciting new series called Conquering Conformity. For a couple of months we will dive into the amazing life story of Moses – one of the great patriarchs of our faith. In this fist message in the series we explored Exodus chapters 1 and 2 as we set up the adventure of Israel’s liberation from Egypt. You can download the podcast of my message here: http://www.stucameron.typepad.com/

21 Days with John

An extensive body of research has demonstrated that the most important driver of spiritual growth in Christian believers is regular and sustained reading and reflecting on scripture. Put simply, if you want 2012 to be a year of spiritual growth, commit now to daily reading of the Bible! To help you get a healthy pattern established, why not join me in spending 21 Days with the Apostle John reading through his Gospel. The Gospel of John has 21 chapters, so that is a chapter a day. I will be journaling my way through John at my blog. You can read my daily reflections here: http://www.stucameron.typepad.com/

This Week @ Newlife

In the mornings at Robina (8.30am and 10.15am) and Pac Pines (9.30am) we will continue our series exploring how we live in the ‘Land Between’ as we navigate life’s difficult transitions. Stu will be preaching at Robina and Orrell at Pac Pines. At 12two (6pm), Stu Leo will continue our series on the amazing life of Moses as we explore what it means to conquer conformity.

Funstuff Holiday Club

We will be holding our hugely popular Funstuff Holiday program again these summer holidays. Funstuff will happen at Robina on Wednesday January 18. A special program for children aged from kindergarten to grade 2 will run from 10am to 12noon. Another program for grade 3 to grade 7 children will run from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. The cost is $10 per child. You can ring the office to register (5578 9322) or contact Viv for more information at viv.batt@newlife.unitingchurch.org.au

New Testament Short Courses

A wonderful 30 week Bible Literacy Program is available this year, commencing early February. Monday morning and a Tuesday evening classes are available. Rather than sign up for the entire 30 weeks you may also commit to an 8 week ‘trial’ and decide if you would like to continue beyond that. If you would like to find out more, please contact Val Harvey, val@12gabriels.com or 5578 8361.

Op Shop Now Open!

After undergoing and extensive makeover through December and early January our Op Shop is now open again for business. Now we need your help. We have an urgent need for more volunteers to staff the Op Shop through the week through four hour morning or afternoon shifts. We currently have about half the number of volunteers we require. For many people the Op Shop is their first and perhaps only experience of Newlife and so we need keen and friendly people who can serve Op Shop customers as part of the vital ministry of our church. If you would like to volunteer, or find out more, please contact Sande through the Newlife Care Office on 5593 3262.

Summer School – New Dates

Summer School with Lew and Betty Born that was scheduled for January has been postponed until February, commencing on Saturday February 4, to allow for more people to participate. Registrations forms with more details are available at the office or at the Info Desk on Sunday.

Thai Mission Trip

Pastor Melissa Lipsett is currently leading nine other Newlife members on a Mission Trip to Musakee and Maedat in northern Thailand. They have arrived safely and are having an amazing time. On Sunday I received this text from Melissa: ‘About to preach at Bundan to 300 Karen! All happy and well and busy. Have learnt lots. Yesterday spent at a very remote water river village. Horrendous journey but worth every minute for Jess, Elizabeth and me. Love to all.’

Prayer Points

Every week we want to provide you with some prayer points to help guide you as we partner together in bringing our thanks, praise, adoration and requests to God.

• We pray for Sande and her team as the Op Shop reopens for business this week. We thank God for the hundreds of volunteer hours that have completely ‘made over’ the Op Shop. We pray for many more volunteers to come forward and grasp the opportunity to exercise ministry through the Op Shop.
• We continue to pray for the Thailand Mission Team led by Melissa. We thank God for all that they are learning and experiencing already and for the amazing hospitality they are receiving. We pray for their safety, the effectiveness of their service and for many opportunities to grow and develop their faith.
• We thank God for the first Sunday celebration for 2012 for our Pacific Pines community last week. We thank God for new people he is bringing weekly into our midst. We pray for new friendships to form and a depth of community to be fostered.
• We pray for the Youthstreet leaders and members who will leave this week for Summer Madness, a Uniting Church youth camp held on the Sunshine Coast. We pray this would be a time of faith transformation for them and all who attend.