Kia Ora. If you would like anything posting here please email me at support@stpetersoftherock.church 😊, or speak to me in church.

Halleluiah…Jesus is Risen from the Dead.

http://www.freebibleimages

It was great to see Jonmarc getting baptised this week.

 

If you have children in Sunday school, this week’s craft will be messy. Please, no Sunday best; this is your chance to bring the kids to church scruffy.

Tono Karakia/Prayer Requests

As the notices page is no longer going to be password protected, I will not automatically put prayer requests online. If personally requested by those involved, prayer requests can still be included in the notices. In these situations, no personal identifying details (eg surname, address) will be used. If you want a situation praying about please email support@stpetersoftherock.church

Please remember the following people/situations as you pray:

• Our new church helper, Matthias, as he finds a roll at SPOTR.

Sermons – April 11, 2021

This is the first sermon from our new series, The Great Redeemer, taken from Exodus.

Exodus chapters 1 and 2

What Is God Doing?

God, What Are You Doing? This is a question we often ask when things are difficult, when life is not going our way.

The Background of a Rescue: Exodus starts with the Israelites living in Egypt. They had gone there when there was a famine in their own land, and originally has prospered. However, after many years, one of the Pharaoh’s starts to feel threatened by the Israelites. He makes the Israelite nation into slaves, and at this point many would have been asking, God, what are you doing?

The Beginning of a Rescue: Things have become terrible for the Jews. The people of God are not only slaves, but are now expected to kill all their male children. At this point in the text we are introduced to Moses’ parents. When Moses is born they hide him, however it becomes obvious they will not be able to conceal their child for long. When he is three months old, Moses’ mother takes him to the river and places him in a waterproof basket; Moses’ sister follows the basket to see what will happen to her brother. His poor mother must have been desperate to do such a thing. As the basket floats down the river the daughter of Pharaoh arrives. This could have been very bad news, however the princess takes pity on Moses. Not only does she spare his life but she takes him for her own son. Miriam, who has witnessed the whole event, now approaches the princess [brave girl] and askes if she can find a nurse for the baby. She runs to fetch her mother, who now gets her son back, safe, and is even going to be paid to look after him.

The Beginning of a Rescuer: Moses is eventually living with the princess, but knows his heritage. One day he sees a Hebrew slave being beaten by an Egyptian. After checking that no one is watching, he kills the Egyptian. Moses is not perfect, he is a flawed man. The next day he discovers he was seen and now he has to run for his life. He settles down in the desert, where he marries and has a family.

So, What Was God Doing? Back home the people are still in the same desperate position. The man God is preparing to rescue them is far away. We are now told something very significant; the people cried out to God and God heard them. He heard them, He remembered His promise to His people, He looked and saw and He was concerned. That is what God is like.

What Is the Redeemer Doing? God was at work in Moses from the start of his life. He had a plan for Moses’ life. Similarly, God is always at work for us. When we ask “God what are you doing?” we can be sure He understands our situation. He lived on earth as a man and understands the hardships this life brings. He will help us in our difficulties. He hears us. He cares for us. He remembers us. He has a plan for us. He is our Great Redeemer.

To listen to the entire talk follow this link.

Thanks to Clint, Amanda and Suzanna who read the scriptures, and to Phil for the prayers of intercession

Other Bits and Pieces

Preschool Children – The church has been given the go ahead by the building owners to put gates onto the drives of the church. This will make the back of the church building a safe play area for children.

Morning Tea Roster – Anyone who would like to help Tessa with morning tea let Trent know. He is hoping to get a roster going. Thanks, also, to everyone who bakes regularly.🍰

Church Directory – SPOTR Church Directory is a useful place to go if you need to contact a church member. It is password protected. If you would like your details adding please use contact form to send me your details ( no addresses on the page).

Giving – You may have noticed we do not take a collection during our services. If you would like to contribute financially to SPOTR please contact Trent (our treasurer) for details, use the box at the back of church or use this link (scroll to bottom of page when you are transferred). Thank you.

Youth Group meets on Friday, 7:00pm.

Sunday School – Sunday school is meeting this week. See Kids’ Page for details.