On Sunday we lit the Peace candle as we moved past the quick fix of Fast Food spirituality and embraced the idea that Soul Food is slow food. This week we take some time for some soul food that offers the gift of peace. Each day you'll find a question and an opportunity to journal and pray.

Tuesday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 148

Old Testament: Isaiah 5:1-7

New Testament: 2 Peter 3:11-18

Gospel: Luke 7:28-35

| Question

What (or who) is the greatest threat to peace in your life?

| Prayer

O God, by thy mercy strengthen us who lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts. Succour us, we beseech thee, and bring us to thy safe haven of peace and felicity.

— St. Augustine

Wednesday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 25

Old Testament: Isaiah 5:8-12, 18-23

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28

| Question

What do you do to find peace in the midst of the noise and compulsions of life? What do you need to do more?

| Prayer

O Lord my God; Teach my heart this day where and how to see you; Where and how to find you. You have made me and remade me; And you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess; And still I do not know you. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek you; For I cannot seek you unless you teach me; Or find you unless you show yourself to me; Let me seek you in my desire; Let me desire you in my seeking; Let me find you by loving you; Let me love you when I find you.

— St. Anselm

Thursday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 38

Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-13

New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Gospel: John 7:53-8:11

| Question

Where are your words and actions in agreement, or is there disharmony in your life? Are you the

same person on Sunday evening as you are on Monday morning, or Saturday night?

| Prayer

O Lord, we humbly beseech you to give us grace not only to be hearers of the Word, but also doers

of the Word; not only to love, but also to live your gospel; not only to profess, but also to practice

your blessed commandments, for the honour of your holy name.

— Thomas Becon

Friday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 37:1-18

Old Testament: Isaiah 7:1-9

New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Gospel: Luke 22:1-13

| Question

God calls us to intercede and pray for our leaders and earthly authorities. Which leaders (local & national government, world leaders, church and society) do you believe God is calling you to pray for?

| Prayer

O Almighty God, the Father of all humanity, turn, we pray, the hearts of all peoples and their rulers, that by the power of your Holy Spirit peace may be established among the nations on the foundation of justice, righteousness and truth; through him who was lifted up on the cross to draw all people to himself, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— William Temple

Friday

Psalm: Psalm 31

Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-25

New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

Gospel: Luke 22:14-30

| Question

Scripture encourages us to “fear not.” What fears about your past, present and future can you surrender to the Lord today?

| Prayer

Fortify me with the grace of Your Holy Spirit and give Your peace to my soul that I may be free from all needless anxiety, solicitude and worry. Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to You so that Your will may be my will.

— St. Francis Xavier Cabrini

Saturday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 30

Old Testament: Isaiah 8:1-15

New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Gospel: Luke 22:31-38

| Question

What kind of listener are you? How do you listen to others? How do you listen to God?

| Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon

Where there is doubt, faith,

Where there is despair, hope,

Where there is darkness, light,

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, not so much to be understood as to understand, not so much to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

— St. Francis Of Assisi

WEEK 2

On Sunday we lit the Hope candle as we dared to turn away from those things in our outer world that replace our need of genuine forgiveness and those things in our inner world that blind us to the presence of God and our need of genuine forgiveness. This week we take some time for some soul food that offers the gift of hope. Each day you'll find a question and an opportunity to journal and pray.

Tuesday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 146

Old Testament: Isaiah 1:1-9

New Testament: 2 Peter 3:1-10

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-18

| Question

How would you describe the season of life in which you are now? What are its major opportunities and challenges?

| Prayer

Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you in the way you will and not as I choose. Let me die to myself so that I may serve you; let me live to you who are life itself. Amen.

— St. Teresa Of Avila

Wednesday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 1

Old Testament: Isaiah 1:10-20

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Gospel: Luke 20:1-8

| Question

In which area of your life is your heart often led astray from God’s purposes? Why?

| Prayer

O teach us to despise all vanities, to fight the battles of the Lord manfully against the flesh, the

world, and the devil, to spend our time religiously and usefully, to speak gracious words, to walk

always in your presence, to preserve our souls and bodies in holiness, ft for the habitation of the

Holy Spirit of God.

— John Cosin

Thursday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 5

Old Testament: Isaiah 1:21-31

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Gospel: Luke 20:9-18

| Question

Advent teaches us the discipline of waiting. How has God enlarged you through the practice of

waiting?

| Prayer

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who from your tender love towards us sinners has given us your Son, that believing in him we may have everlasting life; grant us your Holy Spirit that we may continue steadfast in this faith to the end, and may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

— John Calvin

Friday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 119:1-24

Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-11

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Gospel: Luke 20:19-26

| Question

What makes it difficult for you to trust God? Why?

| Prayer

Lord God Almighty, shaper and ruler of all creatures, we pray that by your great mercy and by the token of the holy cross you will guide us to your will. Make our minds steadfast, strengthen us against temptation, and keep us from all unrighteousness. Shield us against our enemies, seen and unseen. Teach us to inwardly love you before all things with a clean mind and a clean body. For you are our Maker and Redeemer, our help and comfort, our trust and hope, for ever.

— King Alfred the Great

Saturday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 18:1-20

Old Testament: Isaiah 2:12-22

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Gospel: Luke 20:27-40

| Question

What do you hope for the most? Why?

| Prayer

O God, our Father, we are exceedingly frail, and indisposed to every virtuous and noble undertaking; Strengthen our weakness, we beseech you, that we may be valiant in this spiritual war; help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

— St. Augustine

Sunday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 16

Old Testament: Isaiah 3:8-15

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Gospel: Luke 20:41-21:4

| Question

What are you most impatient for? What securities do you chase after?

| Prayer

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, All I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me.

— St. Ignatius

Advent Week 1 - Joy

On Sunday, we lit the Joy candle as we laid aside the false god of comfort - be it food or something else. This week take time for some soul food that offers the gift of joy. Each day you'll find a question and an opportunity to journal and pray.

Monday Podcast available

Tuesday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8

Old Testament: Isaiah 13:6-13

New Testament: Hebrews 12:18-29

Gospel: John 3:22-30

| Question What is most often the thief of joy in your life?

Take time to reflect or journal your answers

| Prayer O justice and innocence, fair and lovely, it is on you that I want to gaze with eyes that see purely and fnd satiety in never being sated. With you is rest and tranquil life. Whoever enters into you enters the joy of his Lord; there he will fear nothing and I find his own supreme good in God who is supreme goodness. I slid away from you and wandered away, my God; far from your steadfastness I strayed in adolescence, and I became to myself a land of famine. — St. Augustine

Wednesday

| Scripture

Psalm: Psalm 41

Old Testament: Isaiah 8:16-9:1

New Testament: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Gospel: Luke 22:39-53

| Question What is Christ calling you to die to? How has suffering produced deep joy and renewal in your life?

Take time to reflect or journal your answers

| Prayer Give me to die with thee that I may rise to new life, for I wish to be as dead and buried to sin, to selfishness, to the world; that I might not hear the voice of the charmer, and might be delivered from his lusts. O Lord, there is much ill about me—crucify it, much fresh within me— mortify it. — Puritan prayer

Thursday

| Scripture Psalm: Psalm 45 Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-7 New Testament: 2 Peter 1:12-21 Gospel: Luke 22:54-69 | Question

What characteristic of God astounds you?

| Prayer Almighty God, who through the death of your Son has destroyed sin and death, and by his resurrection has restored innocence and everlasting life, that we may be delivered from the dominion of the devil, and our mortal bodies raised up from the dead: Grant that we may confidently and wholeheartedly believe this, and finally, with your saints share in the joyful resurrection of the just; through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. — Martin Luther

Friday

| Scripture Psalm: Psalm 119:49-72 Old Testament: Isaiah 9:8-17 New Testament: 2 Peter 2:1-10a Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 | Question

When was a prayer of yours answered? What was it?

| Prayer Give us grace, almighty Father, to address you with all our hearts as well as with our lips. You are present everywhere: from you no secrets can be hidden. Teach us to fx our thoughts on you, reverently and with love, so that our prayers are not in vain, but are acceptable to you, now and always, through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Jane Austen

Saturday

| Scripture Psalm: Psalm 50 Old Testament: Isaiah 9:18-10:4 New Testament: 2 Peter 2:10b-16 Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 | Question

Do you make comparisons with others on a spiritual or any other level? What happens for you when you do this?

| Prayer See, O merciful God, what return I, your thankless servant, have made for the innumerable favors and the wonderful love you have shown me! What wrongs I have done, what good left undone! Wash away, I beg you, these faults and stains with your precious blood, most kind Redeemer, and make up for my poverty by applying your merits. Give me the protection I need to amend my life. I give and surrender myself wholly to you, and ofer you all I possess, with the prayer that you bestow your grace on me, so that I may be able to devote and employ all the thinking power of my mind and the strength of my body in your holy service, who are God blessed for ever and ever. Amen. — St. Peter Canisius

Sunday

| Scripture Psalm: Psalm 40 Old Testament: Isaiah 10:5-19 New Testament: 2 Peter 2:17-22 Gospel: Matthew 11:2-15 | Question

In what ways are your eyes open to the burdens borne by others? In what ways can you share in God’s restorative work in and through cession|community?

| Prayer Merciful and most loving God, by whose will and bountiful gift Jesus Christ our Lord, humbled himself that he might exalt humankind; and became fesh that he might restore in us the most celestial image; and was born of the Virgin that he might uplift the lowly; grant us the inheritance of the meek, perfect in us your likeness, and bring us at last to rejoice in beholding your beauty, and with all your saints to give glory to your grace, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — Gallican Sacramentary

We're entering the season of Advent - a time of waiting and preparing for the birth of a King. We wait with Mark as he writes of Jesus, the son of God, to Roman converts living subversive lives in Rome under an emperor who thought he was a god. With them, we resist those parts of our culture that call us to self-centred, narcissistic lives and look for soul food that will sustain us for the journey. Here's what to expect...

In this series we looked at what faith with skin on looks like - what does a fleshed out faith offer the world beyond the community of the church? We were in Luke's gospel as we explored putting flesh on the bones of our faith and expressing a fully fleshed out gospel. We tried putting on weight as we get in touch with the ministry of presence, ministry with the poor and ministry for peace.

041118 - Picking Up the Peaces - Brett Jones

Thanks for making the Halloween Carboot Party 2018 such a success! We appreciated you coming out in the rain in the hundreds and being such good sports about the weather. The winning carboot was Dancing With the Stars followed by Poshbear and Doctor Von Drill. You can stay in touch with future events by emailing us at trust@cession.org.nz. Check out our Fireworks Fundraiser - great fireworks at great prices!

Thanks so much for your support for our Fireworks Fundraiser. We sold $25,000 worth of fireworks! The profits will go to Youth Work in local High Schools and Youth Camp subsidies. Thanks for making a difference.

There are so many challenges to reading the Bible...it's so long, some of the words are impossible to say, at times it seems a little random maybe even perverse and yet there is so much richness within the text that we feel drawn to explore it. What if instead of "reading the bible" we let it read us? We explore this idea in our series Reading Between the Lines

We pick up just after Brett has referenced a cute acronym B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) and just before he tells us why its wrong...

'Parenting the Internet' is a part of Cession Community's seminar series sponsored by the Howick Local Board focussed on strengthening the family. Lee Chisholm from Netsafe will be talking about what young people are doing online. * Understanding the newest social media sites * Making online gaming decisions * Preventing online bullying and harassment * Protecting kids from inappropriate content * Finding support for youth and parents * There will be an audience Q & A time too Thursday 27 September 2018 Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start Entry by gold coin donation

FInd the event on Facebookor email us!

It's so easy to get distracted, to find other things sneaking up on you and taking over, to become consumed by priorities that you don't remember setting. In First Things, we'll take some steps to check our vision, refocus where things have got blurry and turn the spotlight on our blindspots. We'll be taking time to check out what Jesus says are the First Things.

Navigating fatherhood is more complicated than ever - we celebrated our favourite superheroes this past Sunday as they strive to be Incredible Too.

Some questions require more than great answers...they require time and listening...we spent some time in the Wasteland searching out tough questions from the wilderness. No easy answers with this series. But maybe some better questions.

What a great series spending time in the Acts of the Apostles for inspiration as we explored becoming a people and church unleashed. Amazing stories of the early church as it was unleashed on the world. Praying to be let off the leash...

150718 - The Church Under Pressure - Brett Jones(Apologies text version only this week)

In this series we enjoyed weekly Postcards from the Edge arriving LIVE from our correspondents in Colombia, the SIM world and Bougainville. Stories that are changing lives, even ours, as we reflect on Being With & Being Sent By Jesus.

You can check out the postcards below:

10 June Nigel & Richelle Webb - podcast by request to info@cession.org.nz

17 June Rob & DaNae Reynolds - podcast by request

In our recent series, Hooked, we explored living beyond ourselves and the ways in which we connect and relate to our neighbours. We asked what it looks to engage with others and to invite them into life with Jesus. Along the way we reflected on how kindness, brokenness and hope help form a posture of humility and invitation to others.

We took the opportunity this Mother's Day to be inspired and challenged by the life of a mother and disciple. Being With & Being Sent - A Mother's Story

As we struggle with the DIY project of our lives, what are some of the major reno projects that we need to complete? How will we reconstruct life on a solid foundation? We look at some of the house rules that will help us in this life long project. We lean into the Proverbs and a little bit of Jesus as we build wide foundations for 21st Century Living.

150418 - From Fear to Love - Brett Jones (see below for the start of this message)

Week 1 - we lost the start on our recording...it went something like this:

"We’re in week 1 of our series House Rules so it makes sense that we start by checking out the foundations to our living. Over the Christmas holidays many of you will know we built a small office – and the cool thing about it was that we managed to build the entire thing in one day! We felt pretty good about this amazing feat of construction wizardry. And it’s almost true. Yes we constructed the walls, roof and most of the floor in a day. But it took a lot longer to build the foundations. It started with needing to get rid of stuff that was in the way. The stuff in this case was a large tree which took about 6 hours in total to take down. And that’s not counting the time it took to treat the stump so it wouldn’t grow back. Then we had to dig the holes for the foundation posts – that seemed like it would be easy with the monstrous, motorised posthole borer we hired. Except there was more stuff in the way. Roots from the tree – funny that…and chunks of stone and concrete that had been used as fill way back."

Thanks so much for being a part of A Seat At the Table! Gallery photos are now available here.

Good Friday Service 5.30pm

A unique Good Friday service experience set amidst the Stations of the Cross Easter Art Gallery: A Seat at the Table. Our service will take place up close and personal to the art - it's a moving and rich experience like no other. Dinner is available at the "Table Talk" Pop Up Cafe after the service.

Easter Sunday 5pm

"Finding Our Place at the Table" - an all-age Easter Sunday service celebrating Jesus risen and his invitation to us to sit at this table. Set in the gallery space for A Seat at the Table - Stations of the Cross Easter Art Gallery. We start with dinner at 5pm and the service at 5.45pm

Welcome to the Lent Encounter 2018 which will run alongside our Sunday gatherings and midweek cell groups. You'll find 3 opportunities every week for engaging God more deeply that you can engage with (scroll down to access previous weeks) :

WEEK 4

Brett shared with us on Sunday on how prayer can operate as a mirror to who we are and who God is. You can listen here.

This week there is just one exercise - Prayer|Reflect which can use at the end of the day or the following morning as a mirror into your day with God. You can print it out as a bookmark if that helps!

WEEK 3

Melissa Powell shared with us on Sunday on discovering moments in prayer. You can listen here.

"Practice(s) Make Perfect

A spiritual practice offering the opportunity to create new habits and processes. This week our practice is The Liturgy of the Hours (otherwise known as The Divine Office). The early Christians continued the Jewish practice of reciting prayers at certain hours of the day or night. In the Psalms are found expressions like "in the morning I offer you my prayer"; "At midnight I will rise and thank you"; "Evening, morning and at noon I will cry and lament"; "Seven times a day I praise you". The Apostles observed the Jewish custom of praying at the third, sixth and ninth hour and at midnight (Acts 10:3, 9; 16:25). The Christian prayer of that time consisted of almost the same elements as the Jewish: recital or chanting of psalms, reading of the Old Testament, to which were soon added readings of the Gospels, Acts, and epistles. Other elements were added later in the course of the centuries. You can use it in a number of different ways:

Use the Traditional Pattern and Prayers

You can use the traditional pattern and prayers - there are lots of online resources and even apps you can use. Search the Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office to find something that works for you.

Create Your Own Pattern

Take the principle of praying at set times and add it to your day in a rhythm that fits your existing commitments/patterns. Set your phone alarm or calendar to call you to prayer.

Coming Clean

A confession opportunity which will often be based on the Sunday message. This week's confession focus is "On the Run". Capturing moments of grace on the run rather than "storing up badness"! As you catch yourself in moments of sinful thought or action, immediately offer it to God in confession and seek his grace and help. Experience God's forgiveness in the moment.

Wonder Moments

Wonders moments are opportunities to be surprised, intrigued and grateful at what God has done and who he is. Sunsets, children, insights, laughter, beauty, sadness...these are all possibilities for wonder. This week's focus is on "Making the Ordinary Sacred". Take time to make ordinary moments sacred - here are some examples:

1. Praying upon waking - it can be as simple as thanking God for a new day

2. Grace at meals - whether together or alone - offering praise to the Provider

3. Praying before or while you drive - just remember not to close your eyes

4. In queues - take the opportunity to pray when you are forced to stop

5. When you check on your sleeping kids

6. Before sleeping

Get creative!

WEEK 2

Brett spoke on what the Lord's Prayer teaches us about prayer. You can listen here.

"Practice(s) Make Perfect

A spiritual practice offering the opportunity to create new habits and processes. This week our practice is The Lord's Prayer. You can use it in a number of different ways:

Pray it as a prayer.

Try this every day whatever else you might do this week.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.

Pray it as a focus for prayer.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Take time to thank and praise God - who is our Father (close to us), whose name is sacred (so much more than us) and who has an amazing plan for all of Creation (has so much more for us)

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Speak with God about the things you need, the moments you have hurt God, others and yourself and ask him for strength where you are weak.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Ask God for the awareness, wisdom and strength to participate fully in the life he has made for you.

Coming Clean

A confession opportunity which will often be based on the Sunday message. This week's confession focus is around those parts of our lives that struggle with the idea of prayer becoming a regular and natural part of our living. You may have written one or more of these in your Lent journal as part of our Sunday reflection opportunities. It could be:

Time - which is nearly always about priorities and will call us to examine our overall Sacred Rhythm

Distractions - the absence of distraction is at the heart of worship - it takes time to practice paying attention - the key for the moment is not to allow distraction to tell us that we're not able to pray. Refocus and keep going. Remember that sometimes our distractions are telling us that something else is bugging us - maybe your distraction is a call to prayer for that area of life?

Confidence - many worry about whether they are praying "right". Sunday's message suggested that what is more important than praying the right words or praying the right way is that we learn to trust God as Father. Our posture (trust) is more important than our programming (right words) or our principles (right methods)

Unworthiness - deep down we're not convinced about God's love for us as a Father. The Lords Prayer is in one sense summarised by the opening 2 words "Our Father". If this is hard for you to accept, take some time to reflect or journal about why and ask God to show up as Father for you.

This week's "Coming Clean" might involve you using the shiny new Lent journal you received on Sunday(!) to chat with God about what this means for your life.

Wonder Moments

Wonders moments are opportunities to be surprised, intrigued and grateful at what God has done and who he is. Sunsets, children, insights, laughter, beauty, sadness...these are all possibilities for wonder. This week focus on catching moments of see God the Father at work in you, around you, through you, in others etc. The other exercises will help you with this.

WEEK 1

"Practice(s) Make Perfect

A spiritual practice offering the opportunity to create new habits and processes. This week our practice is "Hey God moments". Hey God moments are simple conversational prayer engagements which start with the words "Hey God..." It's a simple acknowledgement that God is present and you fill in the gaps of whatever else you may want to say (if anything). When you first wake in the morning: "hey God". When you are driving to work or school "hey God". When you are walking somewhere or standing in line "hey God". Try it now. Simple but effective.

Coming Clean

A confession opportunity which will often be based on the Sunday message. This week's confession focus is around those parts of our lives that are focused on "comfort and/or survival" that lead us all to quickly to cycles of "fear and denial". In other words, where our expectations or circumstances cause us to live lives that deny who Jesus says we are. This week's "Coming Clean" might involve you using the shiny new Lent journal you received on Sunday(!) to chat with God about what this means for your life.

Wonder Moments

Wonders moments are opportunities to be surprised, intrigued and grateful at what God has done and who he is. Sunsets, children, insights, laughter, beauty, sadness...these are all possibilities for wonder. This week focus on capturing wonder moments in the physical world around you - natural beauty, the intricacy of creation and the 5 senses you engage the physical world with. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you taste? What are you touching? Hey God prayers and wonder moments work well together!

Unwind or rewind with the Everyday Magic podcast on prayer:

Everyday Magic is a series that will draw us into the wonder and mystery of every day prayer. We'll see Jesus at prayer and teaching on it, and we'll uncover that prayer is not for the adept or exceptional but for every day people like you and me. Along the way, we'll confront our desire for magical outcomes and discover that God has much more in store for us.

Guests are welcome including those seeking a fresh sense of God's leading and purpose as part of a church community. We meet at 5pm for dinner followed by a service at 5.45 - 7pm. If you're interested in knowing what to expect you'll find it

cession|cast message recordings:

Lent is something we celebrate as part of cession|community's Sacred Rhythms. We're reimagining what Lent looks like for us who want to live out ancient rhythms in a modern world. Check out the Lent Preparation Guide as you reflect on what Lent might look like for you in 2018.

In February we took the PULSE of cession|community as we gathered together to be energised around shared vision. Here's the podcast version:

Join us from 2.30pm this Sunday @ the Depot for our Plugging In Seminar - a chance to learn more about cession|community, ask questions and meet others who are getting to know us. Contact Brett 027 284 2893 to register or if you have any questions

New Year's Resolutions - it can be a love-hate relationship as we yearn for progress in our lives but endure the fate of so many good intentions. As we started the year we looked to move from resolutions to rhythm as we engage Sacred Rhythms for 2018. We explored the rhythms of Jesus' early life as we gathered again for worship in 2018.

Check out our series intro here.

Enjoy the podcast.

If you're interested in joining us on Sundays you're welcome to join us for dinner from 5pm. Our service starts at 5.45pm. You can find out what to expect here.

Expressions of interest are being sought from artists who wish to explore exhibiting in this year's Stations of the Cross Easter Art Exhibition. Details are contained in the Artist Information Pack. Please contact Brett Jones if you have any questions.

We're gathering for a BYO picnic on the front lawn at the Depot- join us for an evening of relaxed fun together - there'll be games and sports to participate in. It's a great chance to connect after Christmas/New Year. Friends and family welcome to join us - we'd love to take this opportunity to get to know them!

If you need urgent pastoral assistance over the holiday period please contact Pastor Brett Jones 027 284 2893. We're meeting in the Depot from 5pm on Sunday 14 January for our first worship service of 2018.

Sunday 31 Jan is our annual "church where you are" Sunday. So much more than a week off, this is an opportunity to do life well and lovingly with others. Take the chance to be the church intentionally where you are. It might look like reflection time at the beach, lending a hand for someone in need, practising hospitality or visiting a local church wherever you find yourself on holiday. Wherever you are, be the the church where you are!

If you need urgent pastoral assistance over the holiday period please contact Pastor Brett Jones 027 284 2893. We're meeting next week on the lawn.

We're celebrating Christmas Eve in double time this year! You're welcome to join us for:

Family Service from 5pm - "Right On Time"

We'll be kicking off the celebration at 5pm with a delicious dinner of Christmas Ham. The dinner is free for you and your family. A koha basket is available.

Our all-age service kicks off at 5.45pm with the Christmas story told with a difference amidst traditional carols, multimedia and an interactive feel. We explore how the first Christmas was right on time...We'll be done by 7pm.

Midnight Service from 11pm - "Pitch-Perfect"

This unique service is an opportunity for a quieter, reflective Christmas Eve, with traditional carols combined with contemplative and contemporary worship elements. We'll be exploring how Jesus is pitch perfect for our living across the highs and lows of human experience. Our service finishes at 12.01 so you can be first to say "Merry Christmas".

You can find us here.

Thanks for being part of Christmas on the Lawn - you can stay connected to the event photos on the Facebook event page below. We really appreciate you coming along and making it such a great time together!

A fun evening for all ages to celebrate Christmas and the year that was! Bring your own picnic (BBQ available for cooking), meet up with Santa to give him your naughty/nice update, and have a bit of good old fashioned fun with some games and carol singing later in the evening. Sausage sizzle, drinks and candy floss available for purchase. Free entry! Let us know you're planning on coming by clicking on theFacebook event link. See you on the lawn!

Our recent Advent series challenged the way in which most of us live way too fast...it's not that intentional, goal-oriented activity is bad...it's more that so much of our busyness happens to us. We're victims of drive-by busyness and never more so in this period leading up to Christmas. We explored a Tempo Change in our living as we journeyed with the early chapters of Luke's gospel. You're welcome to listen in!

You're welcome to join us for dinner from 5pm. Our service starts at 5.45pm. You can find out what to expect here.

The Halloween Carboot Party is a fun evening out for the family! We create a safe place to trick or treat by lining the depot carpark with decorated car boots for families to walk around together. Come dressed up - nothing too scary is appreciated! Entry to the event is by gold coin and food and drink is for sale in the event. We're currently recruiting families and local businesses to be involved by putting together a carboot. This is a fun activity to do together and gets kids thinking about giving rather than receiving at Halloween! Email Juanita for more information on being involved! trust@cession.org.nz Check out our 2015 event at this link! https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzUGRmtd5mKBX1BzVW9uVWNGZGc

Let's face it: Christians are weird! In this series, we ask the question whether it's possible to live like Jesus in the modern world and not act like a freak! We're leaning on Peter's 1st letter to the Christians in Asia Minor (that's be modern Turkey - ie not really Asia at all!) and exploring what genuine faith looks like in the real world.

221017 - Quiet Revolution - Brett Jones

The election is over but you can still explore the Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed - it's a third party alternative you may not have considered amongst all the political speak! Check out out exploration of Matthew 13 where we spent time with Jesus' parables in which he invites us into His Kingdom.

In this series we engaged with James' letter to the Christians of his time who were living faith under pressure. But James does not let them off - he calls them...and us...to put our faith through the wringer - to live lives of authentic faith despite, and maybe even because of, the internal and external pressures of the real world. Check out the messages:

As Spring arrives we're checking in on our Sacred Rhythms and doing some spring-cleaning. It's a chance to look at where you are with your own Sacred Rhythms and to take opportunities to live more and more in time with the divine. Here are some options for you to look at:

1. Sacred Rhythm Checklist - take some time to look across the broad areas that can be included in a Rule of Life. In which areas are you finding life? In which areas are you sensing a deficit you want to address? If you decide to add anything to your Sacred Rhythm, aim for just 1 or 2 changes at a time.

2. Weekly Planner - if you feel like you need to have a closer look at how your time is spent over a week, try the weekly planner as a way to assess current activity. What things do you affirm about your current rhythm? What would you critique? Use the information as a way to generate options for (a) Repurposing - taking existing time and applying it to new activities NB you have to stop something to do this! (b) Stacking - take an existing activity and add something to that rhythm eg Brett shared about adding worship music to his gym time (c) Refocus - look to make more of an existing rhythm - shifting focus on Sunday or with cell group or with any other spiritual rhythm

If you missed this series you can binge listen here! We join the journey of sending that has played out across the church for 2,000 years...normal people like you and me responding to God's call to "make disciples of all nations." We have a lot to contemplate as we look at ways to support Nigel and Richelle Webb as they head to Colombia to serve and Isaiah Johnson leaving for a YWAM DTS...not to mention our Family Fun Night as part of supporting Seuli in Bangladesh. Along the way we'll encounter the tension of the Hello, Goodbye...great love that leads to great loss; great loss that demonstrates great love...

Inspired by the letter from the Apostle John to Gaius in 3 John, our text for this series, Nigel Webb wrote a letter to us ahead of their deployment to Colombia:

Nigel, to Brett and our beloved cession|community

When I first walked through the doors of cession 8 ½ years ago, I was a broken man.

As a family we had served God in Ecuador for 8 years, joining in what He was doing in the city of Guayaquil, a hot coastal city in South America full of life, but also full of violence. After being robbed twice at knifepoint and then gunpoint, as well as being in a taxi accident where I ended up ½ in and ½ out of the car, I was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder — hyper-vigilant at all times. Despite this, I loved the people of Guayaquil and it had become our home and we were serving in house church movement that baptised around 1000 people a year as well as providing leadership and pastoral care to the SIM team in wider Ecuador.

Then we were asked to return to NZ so I could lead the NZ SIM team to send missionaries into some hard places in the world with the life-changing good news that Jesus came, died, rose again and that that makes all the difference to our lives, our society, our world, the whole universe. So, like Paul in Acts 16:9, we accepted the Macedonian call to “Come over and help us.”

Yet, returning to NZ both Riche & I and the boys, we were all wounded warriors — spent, also needing help, trying to adjust our identity to a new place that wasn’t “home” anymore. We were trying to jump from one trapeze to another, but in that instant when we held neither, we fell down with scars of depression, anger, emotional stunting and law-breaking in the family of those missionaries “of good reputation” (3 John:12). That night, I walked the gauntlet of the depot hallway, not sure where to go. I sat at a table alone, but not for long, as Scott came and said hello. And too soon, it is time we say goodbye.

In the words of the Elder (3 John:5-6a) Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love.

And I testify today to your love for us as a family. You didn’t know us, but you accepted us into the cession|community. You helped us in many ways as we recovered and recreated ourselves and found here our Turangawaewae, a place to stand. Joining a cell-group where we could be honest and open and have friends, coming to interesting services where there was food, fellowship and genuine interaction with the Word — these were streams of life to us. You morally supported us as we put the jigsaw puzzle of our lives back together in a different way and returned to leadership in SIM. Thank you for your true love and for your missional hospitality that expresses the welcome of God to each of us.

Then when we were ready, you gently incorporated us into ministries like worship, creative team, stations, preaching, laugh your way to a better marriage course, cultivate and servant leadership where we could meaningfully contribute and encourage one another to engage with Jesus, find out what God is doing and join in with the Trinity with the gifting he has given each and every one of us.

It has been fantastic to see people like Carmel mature into an amazing youth leader. She gives out so much — support her, regularly pray for her, develop her. Over the years people have said hello to us and some goodbye to us as a church, yet never leaving without knowing the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, expressed in the act of communion and the outworking of our community with each other and into the community that we are a part of. Don’t lose this openness to others. Even with big tables and big hearts, it is easy for us to just be friendly and not friends to new people. So take every opportunity to deepen relationship with new people and with those on the fringe. Let us never be a clique which is here only for ourselves, but a people who are generously welcoming and including and open to others. In the words of Lévinas (TI, 300), "In the welcome made to the Other I welcome the Most High to which my freedom is subordinated." When we truly welcome others, we realise that we learn and receive so much more than we offer and give; the guest becomes host and the host guest, as the Spirit gives, and receives us all into the mystery of the Trinity. Hold fast to this truth in a world where alternative facts would cause us to reject the sojourner.

As we are thinking about saying goodbye, Richelle & I are also thinking about saying ¡hola! In the two visits we have made to Colombia we have met some great people who are keen to see churches and individuals from the 5 million strong evangelical church mobilised to take up the challenge of intercultural mission involvement, to reach some places where it is difficult for Western missionaries to go. In particular, we are joining a seminary community in Medellín, which has welcomed us into the faculty as of last Friday and will be the next community to receive and welcome us in. There will be many ¡holas! Just as we join to serve the Colombian church, the Colombian church will help us as we find our place there.

But these next 9 weeks are gonna be hard. Already on our travels around NZ we have said goodbye to many friends and supporters. But soon we say goodbye to you all, many of you have become close friends. Brett, we have shared regular times of peer-mentoring (or should I say beer-mentoring J ), that I hope will continue from afar. And we say hasta luego to Caleb & Jordan, Isaac, Shadow (our cat), and our parents, sisters and their families. When we first went to Ecuador, our parents bore the cost of us leaving and taking their, at the time, only grandchildren across the seas. This time we leave our boys behind for the sake of the Good News and that sux. This time we leave behind ageing parents – and it costs. In the words of Bonhoeffer (Letters),

Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love, and it would be wrong to try to find a substitute: we must simply hold out and see it through. That sounds very hard at first, but at the same time it is a great consolation, for the gap, as long as it remains unfilled, preserves the bonds between us. It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap; he doesn’t fill it, but on the contrary, he keeps it empty and so helps us to maintain our former communion with each other even at the cost of pain.

But we do it and we encourage others to consider such a call as this because we know that…(from my thesis)

Just as in Rublev’s painting [of the Trinity, that I so love] the table is open to all. The Son who was

sent by the Father sends us through the Spirit and the good news is taken to the four corners of the earth. The hospitable God who seeks for all nations to be blessed through the descendants of Abraham asks us to continually reflect and re-read this story so that we may continue in a posture of openness, not fearful but hopeful, ready to be surprised, giving and receiving hospitality, living missional hospitality as we participate in the life and Mission of the Triune God.

And now we say adios, amigos :( It is a-Dios – to God and goodbye - God be with you, hasta luego - ka kite anō, but not sayonara – the big adios – as we will be in and out of town until August, and every couple of years we will return to this Turangawaewae that is in you. Then from afar by skype, facetime and social media, and when we return to again say ¡Hola! we will, like Paul returning from his 1st missionary journey to the church in Antioch, “…gather the church together and report all that God has done through us and how he has opened a door of faith to [those who are living and dying without the gospel]” (Acts 14:27).

As one of our sending churches, you are part of our mission team. The elder continues in 3 John: 6b-8. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

So now your love for us shows itself in a practical form as you send us on our way to Colombia, helping with provision for our journey as we go for the sake of the name of Christ, supporting us so that together we may work for the truth. Right back on 5th October 2015, when we met with you Brett and shared this possibility, you were super excited and started planning how cession and the wider Wesleyan church could be part of our going. Over the next couple of weeks, Rob & BJ will be sharing how our partnership of missionary, agency and church works. From where we stand, we see that we go on your behalf to contribute to the church in Colombia, so as cession|community there is a sense in which you go with us, you are all joining in with what God is doing in Colombia and beyond. Only after all the goodbyes and tears are over for all eternity will we know how our joining with the Colombian church will impact many peoples lives across the world as they hear about Jesus and join in praise to our God. We pray that our going will also enrich your lives as a church as you get to be part of what God is doing in another part of his world in a more personal way.

So Goodbye and ¡Hola!

Shalom, God’s peace be with you all.

Sunday's message is now available - week 4 in the series The Community Life where Brett explores the Sacred Rhythm of living life in community.

Take some time this week to

1. Take an inventory of your life in community - you might like to reflect on your regular participation in authentic community - as you do so check in on your "being there for others" quotient: how regular are you at weekly worship, your cell group, being available to serve those in need...

2. Where are you at on accountability/prayer partners in your life? Are there people you allow to speak into your life - do you need to make moves in this area? Are there barriers to this you need to unblock?

Take some time to journal these questions.

It's week 3 of our series - Brett shared on The Worshipping Life drawing on Isaiah's extreme worship encounter in Isaiah 6. Click the link to check it out if you missed it the first time or want to recap for application in your own Sacred Rhythm.

Take time this week to try some things:

1. Take a distraction inventory - you might want to journal this - what are things that are hijacking your attention?

2. Look for worship moments in your day - where there is room for gratitude, thanksgiving and praise around the little things of life.

3. Change up your listening habits - is there space for your own favourite worship music to become a part of your week?

4. Find a way to serve someone and present your service to God as worship.

5. Continue to make time for construction of your rule of life - these are moments of worship attention.

It's week 2 of our series Sacred Rhythm - Brett shared on The Surrendered Life - you can listen online if you missed it and want to stay in the loop for your cell group this week! If you missed last week you can check it out here.

Brett shared on 3 kinds of rhythms that we can look to incorporate into our Rule of Life:

1. Rhythms that encourage "appropriate smallness" including Confession and Praise

2. Rhythms that help us to put away the crutches of our lives and encourage "appropriate leaning" like Reflection

3. Rhythms that encourage us to yield or surrender to grace including Repentance, Communion and Prayer from others

This week you can look to include these rhythms into your rule of life - just 1 or 2 new things per week rather than trying to master the whole Rule in one week.

You may find some help with these specific tools:

Journalling- there are many different ways of keeping a journal - here are a few

Prayer of Examen - a great end to the day with God or try the APP

Devotional- here's one that fits our current series well

Daily Prayer - check out these different ways of incorporating prayer into life

Dave Pitman developed a helpful for our Intermediates Group this past Sunday which you are welcome to use as part of developing your own Rule of Life - this is well worth a look!

And here's another great article on developing a Rule of Life.

Brett kicked off the Sacred Rhythm series on Sunday (7 May) with The Examined Life: Rhythms of Grace. Sacred Rhythms help us to find everyday life "in Christ". They are not themselves the goal of life or a way to keep score with God. They are channels of grace to us as we open ourselves to God.

You can listen to the message The Examined Life: Rhythms of Grace online as well as the Series Introduction.

Our goal in this series is to try to develop a Rule of Life for ourselves. Now don't be put off by the word "rule" - it's not that kind of rule - think about the word that lies behind it: The word comes from the ancient Greek word for “trellis.” A trellis is a tool that enables a grapevine to get off the ground and grow upward, becoming more fruitful and productive. In the same way, a Rule of Life is a trellis that helps us abide in Christ and become more fruitful spiritually.

One of the reasons people struggle with Christianity is because of the many so-called rules that exist. Many of these rules lead to constraint, legalism and squeeze joy out of us. So associating Christian faith with rules seems counter-intuitive. But there’s a spiritual formation practice called “Developing a Rule of Life” within Christian faith that is not meant to constrain us. It actually frees us. It is a “Rule” that has the purpose of infusing joy rather than squeezing it out. I’m referring to a “Rule of Life”.

When most people reflect on their relationship with God, what we see is compartmentalization. That is -- we separate our spiritual life from other parts of our life – like home or work or recreation. Before God, however, every aspect of our lives is equally sacred. What we are missing is an intentional plan to live this out. And powerful, external forces exist in the culture to cut us off from communion/abiding/remaining with Jesus.

A Rule of Life finds its roots in the men and women who withdrew from society as hermits to the deserts of Egypt and Syria during the third to fifth centuries to seek God after the emperor had made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire. They wanted to free themselves from the worldliness found both inside and outside the church. They wanted to truly find God and thus bring Him to both the church and the world. They eventually formed communities and organized their daily life around an agreed up plan consisting of work, prayer, and the study of Scripture. They knew that to grow and mature spiritually, they needed both one another, and a thoughtful, conscious, purposeful plan. They called this plan a Rule of Life.

It’s been said that a rule of life is “‘an exterior framework for an interior journey’: a kind of scaffolding to use to build the spiritual structure of our individual life with God.” It is an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do. It includes our unique combination of spiritual practices that provide structure and direction for us to intentionally pay attention and remember God in everything we do. The goal - to be with God and to love him in everything we do.

Most Christians are not intentional, but rather function on autopilot. We have an unconscious way that we develop our spiritual lives. That may include reading the Bible in the morning for a few minutes, attending church and small group weekly, giving money, praying at dinner, etc. We come to church and interact with whatever is handed to us. We are, for the most part, passive and not intentional. The invitation of this session is to intentionally take one step to develop your own personal “Rule of Life”. The key word here is INTENTIONALITY. It requires intentionally to anchor us in the hurricane pace of our twenty-first-century world. Swimming against such a strong current, without the anchor of a Rule of Life, is almost impossible. Eventually we find ourselves unfocused, distracted, and adrift spiritually.

The following is a suggested list of twelve elements consider as you begin to develop your personal Rule of Life. The challenge before you is for you to pick one or two and grow in that.

1. Scripture. You may want to begin reading/praying the Psalms. Try reading our gospel for the year (Matthew) in bite sized chunks. Or reading the Bible through in a year (there are thousands of plans available online), or begin meditating on Scripture each day - take a verse into the day with you, literally if that helps - you can stick it on your steering wheel or in your wallet.

2. Silence and Solitude. You may want to grow in taking 2-5 minutes a day to be in stillness with Jesus, or take a 3 hr retreat once a month. Some people love to journal in these spaces.

3. Prayer – Take even just a few minutes for prayer in the morning. You may want to begin a second midday prayer time between 11 and 2 each day over the next few months. You could try a prayer of Examenin the evening.

4. Study – you may want to take a course at our church or Bible College or commit yourself to read a Christian book every two months.

5. Sabbath – You may want to begin setting apart a Sabbathperiod to the Lord. This may be your year project, staring with a ½ day and then building up.

6. Simplicity – Maybe you wan to remove distractions by downsizing your commitments or giving a percentage of your income - moving to a tithe of 10%.

7. Play and Recreation – This may include finding activities that breathe life in you. Some of you may take up a hobby like tramping, cooking, art, music.

8. Service and Mission – It may be time for you to step out and begin using your time, or talents to serve others.

9. Care for the Physical Body – This could be getting 8 hours sleep or exercising, or shifting your diet.

10. Emotional Health – you may want to find a mentor, or begin journalling around losses you have not grieved well. You may want to find a counselor for a season.

11. Family – This area concerns itself with growing in your marriage, parenting, your relationships with the opposite sex as a single person. Maybe you want to get help so that you begin relating differently to your parents or siblings.

12. Community (companions for the journey). You may want to find a spiritual director, cell group or an accountability group, or again, a mentor.

Some of you will want to add new elements (e.g., hospitality) and/or delete others. The choice is yours. Developing an intentional Rule of Life takes trial and error, and time. You will need to learn a great deal about yourself. For example, what kinds of spiritual practices bring you closer to God? Which drive you away from him? How can you discern the right combination for your particular Rule of Life?

Give yourself lots of time for the slow development of what works best for you. As you examine your life, you may notice many areas that need work. The best approach is to start with only one or two elements for the first few months. Then, after you experience some success with those, you will want to add another building block to your Rule. Or you may want to stay with the same element to work on over a long period of time. Be willing to make mistakes, try again, and learn new things. And be careful to avoid any traces of legalism. You want to be careful that this treasure of a spiritual rhythms, like all that we do, does not became a “Have to” rather than a “want to” out of love for Christ. If it feels like a heavy yoke for you or anyone in the group, throw it off. Jesus’ yoke is easy and light. His yoke and call to us fits our uniqueness, perfectly.

Have a chat with your cell leader or Brett if you'd like to know more.

(Based on Pete Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality)

If you missed the Easter "fable" this past Easter Sunday then you can catch it here!

If you missed our Stain(less) series or are just looking for some cession goodness check out the podcasts from the series:

Brett Jones 19.03.17

Be Careful How You Talk - Dr Rosalee Velloso-Ewall 26.03.17

An Eye For An Eye - Dave Pitman 02.04.17

Do you struggle with rhythm? Feel like life is a little bit out of time? In this series we set out to discover sacred rhythms that will help us live in time with the divine. This week Brett kicks it off with The Examined Life: Rhythms of Grace. We confront the possibility that we are living life as one giant jam, without taking time to reflect on the bum notes and the moments of transcendence.

You can also connect with additional resources for the series on our Blog.

cession|community meets on Sundays from 5pm for a meal (koha) followed by worship together from 5.45pm. A kids programme operates for 12 and under.

Thanks for being part of an amazing journey through Easter Art - hundreds of people joined us across the weekend. You can now check the amazing Gallery photos here!

‘first clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean’

Matthew 23:26

Preparing For Lent

What is Lent?

The season of Lent is a time of preparation and discipline. While advent prepares us for the birth of Christ, Lent is a time when we prepare ourselves for Easter, the commemoration of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.

In the early church, the 40 day period of Lent was a time when new converts to Christianity would prepare themselves for their baptism. This period of preparation was marked by; taking vows of abstinence (choosing not to do something for a period of time) in order to physically discipline the body; devotion to prayer in order to spiritually align oneself with God; and almsgiving, performing acts of charity to demonstrate ones love for God through service. Over time the tradition evolved to also include old converts who would use the celebration of Lent as a means of remembering their own baptism, and re-dedicating themselves to Christ.

At cession|community we observe lent as a way of spiritually realigning ourselves. One part of this to choose to Pick Up (embracing a new habit or practice) and Put Down (letting go of a habit or activity) for the 40 days of Lent. In 2017, the 40 days of Lent runs from Wednesday 1 March (Ash Wednesday) – Thursday 13 April (before Easter weekend).

Setting Your Own Lent Goals

When setting Lent goals the first thing many people often think of is: What is something that I can handle giving up for 40 days? While this can be valuable, it doesn’t quite get to the heart of what celebrating Lent is all about. While giving things up can be an important part of the process, the real goal is seeing our lives transformed into a greater likeness of Christ.

When considering your Lent goals for 2017 begin by asking yourself: What area/aspect of my lifestyle/character do I most want to see change occur in?

What are some steps that I need to take in order to reach this goal? (These could be things you need to pick up or things you need to put down). Use our thematic goal idea around self-sacrifice (putting down) and God’s sustaining presence (picking up) for inspiration.

Which step could I action over the 40 day period of Lent to help me start moving closer to my goal?

How am I going to put this step into action?

Who are the people I need to talk to about my Lent goals so that they are able to help support me and keep me accountable to the decisions I have made? Do I need a cell group?

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove (or Pancake) Tuesday is the last day before the period of lent begins. Traditionally this final day before lent has been a day of celebration. Families prepare for the coming Lenten fast by using up all the eggs and fat in their kitchen cupboards by making pancakes. Shrove Tuesday is 28 February - is this something you can do as a cell group or as a family?

Action: Organise a gathering with friends and family to and celebrate with a meal of pancakes. As you eat together, share about the things which you feel really grateful for in your life and some of the changes that you would like to make to who you are and how you live your life. Talk about how you might support one another in making those changes.

Ash Wednesday

The season of lent officially begins with the observance of Ash Wednesday – a day of reflection and repentance. Ash Wednesday is 1 March in 2017. We're gathering for an Ash Wednesday service from 6.30pm at the Depot.

The day derives its name from one of the ‘rites of confession’ that have traditionally been practiced on the first day of Lent; The palm leaves used to celebrate the entry of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (celebrated one week before Easter), are kept and carefully dried out and burned. The ashes from these palms are kept until Ash Wednesday of the following year. These ashes are then used to mark the sign of the cross on the forehead of all those who wish mark their decision to repent and devote themselves to Christ.

In Judaism a similar day is observed: Yom Kippur or ‘The Day of Atonement’. Like Ash Wednesday Yom Kippur is a day reserved for repentance. For Jewish people it is the holiest day of the year. It is a day of fasting and prayer. On the Day of Atonement, people are able to be absolved from their sins against God, but not against humanity. It is traditional for Jewish people to settle all disputes and disagreements in the days prior to Yom Kippur so that they are able to make peace with God.

Action: As Lent begins, reflect on the relationships in your life:

Are there relationships in your life where there is conflict that you need to resolve in order to free yourself to follow Christ more closely?

Are there barriers, things in the way that limit you in your desire to follow Christ?

What other life/attitude changes might you need to make in your life in order for you to follow Christ more closely?

Is there something that you could Pick Up or Put Down that would lead you to make these changes?

We encourage you to purchase the e-book Finding Life: From Eden to Gethsemane - the Garden Restored. (kindle or epub). This week we are reading days 11-16. Otherwise read the following verses and the question under each day, below or on Facebook. You are invited to upload any insights to the relevant post on our facebook page.

Try this way of meditative reading (based on lectio divina) (1) ask God for insight (2) slowly read-aloud the passage a couple of times: what do you notice? Try to picture yourself in the story. (3) read a third time. As you notice words or thoughts, pause and ask "what might God be saying to me?" (4) pray: stay with and draw from the emotions they evoke, respond to their challenge; thank God for what he is showing about himself. (5) just be silent before God, resting in his presence.

Day 29 Mon 14th March - In Exile

Leviticus 26:44-45 (NIV) "Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord."

What promises of God comfort and encourage you in times of 'exile'?

Day 30 Tues 15th March - Final Exile

Hebrews 13:11-14 (NIV) The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

How are we called to bear Christ's disgrace outside the camp?

Day 31Wed 16th March - Rooted in Eden

John 16:22, 33(NIV)

"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy...I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What is your typical response to suffering and pain (your own, others')?

Day 32 Thurs 17th March - Pitfalls of Pain

2 Corinthians 4:7-10(NIV)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

How have you experienced God's presence in painful times?

Day 33 Fri 18th March - Power of Pain

Psalm 22:24(NIV)

For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

Isaiah 61:1(NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

What has pain and suffering taught you about yourself? About God?

Day 34 Sat 19th March - Fruit from Suffering

Hebrews 12:5-7, 10-11(NIV)

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children...God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

In what wasy can your travail become a means of extending the love and grace of God to others?

We encourage you to purchase the e-book Finding Life: From Eden to Gethsemane - the Garden Restored. (kindle or epub). This week we are reading days 11-16. Otherwise read the following verses and the question under each day, below or on Facebook. You are invited to upload any insights to the relevant post on our facebook page.

Try this way of meditative reading (based on lectio divina) (1) ask God for insight (2) slowly read-aloud the passage a couple of times: what do you notice? Try to picture yourself in the story. (3) read a third time. As you notice words or thoughts, pause and ask "what might God be saying to me?" (4) pray: stay with and draw from the emotions they evoke, respond to their challenge; thank God for what he is showing about himself. (5) just be silent before God, resting in his presence.

Day 23 Mon 7th March - Bread in the Garden

John 6.48-51 (NRSV) I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

What memories dos the scent of baking bread bring to mind?

Day 24 Tues 8th March - The Thorns of Eden

Mark 15:17-20 (NIV)

They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

What hinders you in pulling out the barbs and prickly spines in your life?

Day 25 Wed 9th March - Failure in Eden

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

How and when has God brought fruit from your failures?

Day 26 Thurs 10th March - Failure Between the Gardens

Gal. 3:1-10 (MSG)

Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up! Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don’t these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God. 7-8 Is it not obvious to you that persons who put their trust in Christ (not persons who put their trust in the law!) are like Abraham: children of faith? It was all laid out beforehand in Scripture that God would set things right with non-Jews by faith. Scripture anticipated this in the promise to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed in you.” So those now who live by faith are blessed along with Abraham, who lived by faith—this is no new doctrine! And that means that anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. Scripture backs this up: “Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law.”

What have you learned about yourself, others, God in times of failure?

Day 27 Fri 11th March - Failure in Gethsemane

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NASB)

And He [the Lord] has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Imagine yourself in Peter's place, meeting the Lord's eyes in the courtyard. What do you read in his gaze?

Day 28 Sat 12th March - Garden Exile

Psalm 147:2-3 (NASB)

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

He gathers the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

Have you sent someone else into exile?

We encourage you to purchase the e-book Finding Life: From Eden to Gethsemane - the Garden Restored. (kindle or epub). This week we are reading days 11-16. Otherwise read the following verses and the question under each day, below or on Facebook. You are invited to upload any insights to the relevant post on our facebook page.

Try this way of meditative reading (based on lectio divina) (1) ask God for insight (2) slowly read-aloud the passage a couple of times: what do you notice? Try to picture yourself in the story. (3) read a third time. As you notice words or thoughts, pause and ask "what might God be saying to me?" (4) pray: stay with and draw from the emotions they evoke, respond to their challenge; thank God for what he is showing about himself. (5) just be silent before God, resting in his presence.

Day 17 Mon 29th - Shameless strategies

"The LORD your God... has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed" (Joel 2:26-27 NIV)

How do you give grace, embrace others in the loving acceptance of God, and resist the temptation to shame another?

Day 18 Tues 1st March - Sacrifice in Eden

"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear...The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. " (Isa. 59:1-2, 15-16 NIV)

What has God done to bring you back?

Day 19 Wed 2nd March - The Sacrificial System

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him." (John 3:16-18 MSG)

What superficial sacrifices have you offered?

Day 20 Thurs 3rd March - The Final Sacrifice

"First he [Christ] said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” —though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Heb. 10:8-14 NIV)

Take time, in silence, to meditate on Christ's sacrifice for you.

Day 21 Fri 4th March - Our Sacrifices Today

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. "(Gal. 2:20)

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Cor. 5:14-15)

Which sacrifices come naturally to you?

Day 22 Sat 5th March - Sweat in the Garden

"The mystery... is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me... And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col. 1:26-29; 3:17 NIV)

When is your everday work transformed into a lightness and joy, an offering to God?

We encourage you to purchase the e-book Finding Life: From Eden to Gethsemane - the Garden Restored. (kindle or epub). This week we are reading days 11-16. Otherwise read the following verses and the question under each day, below or on Facebook. You are invited to upload any insights to the relevant post on our facebook page.

Try this way of meditative reading (based on lectio divina) (1) ask God for insight (2) slowly read-aloud the passage a couple of times: what do you notice? Try to picture yourself in the story. (3) read a third time. As you notice words or thoughts, pause and ask "what might God be saying to me?" (4) pray: stay with and draw from the emotions they evoke, respond to their challenge; thank God for what he is showing about himself. (5) just be silent before God, resting in his presence.

Day 11 Mon 22nd - Violence

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is lead to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth." (Isa. 53:7)

When have you encountered violence (or it's potential) within yourself? How have you responded, how has God responded?

Day 12 Tues 23rd - Night

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38–39). When have you experienced God reaching out to you, calling you by name, establishing a connection with you?

Day 13 Wed 24th - Groans

“The joyful anticipation deepens. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves … and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is working into something good” (Rom. 8:21–28 MSG). How are you at hearing the groanings of others, and how do you respond?

Day 14 Thurs 25th - Shame in the garden

“Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; and do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; but you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the LORD of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth” (Isa. 54:4–5). How often is your shame reaction based on old messages rather than current messages?

Day 15 Fri 26th - Shame between the gardens

"The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory;he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time.And I will save the lame and gather the outcast,and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth." (Zeph.3:17-19)

When has shame become a tool for growth? How?

Day 16 Sat 27th - Shame in the second garden

“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” (Ps. 34:5 NIV). How does Christ’s enduring the cross, despising the shame, impact you?

We encourage you to purchase the e-book Finding Life: From Eden to Gethsemane - the Garden Restored. (kindle or epub). This week we are reading days 5-10. Otherwise read the following verses and the question under each day, below or on Facebook. You are invited to upload any insights to the relevant post on our facebook page.

Try this way of meditative reading (based on lectio divina) (1) ask God for insight (2) slowly read-aloud the passage a couple of times: what do you notice? Try to picture yourself in the story. (3) read a third time. As you notice words or thoughts, pause and ask "what might God be saying to me?" (4) pray: stay with and draw from the emotions they evoke, respond to their challenge; thank God for what he is showing about himself. (5) just be silent before God, resting in his presence.

Day 5 Mon 15th - Broken

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear” (Isa. 59:1–2).

Where do you see the yearning for connection and examples of its brokenness and its completion in your own life?

Day 6 Tues 16th - Jesus

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38–39). When have you experienced God reaching out to you, calling you by name, establishing a connection with you?

Day 7 Wed 17th - Relationship

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:27–30). How is the Shepherd calling, leading you toward Him?

Day 8 Thurs 18th - Listening

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full…. But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves” (John 15:11; 17:13). “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete” (1 John 1:3–4). What can you begin to do to mend a fractured relationship?

Day 9 Fri 19th - Temptation

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15–16). What effect do fatigue and sorrow have on your ability to withstand temptation?

Day 10 Sat 20th - Deceit

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). What is your most striking experience of self-deception?