Join us for 2 Christmas Eve services with cession|community.

We're undertaking a journey over 4 weeks towards Christmas. Advent, the 4 Sundays leading to Christmas, is a period of waiting, reflecting, readying. This year we're waiting with John's gospel (our gospel for 2020) - looking for signs of light and life.

We welcome Pastor Rob Simpson from Life Church in Maryborough, Queensland as part of our national movement's annual conference. Rob will be bringing us a message from John 6 and how we can experience the power of God. If you're joining us for the first time, here's what to expect...

In Village Life we explored the underpinnings of a Village that is learning to be fully present with God, in community and with our Neighbours. If you missed the series you can catch it below.

Most of us are struggle with the same things. We’re running on empty, knowing we don’t have all the answers and feeling strangely guilty that we don’t have it all together. We’re convinced we need each other. It takes a village—but where on earth have our villages gone? Cession|Community is learning to create authentic community that engages deeply, responds instinctively and supports freely. We long to be a haven for “lost souls” where people of diverse backgrounds and experiences can relate with integrity, authenticity and compassion. We’re learning to be human beings more than human doings and we’re doing it together!

Thanks for being part of the Carboot Carnival in 2019! We loved having you and your family. You can check out the photos here. To get connected to future events, parenting and family courses, Life Skills programme, Playgroup, Collide Youth Drop In or cession|community|church please contact us on email.

We go behind the newsfeed in search of memes for modern living and discover Jesus' parables in a fresh way. "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

We go deep into the grammar of love with the possibility of editing our living...We read between the lines of Jesus' life and look to the God of Love for our syntax.

If you're joining us for the first time here's what to expect.

220919 Loves Acts - Brett Jones

290919 Love Stories - Juanita Masunu, Tim Johnson, Vania Dunn - available on request

We spent time with a father who loved his daughter deeply but experienced disappointment with God as part of his journey. This man's journey of a life interrupted speaks to our own lives as we navigate barriers, disappointment and moments of surprising intimacy. You can listen in here.

If you're joining us for the first time here's what to expect.

Alpha is coming to cession|community in 2019 in the week commencing Mon 19 August from 7pm. Alpha is open to anyone at whatever age or stage of wondering what following Jesus really looks like. You'll find a relaxed vibe, a space to ask questions without feeling stupid and some quality input on the Christian life. If you're just starting out, still thinking it over or have questions about the basics this is a great option for you. Do you or someone you know need to be at Alpha? Register @ info@cession.org.nz or check out the Facebook event.

Thanks so much for being a part of this event. It was a great success - you can check out photos over on the Facebook event.

Thanks to our event sponsors!

The word "church" means different things to different people. Some good. Some not. We take a look at how not to do church in search of a better way. Along the way we check in on the early church in Corinth and learn some lessons from the past. And as we dream of doing church well we look at the possibility of being church.

If you're joining us for the first time here's what to expect.

One of the hardest parts of dealing with the human condition is the challenge to get over ourselves. In this series, we joined the human race towards personal transformation and dealt with some of the road bumps that often sabotage our journey towards wholeness. Along the way we encountered the radical and disturbing teaching of Jesus as found in Mark's gospel.

HOPE FOR SEULY - QUIZ NIGHT

Cultivate Kids ran an amazing fundraiser in July - the Hope For Seuly Quiz Night. All funds raised went to sponsoring Seuly from Bangladesh through Tearfund. A thanks to all who attended and our generous sponsors. #familieshelpingfamilies #kidshelpingkids #tearfund

We go beyond our comfort zones and set our sights on the world God loves. Stories of dis-integration leading to integration. Stories of being sent. Stories that go beyond.

In this series we dipped into the book of Acts and observed the early church becoming the Word on the Street. We took the time to learn the art of graffiti living as we leave our mark on the concrete jungle. We visited the early church at Pentecost, watched a surprise encounter on the side of a road and joined some heavy hitters in a famous Greek city.

This seminar is a part of Cession Community's seminar series sponsored by the Howick Local Board focused on strengthening the family. Relationships are one of the most important investments you can make in life. If you get them right, it will affect every other area of your life in a positive way. This workshop offers practical ideas to make your relationship stronger and happier, including tips to get unstuck and work through the difficult times. To register please hit going on the event and email trust@cession.org.nz Thursday 20 June 2019 Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start @ The Depot, Sir Lloyd Drive, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga (behind the netball courts) Entry by gold coin donation Please email trust@cession.org.nz with any questions.

Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start@ The Depot, Sir Lloyd Drive, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga (behind the netball courts)Entry by gold coin donationPlease email trust@cession.org.nz with any questions.

"Like sand through the hourglass..." In our recent series, "Deis of Our Lives" we asked some questions...are we part of a low budget soap opera or an Epic of amazing scale? How does our story fit into the grand epic God is writing?19 May Missio Dei - The Mission of God - Rob Reynolds

2 June - Imago Dei - The Image of God - Dave Pitman

2 June Imago Dei - The Image of God

We take some time to remember Mothers and motherhood looking at some forgotten mothers from history. We'll take time to celebrate and lament as we remember what can be a time of great joy and sorrow for many. And we do it together. Cos that's a great way to remember.

If you're joining us for the first time and wondering what to expect you'll find some info .

On Sunday 5 May we welcomed Wade Marsch from Christians Against Poverty (CAP) as we learned more about how we can serve our community. Wade is a Life Skills Course Coach and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge.

You'll find Easter Sunday's message here.

We celebrated 2 unique services:

GOOD FRIDAY 19 April @ 5.30pm Set within the art of the Stations of the Cross gallery, this 30 minute service will linger around the cross. The Stations Gallery will open @ 6pm along with the Stations Cafe so join us for dinner. EASTER SUNDAY 21 April @ 5pm We start with a free meal at 5pm followed by our service at 5.30pm. Cultivate Kids is running an Easter programme during the service. We traveled the journey from Empty to Full as we walk with Jesus from Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday.

Thanks so much for being part of a record attendance at Stations of the Cross 2019! Photos will be available soon!

A multimedia art and media exhibition that uniquely captures the Easter story with works displayed by local artists from amateur to professional. You're invited to come and experience this Easter journey at the Depot over the long weekend. A pop up cafe is on site to sit and reflect on the exhibition with friends afterwards.

Gallery & Café

Fri 19 April 6 – 9pm

Sat 20 April 10am – 5pm

Sun 21 April 9am – 2pm

Special Events

Good Friday in the Art - Fri 19 April 5.30 – 6pm

The Artists Speak - Sat 20 April 7pm – 8.30pm

Easter Sunday in the Art - Sun 21 April 5pm – 7pm

Cession Community's annual Easter Egg Hunt is happening again on Saturday 13 April at The Depot in Lloyd Elsmore Park. If it's sunny bring your hat and drink bottle, if it's raining bring your gumboots and raincoat cos we're having a good time and hunting no matter what! Because we like to think about giving as well as receiving, we ask families to bring an item of non perishable food to donate to the food bank as well as a suggested koha of $2 per kid.

Entry to the event opens at 9.45am and closes at 10.15am or once 300 kids have arrived. Entry is cut off to ensure we have enough eggs and that every one hears the instuctions to maximise the fun for everyone! Hunting bags are provided so you can leave your baskets at home.

Thanks to the Howick Local Board and Community Lotteries for supporting this event for our Howick and Pakuranga community! Hippity hop! Let us know your coming by clicking going and share this event with your friends!

cession|community is gathering on Sunday 17 March at 5pm for a community meal followed by a Prayer For Peace service at 5.30pm. We'll take time to pray, lament, weep and surround those who mourn with our love. All welcome from across our community as we gather.

In this series, we took the journey together of learning to be present as part of our Lent focus. In 2019 we're asking what it looks likes to be fully present with God, in community and with our neighbours - this series was all about getting focused and practical. You may find the Lent Encountermaterial helpful as you check out the podcast.

170319 - Praying For Peace

(Check out Lent Encounter for this week as well)

If you're looking for a new community of people to worship with in 2019, you're welcome to join us from 5pm (dinner) at the depot followed by Worship & Cultivate Kids @ 5.30pm. Here's what to expect.

Alpha is coming to cession|community in 2019 starting on Monday 25 February. Alpha is open to anyone at whatever age or stage of wondering what following Jesus really looks like. You'll find a relaxed vibe, a space to ask questions without feeling stupid and some quality input on the Christian life. If you're just starting out, still thinking it over or have questions about the basics this is a great option for you. Do you or someone you know need to be at Alpha? Have a chat with Debbieor Brettabout what it's all about or register here. (Talk to us if the date is a problem)

Many of us find ourselves living distracted, unfiltered lives where our constant attention is being fought for by TV, the demands of "busy", social media and devices. In this series, we made the choice to be fully present. Completely. To the fullest extent. fully.

Powerpoint - see opening "scenes" that match opening of message

Being With Guide - take some some to reflect on your life rhythm

We kicked off the year looking at inkblots...the pictures of Jesus that emerge from the opening chapter of Mark's gospel. As we RECOGNISE: JESUS we take the opportunity to reflect on our own lives in 2019.

200118 Recognise: Cause - Nathan Herbert

Sun 30 Dec is Church Where You Are...so much more than a "week off" we take the opportunity to be the church wherever we are...taking a prayer walk on the beach, sharing food with friends, finding a church wherever you are, taking time to be with someone who is lonely or struggling...take time, be intentional and whatever you do, be the church where you are!

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 spent the weeks leading up to Christmas in a time of waiting and preparing for the birth of a King. We waited 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 happened:

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 Rhythms of Life. 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 2019.

Week 6 - Share-able

You'll find the message here. This week's Lent Encounter is about taking time to reflect on what sharing good news looks like for us as we learn to be fully present. Take some time to journal, reflect, pray around the following questions:

1. In what ways does fear hold you back from living out and speaking words of Good News to people in your life?

2. How do you answer Paul's question in 1 Cor 9:1 "Am I not free....?" What does freedom in Christ look like for your life?

3. What are the areas that you find it hard to "be all things" as Paul describes it? What steps can you take in these areas to reach out to people?

4. Take time to pray for 3 people this week who you are in relationship with, are in the process of earning the right with, that you are longing to encourage to take a next step towards Jesus.

Week 5 - Love-able

You'll find the message here. This week's Lent Encounter is about taking time to reflect on what loving others looks like for us as we learn to be fully present. Take some time to journal, reflect, pray around the following questions:

1. How did Greg's story of his homeless friend speak into your life and experiences?

2. In what ways do you find your own desire to be loved gets in the way of loving others fully?

3. Is there a disconnect for you between how you bargain with God for his love and how you experience love with people?

4. Read through 1 John 4 several times noting the themes that stand out for you - what does it mean for you to take a step towards loving others more fully this week?

Week 4 - Connect-able

You'll find the message here. This week's Lent Encounter is about taking time to reflect on how our relationships (the good, the bad and the ugly) are places we learn to be fully present. Take some time to journal, reflect, pray around the following questions:

1. We looked at the different ways we "live through others" - how do these apply to you? Take some time to understand how these ways of living are part of your relationships. Give what you discover to God. Are there people who are getting caught up in this who need an apology or some care?

(a) Using people to meet our needs (Colossians 3:5)

(b) Taking out our frustrations on others (Colossians 3:6)

(c) Hiding from people or lying to them as part of protecting our own self-image (Colossians 3:9-10)

2. Read through Colossians 3:19. As you do, which words stand out to you as clothes you might "put on"? Journal through the barriers to these new ways of living. Ask God for help and insight into what it might mean for you to put on one of these words this week.

3. The opportunities of "bearing with each other" (not taking offence) and "forgiving grievances (where offence has occurred) are presented in verse 13. In what ways does forgiveness come hard or easy for you? Are there people you need to forgive right now? Take some time to reflect on God's forgiveness to you and those situations where your forgiveness is needed.

Week 3 - Living in Time With the Divine

You'll find the message here. This week's Lent Encounter is about taking time to add rhythm to our lives with God using some of the ideas Brett shared on Sunday.

How is your diet? How are you doing defining the "what" - the carbs, fats and proteins of spiritual life - Bible, Prayer and Community - God's Word, God's Presence and God's People. What are your current rhythms here? What barriers are you experiencing?

The "where" of spiritual rhythms can make a big difference - where are the places where spiritual rhythms work for you? What spaces might you need to create?

How can you apply the "how" principles to your rhythms?

Tracking – identifying the rhythms that distract

Stacking – new rhythms from old - adding new rhythms to existing rhythms

Training Wheels – scaffolding your rhythm using apps, reminders, alarms

Replay – the examined life - journalling, prayer of examen

Statio – the moments between moments - pausing between events

Selah – pausing for the presence - capturing God's presence in the moments, praying on the go

The explanations are all in the message in more detail.

Take some time to add 1 or 2 next steps to your "Being With" Guide.

Week 2 - Praying for Peace

Week 1 - Life In Focus

You'll find the message here. This week's Lent Encounter is about taking time to bring life into focus using the 2 definitions of distraction Brett shared on Sunday:

Distraction as Hijacking the present moment

Distraction as an Aimlessness around what is valuable in the present moment

Take some time this week to reflect and /or journal around these thoughts:

What are those things that have value for you right now?

What stands in the way of you protecting and nurturing these things?

What do you need to "put down" to maintain focus on the things that matter to you?

What might you "pick up" to nurture the things that are most important to you? The "Being With"Guide is a helpful tool to apply here.