CBC Update
Dear friends,
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
It is a real privilege being able to partner with other like-minded Christians in advancing the Gospel from Caringbah to the ends of the earth. This month is May Mission Month in which we will focus on our mission activities, including our mission partnerships with various cross-cultural workers, and organisations who serve both locally and globally. Each Sunday through May we will hear from our partners on how they are making a difference in the places where they have been called. May we continue to partner them through our prayers, financial giving, and support. This month we are seeking to raise $120,000 towards their financial support.
Wherever we might be, we are able to join with God in mending a beautiful, yet broken world. This will be our overall theme for the month. Rather than bringing healing in our own strength, we are co-menders with God in Jesus Christ who is our healer and saviour. Being a co-mender means joining God in renewing creation and communities, developing meaningful and authentic relationships, restoring people and the planet through God’s healing and love, and making ourselves available to be used by God. God is mending a beautiful, broken world in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Christ invites us to join God in this vital ministry of renewal, relationship, restoration, and response. Jesus calls us to be co-menders with God, joining with him wherever he brings healing, shalom, reconciliation and renewal.
The four specific themes throughout the month will be:
- Renewing: It starts with us (Galatians 5:16–17, 22–26)
- Relating: It’s always about relationships (Matthew 4:18–22)
- Restoring: It’s about the whole Gospel for the whole world (Luke 4:14–21)
- Responding: It’s about availability (John 1:35–42)
Continue to also pray for Ian Altman (and Carolyn) as he completes his role at Scripture Union and prepares to commence here at CBC as our Lead Pastor. The exact dates are yet to be finalised but Ian is planning to finish his current position at the end of this month and looking at commencing here in the beginning of July.
Blessings,
Ken