Thursday, 27 October 2011

Newsletter #18


Dear Southcity

I write this morning with my heart full of joy and feeling incredibly encouraged in being a part of this community called 'Southcity'. Please give me a brief moment to tell you why:

When I received an email last week mentioning to me that our dear friends in Maseru, Lesotho had been asked to vacate the building they were meeting in as of immediate effect, my heart broke. Since then, it has been overwhelming to be a part of what has happened!

Having asked Moses, the man entrusted to lead Zoe Bible Church in Maseru, what we could do to help, he asked for a building team. I phoned a few men who have skills in different areas and not one of them hesitated in reorganising their diaries and finances in order to help. The call was made generally on Sunday for people to give up their time and money to come be part of a labour force to bless this community. Long story short, we have a team of 10 men who have responded. And to be fair, more have asked to come and in the interest of also taking care of Southcity, I have had to ask for them to stay behind.

With this, three men have also made their vehicles available for traveling. What a testimony to generosity! As well as two people having made financial contributions towards the situation. I am overwhelmed by the response of Southcity.

Beyond that, just this week, I have witnessed two new families to our community asking how best they can make regular financial commitments for the sake of the Kingdom. This greatly encourages me, since Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:21, 'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'

So I want to thank all of you who have responded to God and to the cry for help, and been so generous with your treasure, your talents, and your possessions, and for those who consistently submit their finances before our heavenly Father.

This coming Sunday, we take up our second special offering for investing into the lives of our young moms, babies, and toddlers. Again, at a difficult time for these moms to be out with babies, as a community, we long to see families worshipping together and therefore want to make it as easy as possible for these young families to be a part of our Sunday, and various other event, meetings. So please prayerfully consider how you can give towards this.

And I end on a community note: This weekend sees the Sharks play the Lions in the Currie Cup final. So on Saturday the 29th, we will have the fires going and would love to invite all of you to come for a late lunch braai from 2pm onwards, and then to watch the game in the cafe at 5pm. Even if you are not a rugby fan, it will be a great afternoon for our families to spend time with each other.

Much love
Richard


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Thursday, 20 October 2011

Newsletter #17


Hi Southcity

This is just a short note to let you know where we are going for the next couple of weeks from a teaching perspective.

Given the economic difficulties we face, I believe it is crucial as followers of Christ that we steward God's resources and His provision well, particularly the finances he has given to us in order to live, bless our families, and to be a blessing to the nations. In the next two weeks, we will be looking at 'a generous life' from a biblical perspective; the first week will see us try to understand the heart of a generous life, and in the second week we will be looking at how to order our finances so that we can still be counted good stewards, even when things are tough.

The bible gives some really practical insights into how to manage our finances, and I believe it is appropriate at this time to allow God to shape our stewarding and generosity, whether it be a reminder for us to realign, or whether it be the first time you hear something like this.

So, I encourage you to come along on Sunday and be a part of this community as we journey and mature together.

See you on Sunday!

Rich

Friday, 14 October 2011

Newsletter #16


Dear Southcity

What a great morning we are going to have together on Sunday. We will be wrapping up our time looking at Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and as I look over the past few months and see some of the issues and theology we have had to grapple with in order to stay faithful to the text, and context of Scripture, I am very grateful that God has taken us on this journey.

I believe, that if we have allowed God to minister to us through his word as it has been taught over this past series, we will have gleaned much, and be significantly the richer (in maturity) for it. The message this Sunday carries a pertinent reality for us as followers of Christ, so come expectant and open to hearing the voice of God as he speaks through Scripture to us, his sons and daughters in Christ.

I want to thank you for being faithful to this community of believers as we have placed a priority on the public reading and teaching of Scripture as we are exhorted to do in 1 Timothy 4:13. In today's age, many are striving after the latest hot topic, or the feel good sermons, and although these have their place in public preaching, they are just one aspect of Scripture. So again, thank you for being committed to being a community who seeks the whole counsel of God, and not just our favorite topics.

Can't wait to see you all on Sunday!

Much love

Rich