The Lords Prayer

Posted on by Simon Williams

The words of Jesus in Matthew chapter six have been foundational to the Christian faith since they were first uttered to the disciples 2000 years ago.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:9-10

Over the summer period we have been using the Alpha Prayer material as a church, which is structured around the Lords Prayer. It has been a chance to learn about prayer, talk about prayer (around tables) and actually put what we are learning into action.

Several weeks ago a member of the congregation handed me an innocent looking piece of paper, a comment on the Lord’s Prayer that had appeared in the church newsletter many years ago. It was called: “The Lords Prayer is Dangerous” Check it out below….


The Lord’s Prayer is Dangerous

I cannot say OUR, if I live in a watertight spiritual compartment…
I cannot say FATHER, if I do not demonstrate the relationship in my daily life…
I cannot say WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, if I am so occupied with the earth that I am laying up treasure there…
I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME, if I, who am called by His name, am not seeking His help to be holy…
I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE, if I am resentful of, or disobedient to, His Will for me…
I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, if I am so engrossed with the business of this world forget the Great Giver, or others hunger…
I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US, if I harbor a grudge against anyone…
I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, if I deliberately place myself, or remain, in a position where I am likely to be tempted…
I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL, if I am not prepared to fight it in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer…
I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not accord the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject…
I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY, if I am seeking the glory for myself…
I cannot say FOR EVER AND EVER, if my horizon is bounded by the things of time…
I cannot say AMEN, if I do not also add, ‘Cost what it may’, For to say this prayer honestly will cost everything!

The Lords Prayer is DangerousDownload
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New Staff

Posted on by Simon Williams

We have been blessed with three new staff members. Sonia has taken on the role of Financial Support, Lynnette is taking over Church cleaning and Lydia is now our Office Administrator. We look forward to their contribution to the daily running of our Church. 

Carols in the Park

Posted on by Simon Williams

Every year, as the year draws to a close it seems that we race head long
towards Christmas and we get caught up in the tinsel, the lights and how many people are coming for dinner.
Yet in the midst of all that, there is a simple message that calls us back to the
true meaning of Christmas. Emmanuel, the humble birth of a baby more than 2000 years ago calls us, comforts us and challenges us.
So tonight we come to celebrate and contemplate the coming of Jesus Christ
as a baby all those years ago. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
The birth of Jesus calls us back into a relationship with God himself. The birth of Jesus shows us that it was God’s initiative, not ours that restored our relationship with God the Father. It is the same today, God still calls us to him, through Jesus Christ.
The birth of Jesus comforts us with the sure knowledge that God in his love
sent His Son to dwell among us. That in Jesus, his birth, life and resurrection we see the wildly extravagant love of God poured out for us!
The birth of Jesus challenges us to look beyond the things of this world. To see more than what is seen. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are
empowered to love this world, just as God loves it. To live lives that declare
the goodness that God has poured out upon us and exhort others to join us in this journey of following Jesus Christ – Emmanuel.
May you know the peace and joy of God’s presence as you celebrate
Christmas with family and friends this year.

Carols Booklet 2018Download

Christmas Preaching Series

Posted on by Simon Williams

Every year we say that we are going to be more organised, we are going to start shopping earlier, book flights earlier, plan the holiday earlier and then suddenly it’s December and Christmas is just around the corner! Why is it that we end up tired, worn out and just hanging on for our holiday at one of the most awesome times of the year? Maybe we need to slow down and remember and reflect on what Christmas is really about. Continue reading Christmas Preaching Series

Call to Prayer – Update

Posted on by Simon Williams

We are continuing our month of prayer. Over the last week we have gathered and spent time reflecting on what God is saying to us about our church, town and region. We have had various ‘stations’ to help spark creative interaction in prayer. There have been good times of corporate prayer as we have gathered together.

Check out the photos below of the stations as we continue this journey discerning where and how God is moving in the life of Kaiapoi Baptist Church.

A Call to Prayer

Posted on by Simon Williams

We are facing an exciting and challenging time as a church. For over 100 years Kaiapoi Baptist has been a place of worship and  fellowship. God has been faithful over many years.

Last Tuesday the Elders and Pastoral Staff met and spent an extended time in prayer. We want to hear what God is saying about the next season here at Kaiapoi Baptist Church and we invite you to join us.

Continue reading A Call to Prayer

Transcendence & Death

Posted on by Simon Williams

Carey Baptist College is  hosting a conference on July 11th called: “Home or Away” – Locating sport and leisure in Christian faith and practice. One of our Pastors, Paul will be speaking on his love for pig hunting. Check out the images and information below.

 

 

I love pig hunting! It’s a ticket into another world for me, the timeless contest where hunters test their strength and resolve, and the courage and skills of their dogs, against a strong, resourceful, and potentially lethal quarry.

I love being a Christian. It’s the ticket into another world, the timeless experience of being connected to the eternal God. It’s a test of faith and trust. It’s a journey that is almost impossible without brave and resourceful friends, and there is a dangerous, deceitful, deadly foe on the prowl. This presentation will explore the intersection of Christian faith and the sport of pig hunting. It will consider theological issues around killing for sport, the ethics of killing, and hunting as a gift from God. It will examine the unique pastoral opportunities offered by this pursuit. It will consider the environmental implications for believers, and whether we can see hunting as a parable not just told but lived and experienced. This paper will draw on personal experiences over many years, reflections from a variety of hunters, reflections from my mother-in-law, and Biblical reflections on the abundant life that Jesus promised. My argument will be that while hunting is not for everyone, a life of challenge and adventure, the joys of success and the pain of failure, the welcoming of things which build courage and trust into our lives, are all part of God’s good purposes for each of us, and these things can be found and celebrated in our leisure time activities and sporting endeavours.

Paul Askin Co-Pastor, Kaiapoi Baptist Church

Mid Winter Christmas Dinner

Posted on by Simon Williams

Coming up this Sunday Evening we will be gathering together to celebrate “Emmanuel – Jesus with us – All the Time!!”  Be prepared for an evening of great fellowship, fun and food!  There will be something for everyone and it’s a great opportunity to gather together and get to know each other better.