Update No. 423
Good Afternoon, Redeemer Family
Sermon Recordings
This week, Tim visited us from Christchurch and preached on the vital role of the Word of God in the life of a believer. He reminded us that Scripture is not merely an intellectual textbook but the very breath of God, designed to spiritually revive us and reveal the person of Jesus Christ. Warning against the danger of reading simply for knowledge without application, we were challenged to approach our Bibles not to pass a test, but to be thoroughly equipped and fueled for the good works God has called us to do.
If you weren’t able to make it on Sunday or if you’d like to listen to this sermon or any previous sermons, they’re all available here… or you can just listen below.
Can’t wait until Wednesday to listen to our latest sermon? Good news, you don’t have to! Our sermons are now (generally) uploaded by 5pm every Sunday.
ReMemer Church
Wednesday In The Word - Tonight!
Wednesday in the Word is on tonight, from 7:15pm at the Rogers (68 Fernleigh Street)! This is open to anyone and everyone (13+), and if you’ve got younger kids that need to come along, they’re welcome to hang out too!
Just a reminder of the questions that we will be asking/answering, so that you can come prepared!
What did you like about this story? Why?
What questions might someone have about it?
What do we learn about people?
What do we learn about God (or Jesus)?
After hearing this, what are you going to do this week?
Our discussions will be based around Luke 7:36–50, but feel free to engage with the rest of the context reading as well.
Context Reading: Luke 7
Focus Passage: Luke 7:36–50
Monthly Men’s Breakfast
Our next monthly men’s breakfast is on this Saturday, May 9th from 8am to 9.30am and Mike’s place (87 Veale Road). All the men of the church, and their friends and such, are welcome and encouraged to come along!
What Are Our Kids Learning?
On Sunday, the children learned the amazing and "messy" story of Joseph. Because Joseph was his father's favorite son, his brothers became incredibly jealous, so much so that they threw him into a pit and sold him as a slave! Joseph faced many unfair hardships in Egypt, including being thrown into prison for something he didn't do. But God was always with him. God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, which eventually led Pharaoh to make him a powerful ruler. Years later, when a terrible famine struck, Joseph's brothers came to him begging for food. Instead of getting revenge, Joseph forgave them, realizing that while his brothers meant to do evil, God intended it all for good to save many lives.
We talked about how God is always at work behind the scenes, using even the hardest situations to fulfill His perfect plan. Joseph’s story beautifully points us to Jesus! Just as Joseph was rejected and mistreated by his own people, Jesus was rejected, mocked, and crucified. It seemed like a terrible tragedy, but God used the cross to bring about the greatest rescue mission in history. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin to save us! It's a wonderful reminder that God works all things together for our good and His glory.
Their memory verse is:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
- Romans 8:28
Women’s Ministry Support
We are getting closer and closer to fully funding Carli in her new Women’s Ministry Role! Thank you to all those who have already pledged support, and for all those who have been in prayer for Carli as she discerns how to best serve the women of the church.
Our Goal: 10 partners at $24/week.
Current Progress: We now have 8 people committed (including larger one-time donations)!
Remember, $24 a week is simply a guide to help us track our progress. You definitely don't have to give that exact amount. Whether it is more or less, every bit helps us support Carli in this vital discipleship work, and hopefully even expand her hours as the church grows!
How to Partner With Us: If you would like to have "skin in the game" and financially partner with and support this ministry, you can use the details below:
Bank: TSB
Account Name: Redeemer Church
Account Number: 15-3953-0698528-000
Reference: As with your regular giving, please include your Name (for your end-of-year tax receipt) but ALSO the letters "WM" (so we know to apply it to this specific goal!).
Thank you for praying about how you can be a part of this!
SGA e-Good News Report
This is an amazing ministry to orphans during last Christmas in Kazakhstan. Many of these children face a difficult and heartbreaking future. They are from remote villages, social orphans, or children abandoned in state-run orphanages. Yet during this retreat, they felt like a family, together and loved. This team based at the foot of the mountains in Southeast Kazakhstan ministers with all of their heart, soul and mind - and declares our hope in Christ alone.
Watch the video above and click here to read about the Amazing Winter Camp With Orphans!
Teach The Text - Poetry
The Gospel Training Trust are running another practical, hands-on online course. This time they will consider how to read and understand Old Testament Poetry, with a special focus on Psalms. Discover the author's big purpose, and how to find the structure and main theme of a psalm for yourself.
This is a 5-week course. Sessions will run each Tuesday 7pm-8:15pm.
See the following dates: June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30
You will receive a reminder email prior to each session.
This course will be taught by Rob Morton, director of the Tim Course (Christchurch), and son-in-law of Mike and Carol!.
$50 per person for the 5-week course.
North Island Biblical Counselling Conference
We would love to encourage our church family to attend the upcoming North Island Biblical Counselling Conference! Hosted by the New Zealand Biblical Counselling Association (NZBCA), this event is a fantastic opportunity to be equipped to faithfully care for one another using the Word of God.
Conference Details
Speaker: Dr. Stuart Scott (Professor of Biblical Counselling at The Master’s University and Director of Member Care with ACBC)
Location: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 77 Rogers Road, Manuwera, Auckland
What to Expect
The weekend is split into two connected themes, focusing on how genuine heart-change naturally leads to better care for our church family.
Pre-Conference: A Christlike Mindset
Friday, 18th September 2026 The pre-conference addresses the central battleground of personal change: pride versus humility. Dr. Scott will expose how pride resists change and how cultivating a humble heart opens the way for genuine transformation.
Main Conference: Christlike Love
Saturday, 19th September 2026 Saturday shifts focus to the "one another" passages of the New Testament. You will learn what it looks like to rely on the sufficiency of Scripture to build up the body of Christ and how biblical counselling is simply a natural extension of normal Christian living.
Want a preview? If you want to get a feel for the teaching before signing up, the NZBCA has recently uploaded the video recordings and session notes from this year's South Island conference to their YouTube Channel.
You can also follow NBCA on Facebook and Instagram
Reflection
“The mark of spiritual maturity is not how much you understand, but how much you use. In the spiritual realm, the opposite of ignorance is not knowledge but obedience.”
- Howard G. Hendricks