Update No. 424
Good Afternoon, Redeemer Family
Sermon Recordings
This week, Rex prepared us for an upcoming season of reflection by walking us through the biblical disciplines of fasting and prayer. He reminded us that fasting is not a tool to manipulate God or gain public attention, but a sincere act of worship designed to humble our souls, quiet our flesh, and express our deep dependence on Him. Coupled with the conversational intimacy of prayer, we were encouraged to use these disciplines to align our hearts with God's purposes, listening closely to the Holy Spirit and eagerly seeking His presence as we wait for the day when Christ returns and our mourning is turned to lasting joy.
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 8pm every Sunday.
ReMemer Church
Wednesday In The Word
Our next Wednesday in the Word is on Wednesday, May 20th, 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 8:40–56, but feel free to engage with the rest of the context reading as well.
Context Reading: Luke 8
Focus Passage: Luke 8:40–56
What Are Our Kids Learning?
On Sunday, the children began the book of Exodus. We learned that years after Joseph died, a new Pharaoh came to power who didn't remember how Joseph had saved Egypt. Fearing the growing number of Israelites, Pharaoh forced them into harsh slavery and even gave a cruel order that all their baby boys be killed. But God protected a baby named Moses, who was rescued from the Nile River by Pharaoh's own daughter! Years later, after Moses had grown up and fled to the wilderness, God appeared to him in a burning bush. Calling Himself "I AM WHO I AM," God told Moses that He had seen His people's suffering and was choosing him to lead them out of slavery.
We connected this incredible rescue story to our ultimate Deliverer, Jesus. When God called Himself "I AM," He was showing that He is the always-and-forever God. When Jesus came to earth, He used that exact same name for Himself, proving He is God! Just as God raised up Moses to rescue the Israelites from physical slavery in Egypt, God sent Jesus to rescue us from an even worse kind of slavery: the slavery of sin. Because of Jesus, the great "I AM," we are set free to live for Him!
Their memory verse is:
“I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to . . . a land flowing with milk and honey.”
- Exodus 3:17
Women’s Ministry Support
We are very excited to announce that Carli’s role has reached full support! But there’s a catch. This includes a few lump-sum donations, which means her role is only fully funded for a year or so. With that in mind, it would be great if we could still get one or two more people on board, giving weekly, to make this role truly sustainable in the long term.
But for now, let us rejoice together at how our God continues to provide for the needs of Redeemer through the generosity of our church family!
It has been very encouraging to see so many people getting behind this wonderful ministry! 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 10+ people committed (including larger lump-sum 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
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
"Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity."
- Augustine of Hippo