Dear Northside
Welcome to the first bulletin and article for 2025. We pray you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Thank you to everyone who made all our Christmas services a success. It takes a small army to make it all happen. Thank you to everyone who made the Crossover service a success. And thank you to everyone who made the services between Christmas Day and this past Sunday a success – these services are some of the hardest to organise as everyone is tired and not wanting to do anything until the new year. Whatever your role was, please know you are seen and appreciated.
The rains seem to have arrived, and we are so grateful to God. Please continue to pray for rain for the whole of our country. We need good rains to fill our dams and restore our water table. God, please be merciful to Zimbabwe and its people.
As is our tradition, we have a few sermons to end the year and start the new year. This past Sunday Tom preached on God’s Blueprint for prospering His people from Jeremiah 29:1-14. I know that many of you were impacted by it. In the sermon, Tom mentioned that the keys are:
- Have faith and allow God to remain sovereign.
- Be informed by the truth of God’s Word and His promises.
- Give hope and chance.
Tom described Faith as:
- Follow God’s guidance
- Accept and thrive in our circumstances
- Invite others to work for the welfare of the community, not just ourselves
- Talk to God and ask through prayer for our peace and prosperity
- Help and engage with those around you for their welfare
Truth
- Test every message. Do not be deceived by false prophets. Evaluate what you hear against the truth of God’s Word
- Rely on Scripture. Make God’s Word your foundation. Immerse yourself in it for guidance and clarity
- Understand God’s will. Seek to know what God is truly saying, rather than relying on feel-good messages
- Transform your mind. Wrestle with Scripture until your understanding transforms your thoughts and actions
- Heed discernment. Practice discernment in your life. Be aware of misleading messages from the media and other sources.
Hope
- Have hopeful plans – God has a plan for you for your good and for your future
- Ongoing patience – trust God’s timing
- Purposeful pursuit – seeking God wholeheartedly
- Eager listening – God’s promise to listen and be found
Where has God planted you? What is He asking you to do for the peace and welfare of the place and people around you? What is God calling you to be and do here in His church at Northside?
If you are unsure, please come and chat with us.
Have a blessed new year. Pastor Gary