“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4)
Ahoy Church,
When I think of “following Jesus” and “becoming like him” I think of quite an aspirational future state!
However, when he says, “become like children”, it can be a tad confusing, even distasteful to us. For some, being a child feels diminishing, unnecessarily humbling. In a culture of independence and reputation, becoming dependent and of no reputation lacks appeal!
Christmas is a reminder that child-like humility and dependence upon God is good for us!
Jesus came as a child. Dependent on his parents. Humbled in many ways. Was he diminished in any way? No.
Rather, he was called to learn reliance on his father, just like we are to reliant on him too. In fact, when Jesus tells us to become like children in relation to our heavenly Father, we easily forget that he walked this path himself.
Of course, he was sinless, knew God’s plan and purpose and was God himself. However, he nonetheless hasn’t asked us to walk in a way he hasn’t already walked.
As we sing songs about baby Jesus, listen to or read the stories to the children around us, the story of a baby born to bring God’s good news to the world is not just God’s plan for the world, but his path for you and I.
Cheers, God Bless and see you Sunday!
Partnering with Esther
Below is a link to the kind of work Esther is helping coordinate in the Middle East, Partners International. Especially relevant is their work in Syria.
Esther is more than happy to connect with anyone while she is here to answer questions, tell stories and share how you can partner with the work being done in her part of the world.
Next Bonfire > Saturday 11th Jan, 2025
Thanks to Scott for the photos!
Thanks to Jesse for hosting us at his family's place for his first Bonfire, Blokes + Bible night. Beautiful, relaxing and inspiring chats. Jesse's going to do one a month indefinitely. Next one is Saturday Jan 11th from 430pm.
Coming Up
December
Sun 22 Dec 4pm Moffat Gathering Sun 29 Dec NO GATHERING
January
Sun 05 Jan NO GATHERING
Sat 11 Jan 430pm Blokes, Bonfire + Bibles
Sun 12 Jan 4pm Moffat Gathering Sun 19 Jan 4pm Moffat Gathering Sun 26 Jan 4pm Moffat Gathering
February
Sun 02 Feb Worship Gathering at Maleny
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $11,057 Last month's expenses: $11,751 (includes Youth T-shirt purchase of $1,814 which is to be reimbursed)
Balance: $78,027
Giving Kitty Oct 23- Nov 24: $5,000
Giving out Oct 23-Nov 24: $6,286
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
All Prayer Needs!
We are still encouraging each other to start sharing your prayer needs with the church. It’s a practice all Christians have sought to cultivate and one that every single individual and family really needs!
So, please share any needs in your life on the link below so we can pray for and followup with you as time goes by: https://forms.gle/PbQAVjjMLuD4ASmWA
Find more prayer resources and the above prayer link at https://www.openroad.church/prayer/
Good or God
Got a "good story" or a "God story"? Bring it with you on Sunday and share it with others, even with the whole group, if it's brief and encouraging!
Keen to know more?
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