RTCC NEWS
John 17:1-3
“After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.
And this is the way to have eternal life
to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
Easter 2025
It was a treasured time together as church family over the weekend. Thank you to all who came and celebrated the Risen Lord together. The Lord is RICH in MERCY.
We have Pre-Poll starting this week in the Church building. If you have Barister skills and could spare a couple of hours serving coffee/tea on any of the mornings this week (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat), please contact Tim 0414510110 asap to discuss options.
Update on the House acquisition next door
You may have noticed that there is now a SOLD sign out the front of the house at 8 Richardson Road (next door to the church). I would love to be sharing that this is because we are the successful new owners, but sadly that is not the case. The market in Raymond Terrace seems to be quite hot at the moment and the Pastoral Team offered what we believed to be a fair and wise offer (above our original offer) but we were out bidded in a bidding war between several interested parties. While that is disappointing, the reality is we are at peace knowing we had brought it before the Lord and asked for His will to be done in this purchase.
We have been humbled with the generous response of our church family in looking into the purchase of this property. What now? The Pastoral TTeam will meet together to debrief the house purchase and will share with our church family any plans moving forward. If you have any questions, please feel welcome to talk to any of the Pastoral Team (Chris Thomas, Luke Kirkegard, Tim Blatch, Matthew Blanch and Aaron Daniell). The Lord is in control.
We invite you to join with us for the AGM which will be held after church on the 4th May. Lunch will be provided for those staying for the AGM. To confirm your attendance and to help with the catering, please follow the Link to register.
Our next prayer night is 27th April. Join us in joyful praise and petition.
You may have notice things getting a little… tight… lately at church gatherings. We thank the Lord for this, and ask that you be keeping the Pastoral Team in your prayer as we seek the Lord for direction moving forward. We would like to ask you for help as we consider some immediate opportunities before us.
* With things getting tighter in space around our church facilities, we are seeking the possibility of someone in our church family having the space to store the church bus - be it a garage/shed or carport. Our preference would be for the bus to be easily accessible in Raymond Terrace or possibly Medowie. If you have any space available, please contact Tim (0414510110) to discuss further. The space made available in the shed with the bus removed will allow better storage for equipment used by our Ministries throughout the week - freeing up room in our ministry space.
* On Sundays, some simple ways for our church family to care for others in consideration of our tight space are:
- Come a little earlier and sit towards the front, and sitting next to others to minimise any spare seats between you. This allows for anyone arriving late to easily find a seat towards the back, and reduces any perceived awkwardness. Of course, the front seats are the best seats in the house ;)
- Consider parking further away from the church to allow those more “senior” in our church or with any impairment to park in the car park or closer to the church building. Please also consider our neighbours by not parking over any driveways or too close to driveways. We also ask you to park only on the Church building side of the road along Geer Street (back of the church).
Finally, Romans 12 comes to my mind in this season of our church life. May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, in awe of the Gospel playing out in our own lives and the opportunity to share that with those around us.
Love and care,
Tim.
Romans 12:1-18 (NLT)
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
Got questions?
Come and talk to any of the Pastoral Team in person or go to www.rtcc.org.au/connect with any questions.
Other contact details:
Admin - admin@rtcc.org.au
Tim - tim.blatch@rtcc.org.au or
ph 0414510110
Chris - chris.thomas@rtcc.org.au
Tithing/giving details:
RTCC NEWS
Galatians 2:20-21a (NLT)
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.”
This week is another Baptism Sunday! Callum Donaldson will be sharing in the morning service why he is choosing to be baptised. Afterwards at 1pm, Robinson Reserve Anna Bay, Callum will be baptised. All are welcome to be there.
Parking is best at Robinson Reserve with both a car park and side of road parking and is close in proximity to the baptism location. There is also access via the beach and a pathway to get to Robinson reserve from Birubi Beach should you wish.
You may have notice things getting a little… tight… lately at church gatherings. We thank the Lord for this, and ask that you be keeping the Pastoral Team in your prayer as we seek the Lord for direction moving forward. We would like to ask you for help as we consider some immediate opportunities before us.
* Luke Kirkegard shared on behalf of the Pastoral Team last Sunday the opportunity before us to purchase the house next door (8 Richardson Road). We would be appreciative of your feedback via email - admin@rtcc.org.au. As part of this opportunity, Luke shared that we invite our church family to prayerfully consider pledging a financial contribution towards the deposit needed to be raised in order to secure the house. We are asking you to prayerfully consider your contribution to the collective need of $60,000 for a deposit. While a $$ specific pledge would be very helpful in your email response, we appreciate that you may not want to be specific in a sum at this point. Simply a pledge that you will would like to contribute towards this deposit would be very helpful for us. All financial contributions to the property is tax deductible via our building account.
* With things getting tighter in space around our church facilities, we are seeking the possibility of someone in our church family having the space to store the church bus - be it a garage/shed or carport. Our preference would be for the bus to be easily accessible in Raymond Terrace or possibly Medowie. If you have any space available, please contact Tim (0414510110) to discuss further. The space made available in the shed with the bus removed will allow better storage for equipment used by our Ministries throughout the week - freeing up room in our ministry space.
* On Sundays, some simple ways for our church family to care for others in consideration of our tight space are:
- Come a little earlier and sit towards the front, and sitting next to others to minimise any spare seats between you. This allows for anyone arriving late to easily find a seat towards the back, and reduces any perceived awkwardness. Of course, the front seats are the best seats in the house ;)
- Consider parking further away from the church to allow those more “senior” in our church or with any impairment to park in the car park or closer to the church building. Please also consider our neighbours by not parking over any driveways or too close to driveways. We also ask you to park only on the Church building side of the road along Geer Street (back of the church).
Finally, Romans 12 comes to my mind in this season of our church life. May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, in awe of the Gospel playing out in our own lives and the opportunity to share that with those around us.
Love and care,
Tim.
Romans 12:1-18 (NLT)
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
We ask for all who are on the Welcome team, and anyone interested to find out more to join us on one of the above times for training, feedback and discussion together in serving our church family well.
Our next prayer night is 30th March. Join us in Joyful praise and petition.
Save the date. Lunch will be provided for all that RSVP.
Got questions?
Come and talk to any of the Pastoral Team in person or go to www.rtcc.org.au/connect with any questions.
Other contact details:
Admin - admin@rtcc.org.au
Tim - tim.blatch@rtcc.org.au or
ph 0414510110
Chris - chris.thomas@rtcc.org.au
Tithing/giving details:
RTCC NEWS
John 3:16-21 (NLT)
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
Who has had their email explode with every shop they have ever looked at trying to sell them the latest and greatest Christmas present that EVERYONE NEEDS? Just me? I didn’t think so. Christmas, a season to be joyful and excited can often be full of busyness and distraction. Sometimes the busyness and distraction experienced is welcomed from pain and sadness. Sometimes, it’s unwelcome with increased anxiety because of expectations of others at Christmas or a reminder of unrealised ...
Regardless, It is refreshing to read from God’s word that the greatest gift of all came to the world without human fanfare or glamour. And yet, it was so profound a gift that thousands of Angels all gathered to say Glory to God in the highest! Christmas is always an opportunity to be countercultural in a world obsessed with the distraction of pursuit of pleasure to remember that God’s light came into the world. Let’s be drawn to the light of Christmas.
Today while I was preparing for Reuben and Emily’s wedding (which is tomorrow - 1pm, all invited!!), I was again encouraged and reminded that the Love Jesus displayed to his bride (the Church) is pure, sacrificial love that covers all sin. Christ came to save us. He gave his life for our salvation. He came to rescue us. That’s why we call Him, Wonderful, Merciful Saviour. The reason the church gathers is Christ. I look forward to us gathering (Mass) together this coming week.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone.
Tim.
Join usI Christmas Day, 9:30am to celebrate Immanuel together. We will have Barista coffee/Hot Chocolate/Tea available for everyone upon arrival before the service begins.
If you are looking for something to do on New Years Eve, Brett and Kim Galloway invite you to join with them for dinner and fireworks at Pindimer. BYO food and chairs. BBQ’s will be available to cook on. From 5:30pm - 9:30pm. See Brett and, Kim or contact Tim at the church office for more details.
Many of you would remember our sharing of Zayne Phillips’ diagnosis of Chiari 1 Malformation. We praise God that his surgery date was moved from. late 2025 to TODAY!! Please be praying for Zayne in his recovery. He is expected to be in Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital for 14 days.
Got questions?
Come and talk to any of the Pastoral Team in person or go to www.rtcc.org.au/connect with any questions.
Other contact details:
Admin - admin@rtcc.org.au
Tim - tim.blatch@rtcc.org.au or
ph 0414510110
Chris - chris.thomas@rtcc.org.au
Tithing/giving details:
RTCC NEWS
28th August, 2024
Psalm 121
1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
It’s Father’s day this coming Sunday!! We will have Barista coffee/Hot Chocolate/Tea available for everyone upon arrival before the service begins. Normal Morning Tea will also be available after the service.
This Sunday is also a special Sunday as we pray for Aaron Daniell as he commences his new role within AFCI as national director. International director of AFCI, Brian Hamilton, will be sharing from God’s word with us.
It's that time of the year where we start packing Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. There is a station in the foyer of the church building where you can find more information and get materials needed for packing a shoe box. See Fay Galloway to find more information. Click on this link to find out more about Operation Christmas Child. https://occ.samaritanspurse.org.au
It’s election season. Our local council has elections on the 14th September and the Federal Election is fast approaching - likely in the first quarter of 2025. RTCC holds no political affiliation or endorsement other than we commend politicians who seek Godly council and promote policy which is in line with scripture. We encourage you to pray for all of our local, state and federal members.
That said, many of you would know Lyle Shelton as being the front face of the Australian Christian Lobby for many years.
C3 Newlife Church, Heatherbrae invites us to hear from Lyle, who is running for senate in the upcoming Federal Election. Details are:
Date: This Thursday 29th August, 7pm
Address: 22 Heather St, Heatherbrae.
From the 6th September to the 13th September, the RTCC main building will be used as a Prepoll voting center. Lets be praying that this is an opportunity of connection with many in our community as well as with our prospective councillors.
Important Information from Zayne and Karen Phillips
We ask for your prayer for Zayne Phillips. Karen, Zayne's mum, has written a letter to the church about his recent diagnosis of Chiari 1 Malformation.. Please read for your prayer and understanding, and respect their request of privacy and also confidentiality in not sharing beyond our church family. Thanks everyone.
Got questions?
Come and talk to any of the Pastoral Team in person or go to www.rtcc.org.au/connect with any questions.
Other contact details:
Admin - admin@rtcc.org.au
Tim - tim.blatch@rtcc.org.au or
ph 0414510110
Chris - chris.thomas@rtcc.org.au
Tithing/giving details:
Wednesday Wrap-up
This week we were running a bit late with our usual recording, and unable to chat together. Instead, Chris does a short Facebook Live update that can be seen here: Raymond Terrace Community Church Facebook Page
Wednesday Wrap-Up
A short conversation about the pros & cons of the Government initiative to download the COVIDSafe app.