21st February 2025

Together Pursuing Christ

Travis writes...

Last Sunday we began our journey through Paul's letter to the Philippian believers. We spent time unpacking Paul's phenomenally strategic prayer over them that arose from a place of his deep love for them, and his desire to see each of them continue moving forward in their faith.

This prayer is such a discipleship-oriented prayer, that we encourage you to pray it over yourself often, pray it over others, and even invite others to be praying it over you too!! Lord, hear our prayers.

Each week as we gather around the Word in our services, connect groups, or personal devotions, we open ourselves to the ways that God is seeking to shape and grow us through His Word.

Far from an intellectual exercise of just filling up on information, we can actively ask Him "God, what are you speaking to me through this?" and "God, how would you have me live in response?"

For example, coming out of last Sunday's passage we can then reflect with God: what does it mean for me - and what would it practically look like in my life - to increasingly grow in my love for God? In my knowledge of God? In my discerning of what's his best for me? (etc.)

This is the heart of what Paul models for us in Philippians 3:12-14 (our theme verse for the year). That each day we continue to be committed to pursuing Christ, looking for and pressing on towards where he is leading us. Each day taking steps, sometimes big and sometimes small, but always fruitful steps towards where God is leading us.

2025 Pursue Prayers

To all who have shared a 2025 'Pursue Prayer' with me, I (Travis) want to say a heartfelt thank you for entrusting me with them! I count it a privilege to stand with you in praying for the ways you each are pursuing those things together with God.

I also have to share... what an inspiring encouragement to read through them all!

As I read through them I heard the heart of our church community: so many of us eager to honour God in greater measure, ready to grow in deeper intimacy with our God, desiring to courageously share and live out our faith, and being committed to trusting and following Jesus more each passing day. Praise God!! If we see even half of those prayers answered... wow, what a year we will have together with God.

If you have not yet had the chance to prayerfully shape a prayer for the year, I'd encourage you to spend time with God and consider that prayer prompt. This Sunday we will still have the pursue prayer cards and the return basket available at the info desk at both services.

News from Uganda

You will recall how we at NVBC contributed to the purchase of a car for Nita last year. This vehicle is proving an asset to the whole team. Nita attended AIM’s regional conference in Kenya late last year, and travelled to Rwanda over New Years.

Nita’s health continues to improve, which is a big answer to prayer. Please pray for the team, as new team members have been added in the last couple of months. And pray as well for outreach, follow up, and discipleship to lead to new churches being established.

Alpha Course

Alpha is coming soon! We believe that Jesus is such good news for our world that we long to see others experience him as we have. Alpha is a trusted world-wide movement helping people have the opportunity to explore more of who Jesus is.

Start thinking and praying about who you could invite to explore with the Alpha course this year. The course will be running on Sunday nights (after the PM service), beginning 4th of May.

To find out more about what Alpha is, and read about the impact the course is having for the gospel in Australia, explore here.

This Sunday

Join us this Sunday as Johnny continues in our series in Philippians, speaking about how we can shape our lives to match the gospel we believe in.

Seniors Communion Service

Thursday 27 Feb

Our first Seniors Communion Service for the year is this Thursday. David and Jane Whisker will be sharing their story and we'll share in communion and morning tea together.

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