Counting down to our church family reunion

Dear church family,
We hope that you are well and we miss you! We can’t wait to be back in one room worshiping together, like a big family reunion.

We have been thinking of families a lot – our spiritual family in Christ, the physical families of our church and how you are managing, and of course this week we think especially of our mothers and mother-figures in our lives.

How grateful to God we are for good mothers! In addition to all of the ways mothers have loved and supported us, we are thankful for how you represent God to us.

Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; 
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

We are thankful for the loving, protecting spirit with which you have loved us, like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. We also remember that God is a God who is fiercely loyal and protective. Though for some this day brings sadness, God is a shelter where we find peace and refuge. Though difficulty comes, He will never abandon us to face it alone.

Thank you to all of the mothers that enrich our lives and are a blessing to our church!

Church News

May is our month of prayer!
Our month of prayer is underway! This month we challenge you to set some personal prayer goals! We are also running weekly 9am prayer meetings on Sunday morning via Zoom and each Monday we are uploading to social media a weekly prayer challenge.

This week
our challenge to you is: Walk around your street and pray for your neighbours.

To be a church that reaches the world for God, we must pray that the Lord would build His house!
Keep your eye out for challenge #2 next Monday!

Sunday Prayer Meeting
If you want to take up the May Month of Prayer challenge, here are the details for our Sunday 9am prayer meeting. All are invited to join in via Zoom!

Join Sunday Prayer Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86189099930
Meeting ID: 861 8909 9930
Password: 291171

Connect with others and discuss the sermon
Are you looking to connect with some other Christians? Pastor Greg is hosting a group on Wednesday evenings on Zoom. The group connects with each other and discusses thoughts and application from the Sunday message. It is open for people to join, so email Pastor Greg at greg@theorchard.net.nz for the Zoom link and password.

What’s next?

At some stage today (Thursday, 7th May) we are expecting the government to release further details on what Alert Level 2 looks like. Once we have this information, we will be able to plan more thoroughly for the next step of church, including our youth and children’s programs. We will keep you updated!

Reminders

• Church History class is running Thursday nights at 7pm. More details are on the website and our Facebook page. If you have missed a session, email Pastor Greg at greg@theorchard.net.nz to request a recording.
• Facebook Live with Pastor Greg will be happening this Sunday at 11am. Jump online and interact with the message!

Have a great week, church! We look forward to worshiping together on Sunday morning.
God bless,
The Orchard Church Elders and Staff