Practise Fellowship often

I love the fellowship and social gathering we have following the church service on Sunday morning. As I move around talking with people there is always a different story and a topic of sharing. There is a sense of belonging generated as we listen and share of the latest news from home, work or returning stories from an overseas trip. Hearing about answers to prayer, or the way God has moved in situations is a wonderful blessing of God and one we want to always encourage here at St Peters.

Last week we celebrated the inaugural gathering of the Church. On the day we call Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they could speak in the different languages of the people as is described in Acts 2: 2-4.

The Holy Spirit moved and 3000 people were saved.  What a gathering experience this must have been!!!!

God commands us to practise fellowship as often as is possible for it is good and pleasant when we meet regularly. It is good for our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. A warm smile, a hand of welcome and an interest in someone’s week is often the ray of sunshine they need.

I look forward to meeting together for fellowship next Sunday.

That first gathering meeting of the church is the model for the church to carry out its work in the community. The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) organises itself to have full participation of the congregation taking part where the gifts of God are used to glorify Jesus in its management and governance structure. Our fellowship gathering meeting is a witness of God’s goodness, grace and mercy revealing in the use of His gifts to bless each other in the church and the community. This is the reason for God commanding the church to not neglect meeting regularly as we do on Sunday morning. I encourage you this week to look out for the visitors and newcomers and make them feel welcome.

This week I am sharing on the gifts of the Holy Spirit “Many gifts one Spirit”.

Those of you who were at church last week would have noticed the beautiful banners that Maria Carter has made to celebrate this season of Pentecost and the birth of the church. The Lord uses her gifts to bless others and we all have a responsibility to use our gifts for the Lord‘s work. Come be blessed this Sunday, maybe it’s time to refresh those gifts the Lord has blessed you with.