Come and hear more than a musician

Recently named “Artist of the Year” and awarded “Song of The Year” Nathan Tasker is certainly a talented musician.
After six top ten radio singles in Australia, including three consecutive number ones, Nathan set off for the USA and has spent the last two years recording and performing.
In concert and on disc, Nathan emerges as a storyteller. His songs cover many aspects of the human condition. But he is more than just a detached observer; he is an active and vulnerable participant.
"There is a need for people to respond to truth in a way that isn't just about selling CDs. It's about understanding life; it's about engaging with a God who is real, a God who wants us to know him.”
At the centre of it all is the timeless message of God’s love for mankind. "I am always humbled by and thankful for the fact that God's love for me is not based upon my performance, but on the death of His own perfect Son." Armed with impressive guitar skills and engaging honesty he is determined to get his message out to people via energetic live performances as well as through his albums which are produced by people like Charlie Peacock (who has worked with artists Switchfoot, Nicole Nordeman and Audio Adrenaline) and also feature artists Steve Mason (Jars of Clay) and Matt Slocum (Sixpence None the Richer).
“It was quite incredible to work with this team on my songs. They are exceptionally talented people."
As a performing and recording artist, Nathan has what he refers to as "a commitment to excellence". He is determined to give of his best at all times whether that be on a stage or in a studio.
“My new album, “Must Be More”, represents me writing and sharing very honestly, without inhibitions. I have done a lot of reading about the enormity of the relationship we are in with God, and that's reflected on this CD.”
We will have the pleasure of Nathan’s company Saturday 24th October when we have a relaxed Evening with Nathan in the Church Centre. It is the sort of evening you can confidently bring your “not-yet-Christian” friends along to and they will hear of God’s amazing love—and also some fantastic music.
Why not pray about who you might invite along? Entry will be by donation. We will provide the venue and the tables - why not bring some nibbles and drink? Chris Edwards

Changes

After trying to explain Jesus’ words about not putting new wine into old wine skins someone suggested to me, “Maybe what he meant was, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’” That’s almost right. The point was this: Jesus’ teaching was the new wine coming into the world, so the religious experts of the day should not stick with their old ways but accept the new things he was saying. It was time for change.
When it comes to changing long-held religious convictions, change is really, really hard.
First, I may have to admit I was wrong. This is very hard on my ego.
Second, I may have been delighting in something that wasn’t true. This isn’t only hard on my ego, but it may even threaten to make my relation to God look artificial and unreal.
Third, if I’m wrong on this point, then I could be wrong in lots of ways. What an indictment! At this point my subconscious engages in an all-out smear campaign to discredit the “new wine”.
And look where I end up: standing with the religious leaders of Jesus’ day!
There are reasons however why change is possible. The most important one is that the Holy Spirit gives the fruit of humility so the threats of my ego are nullified. He opens our hearts to give heed to what we have resisted (Acts 16:14). What flesh and blood cannot do, God can do (Matthew 16:17).
Paul, himself a former Pharisee, had a great deal of confidence in this work of God. He expressed it in Philippians 3:15 saying, “if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” The old dogs at Philippi would be changed in due season.
St Paul’s is a community of people who, in general, live with change. New homes, new work, new schools, a new country and of course a new church family. Some of the religious convictions people arrive with or hold here may be challenged. They may even need change. And change is really hard.
So at a time of year where some of us are preparing to move on to new places and some are arriving here for the first time let’s pray that God would humble us to change what we need to so that we might be a loving Christian community. God is patient and merciful as faith gropes its way to understanding and this, as much as anything, frees us old dogs to change. Chris Edwards

The week that was ...

They say a week in politics is a long time. Hah! Try a week (and a bit) in St Paul’s!
Let me just run through some of the things that have happened in our church family life in the past week and a bit.
Let’s start at the very beginning. A huge welcome. Anne Revell and Tom Loef from the Link welcomed the arrival of their first baby, a girl, Gloria. She has brought a smile to her parents face that hasn’t dimmed despite lost sleep and all the anxious moments associated with delivering a baby. Praise God for this wonderful covenant child.
The next major moment was a farewell to Terri Horbaczewski. After a long battle with brain tumours Terri went home to the Lord. The funeral celebration at Sint Paulus in Vossem was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate her life and to reflect on the way Jesus can transform lives. I know that many, many people in St Paul’s have cared for Terri and the family for literally years and especially in these last months. I have been in awe of many of you and humbled by the servant heartedness Christ has placed in you. Please keep praying for Steve, Emma and Liam as they adjust to a new kind of ‘normal’ in the next few weeks and months.
Both of these events were anticipated. In some ways that helps us to be ready even though the precise timing isn’t in our hands.
But things happen sometimes that we simply aren’t ready for.
On his way to Terri’s funeral Martin Woodroofe, one of our Wardens, was in a serious car accident. God’s protection of Martin was nothing short of miraculous. Martin is recovering well. Thank God with me for protecting our brother.
I had just come in from the hospital seeing Martin when I received a call from Jan Hurley, our Church Centre Administrator. She had been taken to hospital. Jan will need to have some surgery in a few weeks and in the meantime will have to rest. Please pray for her, for good rest and for a quick recovery.
But it hasn’t all been wards and hospitals.
David Sayers, a member of our Church Council, has accepted an invitation to work as the Administrator of the Pro-Cathedral, Holy Trinity. It’s our ‘mother’ church. Holy Trinity planted St Paul’s 20 years ago. This is a great ministry opportunity for David and a great connection for our two churches. Pray that this link will enable ministry connections and form closer ties between us.
Then, as I went to push print on the computer to produce this, I received word from Jean Cunningham that her scans for cancer were fine! In fact, one previous diagnosis has been completely overturned because there is no trace of the problem.
God is so great! There’s so much more happening than we even know. Keep praying to him and praising him.
Chris Edwards

Every group does it.

John Piper, speaker, author and pastor, wrote this prayer …
Oh Lord, by the truth of your Word, and the power of your spirit and the ministry of your body, build the women and men at our Church
who don’t love the world more than God,
who don’t care if they make much money,
who don’t care if they don’t own a house,
who don’t care if they own a car, or two cars,
who don’t need the most recent styles and don’t get ruled by fashion,
who don’t care if they don’t get famous,
who don’t expect that life should be comfortable and easy,
who don’t feed their minds on TV each night,
who don’t measure truth with a finger in the wind,
who don’t get paralysed by others disapproval,
who don’t return evil for evil,
who don’t hold grudges and who don’t gossip,
who don’t twist the truth,
who don’t brag or boast,
who don’t criticise more than praise,
who don’t hang out in cliques,
But
who are ablaze for God and filled with the Holy Spirit,
who strive to know the height and depth of Christ’s love,
who are crucified to the world and dead to sin,
who are purified by the Word and addicted to righteousness,
who keep the Lord’s Day holy and refreshing,
who are broken by the consciousness of sin,
who are thrilled by the wonder of free grace,
who are stunned into humble silence by the riches of God’s glory,
who are persevering constantly in prayer,
who are ruthless in self-denial,
who are fearless in public witness to Christ’s lordship,
who are able to unmask error and blow away doctrinal haze,
who are tough in standing for the truth,
who are tender in touching hurting people,
who are passionate about reaching people who have no church
who are keepers of all their promises, including marriage vows,
who are content with what they have and are trusting the promises of God,
who are patient and kind and meek when life is hard.
Perhaps you could pray this each day this week with me.

Chris Edwards

An evening discussing the nuts and bolts

Every group does it.
Every Church has it - Jargon.
It isn’t a deliberate plot to exclude people. It isn’t done to make some feel superior and others feel like novices. It seems to just happen.
And here at St Paul’s we have a few things that are, well, special just to us.
For example, if you attend our 10.30 service, children are invited to join Twig or Light or Sparklers. During the week youth can attend G-Force. If your circumstances get frantic and you’re in need of some meals we provide TALC. And no, it isn’t powder!
I could go on...
I mean we have a church called the Link, a Youth programme called CYFA and an office called CC1, which is not to be confused with CC2. Not to mention Wardens and Electoral Rolls, Council or Network.
Now as I said, none of this is done to make people feel like they don’t belong. In fact most of it has been done to help people belong and to find a place in our church community!
But we do realise that we have a few things that need to be explained and we don’t ever seem to have enough time during services to do it all.


So, on Wednesday June 3rd we are holding an evening so people can find out about St Paul’s.
We will be holding it in the lower hall at the Church Centre [CC2] Hoornzeelstraat 24, Tervuren from 8.00-9.30pm. Coffee and refreshments will be available.
We hope to explain something of the vision we have for St Paul’s, some of the recent changes to the structure of the Church Council as well as hear about some of the ministries that we are involved in. There will be plenty of time for questions and provide practical ways for people to be involved.
It will be a great opportunity to meet people you may not know all that well and to find out about our church.
Chris Edwards
PS - Don’t forget the Fun Tots fun-run next Saturday, 30th May in Tervuren Park followed by a medal presentation in CC2 with hot potatoes for the runners—and their coaches

Generosity that’s hilarious!

For some strange reason the human brain seems reluctant to retain divine information simply by hearing it. So here, at the end of the sermon series on money at St Paul’s, I have decided to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and to recap on some of the issues that God’s word raises for us.
Take the importance of giving joyfully to God. 2 Corinthians 9:7 concludes: “God loves a cheerful giver.”
The word translated as “cheerful” is hilaros, from which we get our English word “hilarious.” Now giving may not be a hilarious matter to you but I’d like to make the following suggestions for ways we can bring joy into our giving.
1. Reflect on God’s gifts to you.Hasn’t He been good? He certainly has to me. Better than I deserve! My list includes good health, harmonious family, sufficient food, clothing, and shelter. Friends. Great job. In light of God’s magnificent grace, a cheerful heart and open handed generosity seem the most natural responses.
2. Examine your heart.This is something no one else can do for you. Nobody knows the combination to your private vault. Only you can probe its contents by asking the hard questions: Do I really believe God has been generous to me? Am I responding as I do because I care or because I feel guilty? Is my giving proportionate to my income? Have I prayed, or is my giving impulsive? Am I a consistent giver or more haphazard?
3. Become generous.God loves joyful generosity. Perhaps we need to break the habit of being so conservative, so careful. I confess an almost total loss of understanding as I try to imagine pleasure being drawn from simply stacking up one’s treasure for the sheer and selfish delight of watching the stack grow higher. Don’t misread me. I’m a firm believer in saving, investing, intelligent spending, and wise money management. But I have trouble finding one word of scriptural support for being a tightwad! Be generous! Generosity is not as much an overflow of wealth as it is an overabundance of faith. Stinginess, on the other hand, is a sure sign that a person trusts things instead of God.
Well, that’s it. I hope this series has helped you. Goodness knows all of us would be wise to address our reluctance to sacrifice financially for the cause of Christ. After all, our goal is joyful generosity, isn’t it?
Chris Edwards

Opportunities to Connect in ‘09

One of the things you soon discover in a predominantly ex-pat community is that people arrive and leave our church all the time.
That makes it important for us as a Church to be able to effectively connect with people, to welcome them and to help them to find their way in a new community and in a new Church family.
Here are some programs that are coming soon designed to help us Connect with people and to help people connect with God.
Connections - 8pm 3rd June
This is an opportunity to find out how St Paul’s works and how you can find a place in our Church family. Every Church has its own unique ways and programs. Connections is designed to help everyone to settle in and gain a sense of belonging.
Soul Survivor - 12-16 August
Soul Survivor is best known for their annual five day summer events. Thousands of young people gather to worship God, learn from His word and pray for each other. They also get to hang out in loads of venues from chilled out cafes, to cool night spots (which are safe!). Paul Moynan, our intrepid youth Director, will take a group of young people across the seas to be a part of this huge event. It is safe, wholesome and exciting. Contact Paul for more details: youth@stpaulstervuren.org
VBS - 17-21 August
Vacation Bible School has been a significant part of our Summer program for quite a few years. This year the scene is set in a swamp (!) and the focus is on “God Sightings” They’re intended to help kids see what God is doing all around us. A burning bush…Jesus’ resurrection. The Bible tells us God performed big stuff—miracles—to make himself known. But he’s acting in our everyday lives and all around us, too. VBS really will help our children understand that. We need helpers and leaders to be involved and so we can show them who God is. Can you help out? If you’d like to know more email the office at
admin@stpaulstervuren.org and we will connect you with the right people. Chris Edwards