Friday, April 18, 2008

Sunday services as New Zealand mourns

This week has been an incredibly sad week for all New Zealanders. We have been saddened by the loss of 7 lives at the Mangatepopo River. This includes Tony McClean, son of one of our Baptist pastor’s, John and Jeanette McClean. We have been saddened and angered by the discovery of the body of teenager Marie Davis here in Christchurch.

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” 1 Corinthians 11:26

Our Sunday morning service will allow time for us to pray together in the light of the events of this week. We will explore the question that must be on many lips – “where is God?” by using the Psalms of the Bible. We will have two large cards, for any who want to sign, and to send to John and Jeanette McClean and to Elim Christian School.

On Sunday evening, when more of our teenagers are present, we will allow time to pray together for the family of Marie Davis. Similarly, we will have a large card for any who want to sign, and to send to her family.

Steve Taylor, for Opawa Pastoral team

Posted by steve at 03:31 PM

2 Comments

  1. What two cracking good ideas 🙂 sending cards to those affected by these tragedies.

    Also an accurate bible verse choice by you Steve. On hearing about the Marie Davis case in particular, I couldn’t help but feel angered by the whole thing. Who would do such a horrible act to an innocent person? And for what purpose?

    As much as I have no doubt God was – and is – present throughout all of this, I wish and pray that evil wasn’t so prevalent in our country.

    Comment by Ryan — April 19, 2008 @ 8:55 pm

  2. Steve – Great ideas.

    I live in this community, and am very aware of the impact it has had. We drive past the school everyday.

    Alongside this, I’m compelled as I read the comments in the media as the country watches Christians grieve. As I noted in my blog, I think we all struggle in that space between faith and grief – and (on further reflection) for some there is the question of how deep a grief has to go before faith breaks.

    nigel

    Comment by nigel — April 20, 2008 @ 3:38 pm

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