Ryde Presbyterian Church

Our next church lunch is on the 7th of June. It will be at my place (Dave)! It will be a 'potluck' style meal where we ask people to bring something in a pot (preferably edible). Church lunches provide us with an opportunity to spend time together (in this busy world).

The last church lunch was a very yummy Korean BBQ. Thanks to all those who helped out with the cooking, the set up and the eating!

We have just two weeks left of our 'Women in the church and in the home' sermon series. This Sunday we will be looking at 1 Timothy 2, and in particular Paul's word regarding women teaching and being in authority. All the talks so far are available at our audio downloads page if you want to have a listen.

For me personally I have found this series to be very challenging, but also very encouraging. I am looking forward to the final week where I will attempt(!) to tie everything together as we think through eldership in general, and the role of women in eldership. I do not want to give away too much now...so stay tuned!

Although we still have a few weeks of our "Women" sermon series to go we are already thinking through and getting ready for the next one! Our next series, "Evangelism - Not!", will be looking at ways that we share God's love with others. Heaps of churches run evangelism workshops and have evangelism sermons, but the only way to share the love of God - is by sharing the love of God! This is not something that we can be 'taught' in a lecture or workshop. Rather, it has to do with our ability to connect with others (and encourage each other to do it), and our ability to love others, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can learn from Jesus' example and the way that he related to people where they were at, demonstrated practical love to them and spoke the truth in love. I guess it is still evangelism...but it just seems so different to what is often communicated in evangelism seminars!

This week we will be looking at Ephesians 5, where Paul talks about the man being the head of the woman, and Christ being the head of the church. This can be a very confusing passage to look at, but the great truth it reminds us of is the unity that we have in Christ as we submit to one another, and as we share the love that comes from God with each other. As always, anyone is welcome to come along and check church out at RPC - so feel free to drop in!

Tomorrow is our next church lunch together, and we are having a Korean BBQ (yum...). The cost is $3 each, or $10 for families. Church lunches are held on the first Sunday of each month and are a great way for us to get to know each other as a church family. See you there!!