Copy of Remar Church Issue #7

Church Newsletter | Issue #07

August 2024

Remar Church

Verse of the Week

WHATS HAPPENING AT REMAr

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

Last month, Bella, Nayah, and I were fortunate to travel to Europe and visit Remar Portugal. Our travels took us through picturesque France and the celebrations in Spain following their football victory. However, the true highlight of our journey was our time spent with the Remar community in Sintra, Portugal.

Sintra is a stunning place. It is known for its architecture, majestic mountains, and historic palaces, and it provided a beautiful backdrop for our visit. We enjoyed exploring the charming streets, hidden lanes and while we loved this and the food, it was the opportunity to engage with Remar and their impactful work that truly touched our hearts.

Remar's various farms and businesses stand as a testament to the power of collective effort and dedication. Witnessing the remarkable achievements made possible through shared labor was both inspiring and humbling. It also underscored the remarkable commitment of the Brito family, who have devoted the past two decades to serving others here in Australia with unwavering faith and compassion.

Though we do things a little differently here in Oz, and are separated by continents and cultural differences, the fundamental needs and challenges within communities are remarkably similar. They all require a dedicated community of believers—of family—who share a vision and are committed to spreading the Gospel and see lives transformed in the process.

Our experience abroad reminded me of the unique and special bond we share here at Remar Australia. It’s clear that greatness is not solely defined by size but by the impact we make through our service and dedication.

Whether we are involved in full-time ministry or volunteer our time and resources, we all share the same calling; to serve God and others- and spread the Good News. That is something we all can do using the unique gifts God has given us.

Let us continue to embrace our calling, supporting one another and reaching out to our community with love, hope and faith.

Thank you to Pastor Luis Miguel, Sandra & family for hosting us and encouraging us to follow Gods calling on our lives.

Important Dates

Sunday Church - Starts 11am

Coming Soon

Baptisms - Date to be confirmed. Reach out to Ps Luis if you would like to be Baptised

Fundraiser Dinner - Join us in September for a night of fellowship and raise funds for our Ministry.

More details to come!

Wednesdays @ Remar Church

Community Meals - 5pm every Wednesday

We hold a meeting every Wednesday at our church site so if you’d like to join us, make sure to checkout the information below!

Monthly Schedule:

Week 1 (Wednesday): Open Heaven (Worship) night.

Week 2 (Wednesday): Bible Study

Week 3 (Wednesday): Community Meeting

Week 4 (Wednesday): Bible Study

Week 5(Alternating 5th Wednesday

of the month): Bible Study

All sessions start at 7pm

A Personal Reflection on Last Sunday's Sermon - “Priorities"

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Recently I have been reflecting, if we think we are not going to face any problems in our lives, we are clearly not living. We live in a broken and hurting world with broken and hurting people. We are all called to live a life of higher purpose and in doing so we are going to face our own problems and challenges to ultimately develop the character of God in our lives. Sometimes God also uses people in our lives to change us (we all know who those people are!). Pastor Luis Gutierrez’s sermon on ‘Priorities’ puts our response to those problems or challenges into perspective. When we prioritise God and live a life that honours Him, our response to those problems start to change. Its no longer our old nature at work but the new nature of God that starts to show up.

Let’s be real though – how hard is it to kill the old and live in the new. Despite the many opportunities to respond to problems in the way that honours God my tendency has been to fall back into old patterns of anger, unforgiveness and destruction and nothing good comes out of that. I not only hurt myself but everyone around me. This is when I realise, I need God. I need Him to be my source of strength and wisdom. I need Him to renew my mind and to give up control. I need Him to help me stay patient when I need answers and certainty. I need Him to help me trust when the facts are hopeless. I need Him to give me wisdom and discernment amongst the many voices that come my way. I need Him to help me push through the problems when all I want to do is give up. He needs to be my FIRST PRIORITY. How can I expect to put my old nature to death without God speaking into my life daily? More importantly, what am I doing to allow for that in my daily walk with the Lord? Do I even know how to use His word to guide and direct me – not only when I feel good but when I am at my lowest? My friends, as a church family, let us commit to a daily walk with the Lord and remind each other of who is ultimately in control.

Father, thank you for the new life we have in you. You are the source of our strength. Help us to trust and depend on you in our tough times so we can respond to every situation in our lives in a way that brings glory and honour to you. Let our focus be on eternity with you and not the problems we face here on earth.

Amen.

By Christabel Joy Seneviratne

Watch or Listen to Pastor Luis Gutierrez’s Sermon "Priorities" on our webpage: remaraustralia.org or via our Facebook page

Help us help others

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remar Church- 49 Bald Hill Rd Pakenham

remaraustralia.org

“Be grateful everyday.”

Church Newsletter | Issue #07

August 2024

1-How and when did you come to be a part of Remar Church?

Mary - Almost 3 years ago

Fiona- We started fellowshipping at Remar almost three years ago. We knew Rebecca and Luis and were familiar with what Remar ministries was about. Following the pandemic, we felt that God was leading us to look for a local church with a strong sense of community so we decided to check Remar church out and have stayed ever since.

2-What is something we don't know about you?

Mary - I love gardening and helping children who find learning difficult.

Fiona- I’ve always been a night owl and have worked permanent nightshift for over forty years

3-What is your favourite thing to do outside of church/ministry?

Mary - Spending time with family and in the garden.

Fiona- I have three children and love spending time with them, especially playing board and card games with them. I love photography, cooking and pretty much any kind of craft: cardmaking, scrapbooking, sewing, making bears, knitting, beading…..

4-What do you love about our church?

Mary - Fellowship, teaching and being part of the Remar Family

Fiona- I love that the Remar ministry reflects so much of Jesus’ earthly ministry. People are transformed, healed, their dignity restored and they are loved, respected and seen. The teaching is always bible-based and the worship team do an amazing job of leading us into God’s presence. Being a shift worker, I also love that there is opportunity for midweek fellowship and teaching.

5-What has God been talking to you about lately?

Mary - Being aware of people as people precious to God. No matter whether we are professors or sweepers of the gutter, Jesus died for each one of us.

Fiona- The last six months has been a very challenging season for our family. God has reminded me consistently that He is my Anchor , I am to trust Him and His timing completely, and that He is in the boat with us throughout this storm, even when it feels as if He is asleep.

5 Minutes 5 Questions with...........

Mary & Fiona

Nayah

Verse of the

week

Megaphone label with volunteers needed. Megaphone banner

Would you be able to spare some time to lend a hand? We invite you to consider volunteering with us. Our Op shop in Pakenham regularly requires extra assistance, and the Rehabilitation Centre in Nyora would greatly appreciate help in the garden, kitchen, and grounds. Additionally, If you are handy on the tools and love a chat, we're looking to start a Men's shed program. Or If fitness is your passion, you could also initiate an active group to help promote fitness among our guys at the farm.

There is always something to do- WE JUST NEED YOU!