Vision Sunday Mark 12 verses 28 -34

Our Big Purposes (from 2014): Going deeper with God Growing closer to one another Going further into the community

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ 29 ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’ 32 ‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. (NIV)

From Deuteronomy 6 verses 4 & 5 Hear O Israel!/Israel, remember this! 4 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. [The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Called ‘The Shema’ and is the central part of the Jewish morning and evening prayers. “Love the Lord with all your heart (colon): with all your mind, soul and strength….”

Within our three Big Purposes there are 6 themes for our focus in 2017 To have a greater emphasis on prayer in our church’s life. To organise a church-wide study on being a good neighbour. To encourage our members to really love one another. To complete 2 or 3 community service projects in 2017 in which our whole church can participate To seek feedback on how we might address the $30,000 deficit of our church. To ensure that the Ministry Leaders’ Team meets twice a term.

Our month of worship, prayer and fasting 24/7 prayer To have a greater emphasis on prayer in our church’s life. …to encourage a greater reliance, deeper listening, keener hunger, and more responsiveness to God in our daily lives. Our month of worship, prayer and fasting 24/7 prayer Pray walking in our community Prayer through social media – instant/arrow prayers Praying through the church building The Power of Prayers of Blessing The power of Prayers of Declaration for – breakthroughs in personal struggles, healing & finances; Marriages & Family healing & restoration; Salvation for family & friends; Next Generation; Social Justice; Unity in the church in NZ; a Great Harvest of people coming to know Jesus.

What is your big dream for St Alban’s? What would you like to see God bring about? What would you most like to see God do?

To organise a church-wide study on being a good neighbour To organise a church-wide study on being a good neighbour. (Following through on our 3rd Goal) The question was asked, “Is my life in Christ expressed in my daily life; is it lived out in practical ways? Is God really the love of my life, who motivates me to worship him, speak about him and serve others?)

To encourage our members to really love one another To encourage our members to really love one another. (Following through on our 2nd Goal) …to encourage a more real, authentic, healthy, transparent, forgiving, accepting, welcoming church family. Do you remember Jesus’ third great commandment? “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (John 13 v34, ESV)

To complete 2 or 3 community service projects in 2017 in which our whole church can participate. (Following thru on our 3rd Goal) …we would really like your suggestions and involvement in this community service. To seek your feedback on how we might address the $30,000 deficit of our church. (How might we address this?) To ensure that the Ministry Leaders’ Team meets at least once a term.

The elders sensed clearly that we are to present these themes to our congregation for your feedback on how we might put them into action in all areas of our church’s life. As elders, we want to affirm that our church people can provide feedback, take initiative, make suggestions and offer themselves for any new ministry in our church’s life and that we encourage such an environment.