A new gift from God! Don brought a message on Sunday about the awe and wonder of creation—wasn’t it great to hear his passion for God’s wise and good creation? As we see in Genesis 1, the capstone of creation is humanity, made in the image of God, and this week we’re celebrating that the Trinity […]
Working bee We are having an outside ‘working bee’ at our church on Saturday, 8 August, starting at 9:30 am. We intend to trim the trees, shrubs, hedge, plants, etc (and a bit of water blasting). Everyone is invited. We are hoping for a good turnout to help us consume all the sausages and bread we will […]
Celebrating Matariki This Sunday we’re celebrating Matariki together! Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It disappears for about 28 days during mid-winter and when it reappears on the horizon—this year from 13 to 16 July—the Māori New Year begins. Matariki is a time for whānau and […]
Possibilities for Church I’ve loved gathering together for worship these last few weeks. We’re seeing more of one another’s faces through our changed seating plan. We’re taking the time to share with one another during the service. Two weeks ago, we worshiped without a music team, and instead took time to take a posture of […]
The Heart of Worship Along with the rest of New Zealand, we’re celebrating this week the return to Level 1 and the overcoming of Covid-19 in our land—at least for the time being. It’s felt so good to give and receive a few hugs, and to see the barriers coming down as we readjust to […]
Grain Of Rice Black Lives Matter There’s no avoiding the news going around at the moment about Goerge Floyd and the protests in the USA and here in Aotearoa—and may we, followers of Christ, not shy from these important events! One of the phrases many of us are hearing, and which I used in a […]
It is with a mix of deep sadness and joyful hope that we share the news of Peter Sapsford’s death and exaltation to glory. He passed peacefully on Tuesday morning, having turned 88 years old earlier in the month. The picture is of him celebrating at Burwood Hospital during lockdown—what a beautiful expression of his […]
Kia ora whānau, I hope you’re knowing the joy of having your identity defined in Christ today! I loved being reminded of that on Sunday in our worship service—thanks for the great devotion Colleen. We’re continuing to plan and dream for the return to gathering in our building. In the meantime, we’re after your feedback: […]
Next stop: Level 2, and a Celebration Our last day of Level 3! That’s worth celebrating. Tomorrow our staff team will be meeting (in the flesh, in the building!) to begin planning for the next season. We’ll discuss things like Sunday Gatherings, ministries, and small groups. I’ll keep you posted on Friday with the Long […]
Dear church, We are remembering you constantly in our prayers as we continue to journey together through each new day with its mix of joys and trials. I read Ezekiel 1 this morning, and I was reminded of the awe-some glory of God—a glory revealed to God’s people as they struggled in exile by the […]
Kia ora church whānau Today many of our church have headed back to school and tertiary education as students and teachers, meaning a return to routine for some of our families. We’re praying for you as you adjust this week to the new learning and teaching format, asking that there would be unexpected gains even […]
Elliot shares an update as we finish week 2 of lockdown, and as we approach the Easter weekend.
Kia Ora Church, We’d love to invite you to enjoy this devotion shared with us by Charles Hewlett, the National Leader of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, in which he reflects on Psalm 131. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KizBt-lH0k&feature=youtu.be Nāku nā, Elliot Rice Co-Senior Pastor
Dear church, The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is causing extraordinary disruption to our communities, our nation, and our world. Covid-19 is highly contagious and represents a real danger, especially for the most vulnerable. As people of faith, however, we need not fear because we know that Covid-19 is not the final word. God alone has the […]
Firstly, thanks for your continued support for Sarah, Charlotte, and myself. We’ve now enjoyed our final meal from the dinner roster you formed for us—what an incredible support that has been. In fact, given the quality of your cooking we’ve decided to keep the roster going on a permanent basis. Just kidding! Our sincere thanks. […]
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday). Around the world, many Christians still remember this day by drawing the image of the cross on their forehead out of ash, and wearing this symbol throughout the day! This season reminds us of the weeks leading […]
Greetings friends, Elliot here—I’m back on deck! Our Charlotte is now three weeks old, and both she and Sarah are doing well. I was able to take 2 ½ weeks off to be at home, for which I owe a great deal of thanks to our church staff. Aren’t they amazing? I’m afraid Colleen has […]
This week we’re approaching the end of our game of Guess Who through the first half of Mark’s Gospel. We’ve been rediscovering the identity of Jesus the Messiah through his various encounters with the “clean” and “unclean” people of Galilee and its neighbouring regions, allowing his words and behaviour to reorient us in […]
For those who missed it, on Sunday we shared the bittersweet news that our wonderful Associate Pastor Margaret will be retiring from her role at Papanui Baptist as of October 28th. Margaret shared briefly about her journey toward this decision over the last few years, and about what’s next for her and Philip—a well-earned summer […]
It all boils down to three things: First, there is the Trinity and the great dance of life and glory shared by the Father, Son and Spirit; second, there is the incarnation as the act of the Father, Son and Spirit reaching down, extending the circle, their great dance of life to us; third, there […]
We’re just loving spending these weeks in the First Letter of John. Have you noticed how many times he reminds us of God’s love? On Sunday we heard that God is love, and that because of the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ—the God-man—we are included in the love of the […]
Grow Nights are back for Term 2! Same as last year, we’re offering short courses that run simultaneously on a Tuesday night at church, 7:30-9:00pm (with tea and coffee available from 7:00pm). Courses start May 15th (next Tuesday) and run for six weeks (unless planned otherwise) until June 19th. Why not think about getting your Neighbourhood or Ngage Group along to one together? […]
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7 This Sunday the young adults who lead Y@P will be running the service and shall be inviting youth to testify to Jesus’ redemptive work in their lives. G-Reps and kids church will also be staying in the service. This […]
This Sunday we have the fourth and final instalment of our annual Prayer & Self-Denial series. This one’s coming from Duane Major, a pastor at South West Baptist Church (also known for helping New Zealand to buy a beach!). Duane’s been instrumental in SWBC’s move toward neighbourhood communities, so it will be hugely valuable […]
A couple of weeks ago I (Elliot) attended South West Baptist Church’s “Neighbourhood Hui”, along with Jo, Philip, and Susan from PBC, and about 250 people from various South West neighbourhoods. We went to observe, learn, and listen to what God’s doing among that church community, with a view to what God’s doing among […]
It takes time for water to fully boil. It doesn’t just happen suddenly. It starts with a bit of steam; tiny bubbles begin to form…. It starts boiling from the bottom up, building momentum… Before you know it, the water rages with a force that can lift lids and spill out of the vessel from […]
This week marks the first of our church-wide Neighbourhood Grow Nights! Over the next six weeks (and beyond), we’re encouraging you to connect with the people in your block and suburb, meeting with those who also come to Papanui Baptist, and with those who don’t. We Rices are having a BBQ with the […]
Firstly, Happy Valentine’s Day! But, perhaps more importantly, today is Ash Wednesday—the first day of Lent. This is the forty-weekday season of preparation and discipline, during which we remember the sacrificial life and ministry of Jesus leading to the cross. Now is the time for us to renew our commitment to costly Christian discipleship! At […]
On Sunday, we encouraged you all to be praying for wisdom for our politicians as they respond to David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill (i.e., Euthanasia Bill – http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/member/2017/0269/latest/DLM7285905.html) in the coming weeks and months. We also recommended making a submission to the Justice Select Committee (submissions can be made until February 20th here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCJU_SCF_BILL_74307/end-of-life-choice-bill). This Bill […]
Kia ora whanau! As most of you know, Sarah and I both work part-time at Papanui Baptist (24hrs per week), which allows us both to engage in further studies on our ‘off’ days (when we get them!). I’m very happy to update that yesterday I submitted my thesis, which I’ve been working on part-time […]
What’s God stirring up for Papanui Baptist? How is the Holy Spirit moving in our lives and neighbourhoods? How can we be light on our feet, ready to do the Father’s will? Across Christchurch, and throughout NZ, there are churches who are prayerfully asking where God is leading them. What is bubbling out is a […]