We’re turning our service leaders’ training session into a BC3 event – this Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm. If you’re not a service leader you don’t really need to worry about this but feel free to come if you’re interested! Otherwise please pray for it and everyone coming.

As announced, it will be 5:17 church’s 1 year anniversary in 2 weeks’ time! The big day is Feb 7 so invite your friends to our special anniversary service which will be incorporating 2 baptisms (wahoo!). Obviously there isn’t a large body of water in or outside of our church building so we are moving church that Sunday to Pastor Ben and Faith’s home at 48 Boundary Rd, Indooroopilly, and we’ll start at the special time of 5pm. PLUS we’ll be having a BBQ anniversary party after the service so that’s triple reason to invite your friends (1. anniversary 2. baptisms 3. food)!

The Women of Purpose annual Bible teaching day is fandiddlytastic and I personally think this year’s (Sat March 13) is looking like the best yet. See the City North Baptist Church website here for all the convincing details and register yourself straightaway or if you must, let me know by comment, email, or at church and I’ll add you to the group rego count. If you’re a 5:17 female you have to come!!! If money is an issue please don’t be embarassed to say so and we’ll see if we can arrange subsidies.

You’ve probably never heard a Christmas message from the Bible book of Revelation – let alone Revelation chapter 12 verses 1-12.

What does Christmas have to do with a woman, a dragon, and a baby?!

You’re invited to 5:17 church’s Christmas Eve service, to find out what this cosmic intertwining means – for Christmas and for you.

(Find us on Facebook!)

5:17ers, we hope you’ll make a point of coming to listen and learn, and also to help host this supremely important night.  We want to be thoughtful, loving, thinking, biblical Christians who respond well to the significant issues in contemporary society. This night will help.

And BC3ers, please join us – it will be a pleasure to host you!

There will be an opportunity to ask Simon questions on the night, but it would be easier for him and us if you could submit them beforehand – by email or by posting them (anonymously if you prefer) in the Comments section of this post.

Details again: 7.15pm | Saturday 14 November | 83 Ryans Rd, St Lucia.  RSVPs aren’t necessary but are welcome through the same means as above!

This coming Saturday (October 24), a few of us at 5:17 church are heading over to the Creek Road Presbyterian Church to hear a day of teaching on John Calvin. But it was mentioned to me the other day that some people may not know why John Calvin is an important figure in Christianity – and thus, why should they bother to go to the Calvin day?

As Protestant Christians:

We  trace our history to John Calvin and others who led a movement to reform the Church according to the Scriptures. John Calvin (and other Christian men and women) helped to take the church back to believing in the absolute sovereignty of God and in God’s glory as the highest good. This historical and theological heritage is often expressed in the “alones” of the Reformation, namely:

    Grace alone as the only way to be reconciled to God.

    Faith alone as the only means of receiving God’s grace.

    Christ alone as the only ground of God’s saving grace.

    Scripture alone as the only infallible authority for belief.

    God’s glory alone as the ultimate purpose for the lives of men and women.

Source: http://www.pcq.org.au/presbyterian-church-of-queensland

Grace alone as the only way to be reconciled to God.

Faith alone as the only means of receiving God’s grace.

Christ alone as the only ground of God’s saving grace.

Scripture alone as the only infallible authority for belief.

God’s glory alone as the ultimate purpose for the lives of men and women.

Source: Presbyterian Church of Queensland

These are the truths people like John Calvin fought for 500 years ago. They are the truths we stand on today.

We’d love for you to join us at this event – and I think there’s still time to register, so for more info and to register, click here.

Details: The Riverview Room, Emmanuel College, University of Queensland on Saturday 25th July, 9.30-11.00am

To register for the event, click here.

5:17 Church Picnic

• Roma Street Parklands
• Saturday 27th June
• 12pm-4pm

Come along – and bring your friends!! (soccer ball included, but lolly pops and love hearts not provided!!)

We’ll ring around the 5:17ers to give more details about food and other stuff to bring.

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rumpus about?” he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.

Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, p 45

If grace is at the heart of Christianity, why is it that so many of us struggle with the whole concept of grace? What is grace? How do we receive it? And how do we grow in it (as 2 Peter 3:18 states)?

We’re not alone in asking these questions. Some first generation Christians misunderstood the true grace of God too. That’s why the Apostle Peter wrote two letters:  the first, a brief letter of encouragement to stand firm in the true grace of God; the second, written on his death-bed, his last words to the Church.

In a couple of weeks time, there will be a free seminar, run by Queensland Theological College. Its Principal, Bruce Winter will give four talks on I and II Peter:

1. Focus on the future
2. Focus on doing good
3. Focus on living and dying well
4. Focus on the Word of God

This is a highly recommended event. It’ll be held at Creek Road Presbyterian Church, corner Creek and Fursdon Roads, Carina from 9:30am to 3:15pm. Morning tea will be provided, but BYO lunch.

It’s a free Seminar, but please register beforehand by sending the organisers an email at info@qtc.edu.au.

Who’s it for?
Introducing God is for everyone – it covers the whole of the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation), helping both Christians and non-Christians to grasp the Christian worldview in its entirety. The series of talks is especially helpful for those wanting to investigate Christianity.

Where and when is it?
The talks will be given at the 5:17 church service which meets at 5 for 5:17pm at 83 Ryans Rd, St Lucia. The series goes for 7 consecutive Sundays from Feb 15 to Mar 29 – come for any or all Sundays. Anyone is welcome. We’d love you to join us!

Sessions and dates:
15/2 | Genesis 1 | God, us and the meaning of life
22/2 | Genesis 3 | Our declaration of autonomy
01/3 | Psalm 2 | What will God do about it?
08/3 | Luke 8 | God’s competent King
15/3 | Luke 23 | The death that changes everything
22/3 | Acts 2 | God made Jesus both Lord and Christ
29/3 | Revelation 21-22 | Are you thirsty?