24th Sept 2025

Follow up: Set Your Pace

On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing;

he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.

God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,

because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.

- Genesis 2:2-3

Jesus said to them,

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

- Mark 6:31

Two Sundays ago, Neil spoke in our AM Service on the importance of finding rhythms of rest as people of faith. God's good and perfect intention for us and for our world, is not to be so over-connected, over-worked and over-stressed that we are constantly heading towards burnout. Instead, God invites us to rest secure in our belovedness as his children and to find moments of rest in uninterrupted connection with our Creator.

As part of Neil's practical encouragement for ways to build rest into our daily lives, he shared some resources he recommends for moments of sacred connection with God that allow our souls to breathe and find rest. If you didn't grab a physical copy at the end of that morning service, below is a digital copy that includes a morning prayer from John Stott and two prayer models that you can try.

Daily-prayer-time-leaflet.pdf

Download PDF • 198KB

If you are feeling prompted to keep engaging on the topic and would benefit from continuing to explore burnout and rest, here is a podcast episode recommended by pastor Johnny: https://faith.yale.edu/media/burnout-and-sabbath

Or if you find yourself today running on empty, here is a helpful prayer to pray:

Mission Update

News from Muana & Villy

It is now rainy season in Northern Thailand. The people are hoping that there will be just enough rain (remembering that last year there was too much). Please be praying that there won't be any more flooding. 

Please also pray for Villy's mother, who recently had heart surgery. Muana and Villy's daughters are all doing well - Yindii has graduated from her university course and is now looking for related employment in the finance sector, Zoe has resumed her pharmacy classes after completing her internship, and Libi has started another school year in high school.

NVBC has been a long-term supporter of Muana & Villy who have been working with the Northern Thai people since 2001. Learn more about this work here. Or talk to Danielle Lamrock. And look for their prayer points in The Harvest.

Thank You

A big thank you to all who completed and returned their NCLS (National Church Life Survey) over the past two Sundays. We place a high value on this church-wide exercise, seeing it as an opportunity to deeply listen to you our community. It also becomes an opportunity to help discern future focuses coming out of the snapshot of our church health. If you haven't yet, this Sunday is the final chance to complete and return a survey.

This Week

This Thursday is our next Seniors Communion Service with Monica Chan sharing her story!

This Friday The Valley Youth will be offsite having a bonfire house party at the earlier start time 6pm (finishing at 9pm). Please make plans to drop off and pick up your youth from:

13 Mannings Road, Lisarow

This Saturday we have a mulch working bee (and we know that many hands make light work!)

This Sunday Travis starts a mini-series on one of our church values: A Pioneering People. Kids packs will be available in the services.

In October

It is not too late to pick up an Operation Christmas Child box this Sunday. If you have already filled gift box, you are welcome to return them over the coming 3 Sundays.

Join us for a long weekend Sunday night of worship and prayer on Oct 5.

Our upcoming Cru-Coast Day Camp is a great week of school holiday fun, community, activities and sharing Jesus. Find out more: https://crudaycamps.com.au/cru-coast

The Gathering Conference is going to be incredible! Help our planning by rego'ing today

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