- May 6
- 4 min read
6th May 2026
Cut to the Heart
from Travis
There are moments when God’s truth moves beyond something we simply hear, read, sing of or remember. In those moments we feel the weight of the Holy Spirit's voice, instinctively knowing that God is at work within us. Over the course of my Christian life it is an experience I have become very familiar with and couldn't imagine living without - I welcome God the Holy Spirit breathing correction, affirmation, rebuke, calling or confirmation into me.
In Acts 2, as Peter courageously proclaims Jesus as God's Messiah and the risen Lord, the gathered crowd is described as being “cut to the heart.” It is a striking phrase! In an undeniable way the truth of Jesus refused to remain at arms length for those who experienced being 'cut to the heart'; it pierced through assumptions, stirred something within, and awakened a longing for change.
This is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t wound to harm, but to heal. He doesn’t convict to discourage, but to draw us closer to God’s life and freedom. To be “cut to the heart” is to become aware—perhaps freshly—of where God is inviting us to trust Him more, to turn from what diminishes us, and to step into what restores us.
As we continue through our Acts series together, may we each welcome this work of God's Spirit. Rather than resisting conviction or brushing it aside, may we receive it as a gift—evidence that God is near, speaking, and shaping us. And like those first hearers, may our response be open and ready: “what shall we do?”
May Mission Month Project - Thailand Youth Camp\
from Iain on behalf of our Intermissions Team
We’ve all seen the value of our annual BAM Camp for the spiritual growth of our teenagers. Each year Muana and Villy organise something similar for 20 churches in northern Thailand. What an opportunity! The problem is, camps like these cost money, and the churches in northern Thailand don't have a lot to pay for their kids to go on camp. But this is May mission month! This year, we – NVBC – have chosen to support this children’s camp as our special project.
To help support this project, please use the following bank details:
Bank: Baptist Investments & Finance
Account name: Narara Valley Baptist Church Offering Account S1
BSB: 704 922
ACC: 100 005 979
Reference: May Mission Month
We look forward to having some good news for Muana when he joins us on the last Sunday May Mission Month (May 31), when he will be sharing and preaching in our AM and PM services.
Our Global Exposure team will visit Muana and Villy in January. You can talk to Johnny Sharpe or Danielle Lamrock if you want to know more about the trip.
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 each month's 'The Harvest' prayer calendar.
Ministry Highlight: Baptisms!
Last Sunday we were thrilled to celebrate five baptisms across our Sunday Services. What an encouragement to witness and thank God for! If you didn't get the chance to read the testimony booklet, it is attached below (along with some photos from Sunday to enjoy).
We also looked at Peter's first sermon on the day of Pentecost during our Services. The call for how to respond to Jesus being Messiah and Lord continues to echo through to today: "repent and be baptized, every one of you" (Acts 2:38).
If you have put your faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, yet being baptised as a believer is still a future step of obedience for you, we would love to chat and be part of your taking that next step. Chat to any of our pastoral team or express your interest in our next baptisms (in less than a fortnight!) here: https://www.nvbc.info/baptism
Family News: congrats to Joshua & Catherine Haak!
We are pleased to share that on Friday 1st May Joshua & Catherine were married!! We invite you to share in their joy and congratulate them in person next time you see them.
Joshua and Catherine - we are thrilled for you both and are praying God's richest blessing, protection and empowering for you life together as husband and wife.
This Sunday
Mothers Day (Sun 10 May)
Come celebrate mothers day with us!
This Sunday Kingdom Kids will be specially run by some of our Valley Youth (for our Kingdom Kids leader Mums to stay in the service). We have a special mother's day message from Sunny Brown to look forward to, and then scones with jam and cream after both services.
Coming Up
Baptisms (Sun 17 May)
We are already looking forward to filling up our baptism tank for more baptisms!
Count Me In Lunch (Sun 24 May)
We believe in this beautiful thing called church!! As we read through the book of Acts we see the earliest believers be formed into a community with a powerful shared life and devotion to Gospel partnership.
Ministry Partnership (often called membership in other churches) is our way of individuals and families saying "count me in" to full participation in the life and decision-making of NVBC. Put simply, if you love Jesus and call NVBC your spiritual church home, then we would love to welcome you into Ministry Partnership at NVBC.
If you are interested in learning more or are ready to become a Ministry Partner here at NVBC, please rego here and come along to our lunch after the morning service on May 24th.
For all other upcoming events, visit:
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