7th October 2026

6 days ago

4 min read

7th October 2026

Opener

from Johnny

On Sunday, Travis will be preaching from one of my personal favourite stories in the book of Acts - Peter's miraculous escape from prison. It's a wonderful and encouraging story, when Peter is arrested and the church prays through the night, and as they pray, an angel breaks Peter out of the prison (although he thinks he's just seeing a vision). When he comes to the house where the people were praying, and the door is locked, Rhoda the servant girl is so amazed she forgets to open the door and let him in! It's a quirky, funny, heart-warming and encouraging story about the saving power of God.

Yet there is a little story that Luke pairs with this one, one which precedes it, and is so brief we might miss it. In Acts 12:1-2, we read that Herod didn't just arrest and imprison Peter. He had already arrested other Christians, including James the brother of John, one of Jesus' closest disciples. And in this short verse we read that James was "put to death with the sword."

There is no mention here of an all-night prayer vigil (although it's quite likely that such a meeting took place, like it did for Peter). What we do know is that God didn't send an angel to break James out of prison. And so the early church had no remarkable, dramatic story to tell about God's miracle-working power to save. Instead, they had one sad, simple sentence for Luke to record: "Herod put James to death with the sword."

We don't know why God saved Peter and not James. We don't know why James was taken so early in the story of the church, while his brother John lived to be an old man. We don't know why God answers some prayers 'yes' and others 'no', why he acts to save miraculously on one occasion and not on another. Even Peter, who was saved on this occasion, was later martyred.

So today, if you are a Peter, feeling encouraged and celebrating an answered prayer, and the wonder of God's miracles in your life, do not forget that there are those who are still waiting or lamenting that their requests to God were not granted. And if you are struggling with unanswered prayers in your life, be encouraged by those whose stories have a happy ending in the here and now, that God is Good, that God is able, and that He has not forgotten you and will not forsake you. As Paul later wrote (who knew a lot about both experiences), let's be a church who learns how to do both these things well:

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

Romans 12:15

Thailand Global Exposure Team Fundraiser

Our team are getting prepared for our trip to Thailand in January - and we'd love your help! We're putting on a bake-sale this Sunday to raise funds to help us pay for some of our expenses in Thailand (things like accommodation and transport). If you'd like to buy a yummy treat to eat with your Sunday morning coffee (or for PM supper), they'll be for sale in the forecourt.

Women's Dessert Night

Don't forget the Women's Dessert Night is on this Saturday, for all the women of NVBC, young and old. Come and connect with one another over churros or hot chocolate, 7pm at San Churro Erina. If you're thinking of coming, please RSVP today so we know our numbers.

Operation Christmas Child

Thanks to everyone who's purchased a OCC shoebox and already returned them to be sent to kids around the world. The shelf in the office already has about 25! Your shoe-boxes need to be returned no later than next Sunday, 18th October. You can bring them to a Sunday service to leave at the info desk, or between 9am-2:30pm next week on Monday 12th, Wednesday 14th or Friday 16th October. If you're looking for a list of what to put in, click here.

The Gathering Camp

There's only eleven days left to get your tickets to The Gathering Camp! Final regos are required by 18th October (next Sunday).

Go to nvbc.info/thegathering to register now!

If you have any questions about camp, please send us an email: johnnysharpe@nvbc.info or church@nvbc.info. We're really looking forward to spending a great weekend together as a church family, connecting with one another and having fun together!

Join us in Prayer this Week

We invite you to take a moment to pray with us this week:

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This Week

Cru Coast (6-9 Oct)

CRU Coast is happening right now. Let's cover these 4 days in prayer!

Flourish Women's Dessert Night (7pm, Sat 10 Oct)

An evening for the women of NVBC to connect for dessert at San Churro in Erina. RSVP here ASAP

Sunday Services (9:30am & 5:00pm)

This Sunday, Travis will continue our Acts series, with the dramatic story of Peter's escape from prison in Acts 12. Our kids will be joining in our Sunday services and we will have kids activity packs available for them during the sermon.