Through the season of Advent, the four week period leading up to Christmas, we will be exploring the wonder of the Christmas story through four distinct, but related characters. Pastor Melissa Lipsett begins this week with the wonderful, faithful expectation of Elizabeth.

After years of dreaming,planning and building, on November 3, 2013 we held our first worship celebration in our new expanded facilities at Robina. More than 1500 people gathered to rejoice in God and all he has done. The theme of the service, and of this message, is that the church is like a stained glass window - fractured pieces brought together to form a whole, through which the light of Christ shines.

The church is called to be a place of spiritual sanctuary and refuge that reflects the love and light of Christ. To fulfill this calling, like the ancient cities of refuge, the church will constantly adapt, open wide its gates, remove every obstacle and show the way - all for the spiritual fugitives it seeks to reach.

Justice in the ancient world was swift and brutal. It was an eye for

an eye, life for life era. To guard against innocent blood being

spilled, God provided Israel with six Cities of Refuge - sanctuaries

for fugitives on the run. These were cities of grace. What relevance,

if any, does this ancient Old Testament teaching have for 21st century

New Testament Christians?

Jon shared with us on Sunday around the courage to go and the courage to stay. Adventure is an unusual, exiting, and potentially dangerous experience. 'One simple act of courage is often the tipping point for extraordinary change.' - Andy Stanley

We heard from Mike Hands on Sunday morning sharing about the life of Henri Nouwen, a Dutch catholic priest, influential author, speaker and theologian, who left his position and began working as a pastor for a small home for people with intellectual disabilities. A man whose weakness became his strength.