Oxygen Church

Next Public Church Service

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:46:30 +0000

What better way to celebrate life than at oXygen Church? Doors open at 10:45am, so why not get there early to catch up with a few friends and get seated on time. We're creating more space and opportunities for our friends and family to connect with God and great people! It's exciting to see what God has already done...and is about to do! Kids church is on! So parents' why not arrive early to make sure your children can make the most of their time at church.

When: Sunday, 3rd June 2012, 11.00-12.15pm

(Doors open at 10.45pm and light refreshments will be served from 12:15)

Where: The Stafford Room, Queens College.

1 - 17 College Crescent, Parkville Vic. 3052

(Kids church available - registration open from 10:45pm)

For further information click here

A Good Read

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:51:42 +0000

Ever received an email or a letter from someone that evoked a sudden desire to respond with a good old fashioned "piece of you mind?" We've all been there. We've all been just moments - just a mouse-click - away from unleshing a verbal world of pain. Someone I've worked with once said "If you don't want it read on the front page of tomorrow's paper, your email shouldn't be sent." Sound advice that, admittedly, I have had to heed many times. Letters and emails would be so different if the entire world read them wouldn't they? In the same way, I wonder sometimes whether you and I would live our lives differently if we realised how much people watch and read the message of our lives.

Just like a letter bearing good news, we carry a message - The Message from Christ - within our hearts and it's waiting for us to live it out for people to see. Our lives are the paper and ink, expressing all that Christ has done for the world. We carry Christ's message of hope, acceptance, restoration and unconditional love. Paul writes to the church in Corinth, Greece, "You yourselves are a letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." [ 2 Corinthians 3 vs 2-3 - NIV] If only we realised that God wants our lives to carry His message on tomorrow's front page. For all to read. What differences would we need to make today?

Lord may our lives reflect your message. May those who see our lives clearly read a message that is clear and uncompromising in truth. Above all, may they see Jesus.

Take Heart

Mon, 07 May 2012 09:41:23 +0000

Everyone wants - in fact, needs - somewhere to belong. Even from a young age, people often ask the questions "What if I don't belong? What if I don't find my place in the world?" Not finding our place is a very real fear that we have all experienced at some point in our lives. It is the basis of all of our deep-seated insecurities. Jesus addressed this paralizing fear when he was talking to his disciples."Do not let your hearts be troubled," He began by saying, " You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" [John 14 vs 1-2 - NIV]

As a church, we need to carry the very same message of Christ to our world. While others do what they can to clamber their way up the pecking order to "find their place", we need to hold out to the world a message of hope - that there actually is enough room for everyone. The message of Christ is unconditional love and acceptance. It is inclusive. It speaks to all - the leper, the blind, the lost, the rich, the poor, the prositute, the tax-collector - and it screams out, "Don't let you hearts be troubled....I have made room especially for you!" So, this day, may your heart not be troubled with insecurity. But rather, may it be filled with a sense of a future and a hope that God has made provision for you. And in turn, may we confidently hold that same gospel - the same good news - to those around us.

Thoughts About You

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:14 +0000

Okay - really quickly - why don't you just stop what you're doing and think about someone in your world...

Who is it? And, what were your thoughts about them? Now be honest - ('cos as Christians we're always honest!) - who did you really think about and what were your thoughts? Was it perhaps a family member and your thought was how they make you laugh or was it... "that" person who - if you could just get a chance - you'd... best not to finish "that" sentence!

The truth is, the people in our lives are actually the biggest assett in our lives - even the ones we'd rather not finish the sentence about! There are people who demonstrate the good things in life and there are those who bring contrast and provide opportunities to extend ourselves beyond our own grace and into God's.

Paul simply writes in his letter to the church in Philipi, "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."[Philipians 1 vs 3 - NLT] Paul's pespective wasn't in the natural but rather a bigger picture of the church in Philipi. Did they have faults? I'm sure they did. In fact, I'm positive they did! But, Paul was clear that even with all of their faults, he was going to be thankful to God for the people in his life. Thankfulness opens so many doors in life. If you want to ensure that God keeps adding more and more people to your life, start by being thankful for the ones He's already added. Your thoughts lead your actions. Your thoughts of others will lead to an action of appreciation towards them. And, that's how we're going to change the world - one person at a time.

A Good Theme

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:52:02 +0000

I love a good movie. Got a favourite genre? It might be romance, action, thriller or a good doco. The theme of the movie, or any good story for that matter, is such an important thread of which every nuance of plot, sub-plot, script and soundtrack is an expression. Now, I know, this might be a slight exaggeration, but, if the theme of a movie is action, you’d expect loud explosions, gut-wrenching camera work in adrenaline inducing locations and maybe some dialogue to suite (ok... maybe not a lot of quality dialogue if Sly Stallone is involved!) But, you've got admit, it would seem a little odd if this great epic action film’s greatest scene involved Hollywood's biggest actor simply wading through a toddler's waddling pool, wouldn't it? Absolutely! We’d expect the pool to at least be piranha infested!

So it is with our lives. The Psalmist writes, "My heart is overflowing with a good theme." [Psalm 45 vs 1 – NKJV] If you and I were to break it down to one - just one -word, what would the theme of your life be? There are so many heart themes aren't there? Warm-hearted, broken-hearted, cold-hearted kind-hearted and kindred-hearted are just a few. But my heart's prayer for you today - in your heart and in your soul - is that, in every aspect it would simply be good. I know it sounds simple - but it really doesn't have to be more complicated than that. As the theme of your heart and soul is good, so too will be every expression of it.

A Bigger Perspective

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:11:51 +0000

Perspective is the point of view by which we see the world around us. Perspective is usually determined by where we stand in life. Our perspective is greatly changed from our "ground floor view" if we decide to climb a ladder, stand on a roof or look down at the ground from an aeroplane window. The situation is the same - the landscape hasn't changed at all - but our perspective of that landscape has changed. Life is filled with so many undulations. I mean, one minute your experiencing the highest of highs and at other times you're feeling the depths of the darkest valley. The secret to getting through these times is often found in changing our perspective of it.

If you're going through some dark times, I, for one, don't want to trivialise your situation and circumstance. I don't even want to tell you that you've just got to ignore it and just keep going - that's called denial. Rather, I'd encourage you to look at where you are right now - perhaps in your state of hurt, pain, confusion or lack of direction - and see it from a different perspective. God takes every detail of your life and works it into good. He's the God who wastes nothing.

"But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose..."

[Romans 11 vs 29 - The Message]

Preserving Humanity

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:40:12 +0000

Chapter two of Preserving Humanity has begun and jars of chutney are now on sale. As a church we've increased our efforts to raise more money than we ever have before. All profits raised from this project will go towards the A21 Campaign - an organisation with the same heart to rescue people from the injustice of human trafficking and slavery.

Jars of Beetroot or Tomato Chutney are priced at $7.50/each.

If you would like an order form click HERE.

If you require more information about Preserving Humanity to explain to your colleagues, friends or family click HERE

Alternatively, if you would like to purchase or place an order you can contact Cathy or contact us via info@oxygenchurch.com

For further information about the A21 Campaign click HERE

Preserving Humanity

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:45:56 +0000

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://vimeo.com/36274740" mce_href="http://vimeo.com/36274740"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Preserving Humanity&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; from &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://vimeo.com/user4585423" mce_href="http://vimeo.com/user4585423"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Breathe&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; on &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://vimeo.com" mce_href="http://vimeo.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Vimeo&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

This is a short film of an oXygen Church initiative called Preserving Humanity. Its aim is to raise awareness and funds for the A21 Campaign, an organisation that exists to abolish injustice in the 21st Century with particular attention paid to human trafficking.

Featuring "Take Heart," written by Joel Houston. Performed by Hillsong United from the album "Aftermath."

Take a Seat

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:08:29 +0000

Ever just finished a hard day's work or a major project and just want to sit? It's a common thing to do. Often when we have visitors over in our homes we'll say "take a seat" in order to make our guests feel comfortable and relaxed. In the Old Testament the Bible has descriptions of the temple and the utensils used to serve and worship God within it. There was the Ark of the Convenant, the candle holders, the Table, and so many other things but there was no seat. This was to symbolize that the work of the priests of the day was never complete. To atone - or cover - the sins of the nation, the priests had to continually keep at work. And then... along comes Jesus.

“After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” [Hebrews 1 vs 3 - NIV] After His sacrifice to not only atone, but to cleanse, the sins of the world, once and for all, He took a seat. I'd want to take a seat myself! In three brief words "He sat down" Jesus symbolised the completion of all the work that needed to be done to restore mankind to our loving God. By sitting down, Jesus was also symbolising the rest that can be found in His grace rather than the work and labour that is continually required under the law. This Easter, may you intimately know the completion of Christ's work through His sacrifice, the grace and rest you can have because of it. But, most of all, may you know the relationship that can be built with God himself when we chose to sit and rest with Him.

What An Act!

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:12:26 +0000

"Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."[John 19 vs 28-30 - NIV]

The Christian faith, your belief and my belief pivots around the life and death and ressurection of one man, Jesus Christ. And what a man he was. The mystery of being fully God and fully man, coming to earth with one goal - to restore a relationship with you and I. He declared to all that the Kingdom of God was near to all. He sat with the sick, the unpopular, the tax collector, the prositute, the outcast. His message was inclusive. He opened the eyes of the blind, opened the ears of the deaf, healed the paralyzed and raised the dead to life. There really had not been anyone like Jesus. There is still no other like him.

I love the thought in the verses above that firstly, Jesus knew that everything was finished. In the three years of his ministry, he left nothing undone, nothing unsaid, nothing for anyone else to do. And when it was finished he simply bowed his head, just like the performer the world had not yet seen. Notice, Jesus did not hang his head - the implications would have been that of defeat had He done so. Rather as an act of completion, he tipped his head to all in history - as if to say "This was all for you." And finally, Jesus gave up His spirit. He didn't give in. His spirit was not broken. Rather he gave up his spirit in one single act of submission - the utlimate act of bridled strength.

This Easter, may you know the completion of Jesus' work on the cross in your life. May you acknowledge the act of grace and love, represented by the cross, that the world has not since seen. And may you know that the love that Jesus showed for you, as he hung upon the cross, was a powerful act of strength under submission. An act that he demonstrated especially for you and especially for me. May you know the life that He gave and the life that He still gives. Happy Easter! God Bless.