Good News Week

What a great week!

We had record numbers of children coming to our programs.

We had people from all our different congregations serving together.

Jesus was proclaimed and to top it all off the Colin Buchanan concert was spectacular fun. 

But none of this counts if people don’t end up Connecting with God.

So please pray:

1. Thanking God for the great week, all the hard work and the perfect weather.

2. That the opportunities that were created, the raising of St Paul’s profile and what the children learnt about Jesus would lead to people wanting to know more about Jesus and the life that he offers.

3. That this might translate into people visiting us at church, wanting to read the bible or coming to Introducing God which starts again on the 21st of July.

Singapore

I’m off to Singapore tomorrow to preach at the weekend away for Katong Presbyterian Church.

The senior minister, Kuo Yung, spent his sabbatical with us at St Paul’s and has invited me to give three talks on ‘Maturity in Community’.

I’m really looking forward to it and hope to learn a lot by meeting with the saints in Singapore and Indonesia (where the weekend away will be held).

Please pray:

1. That I will speak in a way that will encourage all the members of Katong Presbyterian to see God’s church for what it truly is, so they will invest their time and their energies in building up and adding to the body of Christ.

2. For safe travel.

3. For Pearl and the kids while I’m away.

4. For my guest, Catherine, at Introducing God, that she will continue to learn what Christianity is about, especially this Tuesday as we look at the love that changes everything.

 

Introducing God

It’s been a great couple of weeks.

It started with Together ’14 where God answered our prayers in terms of giving us great weather and a great time of fellowship.

Then we started Introducing God this week and I couldn’t be happier.

Not only in terms of the 25 guests who came, but also in terms of seeing people from all different backgrounds and locations and different congregations, working together in the task of Making Disciples.

Please pray:

1. That we would continue to work together as God’s people at St Paul’s in Making Disciples.

2. That the 25 guests would Connect with God through the Introducing God course.

3. That all those Serving at Introducing God would be encouraged in their Service.

4. That our Growth Groups and our children would grow in their love for the risen Jesus as they study the book of Acts together during this term.

 

Together ’14

The time has arrived!

All sorts of people have pulled together to make it all happen.

I’m really looking forward to it.

Please pray:

1. That Jesus would be honoured.

2. That people would be encouraged.

3. That it would testify to our unity.

4. That things would run smoothly.

5. That there would be good weather on the day.

See you on Sunday!

 

Easter!

Hi all

Could you please pray for the following?

1. I’ll be going back to James Ruse to preach at their Easter service on Thursday. Pray that the message of grace might open their eyes to what life is about and what Jesus has done.

2. Please also pray for our community. That we’ll lots of opportunities to invite them to church at Easter through personal contact and letterbox dropping.

3. Please pray for the planning for Together ’14. That it might be a great time of think about how we can be working together to serve Jesus and our community through Making Disciples.

 

Parish Council

Hi all

Would love you to pray for the first meeting of Parish Council this Monday.

What does a Parish Council do?

Basically it works with the senior minister and wardens to oversee things such as finances, property and work health and safety.

In addition, given the number of gatherings we have, it also serves as a means of communication to all of our members.

You can read more about it here.

We have a number of new people and a new treasurer as well. So please pray that they will get their heads around things quickly.

I’m also putting forward a new way of working that will hopefully make greater use of the gifts of the people on Parish Council.

We’ll also be discussing the issue of our name once again. Pray that we’ll be given clarity on that issue and be able to make a decision soon.

Thanks

Gary

This week

Would love you to pray for the following:

1. Please pray that I will be able to work well with those elected to be wardens and parish councillors at the recent AGM . Please also pray that we’ll be able to find ways to best use the different skills and abilities of everyone involved.

2. Pray for patience and grace as we adjust to 9am church moving to 915 and trying to de-clutter the lounge area to accommodate more people.

3. Please pray for Pearl as she juggles a whole host of different activities including leading a Growth Group, ESL and scripture at Carlingford West.

4. Thank God for the way he has sustained me through a very busy period.

5. Pray that God would lead us to a suitable person to take up the role of Office Manager / PA

The need to pray

It was brought to my attention the other day that I haven’t been posting much recently and I can put that down to two reasons.

1. Busyness.

2. I’ve forgotten how much I’ve benefitted from having you pray for me.

I was rebuked and it’s encouraged to get back on the wagon and seek your prayer and support.

So could you please pray for the following?

1. The ACC weekend away where I will be speaking on the topic of family.

2. The AGM on Monday. That I’ll be able to encourage people with what’s happening and good officers will be elected.

3. My first Moore College board meeting. That I will listen, learn and be able to get up to speed quickly.

4. Also seeing extended family and friends this weekend. Pray that I would be a good witness and have a chance to speak to them about Jesus.

2014

Hi all,

It’s been a long time since I last posted and we’ve entered a new year and I’m really excited by what God may have in store for us.

This morning Nima, our Iranian pastor, was able to join the team. You can find out more about his ministry by visiting his website.

We were also able to thank God that Peter Greenwood has been invited to be the next rector of the parish of South Hurstville.

We also had a great Christmas period where we had a lot of visitors and families who got to hear about Jesus, and we’ve had plenty of new people visiting our churches throughout January as well.

And while 2013 was a particularly hard year with all the changes we’ve been through let me ask you to start the year by praying that God would help us as His people make the most of the opportunities He presents us in 2014 to be making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Please also pray that the Lord would give me the wisdom, godliness and energy I need to lead our church throughout this year.

Chris Edwards – Bishop of Nth Sydney

I’m supposed to be taking a few days off but I’m really thrilled by the announcement that our own Chris Edwards from 9am church has been chosen to be the next Bishop of Nth Sydney!

Chris is a terrific choice. He’s got great experience both locally and abroad. He’s also a church planter. And if you ask anyone at 9am church they’ll tell you that he’s an excellent preacher and a wonderful Christian brother.

Could you please be praying for Chris, Belinda and  family as the news gets out?

Please also pray that the Lord will help them with another transition and guide their next steps.

And that the two of them will be a tremendous blessing to the people in the North Sydney region, and that through them the gospel will continue to go out.

For more on the announcement follow this link: Chris Edwards