I’d like to warmly welcome you to church today and hope that you’ll be refreshed and challenged as God speaks to us and meets with us. If you’re visiting please make yourself known to me and our team of “Welcomers” so we can provide you with a Visitors Pack & assist you.

Bishop Isesomo of the Congo visiting Australia

Thank you to those who are hosting various speaking events for Bishop Isesomo. This is a great privilege to hear how God is working in DRC and to pray for Bishop Isesomo and the church of the DRC. I would also like to invite our members to contribute to the cost of bringing him to Oz.  Our part is $1000 which I have so far covered.  It would also be wonderful to be able to “send him home” with money to assist in caring for the orphans and refugees resulting from decades of war. DRC church members face ongoing extreme poverty as well as seeking to care for those decimated by AIDS & decades of civil war & militia invasion (4 million killed). All our members are welcome to visit as many of the Bishop’s events as they would like. LIFE Groups mostly are hosting him, but you don’t need to be in a LIFE Group group to attend.

Tuesday 11^th June

6.30am:  Men’s Breakfast followed by brunch at the Crews.
9.30am:  Tuesday Church & morning tea. 10.45am with Chris Leong’s group at the church.
7.30pm:  Paul & Vicki Brigden’s group at the Brigden’s.

Wednesday 12^th June

Visit to Richard Johnson  School (10am to 2pm).
7.30pm: Graham & Jane Crew’s group at Crews.

Thursday 13^th June

9.15am: Bob Whitten & Jean Robinson’s groups at Church.
11am: Sutherland Christian School.
1.30pm: Deanna King’s group at church. 8pm: group TBD

Friday 14^th June

5pm: Drop Zone    7.00pm: Youth Groups

Saturday 15^th June

8am: LIFE group leaders meeting.
1am: Lunch with the Thackers.
6.30pm: Young Adult Night Session 1 (Commitments)  7.30pm: dinner.   8.30pm:  Session 2.

Sunday  16^th June

7.45am, 9.30am, 4pm Churches.  6pm: Pizza Dinner with youth at 133 GBR   7pm: Night Church.

Monday 17^th June

8.30am: Graham Crew & Isesomo to St Andrews Cathedral School.

I’d like to warmly welcome you to church today and hope that you’ll be refreshed and challenged as God speaks to us and meets with us. If you’re visiting please make yourself known to me and our team of “Welcomers” so we can provide you with a Visitors Pack and assist you.

What a Strange world We Live in.

The Bible gives us clear teaching on the high value God puts on human life, all human life … from conception to death.  Life is just as precious in the womb as it is in the palliative care bed.  As our society moves away from God’s values, it becomes more and more confused about life issues.  Think of what our medical community & media have praised and condemned over the past weeks.

Abortion of babies (mostly female) solely because of their gender is widely condemned by Australians doctors.  And rightly so, but these are presumably the same doctors who support abortions of convenience with the argument that the embryos of whatever age are not people but just “part of a woman’s body”.  This week we’ve had the cloning of embryos from skin cells hailed as a major breakthrough.  Such cloning enables the production of embryos to match with needy recipients of “farmed” embryonic stem cells for expected cures or transplants.  It was only a few years ago that cloning for farming of human cells, was seen as both impossible and abhorrent.  Now that it’s possible … and economic, it seems not so abhorrent, and everyone seems to be saying “they’re just embryos … not people”.

Fortnightly Tuesday Men’s Breakfasts.

These have been running for more than a decade and we’re very grateful to Bob Whitten, George Milton and the team of men that run them. They were designed to provide mutual support for men in their work place, family life and church commitments. Our organising team is “aging” (but don’t tell them that) and are keen to welcome new blood onto their team.  If you haven’t been yet or haven’t been for a while, give it a go.  What better way than to start Tuesdays with a hearty breakfast and encouragement from God’s word and prayer with your mates.  6.30am to 7.15am. Up coming guest speakers include … 28th May: Mark Charleston (Sylvania Anglican);11^th June: Bishop Isesomo;  25^th June: Peter Moore (Sutherland Pres);

23^rd July: Rich Wenden (Cronulla Ang); 13^th Aug: Cameron Hyslop (Jannali Ang).

The Compassionate Country?

Christians lobbied hard both the Howard and Rudd governments for a more compassionate foreign aid budget.   Both agreed to raise our current level of aid from 0.35% to 0.5% on the way to the goal of 0.75%.  But the current government (and opposition?) seem locked into just 0.35% when Holland and some Scandinavian countries are already at 1% and even poor old England is at 0.5%.   All of this when we are told Australia’s economy is the envy of the world.  Any study of the Bible shows how much God calls for the special care of the refugee, the widow & orphans and the most vulnerable … and not simply those of our own race and then we learn that in this week’s budget, Australia is the 3rd highest recipient of our own foreign aid … of the 0.35%.    The compassionate country?

I’d like to warmly welcome you to church today and hope that you’ll be refreshed and challenged as God speaks to us and meets with us. If you’re visiting please make yourself known to me and our team of “Welcomers” so we can provide you with a Visitors Pack and assist you.

The Election of a New Archbishop for Sydney

In August Dr Alan Watson, Barbara Archer and I will gather with approximately 800 other Parish reps from across the diocese to elect the 12th Archbishop of Sydney. Bishop Davies and Rev Rick Smith have so far been nominated and there may also be other candidates. Alan, Barbara and I would value both your prayers and also your opinions in whom we should elect. Please pray that the process as well as the outcome will be God honouring, and the media cover fair!

Bishop Isesomo’s Week with us 11-16th June

A very wide program of speaking opportunities has been arranged for Isesomo. Gymea is one of the few parishes to host him while he visits Australia.  Isesomo is an outstanding leader with an amazing story of God’s incredible work with his people facing the daily “killing fields” of the Congo.  Copies of his draft itinerary are available on line and from our office.  To help our understanding of what life is really like for Isesomo and our Congo brethren, why not go to Youtube and view the French documentary called “Blood Coltan”.

Fortnightly Tuesday Men’s Breakfasts

These have been running for more than a decade and we’re very grateful to Bob Whitten, George Milton and the team of men that run them. They were designed to provide mutual support for men in their work place, family life and church commitments. Our organising team is “aging” (but don’t tell them that) and are keen to welcome new blood onto their team.  If you haven’t been yet or haven’t been for a while, give it a go.  What better way than to start Tuesdays with a hearty breakfast and encouragement from God’s word and prayer with your mates.  6.30am to 7.15am. Up coming guest speakers include … 28th May: Mark Charleston (Sylvania Anglican);11^th June: Bishop Isesomo;  25^th June: Peter Moore (Sutherland Pres);

23^rd July: Rich Wenden (Cronulla Ang); 13^th Aug: Cameron Hyslop (Jannali Ang).

Euthanasia Bill in NSW Parliament

Like many of you, I’m deeply concerned at attempts to legalise euthanasia. Though many of those promoting euthanasia are extremely sympathetic and well meaning, I believe euthanasia demeans our God given human value, underestimates the complexity of the motives and economics surrounding the treatment of the terminally ill and denies God’s authority over humanity. Life is ultimately His to create and to withdraw, not ours to “play God with”.

I have placed on our website the contact details of all Upper House members and Dr Megan Best’s excellent paper on the issue so you can make your views known to our legislators.  The “Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013” is already before the Legislative Council of NSW.  The Bill, if passed, will make it lawful for people with a terminal illness to receive assistance in certain circumstances if they wish to end their life. It will legalise a form of euthanasia in NSW.

Welcome today to all who are sharing their Sunday with us.  We hope and trust that the Lord blesses you.  Please take a moment if you are visiting us, to introduce yourself to our pastors or ushers.

Introducing our new Parish Council

What’s the PC do?

This is set out in the Church Ordinance of the Diocese.  Parish Council is to assist the Wardens in the management and maintenance of property and finances.  The Council also provides advice and consultation with the Minister on pastoral and ministry matters.  The full details of the Ordinance and Parish Councils duties can be found at our Diocesan website.

Who’s serving on it this year?

Elected  -  James Archer, Paul Archer, Dean Eades, Peter Holden,  Phil Hamilton-Foster, Chris Leong,  Claire Riley, James Wallace, Alan Webb.

Appointed by Graham  – Gavin Cooper, Julia Harrison, Paul Hoffmans (Treasurer).

Wardens  -  Laurie Archer, Steve Leitch, Sean Buckley and we welcome Matthew Robson as our voluntary Parish Council Secretary this year.

What is the Council discussing & deciding at the moment?

* Creating new staff & Parish offices  -  see Sean Buckley.

* Redeveloping our Pastoral Care   -  see Chris Leong.

* Seeking Government Grants  -  see Phil Hamilton-Foster & James Archer.

* Developing a Communications Team  -  see James Wallace.

* Repairing the kitchen -  see the Wardens.

* Being part of the Diocesan Mission “Jesus brings …” in 2014 -  see our staff

* Concern over declining giving to our Building Development Fund (mortgage repayments)

* How to encouraging suitable members to pursue Bible College & ministry careers

* APM recommendations including the need for a Women’s Pastor, encouraging ministry to the aged and SRE and Playtime.

* The leasing of our double garage and hall for much needed income  – see Sean Buckley

* Replacement of our old photocopier (completed).

How can I let the Council know what I’m thinking or concerned about?

Any members can and should speak with PC members directly about any business which is a PC matter.  You can all also write to PC asking for an issue or initiative to be considered.  Such letters can be given to our Office or emailed to the PC Secretary Matthew Robson at Matthew.Robson@moore.edu.au .

Welcome to our church today.  It’s great to share with you in the fellowship of Christ.  If you’re visiting us, please make yourself known to our staff and ushers so we can welcome your warmly.

Rescue Sunday  -  what a great day

Thank you to all who contributed to such a great morning!  It is always important to honour those who serve us in the community and good to connect with them, and their noisy vehicles!!

Thanks especially to Kim Cooper for all her co-ordinating with various visitors in the lead up. Our Mayor Kent Johns has kindly apologised for his absence due to his diary mix up. We hope he can join us next year.  Ben Stephenson did a tremendous job (as usual) overseeing a very complex visual mix for the day.  Our wonderful team of “BBQers” fed us thoroughly, and raised $120 which we have passed on to the S.E.S as a donation.  I hope next year that we will be able to include a local Primary School in this event.

Bishop Isesomo from the Congo  -  visit finalised

Bishop Isesomo will spend the week of 12th-16th June with us in Parish.  He is a warm and engaging speaker, passionate for Jesus and for his people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  DRC is a land that has seen more killings in the past decade than Rwanda and Cambodia combined and yet where the people of God are strong and growing.  Plan to come with your LIFE group to our midweek meetings if you can.

Arvo Church update

Parish Council has approved our rental of the Kirrawee Public School old library for 6 months at $100 per week for the hosting of our Arvo Church.  It is hoped that this will provide for our children ministry and for church growth, as well as building bridges with the school community.  Your prayer and financial support for this would be very appreciated.

Latest Katoke team members to visit Gymea

Peter and Rowena Bragg who will be commencing ministry at Katoke in May will be at Gymea on Saturday night 6th April and Sunday morning 7th April.  Don’t miss this chance to here from them and pray for them before they leave.  On Saturday night they will be dining with and talking to our Saturday night group at 133 Gymea Bay Rd.  The night starts around 7pm so come when you can and leave when you have to.

Elected to Leadership in 2013

Parish Council - James Archer, Paul Archer, Dean Eades, Phil Hamilton-Foster, Peter Holden, Chris Leong, Claire Riley, James Wallace,  Alan Webb

Parish Nominator  – Sean Buckley, Fay East, Luke Riley, Cathy Robertson, Alan Watson,

Synod Representative    -    Barbara Archer

Wardens   -   Laurie Archer & Sean Buckley, Stephen Leitch (Senior Pastor’s appointment)

Welcome to our church today.  It’s great to share with you in the fellowship of Christ.  If you’re visiting us, please make yourself known to our staff and ushers so we can welcome your warmly.

Welcome to our 9.30 church especially our friends from the emergency services in our community.  We thank God for them and pray for their protection and guidance and their families.  We are the richer and safer because of their dedication and sacrifices.

Scripture Teaching in the Shire

Our church has a tremendous history of dedicated members teaching SRE in our schools. Our teachers have rearranged work and study, leisure time and family life to make this a priority.  This commitment continues and increases. Our 4 pastoral staff all teach SRE.  I wrote last week why I believe we should value SRE highly.  Please pray for our teachers & helpers:

Tracy McCall, Olivia Robson, Craig Thacker, Gavin Cooper, Graham and Jane Crew, John Hunter, Brian Archer, Fiona Wallace, Jo Harris, Maureen Cartright and Paul Brigden.

News from our Annual Parish Meeting

We thank God for such a great attendance of our members at Thursday’s APM.  Please see the list below of those elected or appointed to serve us this year.  I urge you to pray regularly for them and communicate your hopes, joys and concerns to them.  Barbara Archer will be joining Dr Alan Watson and me in Synod in August to elect over 5 days the new Archbishop.  Please especially be praying for this, and let us know your views.

Parish Council

James Archer,                      Peter Holden
Paul Archer,                         Chris Leong
Dean Eades,                          Claire Riley
Phil Hamilton-Foster,        James Wallace
Alan Webb

Parish Nominators

Sean Buckley,           Cathy Robertson
Fay East,                   Alan Watson
Luke Riley

Synod Representative

Barbara Archer

Wardens

Laurie Archer
Sean Buckley
Stephen Leitch (Senior Pastor’s appointment)

Our first Parish Council meeting will be Thursday 21st March at which recommendations from the APM will be considered.  Our church members are always welcome to raise matters or suggestions with our Council.  Our preference is for matters to be in writing giving a week’s notice so that issues can be given prayerful consideration prior to each meeting.

Welcome to our church today.  It’s great to share with you in the fellowship of Christ.  If you’re visiting us, please make yourself known to our staff and ushers so we can welcome your warmly.

To assist us in our study of God’s word together we have produced:

Our Sunday Sermon book mark – with our readings and preachers

Our new Bible Studies booklet on Colossians, which Paul and I have prepared is now available for personal and LIFE group use. Of course, groups can still use our bible study booklet “Being the People of God”

Scripture Teaching in the Shire

Our church has a tremendous history of dedicated members teaching SRE in our schools. Our teachers have rearranged work and study, leisure time and family life to make this a priority.  This commitment continues and increases. Our 4 pastoral staff all teach SRE.  I wrote last week why I believe we should value SRE highly.  Please pray for our teachers & helpers:

Tracy McCall, Olivia Robson, Craig Thacker, Gavin Cooper, Graham and Jane Crew, John Hunter, Brian Archer, Fiona Wallace, Jo Harris, Maureen Cartright, Paul Brigden.

Annual Parish Meeting -  Thursday, 14th March at 7.30pm

I encourage all our members to make this meeting a priority and to pray for God’s provision in the election of  people to serve us again this year in leadership. This is also an opportunity to hear from those involved in our ministries, to review our finances and resources and to raise matters of interest for our incoming Parish Council. Those nominated so far include:

Parish Council (usually electing 9)

Parish Nominator (electing 5)

Fay East

Laurie Archer

Stephen Leitch

Leeanne Smith

Peter Holden

Synod Reps (electing one this year)

Pam Wilmington

Karen Leegwater

Wardens (2 to be elected, 1 appointed)

Laurie Archer

Stephen Leitch (accepts appointment by the Senior Pastor)

Welcome to our church today.  It’s great to share with you in the fellowship of Christ.  If you’re visiting us please make yourself known to our staff and ushers so we can welcome your warmly.

Our Bible Teaching Program Has Been Updated

Teaching systematically all of God’s word is a core value of our church.  Although we regularly look at what the Bible says on topical issues, the majority of our preaching is to exergete books of the Bible. We do this so that we can let God set the agenda and listen to all he has to say, not just our favourite bits or our preachers hobby horses. To assist with this we’ve made available:

a)  Our Sunday Sermon book mark – this indicates we’ve had to shuffle our preaching bringing the Colossians series ahead one week due to Bishop Isesomo’s delay.  He will be “fitted in” once the visa situation is fixed. Please pray for him and the church in the D.R.C.

b)  Our new Bible Studies booklet on Colossians, which Paul and I have prepared is now available for personal and LIFE group use.  “Being the People of God” is still free to use.

Scripture Teaching in the Shire

Our church has a tremendous history of dedicated members teaching SRE in our schools.  Our teachers have rearranged work and study, leisure time and family life to make this a priority.  This commitment continues and increases.  Our 4 pastoral staff all teach SRE. Yet it’s worth asking, “Is teaching SRE worth this high priority? Are lives really changed by it?”

We immediately want to say “yes” but how would we know?  Teaching the word of God we know is always powerful under God because the Bible is the “sword of spirit”.  But when we’re teaching it 30 minutes per week to younger children it’s always hard to know the longer term results in students lives.  Personally, I know a handful of adults who testify to Primary Scripture being the key to their salvation. Having grown up in a home where the Bible wasn’t taught to us, I can remember hearing the gospel clearly in some of my SRE classes.  We need to think through if there is more we can do in prayer and in creating further links between our church and the schools where we teach. Ultimately though we need to trust God that He will use his powerful word to change lives as we seek to faithfully share it. Please pray for our teachers and their classes—ask them how it’s going and even offer to assist them.

Annual Parish Meeting -  Thursday, 14th March at 7.30pm

This will be held in the church. I’d urge all our members to make this meeting a priority and to pray for God’s provision in the election of  people to serve us again this year in leadership. This is also an opportunity to hear from those involved in our ministries, to review our finances and resources and to raise matters of interest for our incoming Parish Council.

Welcome to our church today.  It’s great to share with you in the fellowship of Christ.  If you’re visiting us please make yourself known to our staff and ushers so we can welcome your warmly.

Katoomba Men’s Convention  1st-2nd March

Already more than a dozen of our men are booked are in. I have some tickets for this as well as being able to offer free accommodation for those who don’t mind roughing it a bit on Friday or Saturday night but, if time is tight, why not come up for an awesome and challenging day on just the Saturday, 1st March?  See Dave Clelland, Luke Riley, Paul or myself for details.

Bishop Hayward  -  our guest speaker today!

We warmly welcome Peter Hayward, our regional bishop, and his wife Julie today.  Peter will be our guest speaker at all four congregations and we’re grateful for his generosity with his time in his busy and demanding role.

Annual Parish Meeting -  Thursday, 14th March at 7.30pm

This will be held in the church. I’d urge all our members to make this meeting a priority and to pray for God’s provision in the election of  people to serve us again this year in leadership. This is also an opportunity to hear from those involved in our ministries, to review our finances and resources and to raise matters of interest for our incoming Parish Council.

We elect two wardens and I choose one.  They act as an executive of Parish Council overseeing the property and finances and making the day to day decisions.  We can elect 3, 6, or 9 Parish Councillors and as well as being responsible for finance and property matters, PC acts as an advisory and consultative body. Our 5 elected Parish Nominators work with 5 Diocesan Nominators to seek and nominate a new senior pastor to the Archbishop when I leave. As Adam Darvell has resigned from his role as Diocesan Synod Representative, we will be electing one new rep for just this year (Alan Watson is our other rep). Ordinarily, we elect two synod reps to represent our Parish, with me, at our Diocesan Synod every 3 years.  We ask that all nominations be received in writing to allow us to prepare voting papers and enable our members time to prayerfully consider candidates. Candidates MUST give their written consent to being nominated. Nomination forms are available from the back of the church in the foyer.

“Being the People of God” Bible Study Notes

These are available today for LIFE groups and individuals who would like to study the themes of our sermons for February. Life Group ministries are an essential part of a healthy church and we have an extensive number of groups for all ages. Please see our staff for details about joining one of them. New groups are often commencing, so now is a good time to begin.

Bishop Isesomo’s visit to Australia and Gymea delayed

Due to visa problems Bishop Isesomo of the Anglican church of the Congo will be with us later than expected .  His schedule will have to be redrawn to cope with the changes.  We apologise for any disruption to your ministry groups program, and ask for your urgent prayers for his visit, his family and his people.