Genesis – The Origins of Everything

This Sunday will be our final study in the Origins of Everything from Genesis for the moment. We will return to consider the rest of Genesis in the coming years. As we read Genesis 20-22 (and please do this before Sunday!), we notice there are numerous narratives about Abraham’s life after God’s horrific and just judgement on the towns of the plains (Genesis 19). Abraham falls back into his old ways, being deceptive out of fear for his life (Genesis 20). With the birth of Isaac, Abraham faces the challenge of dealing with tensions between family members (Genesis 21). And to top it all off, God challenges Abraham to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 22).

What is God teaching Abraham (and us) through these narratives? What does it look like to life by faith in God’s promises?

Upcoming:

28.05 Powerful Faith in Powerful Promises (Genesis 19-22) – Communion gathering

04.06 New Series: Truths Worth Dying For – Faith Alone

11.06 Truths Worth Dying For – Grace Alone

18.06 Truths Worth Dying For – Christ Alone

25.06 Truths Worth Dying For – Scripture Alone

Parish Prayer Night

Please join us at the Thomas Street building on Thursday 1st June to pray for our church.

Ministry Training

During the first half of the year, we’ve planned a series of training days for all congregations. The goal is to know what we’re doing, how we’re doing it and make sure we’re serving to the best of our growing abilities. Those expected to be involved will be invited and information about these events will be made available closer to the events.

Sun 4th June – Prayers Training afternoon

Sun 6th Aug – Bible Readers Training afternoon

Sun 3rd Sept – Sharing your Testimony training afternoon (with optional follow-up training on Sun 10th Sept)

Memory Verse of the Month

If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

⁹If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:8-9 (HCSB)

Northmead Winter Appeal

Thank you to everyone for being extremely generous towards Anglicare. A big thanks to those who knocked on doors and spoke with people outside the Northmead IGA and in Winston Hills Mall. We pray that Anglicare may use all the groceries, blankets, clothes and items we gathered for them to talk about Jesus with people who are poor, destitute and in need.

Approximately 400 Thank-you Packs were given to people in our community. Pray that they may read the information about Anglicare and ourselves, and most importantly that they will read the Two Ways to Live gospel tract!

Stretch Night – Tonight!

This month’s Stretch night on Wednesday 24th May (tonight!) with be on the Sacraments, particularly Holy Communion. What are the Sacraments? What is happening when we share some bread and wine (aka grape juice) together or wash someone? What is Scripture describing or prescribing for us?

Location: Thomas Street building

Time: 7:30pm

This Sunday we will be expressing our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ on Sunday 28th May.

Working Bee

Painting the inside of the church building; morning tea; fixing office building gutters; coffee break; moving a shed (or putting a new floor in it); morning tea; meet and smell people from other congregations; coffee break; gardening; painting; grab another coffee and muffin; shifting mulch into the garden beds; more painting the inside of the church building; chatting with other members of our church; pulling weeds; and then watching the paint dry.

These are some of the things that are happening during our working bee – Saturday 3rd June. If you have particular skills (e.g. painting or serving a good coffee), then please let Sharon in the church office know.

EQUIP Conference

EQUIP is an annual conference for women. This year it will be a day of learning and sharing and growing, as they explore the treasures in God’s word and what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life.

For more information, please speak with Sharon in the church office.

Marriage Weekend Away

What is the alternative to enriching your marriage other than our Marriage Weekend Away? Hearitol! (Please note the warnings at the end of the video – for a real long term solution to communication issues in marriages, we recommend our Marriage Weekend Away)

Our Marriage Weekend Away from 23rd-25th June at The Retreat at Wiseman’s Ferry will be a great opportunity to remind yourselves of God’s purposes for your marriage and to re-equip your marriage to deal with such conflict situations.

To register, please grab a brochure from the back of the church. Please return complete forms as soon as possible. Registration closes on 9th June. Payment plans are available.

For more information please contact Mark or Sharon in the office.

KidsQuest 2017

As per the last few years, KidsQuest has been an extremely fruitful opportunity to tell children the news of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Why not start considering how your children might invite their school friends along to this fun week.

You can register your children for KidsQuest on the Northmead Anglican Churches’ website.

Please contact Jacquie if you are able to help during the week with looking after kids, morning tea, rego, organising games, making lunches for the team, skits, giving talks, organising craft, chatting with parents, running the coffee cart, prayer or any other helpful acts of service for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ministry Opportunities

Parramatta Family & Local Court Support Group Inc

Over thirty years ago a volunteer service began at the Family and Local Courts in Parramatta, in reaction to a lack of support and positivity in places that both sought to resolve family disputes and misdemeanours of the law. An interdenominational group was formed from local churches in the area, to lend an ear, and a smiling face, and a hand of kindness by way of a cup of tea and a biscuit to those attending the Family Court and the local Court. The support group are seeking the help of people who might like to be a Rostered Volunteer about three hours a month for serving tea and coffee at either or both of the courts. Choice of day or week of the month is available ie. 3^rd Tuesday. Time is usually between 9am and 12.30pm. For more information, please contact Robyn Druitt (member of FIVE congregation) or call Margaret Wigmore on Ph: (02) 9871 8492, mobile 0407 436 642 or email at wiggy46@optusnet.com.au.

Winston Hills Wednesdays Women’s Gospel Team

The Gospel Teams for the Winston Hills women’s groups require a few people to assist care for the children while the mothers meet together. If you are able to join the roster (usually a fortnightly commitment), please speak with Rochelle or Amber.

Dates for your Diary

May 2017

Wed 24 – Stretch Night
Sat 27 – EQUIP Conference

June 2017

Thurs 1 – Parish Prayer Night
Sat 3 – Working Bee
Sun 4 – Prayers training
Sat 17 – Missionary Prayer Breakfast
Fri 23- Sun25 – Marriage Weekend Away

Longer Term

16-18th March 2018 – FIVE Weekend Away

FIVE Prayer Points

Thank God for the work of Anglicare, taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to those in need. Pray that God will use our gifts to build his kingdom in heaven.
Pray for the financial situation of our church, particularly as financial giving is down, that we may all give generously, cheerful and in response to God’s outrageous grace to us in Jesus.
Pray for those who have been sick, unemployed, mourning or struggling in life under many trials.
Pray for the Santiches in New Zealand. Pray for their children as they make personal decisions about how they will live by faith in Jesus Christ. Pray that Mark and Renee will have wisdom in speaking about Jesus with them.
Pray for Jacquie and her KidsQuest leaders as they prepare for this outreach event for children in July. Pray that they may be prepared and able to coordinate all the different aspects of the week.

FIVE Community News – 24th May 2017