Winston Hills Community News – 22nd February 2017
Genesis – The Origins of Everything
And God said to Noah, “There’s going to be a floody floody.” (Classic Sunday School Tunes ’50s-’80s)
Last Sunday we saw how the descendants of Cain are compared and contrast with the descendants of his brother Seth. Cain’s descendant Lamech boasts of his vengeful murder (4:23-24). Whereas Seth’s descendant Lamech cries out in hope that his son would bring relief from God’s judgement (5:29). And we see the extent of human sin at the beginning of Genesis 6 as mankind multiplies on the earth, but marry in a manner that continues to displease God (6:1-4).
How does God respond to this situation?
When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, 6 the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” (Genesis 6:5-7 HCSB)
Is there any hope for mankind? What might turn God from completely regretting his creation of man? A righteous man, Noah (Genesis 5:8).
Can I recommend reading Genesis 6-9 this week in preparation to hear what God plans and does through his Saviour.
Highly Recommended Devotional Reading
Earlier this month, copies of Peter Jensen’s Power and Promise: The Epic Journey from Adam to Abraham in Genesis 1-15 were made available to members of Winston Hills Anglican Church. Did you get a copy?
I have been using this booklet each day for my devotional time and thoroughly enjoying it. Peter’s explanation and reflections on the passages are very short yet insightful. Highly recommended!
Upcoming:
26.02 Gen 6-9 A New Hope?
05.03 Gen 10-11 We Built This City…
12.03 Gen 12 The dawn of Justification
19.03 Gen 13-14
Updated Rosters
The rosters for March and April will be updated by the end of the week. Please keep an eye on the changes. Copies of our rosters are found on our church’s members resources page.
Winstonites Sign-In – This Sunday
When you arrive this Sunday, if you have children in the Winstonites program, could you please sign in your child when you collect your name tags? The Winstonites leaders will take responsibility and lead the children up to the program after our normal Kid’s Spot. They will meet the children just outside the hall.
Creche and Blast-off parents will continue to sign in and settle their children at that time. Some water and biscuits will be provided to the Blast-off children during their program. Blast-off parents are welcome to bring a labelled drink bottle with them if this would help settle and tie them over until morning tea (at the end).
The program in the main hall will continue immediately so we ask that parents return after signing in their children as soon as possible.
We will follow the normal practise of signing the children out at their programs when we collect them at the end.
Women’s Event: Farewell to Michelle Allen
All women are welcome to farewell and celebrate the birthday of Michelle Allen this Saturday at 7:30pm.
Where: Okori Teppinyaki (111 Parramatta Rd, Granville)
Cost: $33 (Banquet C). Please bring some extra funds if you’re ordering drinks.
All Winston Hills women are welcome. For more information, please contact Amber.
Winston Hills Beach Day – Sat 25th March
We plan to head down to the coast, gather on the beach at Mona Vale (parking around Surf Lifesaving Club on Surfview Road) from 11am on Saturday 25th March. Please bring your own drinks and picnic lunch. Of course, toss in the boogie board and swimmers. From 1:30pm we will have some organised fun together, including a mysterious man cover in something delicious!
Everyone is welcome!
Gospel Teams 2017
The goal is for all Gospel Teams to have started meeting by next week. Currently we have GTeams on the following nights:
Monday night mixed (David O, Ben B) – FULL
Tuesday night mixed (Mark G and David P)
Wednesday morning women (Amber, Jo, Rochelle, Mel)
Wednesday evening women (Simone H, Ann L)
Wednesday night mixed (David P)
Thursday night men (Mike A, Eddie)
Your new Gospel Team leaders should know who is in their groups and contact you soon.
Newcomers’ Lunch – Sunday 5th March
Have you recently arrived at Winston Hills Anglican Church? We would like to invite you to lunch to meet us, hear about our church, and hear what it means to be a member of our congregation.
Time: 12pm
Location: 102 Lanhams Rd Winston Hills, NSW 2153
For more information, please speak with Mark or Sharon.
Friends of Northmead – Managing Arthritis
The Friends of Northmead is an initiative by Third Stage Empty-Nesters at Northmead Anglican Churches who desire to meet together and who also desire to bring their non-Christian friends into their friendship networks in a non-threatening manner.
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.
Sat 25th Feb – Music Training Day (10am-2pm at Thomas Street building)
Sun 5th Mar – Service Leaders Training afternoon (2-4pm at Thomas Street building)
Sun 2nd Apr – Kids Spot Training afternoon
Sun 30th Apr – Welcomers Training afternoon
Sat 3rd June – Leadership Team Training Day
Sun 4th June – Prayers Training afternoon
These training events are open for all members of Winston Hills. Please let Mark know if one of these is an area where you are interested in serving.
Western Sydney Region Annual Women’s Autumn Dinner
Tickets can be purchased online here for the dinner. For more information, please speak with Rochelle.
Dates for your Diary
February 2017
- Sat 25 – Music Ministry Training
March 2017
- Sun 5 – Newcomers’ Lunch
- Sun 5 – Service Leaders Training
- Tues 15 – Friends of Northmead Seminar
- Tues 21 – Western Sydney Region Annual Women’s Autumn Dinner
- Sat 25 – Winston Hills Beach Day
- Wed 29 – Northmead Anglican Churches AGM
WHAC Prayer Points
- Praise God for the peace we experience in Australia, which allows us to gather and know our Lord. Pray for those whose lives are surrounded by relational, spiritual or physical conflict, that they may hold onto their faith and hope in Jesus while suffering.
- Thank God for those who serve us every week using their musical abilities. Pray that everyone involved in music at Winston Hills will attend and value the training they receive from Ben Pakula this Saturday and encouragement from members of other congregations.
- Pray for those who are teaching children Scripture in public schools (Winston Hill, Winston Heights, and Northmead) as well as Model Farms High School. Pray that the children will be settled and attentive, and hear the great news about Jesus, learning to trust him in all things.
- Pray that the Allen family can settle quickly into the Gladesville Community, will be welcomed by the church, and be effective in proclaiming Jesus Christ in everything they say and do.
- Pray for the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ amongst “Third Stage Empty Nesters” at Northmead. Pray that they may have the boldness to invite friends and talk about Jesus.
Winston Hills Community News Editorial and Advertising Policy
The Editor of the Winston Hills Community News would like to inform all members of Winston Hills Anglican Church that we are open to make announcements in this weekly news column concerning plans and events for our members. If you would like to let everyone know about an up-coming Gospel Team opportunity, a birthday party, a celebration for everyone, plans to attend a wider community function, a word of encouragement, or anything that may interest our readers, please let the editor (Mark G) know.
The Community News forms the backbone of sharing information about news, events, and other things that have been encouraging us all. And rather than clog up our time together on Sundays with details of events that might be coming up, it would be fabulous if you used this resource to read about what is happening, to pray, and to mark up your diaries.