Community News

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At Church this Weekend – Easter Celebrations!

Easter-2016

What was happening on the cross, when Jesus died? What does it mean for us now?

On Good Friday we’re looking at the crucifixion of Jesus as recorded in John’s gospel (John 19:16-42). It will be a great time to think again about why Jesus died.

It’ll be a wonderful celebration, with plenty of hot cross buns. Plus it will be a shorter service, with the kids staying in with us for the whole thing.

Then on Easter Sunday we will look at the resurrection of Jesus, as we ask whether we have enough evidence to trust that Jesus did rise from the dead.

Of course, please invite everyone to come, as we reflect on the most significant days ever.

Christianity Explored

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We are offering a Christianity Explored course starting either Tuesday 5th April or Wednesday 6th April (depending on which night suits people the most). So if you know someone who is interested to know more about who Jesus is and what he has achieved for us on the cross, or if you’d like to come yourself, please let me know.

AGM – Recap

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Last night we had the Annual General Meeting for our parish. You’ll hear more about who was appointed and so on in the coming weeks, but it was an encouraging evening.

Moore College Mission

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From Sunday 15th – Sunday 22nd May, a team of Moore Theological College students will be joining us for the week to help us reach out to our community with the good news about Jesus. Start thinking now (especially in your Gospel Teams) about how you would like to be involved, and which friends you could invite along to hear the gospel.

We’re looking at have a number of events throughout the week: door knocking, women’s events, men’s events, youth and children’s events, dinners, gaming nights, and so on. If you want to help organise one of these, or you have a great idea for a brand new outreach event that has never been tried before then please let us know!

Stretch Night – Postponed!

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Since the majority of Gospel Teams at NAC have only just started this year, we have decided to postpone our first Stretch Night (originally set for Tuesday 5th April). We’ll let you know when our first Stretch Night will be on.

Long Weekend Reading

Here’s a link to one of Don Carson’s books, on living faithfully following Christ’s resurrection.

Community News

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At Church This Sunday

Easter-2016

In the weeks leading up to Easter, we’ll be returning to the book of John. We’ll be following Jesus on his journey to the cross, and it will be a great series, particularly for those who don’t know why Jesus’ death on the cross is so important! So please be thinking who you can invite along.

This Sunday our senior minister Adrian Russell will be speaking to us from John 18, so if you can, please read ahead. Plus also this Sunday…

Lunch after Church

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Parish Annual General Meeting

Coming up on Wednesday 23rd of March we’ll be holding our parish’s Annual General Meeting. It’s a nice opportunity to hear a number of reports from across the parish, plus we’ll be nominating and voting for positions on the parish council, for church wardens, and parish nominators. Plus as usual, a more detailed discussion of the budget will happen on Monday the 21st.

Gospel Teams

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Our gospel teams have been starting up this week, but it’s not too late to join one. Just let me know you’d like to join one, and we’ll see what we can do.

Stretch Nights 2016

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Our Stretch Nights give us an opportunity to stretch our minds and understanding through discussing and considering Christian issues from a biblical and theological perspective. This year the plan is to consider issues such as human sexuality and social justice.

Our first Stretch Night is coming up on Tuesday 5th April, so please think about coming along.

Safe Ministry Training – this Saturday

If you missed our recent Safe Ministry Training events, you still have the opportunity to do the training…

  • Youthworks run Safe Ministry – Saturday 12th March. This is being run by an outside organisation and is not free. For details and to book, see this website: https://www.youthworks.net/events/SMEvent

Weekend Reading

Sandy Galea offering ten tips on addressing kids’ fears and doubts.

FIVE Community News – 9th March 2016

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Easter Series – John 18-21

Easter-2016

In the weeks leading up to Easter, we’re looking at the events after Jesus’ final Passover meal with his disciples until he is reunited with them after his resurrection. These events are recorded from the eyewitness perspective of the Apostle John. What were Jesus’ concerns during his passion? How does John explain the reasons for Jesus’ death and what were the various peoples’ responses to what was happening?

If you have friends and neighbours who do not understand the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, then please consider inviting them to this series.

We will be distributing flyers concerning both the new times for our Sunday gatherings as well as this Easter series over the coming weeks. Please pick up a few bundles from the back of the church to distribute over the next 2 weeks.

Picnic by the Lake

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It was a great gathering of FIVE members beside Lake Parramatta last Saturday. Under the shade of the trees, we have great conversation, shared many lovely treats, and a few people even got a little wet (when they ventured too close to the edge of the lake).

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FIVE Weekend Away

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This year’s theme for our weekend away is The Path of Discipleship. Mark Fairhurstwill be leading us through Jesus’ teaching from Luke 9-12. What does it mean to follow Jesus, especially as he heads towards the cross and then glory? What are the dangers and obstacles we face as his disciples as we walk the same path?

All the information about our weekend away can be found in the brochure (download here). At this stage we are able to sponsor 2-3 people to attend, so if you are unable to afford the cost of the entire weekend please talk to Mark Groombridge, Jann, Carol, Steve or Andrew.

Matthew Small’s Wedding – This Saturday

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This Saturday 12th March at 2:30pm, Matthew Small will be marrying Belinda, who you may have met when they came to FIVE last year. The wedding will be held at Windsor District Baptist Church (739 George Street, South Windsor). Everyone is welcome.

NAC AGM

On Wednesday 23rd March, we are having our annual General Meeting. If you would like to nominate someone to be a parish councillor, warden, or parish nominator, please speak with both the person you’d like to nominate as well as with Adrian Russell.

There will be an opportunity to discuss the budget on Monday 21st March.

Stretch Nights 2016

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Our Stretch Nights give us an opportunity to stretch our minds and understanding through discussing and considering Christian issues from a biblical and theological perspective. This year the plan is to consider issues such as human sexuality and social justice.

Our first Stretch Night is Tuesday 5th April. Consider coming with your Gospel Team. More information coming soon.

Safe Ministry Training

If you missed our Safe Ministry Training events this week, you still have the opportunity to do the training…

  • Youthworks run Safe Ministry – Saturday 12th March. This is being run by an outside organisation and is not free. For details and to book, see this website: https://www.youthworks.net/events/SMEvent

Dates for your Diary

March 2016

  • Saturday 19th March – Mission Prayer Breakfast
  • Monday 21st March – Budget discussion
  • Wednesday 23rd March – AGM
  • 25th-27th March – Easter

April 2016

  • 1st-3rd April – FIVE Weekend Away. There will be no FIVE gathering on Sunday 3rd April.
  • 5th April – Stretch Night

FIVE Prayers

Throughout this week please pray for:

  • Matthew and Belinda as they begin a new stage of life together from Saturday
  • NAC pastoral staff who will be away together from Tuesday – Thursday next week for planning, preparation and encouragement
  • Pray for those who are sick, suffering or mourning. Continue to pray for Ellayne Hillier.
  • Pray for our FIVE Weekend Away, that everyone will come and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
  • Pray through the issues and themes we discovered as we read through Peter’s first epistle

Reading Corner

I do not know if Murray Campbell would share in our faith in Jesus Christ, but he has some compelling Observations and Questions about ‘Safe Schools’. As we observed in 1 Peter, our arguments are that the behaviour being discouraged (bullying) and encouraged (acceptance of LGBTI practises) should flow from our acceptance that Christ suffered in the flesh. Murray Campbell provides us with some further secular thoughts worthwhile considering if you find yourself discussing these things with your friends.

FIVE Community News – 2nd March 2016

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1 Peter – Immortal Mortal

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On Sunday we are looking at the final chapter of Peter’s first letter. He has a word from God for all in leadership positions, the youth, and then all of God’s people, based upon what do we expect it the future and the dangers we face in the here and now. Please read 1 Peter 5 in preparation for our gathering on Sunday.

Easter Series – John 18-21

Easter-2016

In the weeks leading up to Easter, we’re looking at the events after Jesus’ final Passover meal with his disciples until he is reunited with them after his resurrection. These events are recorded from the eyewitness perspective of the Apostle John. What were Jesus’ concerns during his passion? How does John explain the reasons for Jesus’ death and what were the various peoples’ responses to what was happening?

If you have friends and neighbours who do not understand the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, then please consider inviting them to this series.

We will be distributing flyers concerning both the new times for our Sunday gatherings as well as this Easter series over the coming weeks. Keep you eyes out for the bundles in the church over the next few weeks.

Picnic by the Lake – This Saturday

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On Saturday 5th March from 3pm please join us with your picnic blanket or camping chair for a relaxed afternoon tea beside Parramatta Lake (enter from Lackey Street via Bourke Street, North Parramatta). You may like to bring a few nibbles to share, some walking shoes for a turn around the lake, or even your cricket bat if you want to take on Calvin.

Everyone welcome.

FIVE Weekend Away

This year’s theme for our weekend away is The Path of Discipleship. We will be considering Jesus’ teaching from Luke’s Gospel about being his disciples as he heads towards the cross in Jerusalem.

All the information about our weekend away can be found in the brochure (download here).

So please reserve 1-3 April in your diaries for a weekend in Luke’s Gospel, friendship and fun.

NAC AGM

On Wednesday 23rd March, we are having our annual General Meeting. If you would like to nominate someone to be a parish councillor, warden, or parish nominator, please speak with both the person you’d like to nominate as well as with Adrian Russell. There will be an opportunity to discuss the budget on Monday 21st March.

Stretch Nights 2016

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Our Stretch Nights give us an opportunity to stretch our minds and understanding through discussing and considering Christian issues from a biblical and theological perspective. This year the plan is to consider issues such as human sexuality and social justice.

Our first Stretch Night is Tuesday 5th April. Consider coming with your Gospel Team. More information coming soon.

Safe Ministry Training

If you missed our Safe Ministry Training events this week, you still have the opportunity to do the training…

  • Youthworks run Safe Ministry – Saturday 12th March. This is being run by an outside organisation and is not free. For details and to book, see this website: https://www.youthworks.net/events/SMEvent

Dates for your Diary

March 2016

  • Sunday 6th March – Gospel Teams Launched
  • Sunday 6th March – 11am church (soft launch) and nine30 moving to new time of 9am
  • Saturday 19th March – Mission Prayer Breakfast
  • Monday 21st March – Budget discussion
  • Wednesday 23rd March – AGM
  • 25th-27th March – Easter

April 2016

  • 1st-3rd April – FIVE Weekend Away. There will be no FIVE gathering on Sunday 3rd April.
  • 5th April – Stretch Night

FIVE Prayers

Throughout this week please pray for:

  • The proclamation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ over the Easter period, including the distribution of flyers throughout Northmead and Winston Hills
  • A smooth transition during thechanges for both 9am and 11am morning congregations
  • New initiatives for fellowship and outreach amongst retirees and seniors in our parish and community
  • Pray for those who are sick, suffering or mourning. Continue to pray for Ellayne Hillier.
  • Pray for our FIVE Weekend Away, that everyone will come and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Recommended Reading

What does Christian maturity actually look like? Throughout Scripture we read of God’s desire that we grow in maturity (Eph 4:11-16; Col 1:28-29; Heb 6:1…).  Last year our Gospel Team leaders were considering this topic as part of their “job” is to assist us grow in maturity. Do you think you are growing as a Christian in a manner that God desires? Richard Sweatman has a helpful article ‘How do you tell if someone is growing?’ which might help you consider how you a travelling as a Christian.

Community News

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At Church this Week

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This Sunday we’ll be continuing our ‘Immortal/Mortal’ series in the book of 1 Peter. So if possible, please have a read of 1 Peter 4 before Sunday.

Gospel Teams

A big thanks to everyone who returned a Gospel Team availability form last Sunday – we’re now working on forming teams, and you will hear more about which group we’re hoping you’ll join next week.

But what have our Gospel Team leaders been doing in the lead up to the start of our groups? They’ve been meeting in small groups on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights for Bible study, prayer, and training, before we start our regular Gospel Teams early in March.

A large portion of the training has involved considering how to work together to proclaim Jesus Christ to those in our community who do not know him. Some groups are going to talk with the parents of the children who attend our afternoon kids activities. One group has been out door-knocking on Sundays. Other groups will be meeting with parents from St Luke’s Pre-school.

So what that means for your Gospel Team this year, is that your Gospel Team leader will discuss possible serving and outreach opportunities for your team. Hopefully you’ll be able to plan for some achievable events which are suitable for reaching out to your non-Christian family and friends.

4GYC

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On Sunday we heard about our youth group (4GYC) – and I had a chance to head along last Friday. It was really great to see God growing his people through this ministry.

Weekend Reading

You may have seen this one already, but ‘In defence of the Archbishop (and why the Bible isn’t sexist)’.

4GYC News

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Winston Hills Anglican Church – What’s Happening This Week

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At Church This Week – Revelation 14

This Sunday Mark Groombridge will be speaking to us from Revelation 14. Everyone is welcome, and we’d love to see you there.

Plus, because of our 645 congregation’s weekend away, most of our usual Winstonite leaders (plus me and my family) won’t be with us on Sunday morning. But both Winstonites and Endurance groups will still be running, but as a combined group watching a movie.

New Hall Configuration

Last Sunday we trialled a new hall configuration, and the general response has been very positive. The new setup allowed the podium to get closer to the middle of the hall, increased the seating capacity, and improved visibility from the seats towards the back. But please be prepared for us to try other possibilities.

Ways to Serve – Thanks

A big thanks to everyone who filled in a “Ways to Serve’ form on Sunday. It’s great to get this kind of information, and for those looking to explore new ways of serving, we’ll be in touch to help you do that. But if you didn’t get a chance to fill one in, you can grab a copy here and forward it back to me.

MAP Update Night – Coming Soon

Weekend Reading

After the horrific deaths of 21 Coptic Christians, and to follow on from last week’s article, here’s a second article that helpfully tries to explain what’s going on.

Upcoming Events

Meeting Leader Training 15th March

Formal Communion 29th March