This year Noah Chavez has decided to take a gap year and study a Diploma of Theology at The Bridge, which is run by SMBC, and we are thrilled for this opportunity the Lord has given him!

The Bridge is a Bible-centred, missions-focussed gap year that aims to give you a real taste of global mission and the needs of the world. It's a year to reflect and explore life, to have adventure and fun – and to experience the opportunity to make a difference in your life, and the lives of others!

The Bridge students will also be traveling to the Northern Territory in mid September as they seek to be on mission to the Aboriginal Australian culture, and understand the needs and opportunities for gospel ministry in these communities.

Noah says:

“What I’m most excited about by studying at the Bridge, is that I’m already constantly being reminded of how little I do not know about Gods Word, BUT it is so exciting to see all the indescribable things our God has revealed to us, by His Holy Spirit, in His word. And I am excited with all the new friends I will be making as we walk together in our learning and digging deeper into God's word!”

We are very excited for Noah and we can’t wait to see how the Lord will use him and grow him for the glory of God. Please keep Noah and the rest of the group in your prayers as he studies and prepares to go on mission later this year. Noah shared that he would love prayer that he would continue to walk humbly before the Lord as he studies God’s word, as well as trust in the Lord for the provision of finances this year.

Just a reminder that next Tuesday 23 March we are going to be having our SG Kids Leaders Training Night.

7:30 - 9:30 pm at the girls house - please mark it in your diary !!

We will be going over some important changes for this year and discussing all things kids church so please do your very best to come along. There will be snacks :)

This Sunday we continue our series on the Gospel of Matthew. We will be spending about two years going through this incredible book. You may want to go back to the start of the series and get yourself acquainted if you are new to the church, you can find all the sermons here!

Here is a great quote from JC Ryle":

“The Gospels were written to make us acquainted with Christ. The Holy Ghost has told us the story of His life and death, his sayings and doings, four times over. Four different inspired hands have drawn the picture of the Savior. His ways, His manners, His feelings, His wisdom, His grace, His patience, His love, His power are graciously unfolded to us by four different witnesses. Ought not the sheep to be familiar with the Shepherd? Ought not the patient to be familiar with the Physician? Ought not the bride to be familiar with the Bridegroom? Ought not the sinner to be familiar with the Savior? Beyond doubt it ought to be so. The gospels were written to make men familiar with Christ, and therefore I wish men to study the Gospels. Surely we cannot know this Christ too well! Surely there is not a work nor a deed, nor a day, nor a step, nor a thought in the record of His life, which ought not to be precious to us. We should labor to be familiar with every line that is written about Jesus.”

On Sunday we had a great time with Pastor Dave looking at Humility from Isaiah 66:1-2. He had three amazing points: The Perils of Pride, The Prize of Humility, Purposeful Application. You can listen to it here: www.sgparra.org.au/sermons

Here were some ideas for application:
 

     1. DO ALL YOU CAN TO BEGIN YOUR DAY & FINISH YOUR DAY, WITH THE LORD

     2. TAKE TIME TO STUDY THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD, HUMAN SINFULNESS & CROSS

Books of the Bible = Exodus / Isaiah / Psalms!! The Gospels, Letters of Paul

Books: ‘Bible Doctrine’ by Wayne Grudem + ‘Knowing God’ by J.I.Packer, ‘Broken Down House’ by Paul Tripp, ‘The Enemy Within’, by Kris Lungaard, ‘The Cries of Calvary’ by Edwin Lutzer, ‘Living The Cross Centered Life’ by C.J.Mahaney, ’The Cross of Christ’ by John Stott   

     3. DO ALL YOU CAN TO PULL OTHER BELIEVERS INTO YOUR LIFE

- Prov 12.15, ‘The way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.’

- Prov 1.5,      ‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.’

- Prov 11.14, ‘For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure’

- Prov 13.10, ‘Wisdom is found in those who take advice’

- Prov 15.22, ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.’ (Exp/Conc)

This week we are heading back to Philip Ruddock Water Park for lunch after church!

There is a café and store down the road or bring your own food, + bring swimmers for the kids, see you there!

As you know we are church that is seeking to put 1 Cor 11.1 into practice:

1Cor. 14:1   Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 

When: Tuesday 9th March @ 7:30pm

Where: 21/7 Sefton Road Thornleigh

What: Teaching, singing, qna

Who: anyone interested!

Why: to seek to “earnestly desire” this gift for the good of our church!

RSVP: just text me and let me know you are coming

Hey Church,

Easter is SOON upon us and I am excited to worship the Saviour in this particular season where we reflect upon the most horrific and glorious moment in all of history: the death and resurrection of the Son of God!

Here is a brief overview of the plan so that you can get it in your diary and think about who to invite!

Good Friday 2/4/21

We are having a Good Friday service, most likely 5pm @ Tara!

There will be kids work too. It will be a 1.5 hour long service.

Easter Sunday 4/4/21

We will be having a resurrection Sunday service ALL together with kids in the service. The events team is going to be planning this one and making it awesome! It will be a 1 hr service.

Walk Up!

We will be printing flyers and then aiming to head out to let as many people in Parra know! More details to come. But please open your heart to this!

This Sunday we are also taking up our Go Forward Fund for 2021/2022! I cannot wait to see how the Lord moves in us as a generous church to see the gospel go forward, leaders trained, the needy helped, and church planted in Aus and globally!

If you need a copy of the form, here it is: https://1drv.ms/b/s!Am0weP4m8K7QynHZ7bneuxLlIeY0?e=TKqQXz

Please take the time to pray through and think through this fund!

This Sunday we have the joy of welcoming back Pastor Dave! He is our dear friend and our greatest fan! He is a wise and loving pastor, a fantastic leader, a great husband and father, and has been invaluable in his support and care for us as a Church plant. Please warmly greet him and his family on Sunday!

He will be finishing off our ‘We Are’ series with: We are a Humble Church. And he will also give us an update on Emerging Nations and how our sister Church is going!

I can’t wait!

On Tuesday 23 March we are going to be having our SG Kids Leaders Training Night.

7:30 - 9:30 pm at the girls house - please mark it in your diary !!

We will be going over some important changes for this year and discussing all things kids church so please do your very best to come along. There will be snacks :)