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

5pm @ Tara (inside) with Kids Work (outside!). A sombre service with readings and hymns, reflecting on the final day of Jesus’ life.

Easter Sunday 4/4/21

10am @ Tara (outside) with kids IN the service! We will have a one hour service to celebrate the resurrection of Christ! Who are you going to invigte?

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!

Last Sunday Jesus turned to address our relationships within the Kingdom of God and we saw that “Kingdom righteousness is revealed in real world relationships”. How we live with others is a key mark of the follower of Jesus, and our main aim:  “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.. You can listen to the message here!

Your GG leaders will let you know all the details!

This Friday we are going to fast for: mission in our lives and our city!

How do we fast?

Simply, abstain from food or other controlling appetite, for one day, once a month, and focus yourself on prayer that longs and pines for God. For example, my practice is to skip all meals on a Friday and break my fast at dinner time.

During the day I try to make plans for prayer that centre’s my heart on the Lord, crying out for more of Him and interceding for others in my life.

You don’t have to do it alone! Do it with someone, that is, plan it together, spur each other on.

Then, let’s come together for Mission Prayer and break the fast together!

For all the details join the whatsapp group

We are back with Life Groups this week! Your LG leaders will send you all the information you need!

Last Sunday we had the opportunity to be pastored by Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34 as he dove in to engage with our fears and anxieties that can block us seeking first the Kingdom. In this message we saw that our worries are not so much the problem it is what we do with them. The main idea: Our worries are cured by knowing our heavenly father and transformed by seeking His kingdom. You can listen to the message here once it is uploaded.

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.”