On Sunday I preached on 1 Timothy 3:8-13, ‘Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church’. This message will help to shape us as we go forward as a church, so if you missed it, please take a moment to listen to it. You could also pick up the book “Deacons” By Matt Smethurst (Smetto!)

Next Steps:

1. Going forward could I ask that you spend some time praying and put forward to me a list of names of men and women you think may be suitable to serve as Deacons in the church. The reality is…we could pretty much nominate everyone in the church because we have SUCH a servant hearted and joyful church! So let’s see how the Lord leads.

2. In time, I will then send out to you a list of names of the people i’d like to put forward as Deacons. For you to review, commend, or submit concerns about.

3. We will then have an ordination service where we set apart a few members in our church to serve as Deacons

This is new to me and so there will be kinks to iron out in the process but I look forward to seeing how following this biblical pattern can strengthen and serve our church and all those who will one day call SG Parra “Home”.

Riley

Hey Church,

Together retreat 2022 is only 3 days away. As we prepare to gather, please see below final information (you would have also received this in your emails last week for those attending)

Friday Night Arrival & Check In

Site Address: Collaroy Centre – 22 Homestead Avenue, Collaroy Beach 2097

Please arrive between 6:30PM - 8:30PM. Supper is from 8-8:30pm (make sure you eat dinner before you arrive).

Note: When you arrive, park your car in the carpark (leave your luggage in it) and visit the front reception/welcome desk where you will collect your room number, pin code and information pack.

You can then drive to your cabin and drop your gear off before returning your car to the carpark. Be mindful that it will be dark when you arrive so watch your steps (bring a torch).

What if I’m arriving late on Friday or Saturday?

If you will be arriving after 8:30pm, please make your way to the Conference Room adjacent to the Reception and find/call Richard Song (0407 272 034), who will be able to direct you from there. 

What time can day visitors arrive?

Day Visitors are welcome to join us anytime from 7:30 AM. If you are registered for the day, please know your meals are; Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper on Saturday.

What do I need to bring?

Besides your personal gear… 

·         Bath towel, pillowcase, sleeping bag, single bed sheets & blankets/doona (for guests in Cabin rooms). Note: Linen and towels are provided for Hotel and Private Room guests only.

·         Portable Cot if you need one

·         High chair if you need one

·         Baby Monitor if you need one

·         Wet weather gear

·         Board games, books, sporting equipment

Questions?

If you have ANY questions, please feel free to contact Richard Song on mobile – 0407 272 034

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

We are trialling having our very basic live stream of the service on Zoom rather than FB Live for a while. You can access the Zoom here: https://sgparra.org.au/zoom . Please let us know how it goes

Life Groups start back next week as the SG Kids Workers Meeting is on this Wednesday night, 7.30pm @ Iron Street

In the evening, we will have our mid-year Church Family Meeting. To give us updates on how things have been going (ministries and finances) and to give you a vision for what the remainder of the year is going to look like!

We would love for you to join us on this day so please lock the date in your calendars if you would like to attend.

Time: Dinner 4pm, Meeting 5pm, Kid’s Movie (TBD)

Where: Iron St Chapel

Friends, I wanted to give you an update to let you know that after much prayer, Noah has decided to move up to Macksville to be with his family. His last service with us will be this Sunday, 24th July. There’ll be a chance at the end of the service to farewell Noah and pray with him to send him off. You can also join us for lunch after church at the Spring’s house and hang with him there!

I want to take this opportunity to thank Noah for his example in what it means to expressively love the Lord, serve the church community joyfully, his genuine care and warmth to all he engages with and his zeal for the gospel to be spread.

It’s always hard to say “goodbye” but we continue to trust in the Lord’s Sovereign plans for Noah - he will surely be missed!

Parenting can be a challenge... but thank God we don't have to face it alone! Come and join Wahroonga’s next ‘Equipped For Life’ evening. The night will consist of a 15 min Bible talk by Dave Taylor on parenting followed by a panel discussion with Riley and Maddison Spring along side Dave and Emma Taylor.

Topic: Building Stronger Families: An honest conversation about parenting

Where: Wednesday August 10, 7:30-9:30pm at Fox Valley Community Centre

Everyone is welcome to join!

Please make sure you fill in the Special Diets form that was sent to you from the email for ALL members of your family (including kids) ‘Venue360Collaroy@etc’ with the Subject ‘Your Stay at the Collaroy Centre’

This needs to be done by July 14, if we don’t get them done they will charge us $10pp….and with 275 or more people going…that could get very costly!

If you don’t have that email, please email cs@sovgrace.org.au and let Carolina know!

Thanks!

This week the Core Team and their wives are heading away for a prayer and planning retreat. Please take some time to pray for us. This group is so important and pivotal to the health and life of our church and they are such a great support to myself as the Pastor. Their input, feedback, evaluation, and service are invaluable! If you have anything you’d like us to think about or discuss while we’re away, please email me!

Riley