The Bible is a big book, and a very old book. Actually it’s a collection of 66 books written by about 40 different authors over nearly 2000 years. It contains many different styles of writing. If you open it at page one and attempt to read it right through it can be quite daunting. In our age the Bible is often derided and dismissed as an ancient and irrelevant book.
Yet Christians claim that this book is “Scripture”, the written words of God himself. And more. This book is claimed to be, not only an historical record of what God has said and done, but a present “living and active” word by which God still speaks to us today, and by which we can know him personally.
What does it mean to say that the Bible is “God’s Word”? How can we trust such an ancient text to guide our thinking and our living today?
Next week we begin a 4 week series called “The Voice of God”....
About 40 women across our congregations attended this year's Equip Conference at the Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. It was a valuable day of teaching, encouragement and friendship, this year based around 2 Peter 1. Di Warren talked on the Great Escape from death and destruction that we have access to and compared it with the fleeting and minor escapes we desire from our lives. Ainsley Poulos sensitively convicted us of envy, explored its destructive patterns in our lives and gave us insights for fighting against our urge to envy those around us. We broke up into smaller groups to learn more in electives which included Confessions of a Shopaholic and the Fineprint of Feminism.
All who attended enjoyed the day out and the enriching teaching. A week later, some of those who went and others who missed out met up for an afternoon cuppa and to chat about how the conference affected them and the lessons they took away to apply in their lives.
For more information about the Equip Women's Conference, check out their website.
You might be surprised to hear that in Morning Church and Family Church combined there are 27 weekly home Bible study groups operating. 4 out of every 5 of our members belong to a small group. And not only that, there is another group about to start. But if there are such a lot of groups running, why start another? Here are two reasons.
This year four of us from Evening Church (Michelle Bearzot, Callum Whitley, Coralie Roydhouse and Shannon Harrison), who finished our HSC last year, are participating in a structured gap year program called “Year 13” run by Anglican Youthworks. The program includes serving at our church two days a week - youth group, kids clubs, helping Jodi in the office, bible studies, scripture and ISCF. Michelle serves at St Catherine’s School, Waverly, assisting the school chaplain. Two days are spent studying at Youthworks College (Loftus), and two days working in part time jobs.
"The Year 13 program offers you a unique opportunity to learn, serve, develop and explore the world and your future. It's a great time to invest in shaping your mind and heart as you are impacted by the Word and impact the world for Christ!"
Part of the course involves a short term mission in Fiji. This will be for a month, and starts on 24th June. Many people in Fiji practice a form of Christianity based on family tradition. Our aim is to partner with others already involved in gospel work in Fiji, and help people come to a saving faith in Christ. We’ll visit orphanages, slums, settlements, prisons, schools, churches and women’s shelters. We’ll also stay with a Fijian or Hindi family for one week in different towns over the island. We’ve been preparing for the trip by learning about Fijian culture and raising money to help us get there.
Please pray:
For the leaders who are preparing to take us away.
For the Fijian people - that God will be preparing their hearts for our arrival.
That we can be servant hearted and willing to give our all for the sake of Jesus, each other and for the Fijians. That we will grow more like Jesus.
For our health and safety.
For updates and photos from the team throughout our Fiji experience, or to send us a message please go to our facebook page.
Thank you very much for your support! Michelle, Callum, Coralie and Shannon
On April 17, CMS, along with 7 link churches including Jannali, commissioned the Sampson family as they embark on their mission in Kenya. Sylvania Anglican Church was overflowing with supporters, friends and family participating in the warm and sincere prayer and thanksgiving service.
Paul and Cathy ask for continued prayer as they spend 6 months in Tanzania learning Swahi, then move to Nairobi, Kenya to begin mission work in Carlile Bible College. Please pray for quick uptake of Swahi and for the children as they relocate and make new friends.
For more information on the Sampson's missionfield in Kenya, check out the details on their CMS page.
Are you interested in finding out more about Christianity? Do you want to know what makes Christianity different to other religions? Do you have a Sunday School understanding of God and want to build your knowledge?
Simply Christianity is a 5 week course exploring the core message of Christianity - the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are starting a course in September for anyone interested. The friendly discussions will take place on Thursday nights, here at church. If you would like more information or to register your interest, please contact us.
The school term has gotten underway and this means that public school scripture (Special Religious Education) is up and running. We partner with other churches in the local area to teach and share God's love to public schools in Jannali, Oyster Bay, Como and Bonnet Bay.
The team of scripture teachers is made up of a varied bunch of people. Our two veterans, Sylvia (Como Presbyterian) and Kaye (Shire Live) have been teaching SRE for 29 years. They help guide a team that not only includes experienced returning teachers, but also enthusiastic newbies.
SRE in our local area follows a syllabus from Youthworks/Christian Education Publications which is professional, modern and dynamic. Most importantly, the material guides teachers to share God's history in the Old Testament and His salvation in the New Testament in age appropriate and imaginative ways.
Every year, our SRE team appreciates prayer support. Please thank God for the opportunity to teach local students about God and pray that this continues. Also, there are still scripture classes requiring teachers and/or class helpers. Pray that God would raise up faithful teachers for these positions and consider if you might like to help out with SRE teaching regularly or occasionally.
SHIFT is a new ministry starting up this year. SHIFT is a network for those who are post-high school up to 21 years of age (the first 3 years out of school). It will include bible study groups, social and evangelistic activities and learning about issues facing young adults today.
The Bible is a big book, and a very old book. Actually it’s a collection of 66 books written by about 40 different authors over nearly 2000 years. It contains many different styles of writing. If you open it at page one and attempt to read it right through it can be quite daunting. In our age the Bible is often derided and dismissed as an ancient and irrelevant book.
Friendly people, food, a talk and then discussion on the big issues of life.
8 May
You might be surprised to hear that in Morning Church and Family Church combined there are 27 weekly home Bible study groups operating. 4 out of every 5 of our members belong to a small group. And not only that, there is another group about to start. But if there are such a lot of groups running, why start another? Here are two reasons.
This year four of us from Evening Church (Michelle Bearzot, Callum Whitley, Coralie Roydhouse and Shannon Harrison), who finished our HSC last year, are participating in a structured gap year program called “Year 13” run by Anglican Youthworks. The program includes serving at our church two days a week - youth group, kids clubs, helping Jodi in the office, bible studies, scripture and ISCF. Michelle serves at St Catherine’s School, Waverly, assisting the school chaplain. Two days are spent studying at Youthworks College (Loftus), and two days working in part time jobs.
On April 17, CMS, along with 7 link churches including Jannali, commissioned the Sampson family as they embark on their mission in Kenya. Sylvania Anglican Church was overflowing with supporters, friends and family participating in the warm and sincere prayer and thanksgiving service.
Are you interested in finding out more about Christianity? Do you want to know what makes Christianity different to other religions? Do you have a Sunday School understanding of God and want to build your knowledge?
The school term has gotten underway and this means that public school scripture (Special Religious Education) is up and running. We partner with other churches in the local area to teach and share God's love to public schools in Jannali, Oyster Bay, Como and Bonnet Bay.
SHIFT is a new ministry starting up this year. SHIFT is a network for those who are post-high school up to 21 years of age (the first 3 years out of school). It will include bible study groups, social and evangelistic activities and learning about issues facing young adults today.
Our bushwalkers get together once a month to enjoy God's creation and to build friendships. Trips are planned and cater for most fitness abilities.
