28th October 2018 AD

MINISTRY MORSEL In the second instalment Cassie Watson helps us to think through what it means to look to Jesus in hard times. After speaking of Looking Back last week, she focuses on LOOKING UP.

When God commanded Joshua to lead Israel into the promised land, he strengthened him by his word: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 We can be just as certain of God’s presence, as we have his Spirit dwelling within our own hearts. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Although he no longer lives on earth in physical form, he has promised not to leave those who follow him (Matthew 28:20). So when trials come, we can look up at the God who has never left us for a moment.

Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India in the early twentieth century, wrote that we’re often tempted to sin in times of suffering. She counsels us in how to respond: ‘I do not know of any way of escape so sure and so swift as a long steady look at our beloved Lord; and then, having escaped that snare of the fowler, let us do what the bird does—sing.’

There is abounding comfort to be found when we look up at our God who is indeed a “very present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1. He can keep us from sin in the hardest times. (continued)

‘The Human Condition’ OT: 1 Samuel 15:12-21 (p282) OT: 1 Samuel 15:22-35 (p282)

Gospel: Matthew 13:47:58 (p980)

PARISH SERVICES

Weekly Sunday: Sunday @ 8 Holy Communion Sunday@10 Family Gathering including Kids’ Church 1.30pm Armchair Church - Woolgoolga Retirement Village

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS Sunday: 3.45pm - Bible Study @ Marj Simmons’ Home 5pm - Youth@5 - Rectory - Years 9-12 Tuesday: 9.30am - Bridge - Parish Centre 4pm - Choir Rehearsal - Church Wednesday: 9am - Prayer Gathering - Chapel 9.30am - Young Mum’s Bible Study - Ministry Centre Afternoon - Women’s Bible Study - 2 groups alternate weekly 7.30-8.30pm - Men’s Bible Study - Ministry Centre Thursday: 6pm - Free English Conversation Classes - Parish Centre Friday: 5.30pm - WiFY - Parish Centre - Years 4-8 6pm - Friday Night Fellowship - Rectory Saturday: 8am - Saturday@8 for Prayer - Woolgoolga Headland by Water Tower

Rector: Rev David Hanger 0408 423 442 Young Families Ministry: Rev Simon Reeve 0450 255 055 Deacon: Rev Pam Stone 0418 228 885 Ministers: The Congregation Parish Office: PO Box 49 Woolgoolga NSW 2456 66541370 (all hours) Op Shop: 21 Scarborough Street, Woolgoolga Email: office@northernbeachesanglicans.org.au Website: www.northernbeachesanglicans.org.au

SENTENCE The redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. Isaiah 51:11

COLLECT: O God, you give light to the blind and comfort to the sorrowing, and in your Son you have given us a High Priest who has offered the true sacrifice for us and yet can sympathise with us in our weakness: hear the cry of your people and lead us home to our true country, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. Blessed Lord, you have caused all the Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us to so hear, read, learn and embrace them that, encouraged and supported by your Word, we may hold fast to the joyful hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

TODAY’S SERMON READING 1 Samuel 15:12-35 (p282)

SERMON SERIES that begins next Sunday will explore Luke’s Gospel with the anticipation that this encounter with the person of Jesus Christ will refresh our faith and encourage seekers and sceptics to consider his life changing claims.

CMS SUMMER SCHOOL 2019 - Mt Tamborine, Gold Coast Hinterland, 4-9 January. Simon and Alison and the children will be attending and would love

any others to come along with them. If you are interested please speak with them. Brochures are available on the back table.

May God bless you on your very special day.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Harold Whackett, Alan Moore, Bev Hardacre, James Hall, Aaron Anderson, Thelma Watkins, Jessie Ikin and Colin Ovenden

Northern Beaches Anglicans in the Diocese of Grafton is committed to protecting your privacy.

The people on this list have requested prayers at this time.

to everyone joining us in fellowship and worship in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Please join us for morning tea in our Parish Centre from 9.20am.

NEXT WEEKS SERMON READING Luke 1:1:4 (p1024)

DIARY

3 Nov Men’s Breakfast 10 Nov Market Stall 13 Nov Parish Council 17 Nov Women’s Breakfast 9 Dec Community Christmas Party

NBA's Spring Holiday Kids' Club On October 10-12 Northern Beaches Anglicans held its first Holiday Kids' Club in recent memory. We made use of the Chapel, Ministry Centre and fenced area beside the church for games, singing, craft and Bible stories. Around 11-16 excited children came on the various days and they learnt about Captain Jesus, the rescuer. We had wonderful help from Anne Dorman, Shirley Livock, Matthew Alford, Xander Pilon, Paul Hatton and two young men from Armidale. Thank you for your prayer support and encouragement of this event and we pray that we might continue to grow this connection and outreach with in the local school community. (Simon)

SRE IN SCHOOLS

Tuesday 11am-2.40pm Wednesday 11.30am-1pm

DAYS OFF: David - Monday Simon - Thursday Pam - Tuesday

Next week’s readings: OT: Ruth 1:1-5 (p263)

NT: Philippians 3:15-21 (p1180) Gospel: Luke 1:1:4 (p1024)

Thursday November 1

HSC STUDENTS: the HSC exams have commenced and we are encourage to pray for all students especially the ones listed: Chloe Plant, Payten Priest, Eden Richards and Mycah Richards. Please let the Office know if you want any names on the list.

CALLING ALL COOKS We are on the lookout for a new generation of cooks to support the Monthly Market Stall. Some of the regular contributors are no longer

able to assist. You don’t need to be a previous winner of MasterChef. Simply have a heart to serve in this way and better cooking skills than the Rector! God takes care of the rest. If you would like to contribute and are seeking some guidance about labelling and packaging please speak with Laurel or Ted Vardy. As with every team effort many hands make light work. A growth in the number of cooks will lighten the load on a few, grow the variety of items for sale and deepen the impact of working together.

WOMEN’S BREAKFAST The final Women’s Breakfast for the year is on Saturday November 17 in the Parish Centre beginning at 7.30am. Please prayerfully consider who you will invite. Our guest speaker is Naomi McPherson, the wife of Sawtell’s Rector. Invitations and RSVP list on back table.

WEDDING CELEBRATION On Saturday November 3 at 2pm Alan Beattie and Barbara Mortimer will be joined together in marriage. As we rejoice with them and pray for them there is an open invitation to share the wedding ceremony with them. The reception in the Parish Centre after the ceremony is for those guests who have been formally invited.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY will be held in the grounds of the church on Sunday December 9. Please put this date in your diary and consider who you can invite to come and join you at the party. If you would like to assist in the running of this outreach event please speak with Pam Stone.

Have you seen our October Poster? Apparently, around the world, the Sydney Opera House is more famous than Australia itself. Whether in sparkling sunshine or on a luminescent night, the vision of the Opera House, with its brilliant harbour setting, has come to represent both a spirit of unflinching boldness and a quest for architectural purity. It features regularly, along with the Pyramids of Giza, the Taj Mahal and the Empire State building, in top ten lists of the most important and famous buildings of all time. Recently, Australia's new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, with his background in marketing, said it was, "the biggest billboard Sydney has". His insight came amidst a public furore

over whether a new racing event should have its 'barrier draw' splashed across the buildings sails. The issue really ignited when radio shock jock, Alan Jones, got involved. With interests in the racing industry reportedly in excess of $20 million, Jones threatened and bullied the Opera House CEO, Louise Herron, declaring he'd get the Premier to overrule her that day if she didn't agree to the display. That same day, the NSW Premier did just that. Sydney has always been a venal city of jostling egos where confected outrage masks vested interests. In Sydney big gambling happily feeds on the suffering of failing families addicted to pokies and ponies. The taxes and donations reaped from both are so huge that Governments dare not reign them in. Indeed, successive governments have been thoroughly compromised and cowed. So, despite the sparkling lure of Sydney Harbour and its world famous, world heritage listed Opera House, Sydney is a place that desperately needs God. Whether by day or by night, it needs God in its soul. And the most precious, important thing that God can give - indeed has given, is his dear son Jesus. Jesus came to die on the cross so that sinners might get a fresh start... even bullies and those who profit from the misery of others, or those who accept bribes and inducements... or those who fail their families by gambling away the grocery money. Really, anyone can get a fresh start by believing in Jesus. If the Opera House truly is a billboard to the world, then how fitting that God's offer of a fresh start be writ large on its sails. Verse: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being willing to forgive anyone for anything. Help us to realise just how great the gift of eternal life is that's available through your son.