December February magazine

Sundays 10am

Cronulla Central HallLevel 3, 38-60 Croydon Street

Cronulla NSW 2230

Age 1-12 Empower Kids program

For latest info ‘Like’ us at Empower Church - Shire

CONTACT US:[email protected]

www.empowerchurch.com.au

Impacting Cities, Influencing People

SUMMERDecember 2013- February 2014

Australia Day

10.00am Family Service

4.30pm Aussie BBQ

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

It’s a truly awesome time of the year, with so many worthy highlights:

Christmas…

The most sacred of celebrations.

The Saviour is born… oh Holy Night.

The New Year…

A time for fresh resolutions…

New determinations… steadfast resolve.

Remember that it was Jesus that said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3 NIV)

One year is about to close in sacred celebration, and the next is about to begin with fresh hope and potential.

Let’s resolve to not only see the year born again, but the people of our community as well.

Let’s use the content of this calendar as an opportunity for invitation, Church.

We just don’t know who could be on the other side of our obedience and witness.

It’s our time!!

Lead Pastors Empower Church - Shire

What a brilliant time of the year that we’re approaching! A time of new beginnings in the calendar, and a time of new beginnings spiritually. Let’s prayerfully consider the people of our community in this time of celebration, holidays and refreshing.

For our desire is that the people of our beautiful Cronulla community would not only see the new birth of the new year, but more importantly have the opportunity through our invitation to experience the new birth of their hearts.

G’Day!

Luke & Amber

Australia Day

10.00am Family Service

4.30pm Aussie BBQ

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

It’s a truly awesome time of the year, with so many worthy highlights:

Christmas…

The most sacred of celebrations.

The Saviour is born… oh Holy Night.

The New Year…

A time for fresh resolutions…

New determinations… steadfast resolve.

Remember that it was Jesus that said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3 NIV)

One year is about to close in sacred celebration, and the next is about to begin with fresh hope and potential.

Let’s resolve to not only see the year born again, but the people of our community as well.

Let’s use the content of this calendar as an opportunity for invitation, Church.

We just don’t know who could be on the other side of our obedience and witness.

It’s our time!!

Lead Pastors Empower Church - Shire

What a brilliant time of the year that we’re approaching! A time of new beginnings in the calendar, and a time of new beginnings spiritually. Let’s prayerfully consider the people of our community in this time of celebration, holidays and refreshing.

For our desire is that the people of our beautiful Cronulla community would not only see the new birth of the new year, but more importantly have the opportunity through our invitation to experience the new birth of their hearts.

G’Day!

Luke & Amber

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,

from men whose words are perverse,

who have left the straight paths

to walk in dark ways,

who delight in doing wrong

and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

whose paths are crooked

and who are devious in their ways.

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,

preserve sound judgment and discretion;

they will be life for you,

an ornament to grace your neck.

Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Have no fear of sudden disaster

or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

for the Lord will be at your side

and will keep your foot from being snared.

but takes the upright into his confidence.

The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the home of the righteous.

He mocks proud mockers

but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

The wise inherit honor,

but fools get only shame.

As water reflects the face,

so one’s life reflects the heart.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,

and do not go to your relative’s house when

disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

“Wow, he’s a Pro!”

It’s a sentence that we are all familiar with, isn’t it?

Whether it be for the pro-footballer, pro-athlete, pro-coffee maker . . . . Whatever the field, the ‘pro’ prefix is short, of course, for professional. When we refer to somebody as a Pro, we’re basically saying: You’re a part of the elite, the best, the most successful, the most brilliant, you’re one of the leaders in your field.

You’re a Pro…

And with that proclamation comes prestige, favour, opportunities, open doors, and influence.

And the rest of us [the crowd] looks on in awe . . . At the pro-actor at Hollywood, the pro-surfer at Bondi beach, the pro-comedian who masterfully invites his audience into fits of laughter.

And we [the crowd] wish we could join them. Because there’s something about being a pro that’s lucrative and rewardable. The pro-golfer makes extraordinary money, as does the pro-businessman… even the pro-skater can get some pretty attractive endorsements and board tours.

And the question for the rest of us is... is there room for me to be a Pro? Has God put pro potential within the rest of us… or is it just for the ‘favoured elite’ and ‘freakishly gifted’?

The good news is... we can all be PRO’s.

We can ALL be PROductive We can ALL be PROviders We can ALL be PROsperous We can ALL make a PROnounced difference

We can ALL be PRO’s.

Sure, it may not be on the golf course, or the Bondi Beach Surf Classic, or result in an Academy Award…

But it CAN result in the applause, endorsement, and favour of heaven.

We can be Pro’s in life…

The book of Proverbs is a book written by a Pro-King, for his Pro-people. It’s the heart of a Pro-father desiring to shape, direct and instruct his, Pro- son. Its purpose and intention is to make us better, wiser, smarter, stronger, less likely to stumble and more likely to succeed. It’s the provision of our God, who is without a doubt the biggest Pro of all time, and He invites us through this book to rise as His elite people - with their distinct outlook and ways.

Let’s prepare to become a Pro…

Let’s open up the book of . . .

Pro:Verbs.

[ GO LIKE A PRO ]CHALLENGE

Dec$1 Ma(hew$1+7

Dec$8 Mark$1+7

Dec$15 Luke$1+7

Dec$22 John$1+7

Dec$29 Gen$1+3

Jan$5 Acts$1+7

Jan$12 Acts$8+14

Jan$19 Acts$15+21

Jan$26 Acts$22+28

Feb$2 Proverbs$1+7

Feb$9 Proverbs$8+14

Feb$16 Proverbs$15+21

Mar$2 Proverbs$29+31,$1+4

SUMMER READING

Pro:verbs

[go like a pro]

Pro:Verbs

FEBRUARY 2014

[ go like a pro ]

For the duration of the Pro:Verbs series we will be reading a chapter of Proverbs per day for 62 days. In that time (over the duration of the series) we will have read the entire 31 chapters of Proverbs twice!

In addition to this, for those REALLY wanting to take it to the next level we want to encourage you to identify 2 verses of Proverbs per week to commit to memory. Here’s some suggestions to get you started:

3:5$6 1:7 16:3

13:11 12:11 18:10

18:21 8:17$21 10:22

4:18 18:16 18:22

10:4 11:11 29:18

13:22 22:6 15:1

16:24 16:25 20:29

22:1 25:28 26:2

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,

from men whose words are perverse,

who have left the straight paths

to walk in dark ways,

who delight in doing wrong

and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

whose paths are crooked

and who are devious in their ways.

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,

preserve sound judgment and discretion;

they will be life for you,

an ornament to grace your neck.

Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Have no fear of sudden disaster

or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

for the Lord will be at your side

and will keep your foot from being snared.

but takes the upright into his confidence.

The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the home of the righteous.

He mocks proud mockers

but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

The wise inherit honor,

but fools get only shame.

As water reflects the face,

so one’s life reflects the heart.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,

and do not go to your relative’s house when

disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

“Wow, he’s a Pro!”

It’s a sentence that we are all familiar with, isn’t it?

Whether it be for the pro-footballer, pro-athlete, pro-coffee maker . . . . Whatever the field, the ‘pro’ prefix is short, of course, for professional. When we refer to somebody as a Pro, we’re basically saying: You’re a part of the elite, the best, the most successful, the most brilliant, you’re one of the leaders in your field.

You’re a Pro…

And with that proclamation comes prestige, favour, opportunities, open doors, and influence.

And the rest of us [the crowd] looks on in awe . . . At the pro-actor at Hollywood, the pro-surfer at Bondi beach, the pro-comedian who masterfully invites his audience into fits of laughter.

And we [the crowd] wish we could join them. Because there’s something about being a pro that’s lucrative and rewardable. The pro-golfer makes extraordinary money, as does the pro-businessman… even the pro-skater can get some pretty attractive endorsements and board tours.

And the question for the rest of us is... is there room for me to be a Pro? Has God put pro potential within the rest of us… or is it just for the ‘favoured elite’ and ‘freakishly gifted’?

The good news is... we can all be PRO’s.

We can ALL be PROductive We can ALL be PROviders We can ALL be PROsperous We can ALL make a PROnounced difference

We can ALL be PRO’s.

Sure, it may not be on the golf course, or the Bondi Beach Surf Classic, or result in an Academy Award…

But it CAN result in the applause, endorsement, and favour of heaven.

We can be Pro’s in life…

The book of Proverbs is a book written by a Pro-King, for his Pro-people. It’s the heart of a Pro-father desiring to shape, direct and instruct his, Pro- son. Its purpose and intention is to make us better, wiser, smarter, stronger, less likely to stumble and more likely to succeed. It’s the provision of our God, who is without a doubt the biggest Pro of all time, and He invites us through this book to rise as His elite people - with their distinct outlook and ways.

Let’s prepare to become a Pro…

Let’s open up the book of . . .

Pro:Verbs.

[ GO LIKE A PRO ]CHALLENGE

Dec$1 Ma(hew$1+7

Dec$8 Mark$1+7

Dec$15 Luke$1+7

Dec$22 John$1+7

Dec$29 Gen$1+3

Jan$5 Acts$1+7

Jan$12 Acts$8+14

Jan$19 Acts$15+21

Jan$26 Acts$22+28

Feb$2 Proverbs$1+7

Feb$9 Proverbs$8+14

Mar$2 Proverbs$29+31,$1+4

SUMMER READING

Pro:verbs

[go like a pro]

Pro:Verbs

FEBRUARY 2014

[ go like a pro ]

For the duration of the Pro:Verbs series we will be reading a chapter of Proverbs per day for 62 days. In that time (over the duration of the series) we will have read the entire 31 chapters of Proverbs twice!

In addition to this, for those REALLY wanting to take it to the next level we want to encourage you to identify 2 verses of Proverbs per week to commit to memory. Here’s some suggestions to get you started:

3:5$6 1:7 16:3

13:11 12:11 18:10

18:21 8:17$21 10:22

4:18 18:16 18:22

10:4 11:11 29:18

13:22 22:6 15:1

16:24 16:25 20:29

22:1 25:28 26:2

Calendar

Sun Ps. David McDonald 1

Tues 3

Thurs 5

Sun Connext Finale - PinnaclePs. Luke Harris 8

Tues 10

Wed 11

Thurs 12

Fri 13

Sat 14

Sun “A not so Silent Night”Ps. Luke Harris 15

Mon 16

Tues 17

Wed 18

Thurs 19

Fri Last Day of Term 4 - State Schools 20

Sat 21

Sun Kids Christmas InvasionGuest Ministry: Adam Osborn 22

Mon 23

Tues 24

Wed Christmas Day 25

Thurs Boxing Day 26

Fri 27

Sat 28

Sun No ServiceEnjoy your Sunday with family & friends 29

Mon 30

December January FebruaryWed 1

Thurs 2

Sun Ps. David McDonald 5

Tues 7

Thurs 9

Fri 10

Sat 11

Sun Ps. Peter Kinsella 12

Mon 13

Tues 14

Wed 15

Thurs 16

Fri The Called Youth & Young Adult Conference 17

Sat The Called Youth & Young Adult Conference 18

Sun ‘The Called’ Invasion 19

Mon 20

Tues 21

Wed 22

Thurs 23

Fri 24

Sat 25

Sun Australia Day Family Service & BBQGuest Ministry: Natalie Miller 26

Mon Australia Day Public Holiday 27

Tues Term 1 Commences- State Schools 28

Wed 29

Thurs 30

Fri 31

Sun Pro-Verbs 1Ps. Luke Harris 2

Tues Energise State ConferenceCoffs Harbour 4

Wed Energise State ConferenceCoffs Harbour 5

Thurs Energise State ConferenceCoffs Harbour 6

Sun Pro-Verbs 24.30pm: First 2014 ELEV8 9

Mon 10

Tues 11

Wed 12

Thurs 13

Fri 14

Sat 15

Mon 17

Tues 18

Wed 19

Thurs 20

Fri 21

Sat 22

Mon 24

Tues 25

Wed 26

Thurs 27

Fri 28

URBANCONNECTIONS:

Weekly,3fortnightly,3or3monthly3gatherings3with3fellowship3and3the3study3of3God’s3Word.3See3www.empowerchurch.com.au3for3more3information.Weekly,3fortnightly,3or3monthly3gatherings3with3fellowship3and3the3study3of3God’s3

3for3more3information.

ELEV8: Prayer,3Discipleship3&3Planning3with3Ps.3Luke3and3guests Aussie3BBQ: Bring3a3dish3for3a3combined3dinner3from34.30pmR8.30pm

Aussie&BBQ&will&be&hosted&at&the&Pastors’&home.&&Contact&04144&07177&for&more&details.Aussie&BBQ&will&be&hosted&at&the&Pastors’&home.&&Contact&04144&07177&for&more&details.Aussie&BBQ&will&be&hosted&at&the&Pastors’&home.&&Contact&04144&07177&for&more&details.

“Write the vision, And make it plain . . . That he may run who reads it (Hab 2:2)

R I S E NB A P T I S M S 2 0 1 3

Heidi Baier

The scripture above reflects why I wanted to recommit my life to Christ. I had been still stuck in the old me, and wanted to publicly announce that I am willing to release the old me and let the Holy Spirit have free reign to sanctify my spirit and enable me to be who God our heavenly Father made me to be. Jesus is my Lord and Saviour. Without Him, I would not be here today!

Tabitha Hutchins

To me baptism meant washing away all the lies the enemy was trying to use to hold me down and dedicating my life to the plan God has for me. No longer trying to live in my strength and my plan but surrendering it all to God and living in His strength.

Jon Adams

I chose to be baptised this year because I believe it is a significant step in the life of a believer. Baptism (to me) is an act of repentance in which we can bring our sin and failure before God and by His grace be forgiven. The old is washed away and through Christ Jesus we are made new.

Jayde Lucas

Water Baptism changed my life because at first I was in a bad place. Then I found Jesus and got baptized. When that happened it was like God washed away all my sins and give me a crazy new life with Him.

Terence Taukave

It was a life changing event. As I went through the Waters of Baptism, I knew that that day it was a case of “Out with the bad and in with the good”. It was the happiest day I have ever felt - to know that everything that used to be with you is gone, and now you are born again and new, ready to preach His word.

Helen TalipeauTo me, i t was one of the most memorable days, and one of the happiest! I had my close family and good friends from church there to celebrate my day! I want to tell everyone how much He has done, is doing and continues to do everyday!

Life with Jesus = Life in abundance.

Arlene Adriano

To me, it was a beautiful confirmation of my walk with the Lord. I am excited to be moving on with Him. This was my way of declaring that I belong to Him, and that He owns me.

Anna Blount

I came to church because my Nan loved church and loved God and then I realized I wanted to be closer to God as well, so I got baptized.

Teresa NgIn response to an altar call I accepted Christ in my life which was the first step in a journey that progressed with many years of Bible study as I developed a relationship with God. The joy and peace that I have now is incredible. My Water Baptism was my chance to declare my faith publicly and reaffirm my commitment to live in Christ.

The$drought$has$broken!!!$$A2er$seven$long$years$of$NO$bap:sms$at$Empower$Church$we$are$thrilled$to$report$that$God$has$faithfully$answered$our$prayers$and$responded$with$a$flood$of$eleven$Water$

Bap:sms$in$one$year,$including$the$precious$people$below.$

Congratula:ons$to$all$of$the$individual$par:cipants$on$this$significant$step$in$your$faith.$Thank$you$to$all$of$our$Empower$Church$members$for$

your$prayers$and$faithfulness.$$And$may$all$glory$go$to$God$for$this$miraculous$bap:smal$breakthrough!

2$Corinthians$5:17$“Therefore,$if$anyone$is$in$Christ,$the$new$crea:on$has$come.$

The$old$has$gone,$and$the$new$is$here”

R I S E NB A P T I S M S 2 0 1 3

Heidi Baier

The scripture above reflects why I wanted to recommit my life to Christ. I had been still stuck in the old me, and wanted to publicly announce that I am willing to release the old me and let the Holy Spirit have free reign to sanctify my spirit and enable me to be who God our heavenly Father made me to be. Jesus is my Lord and Saviour. Without Him, I would not be here today!

Tabitha Hutchins

To me baptism meant washing away all the lies the enemy was trying to use to hold me down and dedicating my life to the plan God has for me. No longer trying to live in my strength and my plan but surrendering it all to God and living in His strength.

Jon Adams

I chose to be baptised this year because I believe it is a significant step in the life of a believer. Baptism (to me) is an act of repentance in which we can bring our sin and failure before God and by His grace be forgiven. The old is washed away and through Christ Jesus we are made new.

Jayde Lucas

Water Baptism changed my life because at first I was in a bad place. Then I found Jesus and got baptized. When that happened it was like God washed away all my sins and give me a crazy new life with Him.

Terence Taukave

It was a life changing event. As I went through the Waters of Baptism, I knew that that day it was a case of “Out with the bad and in with the good”. It was the happiest day I have ever felt - to know that everything that used to be with you is gone, and now you are born again and new, ready to preach His word.

Helen TalipeauTo me, i t was one of the most memorable days, and one of the happiest! I had my close family and good friends from church there to celebrate my day! I want to tell everyone how much He has done, is doing and continues to do everyday!

Life with Jesus = Life in abundance.

Arlene Adriano

To me, it was a beautiful confirmation of my walk with the Lord. I am excited to be moving on with Him. This was my way of declaring that I belong to Him, and that He owns me.

Anna Blount

I came to church because my Nan loved church and loved God and then I realized I wanted to be closer to God as well, so I got baptized.

Teresa NgIn response to an altar call I accepted Christ in my life which was the first step in a journey that progressed with many years of Bible study as I developed a relationship with God. The joy and peace that I have now is incredible. My Water Baptism was my chance to declare my faith publicly and reaffirm my commitment to live in Christ.

The$drought$has$broken!!!$$A2er$seven$long$years$of$NO$bap:sms$at$Empower$Church$we$are$thrilled$to$report$that$God$has$faithfully$answered$our$prayers$and$responded$with$a$flood$of$eleven$Water$

Bap:sms$in$one$year,$including$the$precious$people$below.$

Congratula:ons$to$all$of$the$individual$par:cipants$on$this$significant$step$in$your$faith.$Thank$you$to$all$of$our$Empower$Church$members$for$

your$prayers$and$faithfulness.$$And$may$all$glory$go$to$God$for$this$miraculous$bap:smal$breakthrough!

2$Corinthians$5:17$“Therefore,$if$anyone$is$in$Christ,$the$new$crea:on$has$come.$

The$old$has$gone,$and$the$new$is$here”

What does Christmas mean to you?As Christmas approaches, Tabitha and Sarah, two of our fantastic EmpowerKids volunteers ask

Empower KIDscHRISTMAS

Archer – It means that Jesus dies on the cross.Sarah _ that’s easterArcher – OhSarah – What happened at Christmas?Archer – Jesus, Jesus Um.Sarah - He was in a stableArcher – He was in a stable, and then…Sarah – who came to visit him?Archer – Um, some of his disciples that loved him.

Annaliesa – Christmas means to me it’s about when Jesus was born. I also like getting presents on Christmas.

Seth – I dunnoTabitha – what’s the first thing you think of when I say Christmas?Seth – JesusTabitha – Anything else?Seth - Ahhh presents

Jessie – Christmas means gameboys

Dylan – Presents and I dunno and presents. Presents and toys.Sarah – Who do you like to hang out with at Christmas?Dylan – My friends.Sarah – Your friends? Do they come over at Christmas?Dylan – I dunno

Ethan – A great miracle to me

What does Christmas mean to you?As Christmas approaches, Tabitha and Sarah, two of our fantastic EmpowerKids volunteers ask

Empower KIDscHRISTMAS

Archer – It means that Jesus dies on the cross.Sarah _ that’s easterArcher – OhSarah – What happened at Christmas?Archer – Jesus, Jesus Um.Sarah - He was in a stableArcher – He was in a stable, and then…Sarah – who came to visit him?Archer – Um, some of his disciples that loved him.

Annaliesa – Christmas means to me it’s about when Jesus was born. I also like getting presents on Christmas.

Seth – I dunnoTabitha – what’s the first thing you think of when I say Christmas?Seth – JesusTabitha – Anything else?Seth - Ahhh presents

Jessie – Christmas means gameboys

Dylan – Presents and I dunno and presents. Presents and toys.Sarah – Who do you like to hang out with at Christmas?Dylan – My friends.Sarah – Your friends? Do they come over at Christmas?Dylan – I dunno

Ethan – A great miracle to me

Sundays 10am

Cronulla Central HallLevel 3, 38-60 Croydon Street

Cronulla NSW 2230

Age 1-12 Empower Kids program

For latest info ‘Like’ us at Empower Church - Shire

CONTACT US:[email protected]

www.empowerchurch.com.au

Impacting Cities, Influencing People

SUMMERDecember 2013- February 2014

December February magazine

Documents

Transcript of December February magazine