The communications team has been working in the background of our church over the last 6 months or so, but what is it they do?

This team has encompassed the Create ministry and expanded to effectively communicate our events, both outreach and fellowship, as well as our sermon series and special Sunday services through lots of different mediums.

This team is working to glorify God in sharing graphics that communicate well and also in a timely way. Through this we are encouraging engagement from both the general community and members of our church.

You may have seen our regular posts on Facebook or Instagram; bible verses weekly and promoting different ministries in our church. These are a great opportunity to engage with our content, share it with family and friends, and raise awareness in our community.

As this ministry continues to work on improving communication, we encourage you to engage with us on social media, sharing and liking our posts; continue to share our events through the physical flyers; and pointing people to our website, or social media for recent and up-to-date information on what is happening. Weve already seen an increase in our reach through these avenues and more people engaging with us, and this means that we are continuing to work towards our church vision to glorify God by being a thriving Jesus community in the Hawkesbury where followers of Jesus are made and grown.

Why think about welcoming?

When we hear the term welcoming we are often drawn to think of hosting parties or maybe church. To some of us welcoming is second nature. Its like getting out of bed in the morning or making lunch. Its a routine part of our church life. For others it may require a little more effort, or may be thought of as something other people can do. However, welcoming should sit at the front of our minds as we come to church as the family of God.

Here are two reasons why we should think about welcoming. They may be familiar, but profound nonetheless because they define who we are.

Firstly, our God is a welcoming God. God welcomes anyone and everyone who believes in Jesus, and he brings them into His family. So as his children welcoming should be something we are eager to do. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Rom 15:7).

Secondly, as we welcome others, we reflect and preach the gospel to each other. As we show hospitality and speak loving to others we are reminded of the hospitality and love God has shown us through the gospel.

Welcoming is part of our story and who we are. As we welcome others, we reflect our heavenly Father and invite others to partake in the same gospel that God has lovingly given.

I am so thankful to Anne C who has taken on the role of coordinating our prayer as a church.  We want to be a church that prays because:

Firstly God has enabled us to relate to him and grow in trust in him through praying.

And Secondly, we recognise we can do nothing without God's help. 

Prayer is a wonderful ministry that we all can be involved in.   And in our church we have the opportunity to pray in different ways.

On Sundays, someone leads us from up front.  As we pray along with them we are reminded again of some important things to pray for as Christians

In Small groups, there is an opportunity to pray with others.  Here is a great opportunity to pray for each other.  Anne will also keep our small groups informed about what to pray for outside their circles.

And of course, I get to pray by myself.  But my prayers which reflect God's heart, will always have a direction to his church and the brothers and sisters to whom I belong through faith in Christ.

Anne's weekly newsletters will be simple and different every week.   Each week she is going to get us praying for different ministries.  The idea is that the list won't be too long, but over the month we will get an opportunity to pray for all that is happening.

I am thankful to God for Anne who will resource us as Christians and as a church, to be a praying people.  And this will be to God's glory in the building of our Church.

Let's Pray,

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

There is something special about this time of year. The cool, crisp mornings. The gloriously sunny days. The scent of smoke lingering in the air. Its the appearance of these things that herald the approach of Day Camp for another year.

The smell of a campfire transports me back to childhood, where, as an exuberant young girl, I would arrive on the first morning of Day Camp with barely contained excitement. A week filled with adventure, toasted marshmallows, charcoaled sausages, semi-cooked damper, and my faviourite Day Camp songs. I can still remember my group leaders from camp all the way through Primary school! I have such fond memories of my Day Camp years. 

Since its inception all those years ago (1991 to be exact), well over a thousand children have come along for the adventure of Day Camp. We now have second-generation Day Campers coming along, whose parents so fondly remember their own Day Camp experiences and are eager for their kids to experience it too.  

While I think the bush and roaming in Gods creation is certainly a draw card, its the connections we form with the kids over those 4 days that leave a lasting impression. More and more the world is trying to silence the message of hope that we have to share. Its not often are we afforded such an opportunity to connect with kids, openly share with them the Gospel message, and show them what it means to follow Jesus.  

During Day Camp we plant seeds. Seeds that God may choose to begin growing immediately, or seeds that may lay dormant for many years. But those connections, relationships and positive memories forged during Day Camp can last a lifetime! It is my prayer that the work we do over those 4 chilly days in July may make it easier for someone to approach church and find Jesus. Now, or 20 years from now. 

As we plan for Day Camp 2023, I urge you to consider how you can contribute to growing connections, planting seeds, and helping in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. Maybe as a leader, maybe as an assistant, maybe at main camp. Maybe helping with set up, baking cakes, or being there as a smiling face on the Friday Concert, or Day Camp Sunday. In whatever capacity, we all have a role to play in this ministry and in supporting our core mission of bringing people to Jesus. 

Last week Dave and I had the opportunity to join a thousand other ministers at the Reach Australia conference. It is a conference aimed at helping and encouraging each other to keep first things first: the gospel. It was a great opportunity to reflect on our countrys great need for Jesus and how churches like ours are essential to meeting this need.

The week consisted of sitting under good bible teaching, looking at how we might organise ourselves and churches to be more effective at reaching the lost, and hearing how the gospel is bearing fruit in many churches across our country.

Something encouraging that I came away with was a reminder that God works through his church. What gives our ministries the power to bring new life and transformation into the lives of people is the God who is at work to fulfill his mission. God uses his word and his people to make and grow disciples. Jesus is building his kingdom today.

One of the talks given reflected on 1 Corinthians 15:58.

 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

Because we know where all things are heading, because we know Jesus is building his church, and because we know that what we do has eternal significance, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord in confidence that what we give is not meaningless or wasted.

As I reflect on these things, I am so thankful to be part of a church filled with gospel centred ministry across many ages and demographics of our parish. But I also see the many thousands amongst us that need forgiveness that only Jesus can give. And we have the words of life where forgiveness is found.

Lets keep first things first, and labour in the Lord together.