Bulletin Announcements – 23 March 2014
From The Diaconate: Praise God for the progress that Rev. Ariel Kurilowicz is making each day. Following the advice and recommendation of his case manager and spinal specialist doctor the diaconate has agreed and resolved that starting 10th March Ariel will work for the church at home 2 half days per week.
We encourage families with non-school age children who live in the area to join our Play Group on Tuesday 10 am – 12 pm. Children can do free play, listen to stories and sing songs in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Morning tea is provided. Contact Day To (0415450485) or Liza for more information.
kidstime@cp is on again!!! kidstime@cp is a playgroup in Croydon Park for parents, carers and families with children who are not of school-age. There is craft, story-time, singing and more! Join us on Tuesdays 9:30-11am in the Croydon Park church hall during school term. Come and have a cuppa and a chat with other carers! BYO morning tea for your own children. Morning tea for carers is provided. For further information, please contact Steph Chan (stephaniegchan@gmail.com) or visit www.wsccc.org.au/s9new.
Announcement from the Diaconate: There will be a welcome lunch for Pastor Chadd Hafer on Sunday 6th April 12:30pm at the Strathfield church hall. Brothers and sisters of all congregations please attend and each brings a dish to show our love and welcome to Pastor and Mrs. Hafer. Following the lunch on the same day 2:30pm at the Strathfield church chapel there will be an induction service for Pastor Chadd Hafer and Pastor Andrew Bardsley. Brothers and sisters please all attend to give thanks to God and celebrate together this meaningful occasion.
Ladies – Equip 14 (Why # Wise) is open for registration. Venue – Rose Hill Gardens, James Ruse Drive. You can register online http://www.equip.org.au/program/ or contact Solan for further information.
Congratulations: We rejoice that our youth pastor Andrew Bardsley and wife Krissie have been blessed with a baby boy – Samuel Asher Bardsley, born 9:15pm Sunday 16th March, 54cm, 4.57kg. Both mum & baby are doing well.
Ariel writes – a weekly Scriptural devotion:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
Have you ever heard someone say; ‘You just have to have faith!’? It’s as if you wish the ‘thing’ hard enough and it will come true. There is no basis of reason required and no sifting of evidence desired. Therefore, there is absolutely no need of any conviction. To wish something true like this, especially when there is no assurance of it, is a stupid thing to do. It is the same as having ‘faith’ in fairies, or ‘believing’ in Bigfoot. It is laughable at best, tragic at worst. Notice, then with me above, how this kind of ‘faith’ is not biblical faith at all! Biblical faith is having the confidence and the assurance of what is hoped for and even what isn’t seen! Confidence and assurance certainly do not sound like wishful thinking to me. The rest of this chapter goes on to describe how true faith is built upon evidence and a relationship with God. Ultimately, this is seen in Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. He even said; “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” You see, Jesus claimed to be God in flesh. Now that is evidence worth thinking about; even putting your confidence in.
from Pastor Ariel