PASTORAL CARE:

During the holiday break, the bookshop will be closed and the church office may not be open. For urgent Pastoral Care matters, prayer requests, and other urgent concerns, please contact one of the following:

• Pastor Grant Spangenberg: 8532 2883 or 0419 848 336
• Elder Trevor Hampel: 8532 3701 or 0408 839 381
• Elder Ted Smith: 8532 3706 or 0438 850 270
• Trevor Purdie 8532 1879

Prayer requests can also be directed via the Contact form above or directly to Trevor Hampel at trevor@hampel.com.au

1. Pray for Bruce Lander the judge appointed as head of our state’s Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), that he and it will serve with wisdom.

2. A Challenge newspaper Impact Africa team ends its time away this coming Wednesday. Pray for each member as they prepare to return home, and praise God for opportunities to have shared the Gospel.

3. Pray for Pastor Sam, his wife Lisa, and those attending the Chinese church which meets in our facility each fortnight.

4. Pray for those in our church family who are unwell at the moment.

5. Pray for our state and national law enforcement bodies particularly those working against terrorism.

6. Pray for the work of the Bible Society and our state coordinator, Ian Morley. Pray that the Coffee & Cake evening planned for the 4th August will be a most enjoyable and productive night.

He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart. (Luke 18:1)

• Saturday was Janvier, Ruhinda and Nyiraganza’s son’s wedding. Pray that it may be a truly joyous and blessed occasion. Pray also for Queen whose wedding is on the 25th of this month.
• Pray for Nancy Coleman’s family and friends, including ourselves as her church family, as they and we mourn her passing and adjust to life without her.
• Pray for families and relationships where there is violence and unrest.
• Thank and praise God for answers to prayer which you have recently experienced.
• This week is “Remixd’ the July teens camp at El Shaddai. Pray for Dave Flood and Keith Durham and their team of leaders and helpers, and pray especially for the campers, that there will be a positive response to the Good News of Jesus.
• Pray for members of our church family who are unwell at present.
• Pray for our “shut-ins” – those of our number unable to come to church to worship with us due to poor health or mobility issues.
• Pray for our many members who are travelling at this time of year.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
I Peter 5:6-10

Same sex Marriage – There is a lot of disappointment at the ruling of the United States
Supreme Court concerning the recognition of same-sex marriage. (It was a split 5-4 vote.) A group called the National Organisation for Marriage has pledged to fight what has been called an ‘illegitimate decision.’

As God’s people we can support this group with our prayers as they work towards preparing a case of appeal based on the First Amendment of the Constitution. Franklin Graham, Billy’s son, has announced that next year he will be touring all 50 states raising awareness about this attack on the sanctity of marriage and encouraging people to make a stand for what is a basic institution in society.

Pastor Grant Spangenberg

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)

1. Pray for Evelyn Jones who has to make adjustments to the way she lives due to the loss of sight in her right eye. Pray also for Tony in his support of her.

2. Pray that the hope of the Christian message will be lifesaving for those who are lonely and ready to give up on life.

3. Thank God for opportunities to have served this past week.

4. Pray especially for our Federal Government and Tony Abbott in particular as the pro same-sex marriage lobby continue to exert pressure for the recognition of such a union.

5. Pray for Dr Deane Woods and Mark Rogers as they continue on their Friends of Israel road trip telling people about Israel in the world today.

6. Pray for our church leaders as they meet this Wednesday evening, that in all of their discussion and decision-making they will be mindful of the leading of the Holy Spirit.

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1. Praise the Lord for Zaldy de Belen finally being granted his permanent visa. Thanks to all who have been persistent in prayer. Pray for him and his wife Alma and daughter Psalm in the Philippines.

2. Pray for the wonderful work of Mercy Ships bringing medical help to many people in need. Prayerfully consider how much you can contribute to this work as our mission focus for this month.

3. Pray for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones in recent times.

4. Pray for those of our congregation who are unable to worship with us: Beryl Abbott, Nancy Coleman, Phyllis Wilkins, Geoff Baker, Lorraine Sauerwald, and Brian Toms.

5. Pray for Ruhinda and family as they spend the next few weeks in Africa, and for his daughter Queen being married while they are there.

˄TH

This is a reminder that in our church we have a very active Pastoral Care team. We meet at 9am every Tuesday morning for a time of prayer. We look through the attendance roll and check on those of our congregation who have special needs, are not well or hospitalised, in need of visitation and so on. After praying for the people listed we will often arrange for someone to visit or phone them.

Prayer requests

If you, or someone in your family or circle of friends needs prayer, please contact Pastor Grant Spangenberg or elder Trevor Hampel (using the contact form above). Church members may ring them directly.

We also have a very active Prayer Chain via email and phone. Any prayer requests

can quickly be disseminated to most of the members of our church very quickly.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6

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I thank God, whom I serve… as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.’ (2 Timothy 1:3)

1. Remember to pray for one another, just as Paul encouraged the early believers. Use the church directory to assist you.
2. Give thanks for our homes, warm clothing and heating during the cold winter months. Pray for the homeless in our community, and for the agencies seeking to assist them.
3. Pray for the foster children who received the back-packs for which we recently raised money.
4. Pray for the various levels of government in our country, and for national leaders worldwide. Search out the names of presidents and prime ministers and pray for them by name.
5. Pray for those travelling at this time, especially those of our fellowship: Bren and Averil Hawkes, Rob and Stephanie Amos, Ted and Pam Smith, Ian and Wendy Rowley.

1. Pray for strength for Allan Ratcliff as he recovers from pacemaker surgery early last week.
2. Pray for Grant Spangenberg who is having surgery this coming Tuesday.
3. Wednesday night is Board meeting. Pray for our leaders as they consider the
administrative issues of our church.
4. With this being the Queen’s Birthday weekend, pray for Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, and their family.
5. Give thanks for our home groups and other Bible study groups. May they be places not only of learning but meaningful social interaction as well.
6. Give thanks and praise to God for answers to prayer which you have experienced recently.
7. Pray for our community and opportunities which we as God’s people have to show His love in our lives.

˄GS

World Leprosy Day – Sunday 25th January 2015

This special day raises awareness of leprosy as a 21st Century disease.

In parts of the developing world leprosy is prevalent. People affected by leprosy are often feared and marginalised.

It was these people, the poorest of the poor, that Jesus sought out with his healing touch.

On World Leprosy Day please include the work of the Leprosy Mission in your prayers.