The Op Shop will be closed during October 2022.
August marks the launch of 2022's Operation Christmas Child Campaign.
This year we ask you to participate using the on-line access and, when published, we will advise the collection points when we are closer to the National Collection dates of 17-31 October 2022.
Here are the links that make it as easy as possible for you to participate in OCC in 2022.
1. Order and pay for shoe boxes (available late May) https://occdonations.samaritanspurse.org.au/product/order-pre-printed-shoeboxes/
2. How to Pack a Shoe Box https://samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoebox/
3. How to Donate and Print Labels and learn where your shoe box is sent https://occdonations.samaritanspurse.org.au/product/shoebox-donations-labels/
4. Where to deliver your shoe boxes (Drop Off Locations) https://samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/dops/
5. Promotional Video to show in Church https://samaritanspurse.org.au/hope-for-cambodias-children/
David Hay sent their July Newsletter with this message:
The Newsletter contains:
- News of their Home assignment
- Change of plans for Rachel who is to undergo medical treatment and delay in returning to South Africa for David and Jannene
- Visa Update - visas granted
- News of a second flooding at iKhethelo Children's Village affecting children's accommodation, power and water supplies.
August 7 “How to Be Good and Angry” Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
August 14 “When we Get It Wrong ” Matthew 5:17 [NIV]
17 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 23: 25-28
25 ‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 ‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
August 21 “Having A Spin Problem” Matthew 5:33-37
3 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
August 28 “Getting Even Better” Matthew 5:39-45
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Born and bred in Perth WA, Alf joined the RAAF in 1978 and graduated from the RAAF Academy four years later with a Science degree and a Graduate Diploma in Military Aviation. Following RAAF Pilot’s Course, Alf’s operational tours included flying the AP-3C Orion, and then 20 years as an Experimental Test Pilot with the RAAF’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). On promotion to Wing Commander, Alf Commanded ARDU for four years. Alf was awarded the D.J. Knight's Award for Flight Test Excellence (‘Test Pilot of the Year’) two years running. A four year posting at the Defence Force Safety Bureau (DFSB) as an Aviation Accident Investigator (AAI) culminating in being the Chief of Staff.
Alf left Defence in early 2016 and joined the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as the National Manager of Aviation Safety Advisors. Late 2017, Alf moved on to become the Chief Pilot of a medium-sized, Canberra headquartered airline called Corporate-Air. He currently flies the SAAB 340B on Regular Public Transport operations, and the Cessna Conquest in Charter and Aerial work operations.
Alf has flown over 60 different aircraft types (ranging from gliders, a Pitts Special through to the P-51D Mustang, the Seahawk helicopter, F/A-18, F-16, up to the C141 Starlifter), has flown 1.5 times the speed of sound, pulled +9.0G and flown up to 50,000 feet; with over 10,000 flying hours in his Logbook, Alf has been extremely fortunate to have seen the world through aviation.
Alf became a Christian on the night of 29 Aug 1989 in Adelaide. Over the years, Alf has been actively involved in evangelistic outreach, leading homegroups and spoken at numerous churches and venues as God has led him. He is currently a member of Tuggeranong Baptist Church, ACT.
Alf is married to Lori and have five children between them. He is a life member of the International Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), Vice President of the Australian Society of Air Safety Investigators (ASASI), and in the final stage of completing a Masters in Aviation Management. An avid snow skier, bushwalker and sailor, Alf is also a current black belt instructor in International Taekwondo.
If you are looking for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds; but if you really wish to learn, you must mount a machine and become acquainted with its tricks by actual trial.’ — Wilbur Wright, from an address to the Western Society of Engineers in Chicago, 18 September 1901
Various groups will have a holiday break over the school holidays including:
Explorers - break commenced 21 June - recommences 2 August 2022
Women's Bible Study group meeting in Greenway recommences in school term 3
Coffee with Rob and Craig - last get together 29 June - recommences 20 July 2022
Boys' and Girls' Brigade - last meet on 30 June - recommence 21 July 2022
Keep warm and safe and see you next term!
Text of email received from Michele today, 22 June 2022
Hi there Friends,
We are home, we're cold and we've tested positive for Covid but we don't feel sick at all - we should be out of isolation by the end of this week.
Please find enclosed a short newsletter with an invitation to join us for a Celebration service in August.
Many blessings,
Michele and Flora. Hi there Friends,
July 3 “Is Christianity Irrational?” Communion
July 10 “Is Christianity Narrow Minded"?
July 17 “Is Christianity Anti-Other Faiths?”
July 24 “Can We Believe In The Bible And Science?
July 31 Guest - Alf Jonas
Updated Seating Arrangements - easing of COVID restrictions
In response to the latest easing of restrictions on Places of Worship, we have replaced the seating arrangements in the Auditorium with rows of chairs placed 1.5m apart and, because you have been attending our in-person services, you have now been allocated a seat until the end of the Public Health Emergency. A single chair (to remain empty) is between you (or your group) and the next person – a distance of approximately .5m.
A number of single chairs (in pairs) have also been used so that we can fit everyone in. This is now our regular seating plan.
Seating Plan Management – playing your part
This means that, you will no longer have to book each week that you intend to attend. Your seat will be waiting for you.
Please use the NO THANKS event if you know that you will not be attending (hopefully because you are going on holiday – not because you are sick or in isolation). This will help us to allow others who may wish to return to in-person services or to visitors.
Risk Management – shared responsibility
As chairs are less than 1.5m in width, you may wish to wear a mask in line with ACT Health recommendation to wear a face mask where physical distancing is difficult. Congregational singing is also identified as increasing the risk of infection, but churches are no longer required to ensure that people are distanced 1.5m when they sing.
Wearing a mask provides a level of protection for yourself and others.
For further detail, open the attached COVID Safety Plan.