10th September 2017 AD

PAM’S PONDERING

A true story on the power of believing prayer.

In 1986, 800 soldiers were executing a peaceful revolution against president Marcos in the Philippines. Overhead were aircraft apparently about to blow these soldiers into eternity. Their General was reading from scripture, to encourage them as they faced annihilation. He read from psalm 91

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Even as they heard the word of the Lord, the whirring of the engines became louder. But something, of which they were not aware, began to happen. As the planes came closer, instead of wiping out the meagre handful of peacemakers on the ground, one by one the pilots defected and landed. The story of General Isleta’s bloodless revolution is history today. It is indeed a history of prayerful trust in God’s mighty love and protection.

We hear many stories of military leaders being prayerful but that side of them rarely gains press. For example, General Schwarzkopf during the Gulf War has gone on record as saying, even as the Stealth bombers were heading toward targets he was in prayer. Such dependence is a great witness.

If you have had an experience with prayer which could inspire another, DO share it. Witness is very powerful.

‘My Final Words’ OT: Joshua 24:1-13 (p236)

NT: Ephesians 2:1-10 (p1174)

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 (p966)

PARISH SERVICES

Weekly Sunday: Sunday @ 8 Holy Communion Sunday@10 Family Gathering 1.30pm Armchair Church - Woolgoolga Retirement Village Monthly third Wednesday: Wheelie Wednesday@10 Service - Holy Communion

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS Sunday: Bible Study @ Marj Simmons’ Home Youth Growth Group@4 - Rectory Youth@5 - Rectory Tuesday: Bridge - Parish Hall 4pm - Choir Rehearsal - Church Wednesday: 9am - Prayer Gathering - Chapel Women’s Bible Study - 2 groups alternate weekly Thursday: 4pm - Table Tennis - Parish Hall 5pm - Music Group Rehearsal - Church 6pm - Free English Conversation Classes - Parish Hall Friday: 6pm - Friday Night Fellowship - Rectory

Saturday: 8am - Saturday@8 for Prayer - Woolgoolga Headland by WaterTower

Rector: Canon David Hanger 0408 423 442 Deacon: Rev Pam Stone 0418 228 885 Ministers: The Congregation Parish Office: PO Box 49 Woolgoolga NSW 2456 66541370 (all hours) Op Shop: 21 Scarborough Street, Woolgoolga Email: office@northernbeachesanglicans.org.au Website: www.northernbeachesanglicans.org.au

SENTENCE: ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name,’ says the Lord, ‘I am there among them.’ Matthew 19:20

COLLECT: Go before us, O Lord, and further us with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Blessed Lord, you have caused all the Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us to so hear, read, learn and embrace them that, encouraged and supported by your Word, we may hold fast to the joyful hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

TODAY’S SERMON READING Job 31 (p524)

BCA Boxes due for opening in September please bring them in. Anne Dorman

YOUTH@4/YOUTH@5 is on tonight Sunday September 10 in the Rectory

May God bless both of you on

your very special day.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Barry Cougle, Northern Beaches Anglicans in the Diocese of Grafton is committed to protecting your privacy.

The people on this list have requested prayers at this time.

DIARY

12 Sep Parish Council 16 Sep Henry Olonga 20 Sep Wheelies Service 25 Sep Op Shop Committee 7 Oct Blokes Brekky

to everyone joining us in fellowship and worship in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Please join us for morning tea in our Parish Centre from 9.20am.

Mission Without Borders: Over 60% of women in Eastern Europe have admitted to being victims of domestic violence. One in 10 women believe it’s their

husband’s right to beat them. Most signs of domestic violence are often not visible. Many wom-en lack the courage to speak out and are disillusioned that anyone can help. MWB employs and trains field staff to identify the warning signs of domestic violence, seek and make connections with the vulnerable, gain trust and encourage victims to talk and receive support. Prevention starts with educating children. MWB works with youth to help break this vicious cycle. It’s time to help them become Proverb 31 Women of God. She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of her future. Proverb 31:25 (Anne)

DAYS OFF: David - Monday Pam - Tuesday

Next week’s readings: OT: Joshua 24:14-28 (p236)

NT: Ephesians 2:11-22 (p1174)

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 (p966)

SRE IN SCHOOLS Tuesday 11am-2.40pm

Wednesday 11.30am-1pm

NEXT WEEKS SERMON READING Job 38-41

SOCIAL MEDIA WISDOM: To guide our godly use of social media. ‘All a man’s ways seem right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the motives.’ Proverbs 16:2

LAST CHANCE - AN EVENING WITH HENRY OLONGA: Is on next Saturday September 16 @6-8pm Bishop Druitt College, 111 North Boambee Road, Coffs Harbour. To assist with catering for supper please put your names on the list at the back of the church if you plan to attend. Please make clear if you require transport. If you prefer to book online go to www.trybooking/312917. You don’t have to print out tickets offered.

Today Sunday September 10

CHRISTMAS BOXES: Think of things you could buy to put in the boxes, so we, as a group, may fill them with things for a special child in an Asian country. This may be the only present the children receive. Show God’s love, spread God’s love and enjoy selecting the presents. Individuals Boxes available at the back of the church. See Pam Stone for information.

THE CHAPPO COLLECTION: Later this year a book of 500 stories from 150 contributors from Australia and other parts of the world will be released for sale. All the stories reflect the life, ministry and impact of Australian Anglican evangelist John 'Chappo' Chapman who died in 2012. Apart from the goal of inspiring people everywhere with the grace of God, this book is the centre of an initiative (Chappo and Hope For Africa) to raise considerable money to grow the training of ministry leaders in Africa. A cause close to Chappo's heart. I have been fired up by the possibilities. My goal is to raise $2,500 locally. When the money is raised we will receive 100 books to give away with the encouragement for people to donate to the initiative. Any parishioner who contributes to this project will receive a number of books to give away as they see fit. Leone and I are launching the local fund raising by contributing $500 to the goal. If you are stirred by God to be involved please talk with me.

ROSTERS: If you will be away any time from October to December and are on the rosters or you would like to go on the rosters please let the office know by email or phone.

NEEDED: Lemons and passionfruits for Market Stall cooking! Thankyou.

PARISH COUNCIL meets this Tuesday at 6.30 pm in the Parish Centre. Please pray for this important meeting.

Have you noticed our September Poster? We’re the ‘still generation’. Most of all we’re bingeing on Netflix -

consuming huge amounts of data watching anything that will take us to ‘fiction world’ where our pulse can race with fear and love and excitement – somewhere better than our own dreary reality. In ‘fiction world’ there are always people better than we are… stronger, braver, smarter… good looking. A place with heroes we can pretend to be. But meanwhile, God is keeping the services running – like sunshine, oxygen, gravity, temperature control and so on – things that sparkle and matter if you take the time to notice. And in God’s real world there are urgent responsibilities – to love and

care for those around us. The really urgent responsibility though is to spend time with God – someone you can easily forget if you spend all your time online. But when you turn reality back on – you remember that God is the one in control. It’s his reality. He made it and he promises in the Bible that if we draw near to him he’ll draw near to us. In reality, Jesus sets the standard in action heroes. When he arrived amongst us humans he came with a terrifying challenge – to give his life selflessly so that we might live. By dying on the cross, Jesus defeated death making it possible for all people to come close to God. Which means your own reality – dreary or not – can feature the most exciting true story of all. Prayer: Dear God, in a world full of stories - help me to remember who you are and why your son’s story is first in importance. Bible verse: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8

OFFERTORY GIVING METHODS. To assist in your weekly giving the parish offers three methods. Cash in offertory bag either loose or in offertory envelopes provided. Direct deposit into parish account. Parish Provider, an anonymous direct debit method. Please speak to the Treasurer or Parish Office if you want to use these methods and are unsure how.