It’s been a challenging 18 months, as COVID restrictions have fractured and isolated our nation, our churches and the lives of so many. And we’re living at a time when society is fracturing in other ways as well: loneliness, identity politics, not to mention increasing pressure on many Christians.
In response to all this, The Gospel Coalition Australia (TGCA) is holding its first-ever live-streamed national conference on Saturday 16 October from1-5pm, exploring what it means to be entrusted with the gospel in these fracturing times.
As Covid restrictions begin to ease, we intend to LIVESTREAM this conference at the St Michael's Church Hall (abiding by the up-to-date NSW government legislation - stay tuned for further information in coming weeks).
Please click 'Going' on the Facebook event if you are planning to attend the Livestream in person, and then purchase your tickets here. (If you would prefer to watch from home, simply register through the same link).
Tickets: $20-25 pp Speakers: Gary Millar (QLD), Rory Shiner (WA), and Paul Harrington (SA)
What is the Antidote of Self-Pity?
Minister's Letter- Liam Shannon
The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘self-pity’ as, “excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one’s own troubles”. If there was ever a time for the sin of self-pity to flourish, surely it would be during this covid pandemic. The sad reality is that we are all prone to self pity and so what will help us to avoid sinning in this way?
Before we answer that question it’s good to be clear and say why ‘self-pity’ is a sin. In an article by Abigail Dodds, she explains, “the sin in self-pity is that we assess ourselves and our circumstances as though God is not our gracious Father”. Now of course to have pity isn’t necessarily bad. Pity for others motivated Jesus to heal. To show sympathy and seek understanding are good virtues. However it becomes twisted when it turns inwards so much that as Trevin Wax writes, “it diminishes compassion for others and makes selflessness harder to come by”...
The Term 4 Prayer Summit is NEXT WEDNESDAY, October 6that 7am, 10am, 5:15pm and 7:30pm via Zoom. Note the date in your diaries and prioritise this event! Come along tobring praise, thanksgiving and requests before God. Remember you don't have to pray if you're not comfortable (come and be an encouragement to others), or you can just pray the points provided. Links to the Zoom meetings can be found HERE and in our Facebook Group. Prayer points can be accessed HERE.
Sunday 3 October 9:45am Livestream: Ephesians 6:10-24 6pm Zoom:
A massive thank-you to all who have contributed donations to our Annual Thanksgiving Day- we have raised around $33,777! What a wonderful expression of our thankfulness for the great gospel ministry at St Michael's. As the last day of September, today is your final chance to donate (see below). We will update you with the final number & messages from recipients soon.
A big thank you to all who have donated food and household items to Anglicare, and to Jenni Williams for organising the collection! Jenni is happy to continue collecting physical donations, which can be brought to the church office or by arrangement with her. Read this post to find out other ways you can be donating to those in need.
Equip Ministry Training Week
Save the dates! Our annual Equip: Ministry Training Week for 2021 will be held from November 1st-5th. You can expect both live and online sessions held at lunchtime (12:30-1:30pm) and in the evenings (7:30pm). This week is a great opportunity to hear from Sandy (& others) on topics ranging from the Ressurection to caring for believers with same-sex attraction. Stay tuned for more details!
Training for Potential New Growth Group Leaders
Do you have a heart to serve Jesus & others, could you be better equipped to help lead a group?
Next term Stacey will run a five-week course for potential growth group leaders.
The course outlines key aspects of being and growing as a growth group leader, including:
prayerfully understanding and applying God’s word to yourself
preparing to lead others to God’s word
leading the discussion
leading the group in prayer.
One of the implications of the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture is that the Bible is accessible to all who humbly believe – you don’t need to know everything to begin to lead others in reading and understanding God’s word.
The course is planned for Term 4 Wednesday evenings, to start on Oct 13 via Zoom.
Anyone is welcome to do the course, and then to consider (along with staff and others) how best you can serve next year.
Cleaning Position
We are looking for a new cleaner for the entire site for 6 hours per week ($27.14 per hour, including casual loading). Employment based on the Modern Award MA000022, on a casual basis with the expectation that the position is ongoing and regular. For the detailed ad, please contact Morwenna. Expressions of interest due 8th October.
