Download the latest newsletter sent to members of:

• LIGHTHOUSE (year 3&4) and GROMMETS (year 5&6)
• SOULIES (year 7-12)

For more info contact Dave Miers 0428-532-665

Helen Keller once said that the greatest tragedy to befall a person is to have sight but not vision. Being physically blind herself she was eminently qualified to make such a statement. Her perception of her own potential motivated her to achieve what others thought would be impossible. Having a sense of purpose is about having a sense of vision. Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision, the people perish”, or as the N.I.V puts it “Where there is no revelation the people turn aside”. The implication is clear: where there is no awareness of the revealed purposes of God, we become preoccupied with the here and now. Churches without such a sense of vision tend to become absorbed in merely keeping the status quo.

Our desire at St Faith’s is to be a community transformed by Jesus’ love, fully devoted to loving one another and radically committed to impacting the world with Christ’s love.

This statement is seen in action in various ways and forms through different ministries, opportunities to serve, mid-week small groups, Sunday services and various other outreach ministries in our local community. This booklet provides you with some more reading material that intends to unpack that vision statement for you.

During the month of February, however, we will consider four commitments which help us to see our vision expressed practically. It is my hope and prayer that these studies will provide much fruitful discussion which will lead to a clear conviction of our direction as a church and will give us, as members of St Faith’s, four practical ways to see our vision become a reality in the years ahead.

Ben Molyneux

Click here to download a copy of the Commitment Series studies.

ST FAITH’S PRAYER DIARY
January 2012

Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a
new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.

Sun1 Give thanks to God for a new year and the chance to celebrate it together at church today. Pray for Ben Molyneux as he speaks at church today to be faithful in teaching God’s Word, pray also for the hearts and minds of those attending to be open to hearing it and to be encouraged and challenged. 
Thank God for Rev Rick Mason who commences today as the Minister Responsible for Beacon Hill Parish. Pray that the church service at 10am today at Beacon Hill will be an encouraging “Commencement of Ministry” as people commission Rick and pray for him. Ask God to give Rick a clear vision for reaching out to ‘Younger Families’ in the Beacon Hill and Narraweena areas, and pray that he and his family settle into the local community well. Pray for Kerry as he oversees Rick’s ministry there.

Mon2 After church throughout January “The Gathering” will be having “Summer Dinners” each Saturday. After the church meeting they will share in dinner together at someone’s home, each person contributing something towards the meal -pray that this will be a good time to invite friends and family along and a great opportunity to build relationships. Pray for Neil Souter as he leads this congregation.

Tue 3 Thank God for the great community of families and others who attend our 10.30am congregation at St Faith’s. Pray for Ben, Rosemary and Kerry as they meet to plan and pray for this ministry, that God would reveal His will for the congregation to them. Pray for good ideas in how to better train and equip members of the congregation to be godly in their responsibilities.

Wed 4 Gumnut Kindy - Give thanks for the Kindy Christmas Concert, for Neil Souter’s ‘Kids’ Talk’, and for the joy celebrated on that day, pray that God’s Word will continue to work in the hearts of all who attended. Continue to pray for all places at Kindy to be filled this year. Pray for protection for staff and families as they go on holidays, for safe travel and opportunities to rest. Give thanks and praise for the healing of Trish Appleby’s (director) mother after triple bypass surgery, and for the witness and comfort of prayer to all involved.

Thu 5 Pray for enthusiasm, safety and team unity for those on Beach Missions. Give thanks for their ministry and pray they will faithfully and clearly show the love of Jesus and encourage and inspire the children, youth and adults attending activities to want to know Jesus more.
Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ at Coast Evangelical Church Forster. Give thanks for growth in numbers, for God raising up new home group leaders. Pray for success in reaching young people during the Solid Rock Youth Cafe Outreach (5th-14thJan); also that they will be able to continue Scripture to yrs 7 & 8 and for wisdom liaising with schools and other churches. Pray for continued financial support as they grow and for Chris and Sharon Ekins expecting their third child in May.
Fri 6 Give thanks for our 2011 Sunday club leaders (Nat, Rosie, John, Meghan, Mitch, Chloe, Steph and Paul). Pray they will have a good break over these holidays and that those who are coming back for 2012 will be refreshed and ready to begin again. Ask God to guide Neil as he oversees this ministry.

Sat 7 Give thanks for the CMS Summer School that runs from today till the 13th. Pray all those who attend will be encouraged. Pray for Archbishop Peter Jensen and other speakers to be faithful to teaching God’s Word and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Sun 8 Pray for Trent McGrath as he prepares to preach at 10:30am Morning Church, and 6pm Night Church. Pray for a clear and powerful word to be spoken through him today.
 Pray for Neil Souter as he speaks today at WAC, that he is guided by the Holy Spirit to impart the Word of God clearly & be able to relate well to a range of different hearers.
Pray for our Arvo Church planning meeting today. Give thanks for the team of people who have committed to this new congregation (which will start on 5th February). Pray for Ben Molyneux as he leads the team, that all they do and plan would honour God and that God would use this congregation to reach many people with the gospel.

Mon 9 Give thanks for those who have volunteered to run our kids’ holiday programs at 10.30 and WAC; pray that they enjoy building relationships with the kids and they teach God’s word faithfully.

Tue 10  War Vets – thank God for how his work has grown and been appreciated in the village
 Give thanks for the efforts of Tony Bradford and Bob Durbin and the volunteers.
 Pray for rest and refreshment for Tony and his family as they take three weeks holiday, and that the volunteers on holiday will also be refreshed. Pray for those residents for whom this holiday period is a lonely time. Keep praying for the Vietnam Vets’ group to continue to receive the support they need and ask God to raise up more volunteers to be keen to spend time with them during the year.

Wed 11 Ask God to sustain Carole Robertson in the hospital chaplaincy ministry again this year. Pray she has the strength, courage and appropriate words and actions to minister effectively to those suffering and nearing the end of life.

Thu 12 Give thanks that God has been faithful in His provision for the Cottage Counselling Centre . Pray also for refreshment for all the counsellors who are taking a break during the holidays. Pray for strength and peace for clients, especially those living with the experiences of loss over the Christmas and holiday period.  Give thanks for the donations given to help this ministry.  Continue to pray for improved finances and for the Director, Genni Cribb and the Management Committee (Ross Jones, Lindsay Walton and others) to oversee this ministry to the community, with the love of Jesus Christ.

Fri 13  Pray for Dave Miers as he prepares to preach at 4 services this week on Jesus coming to earth ‘To Bring Justice’. Pray he is guided by the Holy Spirit to be faithful to the Bible &  that congregations have open hearts. Pray for any visitors to be welcomed & cared for well.

Sat 14 Pray for Oliver Holland and Verity Fitzgerald as they make their marriage vows today. Ask God to bless their day, and give them a strong marriage. Pray they will continue to use them as they serve in different areas of our church in children’s and youth ministry.
 Pray for the congregation at the Gathering to grow in their knowledge & understanding of God’s purposes.  Pray for Neil Souter as he leads them, that all they do will honour God and that He will use this congregation to reach many people with the gospel.

Sun 15 Pray for Philip Selden preaching at 8.30am service today on Jesus coming down to earth ‘To  Bring Justice’ from Romans. Pray the congregation all respond appropriately to God’s plan and for Philip to be clear and faithful in teaching God’s Word.

Mon 16  Pray for the Molyneux family as they have a holiday. Pray for safety and a refreshing time away as a family. Ask God to renew their energy and enthusiasm to serve Him in the year ahead.

Tue 17 For our Link Missionaries (the Kings, the Mathiesons, the Etheringtons and the Oyarzuns), at this time of the year as they are often away from family and close friends.  Pray God will give them strength, wisdom and perseverance in the work and ministry he has graciously granted them.

Wed18 Paul & Sandra King, in France - Pray for the teams in Lyon and Strasbourg preparing presentations of the Mark Drama. Continue to pray for both Paul and Sandra as they train, and minister to students in the ‘Relay Ministry Apprentice Program’. Pray for God to provide the funds required to continue this mission program.
 
Thu 19 Kent & Linda - Give thanks that all is going well for Kent in his new role as a private development consultant, training staff at the local gold exploration company. Remember his work in community development training for church members in the east of the country, as he seeks to equip them for reaching out to rural communities. Also pray for his contact with local business owners as he conducts staff training sessions for them.
The Etheringtons – Pray for Steve and Narelle that their move to Tamworth, to help their widowed son Jake care for his sons, goes smoothly and that all settle well. Pray that this also gives Steve the opportunity he needs to dedicate more time to finishing the Kunwinjku New Testament bible translation and publication project.

Fri 20 Pray for the team visiting the Seaside Nursing Home today, Grant Gallant, Alan and Helen Channon, Margaret Channon, Freddie Linton and Eddie Scarf. Pray that God’s word is ministered in a way that will encourage and strengthen the faith of the residents

Sat 21 Pray for Neil Souter as he speaks tonight, and tomorrow.  Ask God to guide him and pray he is faithful to presenting God’s Word, and the teaching is relevant to the topic – Jesus Coming to Earth ‘To Reconcile Enemies’ from 2 Corinthians 5.  Pray for our congregations to be welcoming to all and especially to those who are new.

Sun 22  Pray for Grant Gallant as he speaks at WAC services this Sunday; that God would speak through him informing minds and transforming hearts and that his teaching is relevant to the wide whole range of hearers.
Give thanks for our Soulies Youth Community led by Dave Miers. Pray for Soulies SUMMERCAMP (23-27 January) for Mike Taylor doing the talks, that he is well prepared, clear and faithful to God’s Word and for all the young people and their leaders who are attending. Pray for safety and the time together is fun and encourages them all to know Jesus better.
Mon 23 Thank God for those who serve on our Parish Council, and especially for the work of Stuart Neilson, our Treasurer. Pray for the meeting tonight, that discussions regarding budgets and other church matters would be effective in supporting the spread of the gospel in our area. Pray for wisdom for Kerry as he chairs the meeting.

Tue 24 Thank God for speaking to us through the Bible. Pray that Kerry would understand the Bible’s teaching on God’s Purpose - “To Gather a People”, from Titus chapter 2.  Pray that Kerry prepares well and would be able to teach clearly on this subject this coming weekend in church meetings.

Wed 25  Pray for Grant Gallant (Chaplain) at Warriewood Brook ARV and the volunteers who visit residents and encourage them in the Scriptures and support them in prayer. Pray God will raise up more volunteer visitors for the coming year.

Thu 26 Give thanks for Gumtrees Playtime and for Liz Larrea and others who lead and coordinate this group for mums and preschoolers. Pray that it will continue to be a time of enjoyment and support for those who attend and a place for connecting with families who may not come to church.
 Give thanks for the opportunities provided by the Quilting and Needlework Club; for fellowship and sharing, connecting with women who would not otherwise visit church, making and sending gifts for overseas missions; pray for these opportunities to continue and grow this year. Also pray and give thanks for Judith Baker and others to continue to share skills and show God’s love in this community and oversee the group.

Fri 27  Give thanks for the opportunities Grant Gallant has had as Chaplain to the Warringah Rugby Club, sharing the Word with the players and coaches. Pray this will bear fruit in their lives and that more doors will open where he can share Jesus with them.

Sat 28 Pray for all our youth leaders and Sunday club teachers at St Faith’s and WAC, as they prepare for the start of groups and lessons. . Pray that the leaders would be unified as they lead and teach and that God would give them a great passion and desire to see young people come to know Jesus and grow in their walk with Jesus

Sun 29 Pray for Bill Graham who is speaking today at WAC. Ask God to give him wisdom and clarity, and that the Holy Spirit will change the hearts of those listening.
Pray for the Arvo Church meeting today. This will be the final meeting before starting this new congregation on Sunday 5th February. Give thanks to God for raising up a core team of enthusiastic servants to serve in this service. Pray that God would use this congregation for His glory and purposes.

Mon 30 Pray for our school students and teachers as they start 1st term; that they will settle into new classes and study/homework routines. Pray that those who are commencing school for the first time, or changing schools, will cope with the changes and quickly build friendships.

Tue 31 Pray for  Mothers’ Union to have new members this year and that there will be plenty to attend their first meeting on 14th February where Kerry Nagel will be the guest speaker. Pray that members will continue to wisely encourage families.

Deadline for next Prayer Diary prayer points: Tuesday 24th January,2012
Send in writing to the office or email to office@stfaiths.org.au.
Note:  We may not be able to include everything.

Why did Jesus come down to earth? Who is He? What did He come to do? What relevance does He have today? During January we will be continuing a series we began at Christmas, 6 REASONS JESUS CAME DOWN TO EARTH. We look forward to seeing you in church!

Narrabeen: Sundays 830am, 1030am & 6pm.
Collaroy Plateau: Saturdays 530pm.
Warriewood: Sundays 9am & 430pm.

(the recording missed the first minute or so of the sermon)