Moore College

Equipping men and women to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ

Prayer & Praise at St Stephen’s Normanhurst

Prayer & Praise at St Stephen’s Normanhurst

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We have much to thank God for on mission thus far:

  • A lovely chat at Westfield with a lady who attends St Andrews Cathedral and loves to hand out scanned copies of handwritten bible verse postcards and share amazing stories of God’s faithfulness with everyone she meets.
  • Joining in bible studies with some of the older saints at St Stephens.
  • Lots of productive planning for upcoming SRE Easter Assemblies.

Here are some reflections from students and our chaplain:

Ash Braithwaite:

  • Was encouraging to have a few church members join us this arvo for evangelism and door-knocking training!
  • Please pray … for A and her daughter C, who will give lots of their cans to Anglicare tomorrow [24/03] after they move house. A was wearing a ‘Christian’ hoodie made by her Christian friend.
  • Also pray for V, a Hindu woman who may come to the women’s event with me (and maybe her daughter!) and perhaps church this Sunday too! We exchanged numbers at her request!
  • Praise God who chooses to include us in his mission!

Popo: Praise God that the SRE team got to meet up today [23/03] to plan for two 25 minute Easter assemblies at schools on Wednesday and Thursday. Pray that we would proclaim the Gospel faithfully and that kids would understand that Easter is about Jesus!

Bryn Weightman: Encouraging to hear how the Senior Men’s bible study members came to trust in Jesus as one of our team lead them in a study through 1 Tim 6:1-10.

Wendy Swanton: Normanhurst Anglican Church is looking after our mission team in so many ways.

Prayer requests:

  • Please pray that God would give us energy.
  • Please pray that the St Stephen’s community would be encouraged by our efforts to also be on mission this week.
  • Please pray that many would choose to come to the St Stephen’s Easter services.
  • Please pray that God would give us many good opportunities to chat at the flood relief collection stall at Westfield.
  • Please pray that many kids would hear and accept the good news of Jesus at the SRE Easter Assemblies.


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St Andrew’s Cathedral School Mission 2021 Day 1

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The rain was pouring down this anticipated Sunday morning. But the Kern-Hu team braved it for the sake of the Gospel. Thankfully it didn’t stop congregants from gathering in the wee hours of the morning as Tim preached at the eight thirty service. The rest of the team joined for ten thirty, and in the pews the team mingled with brothers and sisters from Canberra, and Queensland, and the United States, and Braydon planned to catch up with a new gentleman for a surf. Philip preached on Jesus’ arrest in the garden, and challenged us to respond to Jesus. We saw the choir boys promoted and listened in awe to them sing. Armani gave a talk for the youth, and Nic joined him to serve there. Steph and Nic helped out with kid’s church, when the leaders last minute couldn’t make it.

After church, we met in a school staffroom on level six, overlooking the cityscape, and the head of the school, Dr John Collier talked to us about the importance of school ministry, and the value of integrated learning. All kids are in schools, and so it is such an incredible opportunity to share the Gospel and care for them well.

For lunch, we ate with the staff team, and got to know a few key parts in St Andrew’s ministry team. The girls then met with Ruth, heard a bit about women’s ministry and the women that come to the Wednesday women’s bible study. We then thought over Acts 6 and planned a bible study for the women.

After lunch we learned of the history of the Cathedral, how architectural features reflected Biblical truths, and windows Biblical stories, and we discussed the benefits of a liturgical service.

The five o’clock service was a joy, and we heard James preach on Matthew 11, and the true rest from our sin, found in Him alone, and were greatly encouraged. Jake had a great chat with a new gentleman, who was questioning whether we can accumulate a burden of sin after we have been saved. We pray that he would know it is by grace through faith we are saved, and it is faith that keeps.

Please pray:

  • For those new persons at church the team have had conversations with, that they would know and love God more, and be enveloped well into the St Andrews Cathedral community.
  • For kids and youth ministry, that other families in the CBD may hear of St Andrews and join in fellowship.
  • For the members at St Andrews would be encouraged and spurred on in their faith.

Please thank and praise:

  • It has been such a blessing already to see how God has gifted each member of our team. Praise God for them, and how the body works together!

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Liverpool South Mission 2021 Day 2: Mondays and Mandeans at Liverpool South

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In the back pocket of Liverpool South lives a community of Mandaeans. If you Google them, you won’t find much, and nothing clear beyond them being pretty keen on John the Baptist. This morning our team sat down for a church event with a handful of parishioners to hear George’s story. George had been a Mandaean, and through a story of adoption, came to be adopted into Christ’s family too.

George shared his insider knowledge with us in detail; how they live under the constant threat of defilement, baptising in the hope that washing might cleanse them from sin. Pray we might take opportunities tomorrow and the rest of this week to gently and faithfully engage with the locals who hold these beliefs.

In the afternoon, some of us headed out to the local shops to complete some Cultural Observation exercises. Liverpool is fascinating as it doesn’t seem to have a predominant culture, in contrast to a lot of other Sydney suburbs. It’s a safe bet to say they love natural yoghurt though.

Our day began with pastor Matt Bales taking us through Luke 10 and Jesus’ sending of the seventy-two. We raised the question of when to persevere with people who don’t accept the message of Jesus. Praise God for the pastor who faithfully read the bible with George for four years before he came to trust Jesus. Pray for the parts of the world with hard soil, that God might keep a spirit of perseverance in those who are there, and that he might save even the most stubborn for Jesus’ glory.
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ENC Mission 2021 Days 1 & 2

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Day 1: Sunday 21st (Everywhere)

On Sunday our team split up to visit a number of services of churches we will be partnering with throughout the next week. These included Chester Hill Anglican, Berkeley Life Centre, Park Rail Anglican and Grace City Church. Those of us who visited more than one church found some services couldn’t be more different, but it was encouraging to realise that it was the same gospel proclaimed everywhere. As we reflected on the contrast between some of the churches there was one other word which unified them all: intentional. It was great to learn how each church had carefully thought about how to communicate the gospel and run their Sunday service in light of who their congregation members are, whether their age, ethnicity, social and economic status, or spiritual maturity; and to see this intentionality flow into their evangelism as they seek to reach the local area. Give thanks for the chance to visit other churches and be encouraged. Please pray for those preparing sermons this week to preach at these churches (Tim S, Tim A, Eric, Tony, Alex, and Jade).

Day 2: Monday 22nd (Grace City Church, Green Square)

Today our team had the privilege of learning from Tim Clemens and his team about church planting and Grace City Church. Tim opened our eyes to church planting as an evangelistic strategy as he shared his own story with planting Grace City. It was great to hear the staff’s insights as we sat in on their staff meeting and understand the systems which facilitated evangelism and spiritual growth. Most importantly though it was wonderful to see the gospel transforming lives as the main aim and motivator. Give thanks for the opportunity to learn more about church planting. Tuesday is a day off, so please pray for us on Wednesday as we head down to Wollongong. Pray for safety on the roads as we travel, for those teaching SRE and joining the 1-1 ministry at Albion Park Rail, and for those doing visitation and walk-up evangelism at Berkeley.
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Emu Plains Mission Day 2: Peace to those Far and Near

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As we gathered together for mission today, we started by reflecting on the words of Ephesians 2:17,

“He came and preached peace to you were far away and peace to those who were near.”

It was a timely reminder as we reflected on how Jesus came and preached the same message to all far and near – peace through the forgiveness of sins. As we prepared for a day where we would be bringing Jesus to the doorsteps of Emu Plains, and then later to encourage the young adults in the church, we were reminded that our message is not different to each, but one of the same – to share Jesus, and his message.

With this encouragement, no rain or flood could stop us.  We took to the streets of Emu Plains to invite the community Back to Church this Sunday. There was a breadth of people sharing their personal stories with our team. Stories of pain, suffering, or varied experience with a church. Many people across the town received an invitation to come and check out church for themselves and hear what Jesus all is about.

Later in the evening we gathered with the young adults of EPAC and held a Q&A panel to encourage them as followers of Jesus to intentionally think about their lives in service. Laurie, Amy and Caitlin shared their stories about coming to faith, growing as servants and followers of Christ, and coming to college. It was an encouraging night as lives were shared and as conversations were had about personal discipleship, leadership and being disciples of Christ.

Praise God for another day, filled with good conversations, the message being proclaimed to those far and near, and his work being done here in Emu Plains!

 

 
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Church @ the Peak 2021 Day 2

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“Why did God send Jesus to die? L-O-V-E love that’s why. Why on the third day did he rise?  L-O-V-E love that’s why.”

So goes part of the song sung this morning at Mainly Music, a music playgroup that happens at Peakhurst each week. Singing, dancing, beanbag throwing, snacking, chatting, and friendships growing.

It was an exciting morning, and such an encouragement to hear that the majority of mums who come each week with their toddlers are non-church goers.

Please pray that many of these mums will show interest in coming along to church. Thank God for the church volunteers who lead. Pray that they would have boldness to have fruitful conversations over morning tea and for perseverance as they invest in these relationships.

With the rain hammering on outside, we spent the afternoon practicing for a Scripture Assembly while some of the team headed off to IRT Aged Care Centre to run the chapel service.  Richard had a very encouraging conversation with a lady who shared her story of how she came to know Christ. After a difficult marriage breakdown and seeking out a local church, she heard a lady explain the gospel to her, which gripped her with such clarity. She was struck that God would love someone like her who had been through so much, and that Jesus really did die for her. It was encouraging hearing how she remains strong in her faith, and her daily prayers are so full of thanks to God for what he’s done for her.

Thank God for these men and women at IRT. Thank God for the opportunity Andy had to give a talk and Annika to share her testimony. Pray that God would continue to strengthen the faith of these saints as they remind one another of the kindness of God’s grace to them.

To keep in your prayers:

  • The Scripture assembly happening tomorrow (Wednesday). There will be 80 children plus their teachers hearing of the underserved kindness God has shown in Jesus.
  • Door knocking happening over the week. Pray for good conversations.

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