St John’s Weekly Bulletin – Sunday 8 July 2018

Over the past week we have enjoyed several winter days of warm and favourable weather. Such periods of unseasonable mildness are an excellent opportunity to leave the jumpers and jackets at home, but they also remind us that our lives are marked by the rhythms of God’s creation.

In one of the most dramatic and beautiful passages of the Hebrew Bible, found in the final section of the book of Job, God speaks out of a whirlwind. God asks Job “Where were you when I laid the Earth’s foundations…On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).

Warm days this winter season offer us the chance to thank God for small blessings of a change in weather; to stop and wonder at God’s creation and all it offers us. Such changes in season remind us that although much is outside of our control (such as whether there will be sunshine on Saturday or much needed rain over the ranges) we worship a God who “gives orders to the morning and shows the dawn it’s place”. A God who loves us and who blesses us abundantly.

May He bless you in your Journey this week,

Mark

This bulletin was emailed to members of the parish on Saturday 7 July 2018 – if you would like to join the Weekly Bulletin email list, please call the church office on 02 4927 5399 and we will happily arrange this.

Prayer School – Learn how to pray for others!

The Australian Prayer Network (APN) is one of the largest prayer networks in Australia. It is linked internationally to prayer networks across the world and has a reach to tens of thousands of

praying people representing Churches of all Christian denominations. The APN will be running a Foundation Level course on prayer at St John’s on the 24th and 25th of August, presented by Pastor Mathew Bolte (www.ausprayernet.org.au). The school commences at 7:00pm on Friday night and continues from 9.00am till 4.00pm on Saturday. The School will run as follows:

Fri 24th August 2018 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Session 1 How prayer works

Session 2 Intercession: A lifestyle

Sat 25th August 2018 9:00am – 4:00pm

Session 3 Understanding the DNA of your

community

Session 4 Spiritual authority the key to breakthrough

Lunch: BYO Lunch, tea & coffee provided

Session 5 How to lead a Spirit lead prayer meeting

Session 6 How to hear God’s voice

Should you have any questions or wish to register please contact Fr. Ken on ken.youman@gmail.com/0438 281 379 or Mark on markthornton@saintjohns.com.au/0403901348.

A Message from the Secretary of the St John’s Women’s Guild – High Tea Raffle

The Women’s Guild would like donations of goods suitable for a raffle for the High Tea to be held on Saturday 4th August. Suggestions include :- wine, chocolates, gift vouchers for Cinema, Hairdresser, florist etc or unwanted gifts.

All donations can be placed in the basket at the entrance to the Church.

Supporting St John’s Church

We encourage members of St John’s to support the ministry of our parish by giving directly to the parish account, rather than bringing cash to church. If you can do this, our account details are:

BSB: 705-077
A/C: 00040401
Name: St John’s Anglican Church Newcastle

Thank you to all members of our parish who are able to support ministry in this way.

The Hub – A Jesus Community

The Hub will be on break over the school holiday period for the next 2 Weeks.

The Hub are a community of people who exist to encourage, disciple and train each other to live lives for Jesus. Each we through the school term, we come together for KoG (our primary-school kids’ group), Dinner, Worship: Your Way and Youth (our high-school youth group). We encourage you to keep this growing ministry in your prayers and to consider whether God might be calling you to become apart of this growing ministry in our community.

Over the past 12 weeks the Hub has enabled us to grow closer and share our lives with one another in new and meaningful ways. We would like to thank everyone who has volunteered or taken part in our Hub community over the last term, and are excited for all the ways God will bless this ministry in the future.

If you would like more informaiton or would like to be involved please contact Rob on 0425278063/rob@saintjohns.com.au‬ or Mark on 0403901348/markthornton@saintjohns.com.au.

Healing Eucharist and Mindfulness Services at St John’s

A reminder that St John’s offers several mid-week services of healing and prayerful meditation. On the first Monday of the Month a gentle service of healing and Eucharist is offered, where we meet the healing presences of Jesus in a real and tangible way. On the third Monday of the Month, we offer a service of Taize meditation. This is an opportunity for mindfulness in the presence of the Spirit, through a series of guided meditations for healing and peace. Our Next service will be on Monday the 18th of June at 6pm. All are welcome

Youth School Holiday Activities

Over the School Holidays St Johns will be running a number of special role-playing game events for both primary and secondary students. There are limited spots for these games and so parents are encouraged to RSVP to our youth minister Rob Woolfrey. Events are as follows:

Schedule

Thursday 13 July

9 am – 1 pm: Genie Wars

Age: Primary School (Year 2 and above)

Player Spots Available: 10

2 pm – 6 pm: Star Wars RPG

Age: Primary School and High School – Grades 4 and up

Player Spots Available: 10

Friday 14th July

1 pm – 5 pm: D&D: Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Age: High School Only – Year 7 and Up

Number of Players: 8

5pm – 8:30pm: Deadlands Reloaded

Age: High School

Number of Players: 8

NB: Parents are asked to provide lunch for their young people if staying for both sessions.

For further information or to RSVP please email Rob Woolfrey at rob@saintjohns.com.au.

Prayer after our services

The Psalmist reminds us that “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

After each of our services at St John’s we undertake a time of intentional prayer. This is a safe, welcoming and gentle time where we as a community offer prayer for those in our midst who are in need. If you would like to be prayed over, or would like a member of our community to hold you in prayer during this time, please contact Fr. Ken Youman or Mark Thornton.

  8 Jul. 2018 15 Jul. 2018
9:00 am
Welcomer Jennifer B & Howard B Jenny K & Helen C
Leader Matthew B Xander G
Preacher    
Communion    
Server Amy D  
Candles   Isobel P & Thomas P
Bible reading 1 Howard B Peter T
Bible reading 2 June W Amanda H
Prayers David B Howard B
Chalice   Jennifer B & Jenny W
Kids Church Leader Rob W Cathy B
Kids Church Helper Kenna J  
Refreshments Amanda H & Jenny K Bill D & Kara D
Counters June W & Penelope Y Lance W & Jason T
Flower Arranger Jennifer B Dianne W
Brass Cleaner   Dane T & Sue T
10:45 am
Welcomer *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Leader Ken Y Mark T
Preacher Mark T Les F
Communion Ken Y Les F
Music Leader Mark T Mark T
Music 2    
Drums    
Prayers *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Refreshments *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
5:00 pm
Welcomer *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Leader Rob W Les F
Preacher Mark T Les F
Communion X X Les F
Prayers *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Music Leader    
Music 2    
Kids Church Leader   Phil A
Kids Church Helper   Gill S
Creche Leader Bec D Fiona D
Creche Helper Lauren P Gavin D
Refreshments *Volunteer needed* *Volunteer needed*
Tidy after service    
Activity 1    
Activity 2    
Activity 3    
Activity 4    
Activity 5    
Activity 6    
Activity 7    

Upcoming at St John’s: