PRAYER POINTS

APRIL 2012

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NAREMBURN 8 & 10am Connecting Locally

Pray for the Positive Parenting courses being held across NCAC throughout July-August. Pray that many from across our community would attend, that relationships might be formed, and that parents would be challenged & encouraged. Pray that the "aroma of life" might be evident in these courses as well. Pray for Jenny Brown as the prepares the talks that God would give her wisdom.

Continue to pray that the relationships formed with kids and families through the Pupil Free Days and Kids Workshops, would strengthen and develop. Ask that God would continue to draw kids and their families to himself. Pray that God might graciously grow and sustain our children's and Youth ministry, that Jesus would be glorified through it.

Pray for the many across NCAC meeting up 1-1 with their non-believing friends to read the Scriptures or do Christianity Explained. Sustain them as they do this, give them confidence in your powerful life-changing Word, and may you change the hearts of our family and friends, causing them to turn to Christ.

Pray that our character as a Church would reflect Jesus - displaying the fruits of the Spirit as we forebear with one another, putting the needs of our Church family ahead of our own.

Pray for Playgroup and Minimovers that meet each week at Willoughby, Cammeray & Naremburn.

Give thanks for God's abundant provision of property & finances over the last 10 years of NCAChurch.

Give thanks for the generosity borne out of his people as they sacrificially given of their resources, time and energy to serve God and his people at NCAChurch.

Commit to the Lord this year and the financial and material needs required to sustain the various ministries and outreach of our Church.

Connecting - Locally

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Connecting Globally

Give thanks for the partnership formed with India Gospel League (IGL), and ask that as mission teams head to India to work alongside IGL over the coming years, that we in a small way, may be a part of building your Church in India. Ask that God would sustain his Church in India, and give wisdom to the leadership, as they seek to mature and grow their people. Save them from false teaching, and other gospels that seeks to distract them from the true and living God. Pray for the Preaching Course being run in July that the Leaders and Pastors attending would grow in their love for God's Word and in their ability to faithfully and clearly proclaim it.

NAREMBURN 6pm

Next week we will be attending Recharge, which we hope will be a great opportunity for our members to deepen relationships and be challenged by God’s work in the book of James.

We also plan to have some men’s and women’s events designed at deepening relationships and focused teaching.

We have had some new comers and many visitors in first term whom we want to connect with and follow up.

We aim to connect with the many workers living on the lower North Shore, particularly in St Leonards and Crows Nest.

Our student ministers are great members of the congregation who meet 1-1 with others, pursue evangelistic opportunities whole-heartedly and offer many ideas and gifts in the service of our congregation.

YOUTH

The youth group just attended Autumn Youth Conference with other groups from around Sydney and beyond. They were greatly impacted by the book of Titus and we hope they continue to build a life eager to do good works on the grace of God.

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At the end of this term, we will be having our own NCAYouth camp called Win-ter Attack. We hope to use this as an opportunity to draw in new people, and strengthen relationships with those who already come. This camp is always a highlight of our youth program for the year.

This term we are holding a few more evangelistic events. We’ll be encouraging our members to invite their friends along.

In first term we had over 20 visitors join us at some point in the term. Pray for good follow up opportunities with them.

Thank God for the leaders who give up Friday nights and Sunday mornings to serve God and our youth. They are a gifted group who love and care for the kids in a very godly way – praise God!

CAMMERAY 9am & 5.30pm Our Cammeray congregations have continued to see God at work in 2012. It has been a

joy to see new people join our congregations and see people deepen their relationships

with each other as well as their love and understanding of God and his great gospel.

Connecting to Proclaim

Both of our services at Cammeray have continued to grow, with new people coming to

Christ, coming to church for the first time and the continuing baby boom which God has

blessed us with. Please pray for the new families that have started to come regularly –

particularly for those who are interested in finding out more about Jesus. Pray that we

will continue to seek to reach out to those around us to share the new of Jesus with our

communities.

Equipping to Serve

Our Cammeray congregations are continually equipped to serve God and each other through faithful Bible teaching on Sunday and in a very high involvement in well lead and engaging bible study groups. Please pray for our Bible study leaders as they lead these groups that God will grant them wisdom and love. Pray that these will be groups where deep relationships are formed, where people are strengthened in their love of Jesus, taught, corrected, rebuked & trained in righteousness.

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Resourcing to Grow

One of the challenges we now face is that our church building is no longer suitable for the number of people attending and it is creating a real bottle neck for growth. We cannot fit many more people in the building as it is currently configured and need more space for kids’ church. With this in mind we have embarked on a building proposal for the Cammeray site. Please pray for wisdom, guidance, patience and generosity as we look to the future needs of God’s people. PARKSIDE

Thank God that a couple more families have joined us at Parkside, and that everyone is getting involved in serving.

Thank God for the commencement of two new Bible Study groups, with a third to start up in Term 2.

Pray that God will continue to mould us into a church community characterised by love and a desire to honour Jesus' name.

Pray that God will allow us to make fruitful connections with the Willoughby community for the sake of his glory.

Pray that God will give us all the patience, humility, strength and joy to endure through the growth of this work.

Thank God for the commitment of Jo Roberts to running the Parkside Kid's program in 2012, and for Jo's work in Willoughby Public School.

Pray for opportunities to connect with and minister to the families at Willoughby Public School.

Thanks for the launch of Mini-Movers in Term 1 and pray for opportunities to reach families with the gospel through that ministry.

SJEC

Give thanks for regular newcomers to Sunday meetings and for those who are enquiring about Christianity to turn to God in repentance and faith.

Pray for core and regular members to grow in knowledge and service through the 4 mid-week Bible study groups.

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Pray for ongoing evangelistic Bible studies, Saturday Japanese school outreach (Behind the News once a month, and Japan Fair 12 May), and student ministry at Sydney Uni and UTS.

Pray for missionaries-in-training: David & Beck McIntyre, Peter & Ayumi Tamsett and Nathan & Maki Clapham. Give thanks for other mission-minded people from other congregations who come to serve each week.

Pray for wisdom in integrating non-Japanese speakers into the fellowship and for growth in the English-speaking children’s program. Pray for the ministry-training seminar on the 25 April.

NAAC 9.45am

Thank God for a few new babies that have arrived safely over the last few months.

Pray for a few non-Christians who come regularly to church. Pray that God might open their heart, so that they might trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Pray for the weekend away over the June long weekend. Pray that the families will find that it is a helpful and encouraging time for them.

NAAC 5pm

Thank God for the baptism of Yvonne and Vincent. Thank God for many non-Christians that were there at the baptism. Pray that God might open their hearts, so that they will trust Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Thank God for a number of visitors/non-Christians who have come to church over the last few months. Pray that they would continue to come to church and that they would turn to God in repentance and faith.

Thank God that a few newcomers/ new Christians have start to get involved in church. Pray that they would serve God joyfully in their heart.

Pray for the Weekend Away in June. Pray that it will be an encouraging weekend for many. Pray that the newcomers/non-Christians will come along. Pray for Pete Tong as he opens the bible with us.

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MAAC

Thank God for the faithful core members who come every week. Pray that they would keep trusting in the Lord Jesus.

Thank God for Vicky who has been coming almost every week and who is quite excited about learning God’s word.

Pray for newcomers Tandy and Amelia, pray that they would feel welcome and that they would settle quickly into church.

SCRIPTURE

Thank God for the great Easter Assembly, where the gospel was clearly presented.

Please pray for the teachers this year, asking that God will help them to prepare well, teach faithfully and have he right words to say to answer questions.

Pray for our continued Christian presence in Cammeray School, asking that God will provide opportunities to invite people to church and share the Gospel with them.

Thank God for the legislative provision for SRE in NSW schools, ask God to protect this ministry and to enable us to make the most of the opportunity we have.

Thank God that we have over 300 students in our Scripture classes at Cammeray School.

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MINI-MOVERS

Please pray for effective outreach to the community as the groups are smaller than last year.

Pray for Justine and Jen to consistently and reliably prepare and pray for the groups.

Also for healthy families, so they are able to be there each week.

Thank God for the launch for Mini-Movers at Parkside.

PLAYTIME

Give thanks for the new leadership team and the way this year has begun.

Great response to new sign placed at the front of PMC with many people in the community attending. Pray that they will be followed up well.

Opportunities to build relationships so people would feel comfortable to attend church events and church.

More people attending in the church community and inviting their friends.

A good mix of ages and stages so the kids are happy and get along well.

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Connecting - Globally (Mission Partners)

Jeff & Beth and family (Central Asia)

Give thanks for improved negotiations for the management of the pump station. Pray for ongoing dealings with the various parties.

Give thanks for the witness during Easter through killing a paschal lamb. Pray for staff members to respond to what they heard.

Thanks for the opportunity to be refreshed as a family in Thailand recently. Pray for faithfulness in regularly doing things to care for the family through time-management, exercise and good sleep patterns.

Pray for ongoing home schooling to benefit the children

Pray for opportunities to meet and talk to people whom God has opened hearts

Kellie Nicholas (CMS Japan)

Thanks for answered prayers concerning re-adjustment to Japan. Give thanks for the good relationships with other new staff and for the team in Kansai.

Pray for the Hyogo region student committee working on encouraging KGK members to share and show God’s love on their campuses.

Pray for the following campuses where Kellie will be involved in the coming months:

Kobe, Jyoin Women’s, Kobe International, Kobe Shinwa Women’s, Konan Women’s, Kobe Women’s, Kobe Women’s Gakuin, Mukogawa Women’s, Kansei Gakuin and Seiwa

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Swan Family (CMS Chile)

Thank God for the growth in the Genracion/Redeemer church planting movement and for Tim’s involvement.

Continue to pray for the leadership of the Anglican Church in Chile to stand firm in evangelical convictions.

Pray for CEP students doing a regional mission with Tim to bring a blessing to the local church and to learn skills in adaptation of ministry training.

Pray for Sally caring for the children while Tim is often away, and for her pastoral & practical support for a missionary family in crisis.

The Douglas Family (CMS China)

Give thanks for their work over the last 10 years and for the growth of the church in China

Pray for Paul as he visits NAAC and Naremburn Congregations and Bible study groups over the next week. Pray that we can be better informed about the needs of the church in China and encouraged to continue our support of global mission through CMS.

Pray for suitable employment and living situation to support ongoing involvement in Chinese language publications and theological library contributions

Nathan and Maki Clapham (Missionaries in training SJEC)

Give thanks for the opportunities to share the gospel with international students at UTS while preparing for missionary work in Japan.

Pray for the THINK Week in May at UTS, a small group outreach event and for ongoing evangelistic conversations with students who are open to the gospel.

Pray for Maki doing 2 subjects at Moore College

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Michelle and Jun Chea (Cambodia) Pray for Michelle to have a safe pregnancy and for preparations to return to

Australia to have the baby.

Pray for a replacement for the home school support co-ordinator, at Hope International School.

Pray for Jun as he completes the first 6 months of his counselling course and the Moore College PTC course.

Pray for Jun leading a monthly youth service at a small village.

‘Wrapped for Altitude’

“Hamlin Fistula Relief and Aid Fund” (ie. the mission we support) – pray that their mission work continues to change lives of injured women who are outcasts in their society, in providing earthly hope through physical healing and spiritual hope through revelation of the Gospel

At “NCAChurch”: Praise for the overwhelmingly generous provision of materials, people willing to serve fistula suffers and for the safe passage last year of 15 blankets and a quilt that reached their destination of the Addis Ababa Hospital, in Ethiopia.

Pray for other missionary organizations and local mission initiatives outside NCAChurch

India Gospel League and plans for NCAChurch short term mission trip

Open Doors and persecuted Christians

REACH – Chatswood and Willoughby High School outreach

Moore Theological College

Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (Richard Chin)

TAFE and Inter-College Christian Fellowship

Anglicare

Anglican Aid – Overseas relief Rope’s Crossing Anglican Church Plant

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NCAChurch Mission News:

Paul Douglas visit Sunday 29 April at NAAC

Saturday May 6 at Naremburn ‘Recharge’ Houseparty Midweek bible study groups Tuesday-Friday at PMC

Please contact your bible study leader or Grahame (grahame@ncachurch.com) for more information.

FINANCES Word from the Wardens Financial Update: Commitment Day - Thanks to all who responded by returning commitment

forms. It was very encouraging to receive such generous and broad support across all congregations. Over 170 commitment forms were received and the total giving commitment increase, from those that responded, was around 40%. The commitments given on the forms represent two thirds of our budget requirements but we recognise that there are still a number of regular givers who did not submit a form and we also continue to rely on their regular contributions. Whether you returned a commitment form or not, we continue to be thankful for the generosity of all who give to the ministry of NCAChurch. If you haven't already done so, please update your direct debit details with your bank as soon as possible (see bank account details on the back page of the bulletin). We need to see the additional giving flow through quickly as we seek to manage expenses and undertake planning.

March giving - We are pleased to note that offertories for March were up

significantly on the lows of January and February. March offertories were much closer to required amount at $104k (budget being $108k) although we note that this was in large part due to a number of large one off contributions from individuals.

If you have any questions, please speak to one of the Wardens or a member of Parish Council. Wardens (Andrew Draney, Craig Foreman and Martin Thomas)

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