Parramatters - 8th April 2022

Hi Parramatta Salvos, 

This week we begin our Easter series "Greater Love" based on John 15:13 which says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

We hope that you will join us during the Easter season as we explore God's great love for us, beginning this week with Palm Sunday at 9:30am or 11am. 

We encourage you to take some Easter invitations (available from the church foyer) with you this Sunday and share them with friends, neighbours and family. 

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Life Groups
We are very excited about the fantastic response to our Life Group Surveys last week! Thanks to all who expressed interest - we hope to have some draft groups put together by Easter. If you are considering being part of a group and missed the chance to fill in a survey, please complete it here: www.salvationarmy.org.au/parramatta/lifegroups

Easter Week Information
Thursday 14 April - Stations of The Cross
Join us for an interactive experience on Thursday night 14 April at 7pm. Stations will be set up throughout our function hall with readings, reflections, items to touch and prayers. You will spend time reflecting at each station and praying as we follow Jesus' journey towards the cross. 
We will be ending with supper at 8pm and everyone is invited to bring a plate of supper to share. 

Friday 15 April - Good Friday Service
Join us for a reflective worship service at 10am on Good Friday. 
Hot cross buns and morning tea to follow.

Sunday 17 April - Easter Sunday
Join us for a celebration service at 10am on Easter Sunday.
Easter eggs and morning tea to follow.

Kids Church
This Sunday is the last Sunday for Kids Church / Junior Soldiers and Mini God Squad in Term 1 due to Easter and school holidays. We will be back on Sunday 1 May!

ANZAC Day
Everyone is invited to attend the Parramatta RSL sub-Branch Dawn Service at Prince Alfred Park at 4:30am on ANZAC Day (Monday 25 April). Our brass band will be providing music for this service, and bandsmen are reminded to arrive by 4:15am. 

If you would like to play, please contact David Collinson: david.collinson@salvationarmy.org.au

There is also opportunity given for any bands people that are able to march in the Sydney City march - meeting at Sydney Congress Hall at 9:30am for a 10:30am start.

Self Denial Appeal
Thank you to so many of you who contributed generously to The Self Denial appeal during our altar service last Sunday.

Parramatta Corps total giving is now over $38,000 for this years appeal - we are so close to our goal of $40,000! 

If you missed out on giving, please bring your envelope to church over the next couple of weeks and place it in the offering basket. You can also give online at: https://www.selfdenial.info - just make sure you select Parramatta Corps, and email us to let us know your giving amount. 

Thanks once again for your generosity and prayerful support of the ongoing work of The Salvation Army overseas. 

Self Denial Appeal in Kids Church
The first picture is our “altar” in Kids Church, and the second is from Mini God Squad.

In Kids Church, we watched our final Self Denial Kids video, and then whilst the song “People need the Lord” played, we spoke about the sacrifices we had made to raise the money, and how The Salvation Army would use the money to help all different people around the world. After a short quiet time of reflection, we brought our money to the altar and shared a prayer together.

In Mini God Squad, we sat down in front of a little cross and we placed our Money Boxes at the foot of our Cross. We spoke about where the money was going and then we prayed together.

Brass Band Trip to Orange
Our Brass Band made their way to Orange Corps a couple of weekends ago. A fantastic concert and Sunday worship made for a great weekend of music and fellowship. Well done to the band and team - thanks for your ministry!

Eva Burrows College - New Courses!
It has been fantastic to have Eva Burrows College staff returning to the office over the past couple of weeks. If you haven't seen the new space, feel free to pop into our building on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday and one of our staff can give you a quick tour!

EBC are currently promoting two courses in April which may be of interest to you - anyone can study with EBC! In particular, Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology is an entry point course for Christians wanting to be equipped for life and service including those interested in frontline ministry and mission roles. In fact, all Christians wanting to learn how to study the Bible will benefit from this course. The course is online with students attending scheduled virtual classes as well as participating in online self-paced learning. Students have up to 18 months to complete their studies and applications for the next intake are open from 11^th to 24^thApril 2022.

Audrey Dart
Our English Conversation Group friend for many years, Audrey Dart, passed away last week. Audrey was a helper with this group for 15 years - and retired once she turned 90. Audrey was a delightful asset to our team. Along with her friendly, easy conversational demeanour, she also had a delightful singing voice - and pleasingly, she sang for us often. Audrey passed away last Sunday. We remember her with great fondness and, with gratitude, acknowledge the time and commitment she graciously gave to this community activity. God bless you Audrey!

Dooreen Salt
Please remember Doreen Salt in your prayers this week as she recovers in hospital. We pray for healing and comfort for Doreen this week. 

Connect Site
11/04/22 - Judith Walker
13/04/22 - Help needed
15/04/22 - Closed: Good Friday

Car Park
09/04/22 - Wanderers v Roar - 4pm - Richard Eden
10/04/22 - Bulldogs v Panthers - 4:45pm - Marty Bust & Noel Payne

Coffee (Cafe)
10/04/22 - John & Kerrie Acocks

Morning Tea
10/04/22 - Leanne West & Janet Muir

Welcomes
10/04/22 - 9:30am: Vince & Lorraine Bignell
10/04/22 - 11am: Len Whittaker