Parramatters - 14th April 2022

Hi Parramatta Salvos, 

John 15:13 which says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." It's this great love that we reflect upon and celebrate this weekend. We hope that you will join us over Easter, and invite your friends and family to join with us both in person and online.

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.

We can't wait to worship with you this weekend, 

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Life Groups
We are very excited about the fantastic response to our Life Group Surveys! Thanks to all who expressed interest. 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

Kids Church
A reminder that Kids Church / Junior Soldiers and Mini God Squad is currently on a break 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.

Office Closure and Holidays
Due to school holidays and public holidays, our Corps Office and Connect Site will be closed from close of business Wednesday 13 April and will not reopen until Wednesday 27 April. This means phones will not be answered during this time frame, and if you need access to the building, it will need to be pre-arranged. 

English Conversation Groups will not occur on Monday 18 April or 25 April. 
Ladies Fellowship will still be on Wednesday 20 April and 27 April.
Craft Group will not occur Friday 15 April, but will be on Friday 22 April. 

Kylie will be on Furlough from Monday 18 April-Saturday 23 April.
Sarah will be on Furlough from Monday 18 April - Wednesday 20 April. 

The best point of contact during the next 2 weeks is to email parramatta@salvationarmy.org.au

Help needed - Trailer and Plastic Bags
We would love someone to volunteer to take our now very full trailer to the tip. If you think you can help in this way, please email parramatta@salvationarmy.org.au

The Connect Site is in need of plastic bags or enviro bags. If you collect bags and can donate, please bring them in and place them behind the reception desk. 

Missing Name - Pledge Cards
A pledge card for our new Planned Giving program was returned with no name attached. If you have pledged, you should have received a letter with your new giving number by now. If you pledged and have not received a confirmation letter, please contact Marg Robinson. 

Together - Divisional Gathering
We are excited to pass on information about the first Divisional Gathering in a very long time! All Salvos across Sydney are invited to join for worship at 3pm on Sunday 1 May at Sydney Congress Hall as we hear from our Territorial Leaders Commissioners Janine & Robert Donaldson, and Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett. The service will be supported by the Divisional Worship Team and Sydney Congress Hall Band and Friends. 

The divisional meeting will be followed by our very own Youth and Young Adults Worship Night! Jayne will be leading the team at Sydney Congress Hall and we invite all young people to come along for the night from 6pm-7pm. 

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

We are very excited to announce that Parramatta Corps has surpassed the goal set for 2022! Total giving is now over $41,000 for this years appeal.

If you missed out on giving, you can give for the remainder of April. 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.

Young Adults - Q&A with the Commissioners 
On Monday evening, Young Adults across Sydney were given the opportunity to meet with Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson for pizza and a Q&A session at Parramatta Corps. It was a great night of encouragement for many of our young adults from Parramatta, and across Sydney. 

Bev Mole 
Please continue to pray for Bev Mole as she recovers from surgery. Bev is doing well with her rehabilitation, and has access to email and phone if you would like to reach out. 

Easter - Letter Box Drop
This week we dropped invitations to our Easter Services to people in our surrounding neighbourhood. We pray that people would be open to receiving these invitations and join us to celebrate Easter!

Connect Site
18/04/22 - Connect Site Closed
20/04/22 - Connect Site Closed
22/04/22 - Connect Site Closed

Car Park
18/04/22 - Bulldogs v Panthers - 4:45pm - Marty Bust & Noel Payne
20/04/22 - WSW v Newcastle Jets - 6:45pm - Richard Eden
23/04/22 - West Tigers v Rabbitohs - 6pm - Annette & David Duncan

Coffee (Cafe)
15/04/22 - David Collinson & Nathan Browning
17/04/22 - Adam Bust & Kofi Mason

Morning Tea
17/04/22 - Rachael Grey & Judith Saunders

Welcomes
15/04/22 - 10am: Dot Griffin
17/04/22 - 10am: Barbara Browning