Parramatters - 3rd March 2023

Hi Parramatta Salvos, 

This Sunday we continue our new sermon series - "David: the making of". We'll be focusing on David's early life in the book of 1 Samuel. We're looking forward to hearing Clayton preach this week about "attitude". We hope you can join us at 9:30am in person or online this Sunday. 

We are excited to see you and gather in worship together this week!

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Parra YAYA
Tonight is our next Youth & Young Adults social night for 2023 from 7pm-9pm. Everyone from yr 6 and above is welcome to join. YAYA costs a gold coin and this week we're telling everyone to wear their best Aussie clothes as we hang out for Jayne's last YAYA event. 

Corps Retreat 2023
Our registrations have officially opened for our corps retreat! 

We will be joining together at the Tops Conference Centre from Friday night 30 June to Sunday 2 July under the leadership of Lt. Cols. David and Sandra Godkin. All are welcome to attend as full delegates or day delegates (prices listed in registration link below).

We don't want the cost to be a barrier for anyone, so please let us know if you would like to receive sponsorship. To make the camp more affordable for families, under 18s will be able to attend at a discounted rate (50% less for full delegates).

We would also ask that if you are able, you consider giving a little extra to sponsor another delegate.

The weekend will be a mix of sessions (worship, prayer, teaching), fun activities (theme night, board games, walks and coffee) and time to hang out and relax. 

We need registrations ASAP, so please follow this link to register: https://forms.office.com/r/xiTWnxV99n
Please note that no payment is required upon registrations - we just really need to know numbers! Also, paper registrations forms are now available in the foyer. Please place them in the 'letterbox' in the foyer. 

Alpha
We had a fabulous evening this week as we began the Alpha course. If you missed this week, it's not too late! Why not come along next week and join us? 

Alpha will run on Wednesday nights over 9 weeks (1 March- 26 April) from 7pm-8:30pm with supper. 

Register here if you would like to attend: https://find.alpha.org.au

Flourish
Our first Flourish for 2023 is almost here! On Saturday 11 March, we'll be enjoying a "Balcony Brunch" from 10am to 12pm. Cost is $15, and all women are welcome to join. Register by clicking here or use the envelops in the church foyer registrations must be complete by Thursday 9 March. 

Jayne's Farewell Lunch
We will be farewelling Jayne in our 9:30am and 11am services next Sunday March 12. We will be holding a special 'pot luck' lunch at 12pm to celebrate and say 'farewell' to Jayne. If you would like to attend, please bring a plate of food to share with everyone for lunch. Drinks will be provided. 

Ladies Fellowship
All ladies are welcome to attend fellowship from 10am each Wednesday in the function hall! This week we will be joined by special guest Mj. Bev Mole on the theme "Moving On". 

New Concierge Position and Opening Hours!
We are very excited to let you know, that this week Ajies (or AJ as he is known to many) started in our Concierge Position! AJ has been volunteering with us for more than 6 months, so may be familiar to you. AJ will be working from Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm each day. Part of AJ's role is to answer the phone and intercom, do some admin and building set up, but mostly it's to make people welcome in our building! AJ is already doing a fantastic job, and we look forward to introducing AJ to you all in the coming weeks. 

From Monday 6 March, our building will be open every day of the week from 9:30am-1pm. We are really excited that we now have the capacity to do this, and look forward to the community connections that will be made as a result. Check out our new building hours poster below for more information. 

Name Badges
This Sunday is the very last day to order a name badge!

Name badges are a helpful way to connect and get to know one another. The badges are magnetic and are $10 each. If you would like to order one, please take an envelope from the foyer, write the correct spelling of your name on the front, insert your payment and return to Dot Griffin by March 5. 

Faith Stories
Please read and support this project from Jonathon Hide.
"For a while now I have had an idea to create a book or some sort of medium that will help communicate stories of peoples faith. I believe that during these hard times with wars, conflicts and severe negativity we need to share our stories of faith and how it has positively affected us.

If you feel led, I would like some assistance with putting this idea together. What I will require is a story from yourself or from someone else you know about your story of faith.

It could be anything to do with your faith, how it was tested and its result. How it has helped share the love of God. Or how it has produced an outcome that was totally unexpected and a true blessing.

If it could please sent to me in a email that can be as long as you wish (I may edit it down depending on the way I present it). Depending on the replies I may not only make it a book but we’ll see how we go."

Please send your stories to: faithstoriesjh@gmail.com

Brass Band in Maitland
This weekend, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March, our brass band will be visiting and ministering at Maitland Corps. Please pray for our band and keep in mind that there will be no 11am service this week. 

Diana Flood - Promoted to Glory
It is with much sadness that we inform you of the Promotion to Glory of our friend, Diana Flood.

The funeral will be held at Castlebrook Memorial Park, Rouse Hill at 3pm on Monday 6th March and all are welcome to attend. 

Diana will be deeply missed by her family, and we would ask that you pray for and support Laurie and the Eden family at this incredibly difficult time. 

Officers Fellowship
This coming week, Officers across NSW/ACT will gather for fellowship in the Blue Mountains. Please pray that this is a time of refreshment and encouragement to officers across our division. 

Please note that Kylie and Sarah will be away from Monday -Thursday this week, and will not be checking emails regularly. Please call for any urgent matters, or get in touch with the corps office if you need anything. 

Türkiye and Syria
As the devastating impact of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria continues to unfold, we all must ask ourselves what part we play in helping the people of Syria and Türkiye recover and rebuild from this tragic event.

As a movement we do not have any direct operations in the impacted countries, however in consultation with the Secretary for Communications, Colonel Rodney Walters and his team, one way we can support people on the ground is through directing financial aid to World Vision, an organisation with shared Christian values who are providing food, medical aid, and shelter during this time. You can give via this link.

Rosters

Sunday Cafe
05/03/23 - John & Kerrie A

Sunday Welcomes
05/03/23 - 9:30am Dot G, 11am Ray H

Salvos Connect
06/03/23 - Cafe: Will & Kerry, Vouchers: Judith W & Jayne C
08/03/23 - Cafe: Will & Kerry
10/03/23 - Cafe: Ann L, Vouchers: Jayne C

Car Park
04/03/23 - Wanderers v Central Coast - 4:00 - 5:00pm - John A
10/03/23 - Eels v Sharks - 4:30 - 6:00pm - John A, Loretta C