Parramatters - 17th March 2023

Hi Parramatta Salvos, 

This Sunday we continue our sermon series - "David: the making of", where we are focusing on David's early life in the book of 1 Samuel. We're looking forward to hearing Michelle preach this week about "Advantage". 

We are excited to see you and gather in worship together at 9:30am and 11am this week!

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Parra YAYA
Our next Youth & Young Adults social night is TONIGHT, Friday 17 March from 7pm-9pm. We are having a "Murder Mystery" night! Everyone from yr 6 and above is welcome to join!

Corps Retreat 2023
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. 

Ladies Fellowship
Ladies Fellowship is on each Wednesday from 10am in our function hall. All women are welcome to attend! This Wednesday we will be joined by special guest Graham Terry, Vice President for Boys Brigade Australia in NSW.

Self Denial Appeal 
Next Sunday is our Self Denial Appeal Altar Service. As you know, we have challenged everyone to consider their contribution to our bold goal of $55,000 this year. We ask you to pray about your contribution, and please pick up your envelope from the foyer this week in preparation for our Altar Service next Sunday 26 March. 

Please remember that if you would like to give online, make sure to select 'Parramatta Corps' as your centre so that we can get an accurate picture of our collective contribution.

Planned Giving Envelopes
We are consistently overwhelmed by the generosity of so many in our corps community at Parramatta. For those who give via envelopes, you will note that you are almost out. New envelopes will be available in the foyer from this Sunday, and we ask you to collect them to assist with reducing postage costs.

Over the past 6 months, we have been delighted to welcome new faces into our community at Parramatta Corps. If you would like to be part of our Planned Giving (tithing) program, please email us at parramatta@salvationarmy.org.au and we can provide you with a pledge card and giving number. You can give via envelops, direct debit or bank transfer, or through our open plate. Whilst there's no obligation to be part of the program, we believe in the principles of tithing and contributing to the Kingdom-Building culture at Parramatta Corps through our financial giving, and want to extend the invitation to join us.

Once again, we're so grateful for the many regular givers who are so generous with their resources each week!

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

Seniors Morning Tea
On Wednesday morning, approximately 300 seniors gathered in our Worship Hall for a special event and morning tea with the Federal Member for Parramatta Dr Andrew Charlton. Dr Charlton spoke of the vital contribution seniors make to our community in Parramatta, and we also enjoyed performances from Parramatta High School Choir and the Newington Seniors Choir. 

We would also like to congratulate our volunteers for their incredible effort this week operating the Market and Cafe at the same time as the seniors gathering. 90 food and drink orders at our cafe and 87 family units came through the market! It's not often that close to 400 people move through the building in one day, so well done to everyone that made the day work for our community!

Kids Church Leaders
We are really in need of volunteers to help with our Kids Church team, mostly with our Jr Soldier's age group. If you would like to be part of this team, please speak with Jeff Parker about the requirements. 

Self Denial Appeal
Please pray about your contribution for the appeal this year, but also for our collective contribution as The Salvation Army in Australia. May God use our offering to further his Kingdom purposes where it is needed most. 

Praying for Leaders
We are being invited by Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham,
World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, to pray for our International Leaders in the coming days and months. If you would like to read more about this call to prayer in anticipation of the High Council in May, please click this link.

Rosters

Salvos Connect
13/03/23 - Cafe: Will & Kerry, Vouchers: Denise G
15/03/23 - Cafe: Will & Kerry
17/03/23 - Cafe: Ann L, Vouchers: Montana 

Car Park
23/03/2023 - Thursday - Eels v Panthers - 6:15 - 7:45pm Leanne & Peter West
31/03/2023 -Friday - Wanderers v Adelaide - 6:30 - 7:45pm - Richard Eden