Happy Mother’s Day

NEWSLETTER

SUNDAY 10 MAY 2020 FIGTREE ANGLICAN CHURCH FAITHFUL • ADVENTUROUS • COMPASSIONATE

4-10 Gibsons Road, FIGTREE NSW 2525 • 4272 1322 • [email protected] Living by Faith While Standing on the Rock … Especially our Mothers Ian Barnett | Senior Minister

Well, let me start by first simply saying Happy promise not to tell anyone. When my brothers and Mother’s Day. I were in high school our mum would provide us all I am mindful that days like this are in my own with a cup if tea in bed to start the day. Wow, who words “very tricky”. I am mindful of the women would have thought it possible! And no, we did not who are not mothers, the women who never do that for our own children, we sacrificed in other married and the women who know the pain of ways. Nor did we make them get up and provide us either being in a loveless or childless marriage. Yet, with a cup of tea in bed either. I also know of the women of influence, the women I have always looked upon mothers as the power who have shaped the lives of all of us, our Mothers. source, apart from God, in any home. I love what As Lysa TerKeurst, said, “Motherhood is a million the great Charles Spurgeon said about Mothers, little moments that God weaves together with “You are as much serving God in looking after your grace, redemption, laughter, tears, and most of all, own children, and training them up in God’s fear, love.” So true. and minding the house, and making your household I am also aware that not everyone reading this has a church for God, as you would be if you had been had a positive or uplifting family home life. It called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of saddens me to say that during this period we have hosts.” found ourselves in, domestic violence has been on It seems to me that parenting today, is more like an the increase and the ones who generally suffer art than anything else, as you seek to raise your most are the women and children. child or children with an awareness of many things. Yet, amidst the joy, the heartache and the But above all else, one thing parents know and memoires that come flooding back on days like especially mothers know, is the power of this, for many of us, our Mothers, especially the obedience. More than likely, this is because many, women of faith, are the ones who know and carry daily, feel the struggle between what our children or have carried deeply in their hearts the words of want, and desire compared to what is best for Psalm 28: them. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “One Act of The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust obedience is better than one hundred sermons.” him with all my heart. He helps me, and my Mothers know this to be so true. heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of Therefore, to all of you, I say as many have said, it thanksgiving. (Psalm 28:7) is more than likely the small things that really do I love this Psalm, because it reminds me that none make the difference. The prayers, the patience, the of us are alone in our journey of life. God is with us words of encouragement, the smiles, and the and he fills us with joy. My brothers and I were prayers (yes, I said that twice). So, on this day blessed with a hardworking and Godly mother, who remember, we can do all that which we are called along with our Father sought to raise their three to do by standing firm on the rock of Jesus as we boys with a view to growing up with a love of God live by faith. and a commitment to hard work. This was always Your thankful for a godly Mother and godly Wife. modelled to us, by their love and sacrifice for us. In fact, I will let you in on a secret, as long as you Ian Barnett

4-10 Gibsons Road, FIGTREE NSW 2525 • 4272 1322 • [email protected] We’d love to get to know you and help you Regular Services: connect into the life of our church family. In the interest of public safety, our 8am, 10am &  Visit our website figtree.church for latest news. 6pm services traditionally held onsite are ceased for the time being in accordance with a directive  Email [email protected] from Archbishop Glenn Davies, however we are  Phone the office on 4272 1322 live-streaming a service at 10am each Sunday, which can be accessed on YouTube at: Contact Details: Figtree TV 4-10 Gibsons Road, FIGTREE NSW 2525 If you are unable to access the live stream and email: [email protected] would like a DVD or CD copy of any of the Sunday web: figtreechurch.org services, please email [email protected] or Phone: 4272 1322 phone the office on 4272 1322 to arrange. EMERGENCY: 0412 777 837 Regular Updates: Regular Giving: Regular updates, usually Tuesday and Thursday WESTPAC—Figtree Anglican Church afternoons, are posted at: BSB: 032 686 Acc: 141209

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Mother’s Day Thank you for creating each mother with a unique combination of gifts & talents. May we have hearts that overflow with gratitude, & never undermine the significance of their role. Pray for rest in weariness, flexibility during challenges and strength to persevere. Thank you for those who have never had the honour of bearing children, but whose nurturing & motherly love is poured out on children and families who are part of their life. Pray comfort & reassurance of God’s love for those facing broken relationships, those grieving the loss of a child, and the death of their own mother. For those that are unable In addition to Sunday Online services, to see their families because of Covid-19 that they will find updates will continue to be provided on ways to connect and to continue to draw strength from Tuesdays & Thursdays via Figtree Anglican God even in the isolation. Church Facebook and Instagram pages. Welcome to our new co-acting Youth Pastors, Ruth Barnes & Josh Hawkins.

"Hello! My name is Ruth. I am 24 years old and I have grown Hello! I’m Josh. I am 25 years old. I was born and raised in up in and for the most part Figtree Anglican Wollongong and I have attended Figtree Anglican Church for Church as well. I love soccer, video games, good coffee with all 25 years of my life. I love creating and listening to music, friends, and all kinds of adventures. and embarking on any and all outdoor adventures. I attended Christian School from K–12, and from Growing up I went to Illawarra Christian School and in 2018, I there I graduated from Wollongong University with a graduated from the with a Masters Bachelor of Mathematics and a Physics minor. I am currently in Primary Teaching. Since then, I have been working as a studying my Masters of Divinity at Ridley College (by casual teacher in some of our local schools. Some of your kids distance) in Melbourne, and I love it. might even know me as Mr Hawkins! During uni I worked at the Discovery Space performing shows Growing up in Figtree Anglican Church, I loved going to Kids and explaining exhibits. However, I have also worked at Church and Youth Group. Youth in particular has been where Figtree Anglican Church the past three years – two years as a I have made some of the best memories in my life and I have youth intern, and a year as a Student Minister after that. learnt life long lessons through the leaders who have lead I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to Co- me, and even the kids that I have lead over the years. Over youth pastor Figtree Youth. Growing up at Figtree, youth the past few years I have particularly loved leading the group was foundational to my development – it shaped my worship and creative teams at Ignite and Youth, and working character, my skills, and most importantly my relationship with the incredibly gifted leaders and youth kids in those with God. I am so thankful for my leaders, and the teams. faithfulness of Ron Irving who was my youth pastor growing I honestly never thought that I would be calling myself a up. Some of my best memories of my teenage years are of youth pastor until a couple of weeks ago, but I am excited youth group, and I am so thankful for the people who loved about this new role and I am thankful to God for leading me me and the space Figtree Youth created for me to grow. here. It’s a challenging season but I am thankful for this Picking a favourite verse it too tricky, but I will share a opportunity for us to be creative and I am excited for what passage that has been dear to my heart for a long time: happens next. “[Speaking of the faithful ones who have gone before] These One of my favourite verses is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not were all commended for their faith, yet none of them commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be received what had been promised, since God had planned frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is something better for us so that only together with us would with you wherever you go.” I love that God is not just they be made perfect. watching over us, but he is with us and giving us strength for Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of the journey. witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 11:39–12:2 I love this image of all the faithful believers who have gone before us, and the idea that what God has for us will not be fully realised until the end of days when we are all brought together in perfect unity with God. It is a beautiful picture of believers championing believers and looking forwards, together, to the day of perfect restoration. I am so thankful for this time and the many blessings I have been given. I cannot wait to see where God is going to lead us! Selection of our new Senior Minister– we want to hear from you! As part of the process of selecting a new Senior Minister, the nominators would like to consult as widely as possible with the members of Figtree Anglican Church. We have BIGGEST MORNING TEA - On-line! started visiting LifeGroups to do this, however we also Thursday, 21 May 2020 / 9:45am want to provide an opportunity for individual responses. Women Alive invite all women to join us for our annual We have designed an online survey which should take less Cancer Council fundraiser. We will hear the powerful story than five minutes to complete. This information will be from Natalie Gray, a local Christian who survived a most used in confidence as part of our nomination process. If aggressive breast cancer at aged 40. There will be lots of you wish to provide input this way, here is the link to the other fun parts to the morning as we connect online via survey: http://bit.ly/FACSurvey2020 Zoom. Thank you Bring to the party - wear a unique hat, bring a teacup with Peter Jones, Wayne James, Simone Boswell, a story behind it and your credit card to donate $! Anne Simpson, Tony Okely RSVP: If you are not usually part of Women Alive please email [email protected] to receive the Zoom invitation link

VOX FM Each Friday at 10am, members of Figtree Anglican Church provide a ministry through a radio program on VOX FM. The radio program called “It is well with my Soul”, provides music and encouragement from scripture for those living in the Illawarra and beyond. You can listen by tuning your radio to 106.9 or via digital broadcast on-line.

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