Ariah Park Baptist Church Happenings - February 2016

Anthony and Tamara Webb and their three daughters (Bethany age 9, Jenny age 7 and Vanessa age 4) moved into the church manse mid December 2015 and were able to participate in many of the community’s Christmas events and began getting to know the members of the church and wider community.

Our Christmas activities included participation in the Ariah Park Central School Christmas Service and a Sunday School (“Discovery Club”) Christmas Service where we sang with the children dressed in nativity theme and were amazed at a stop-motion Lego video presentation narrated by the children which was put together by the Discovery Club leaders.  For New Year we celebrated with a Mission’s Night where we raised funds for a Bible College in New Guinea by donating for the spit roast dinner.

Anthony commenced his role as pastor on Sunday 3 January and has been preaching through the book of Colossians reminding us of our eternal hope in our all-sufficient Saviour and how this plays out in our daily lives.

The regular activities of the church community began recommencing from February.  There was a KYB information morning in Temora on 3 February with Kaye Shooter introducing the ladies to the book of John which they will be studying for the first half of the year.  The various mens’, ladies’ and mixed Bible studies groups have started up again as well as new weekly Youth Connect Groups for high school aged young people.  These groups are split into girls and guys and aim to connect the youth of the church deeper with each other, their mentors and God’s saving Word.  Then about three times during each term we will run an event-driven fun night aimed at outreach with a gospel message.

With the new school year, we are pleased to have members who continue to be involved in the APCAT group who provide SRE at APCS.  This year we have had the additional privilege of being approached by Barmedman Primary School to provide SRE to their students for one hour fortnightly.

Upcoming events include the Induction Service for Anthony on Sunday 6 March, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Saturday the 2nd of April as a part of Senior’s Week and a Creating Safe Spaces workshop being planned for Saturday 7th May 2016 at Ariah Park 9.30 am – 3.30 pm approx.  This is the full course, not just the refresher and the cost will be $30.00pp.  Individuals from churches in the region are most welcome to participate.

Please pray:

·        For the Webbs as they continue to settle into the community

·        For the new Youth Connect Groups

·        SRE at APCS and BPS

·        That the gospel will motivate and guide us in our words and actions as we shine the light and hope of Christ in Ariah Park.