ONE DAY, 200 VOLUNTEERS AND LOTS OF HEART TRANSFORMS KIRINARI
One hot day, 200 red-shirted volunteers and lots of heart has helped completely transform the sports facilities and gardens at Kirinari Aboriginal hostel in Sylvania.
Kirinari staff were gobsmacked at hundreds of volunteers, aged from 10 to 60-years-old, descended on the hostel last Saturday for Shirelive Church’s 17th annual REACH community day.
By the end of the day, the Kirinari grounds were completely renovated with beautiful turf laid, a new pergola and retaining wall and a professional half-court basketball court holding pride of place.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Kent Johns was there to open the day, telling assembled volunteers that he continued to be amazed by the efforts of the community-minded people at Shirelive.
“In reaching out to these young people at Kirinari you are building our community and for that I will always be grateful,” Mr Johns said.
Shirelive senior pastor Michael Murphy said REACH was one of the highlights on the church’s calendar.
“It melts your heart to see the incredible work done here today as a bunch of ordinary people got together to achieve something extraordinary,” Ps Murphy said.
In recent years, REACH projects have included major renovation work at Menai, Port Hacking and Endeavour High Schools and backyard blitzes for people in need.
Several key volunteers have received local and State awards for their leadership and service as part of REACH.
Shirelive Youth Pastor Tim Biasetto said the church had decided to focus on one major project this year with an aim of doing something really significant for a community organisation.
“Most of the Kirinari students were still away in the country visiting their families for the school holidays so I can’t wait to see their faces when they get back and see the new facilities,” Ps Biasetto said.
Ps Biasetto said the big weekend kicked off on Friday night with the annual REACH Gala night at Shirelive auditorium. More than 420 people, including local dignitaries parents and grandparents, were wowed by the talents of the young people involved in Shirelive Youth.
Joey Chan, Annette Peachey, Jacinta Derrick, Martin Peachey, Frank Gorrell, Fiona Thomas, Isabelle Lawler
A NARNIA CHRISTMAS!
“Always winter, never Christmas”! Such is the sentiment of the residents of the land of Narnia in the novels The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.Lewis. And sometimes, we can feel that way with all that is involved in the approach of the Christmas Season!
By focusing on the gift-giving and so of course the burden of shopping, deciding who gets what and the endless busy-ness of getting caught up in the melee that precedes the most wonderful season on Earth, we can miss the feeling that should accompany Christmas. We can become distracted from the essential truth of what Christmas is all about! If that’s how you are feeling this Christmas, perhaps right now may I bring your mind back to the original prophetic verse from the book of Isaiah 9:6 which says:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
It’s not only comforting to know that Jesus’ birth was prophesied hundreds of years before it happened. It’s also helpful for us to realise that He has, and always will have, the future of our world in His sights and in His heart.
We are not alone, nor ever were we.
We don’t have to feel overwhelmed, in fact, He’s just a prayer away from all of us at any time.
Though we may be experiencing some of the pressures leading up to Christmas, even if it feels like: ”Always winter, never Christmas”, we can rest assured that the Bible has answers for us that are eternally true.
….”and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.
May we at Shirelive extend to you the sentiments of this Christmas season. And in the meantime, please feel welcome to come and celebrate with us at our December services at Sutherland, Bayside and Cityside. In particular:
- Our “Narnia Experience” Christmas Carols and Concert on Sunday December 23rd at 6pm.
- Our Christmas Day service at 9:30am on Christmas Day, December 25th. (combined at this venue with Bayside & Cityside)
“BREATHE!”
James 1:26:
“Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!”
As I take a deep breath, and sit back in my chair to consider the actual meaning, personally, of this verse on my life, I’m stunned by the fact that this was written over 2000 years ago!
“And yet, James,” (the author, in ancient Biblical times) “…you mean to tell me that your words can be applied to me because I share the exact same faith as you had then….and the meaning can come alive even to me in 2012? In fact, you’re speaking to me right now?” (I often find myself ‘talking’ to the author of scripture that I’m reading…perhaps it helps the words to come alive, I’m not sure, but it helps in some way to personalize these pages that are written to me, though in ancient times penned by human hand. They are breathed upon by the Holy Spirit, and I can choose to have them impact me…or not.)
Are you impacted each day by what God says to you in His Word as you read and try to inwardly digest all that He is in your life?
When the full impact of the writing of a contemporary of Jesus Christ is available to, and is allowed to have an effect upon, my life in the 21st Century, I can then start to understand what God wants to say to me. In order to handle the complications of this life that we are living – in the ‘fast lane’ that is the ‘here and now’, we need to have God breathe upon His Word!
I can read this scripture and take it on face value. Or I can read this scripture and allow the BREATH of the Holy Spirit to touch me.
“Lord, take my heart and change it by allowing these words to affect me, to change me, to breathe life into me again…”
That’s my prayer. “RUACH” The Hebrew word for “Breath” – is used in the Bible as a literal sense of God’s breath into us through His Holy Spirit.
“I’ll breathe my life into you and you’ll live. Then I’ll lead you straight back to your land and you’ll realize that I am God.” Ezekial 37:14
And now, as I continue to read what James has written to Christians down through the centuries, I can personalize it, because the Holy Spirit has breathed upon it for me. He has made it real. So I can understand and now be a “doer of the Word, and not just a hearer”. I personalize it, and I can apply it. God has made it come alive to me…and I can live it!
Thanks, Lord. You’ve made my day.
SHIRELIVE CHICKS Tuesday 18th Sept 2012!
An invitation to girls of ALL ages…join us with coffee and gelato on Tuesday 18th September as we jump into our SPRING CELEBRATION with international speaker Christine Martin from Florida, USA.
Christine is known for her uncompromising style… powerful, edgy, graced and yet tender as she speaks with relevancy to men & women across the globe. Her continued desire for personal growth has lead to the simplicity of this: if you change/work on yourself to make a better person, you have made a change in the world. Christine has become passionate about empowering individuals to live a life of influence and purpose. She is a gifted speaker, author and television personality who entertains, enlightens and empowers thousands around the globe.
Why don’t YOU come and join us as we SPRING into the next season!
Bring your friends, your Mum, your sisters…..you’re going to love the special things we have planned for you!
TUESDAY, 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2012. 7pm...See you there!
HAPPY DAD’S DAY!
“God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.” Ps 103:8 (The Message)
Watching TV news tonight, I listened to a very old man of 96, an ex football great of yesteryear, give advice to young players about his longevity.
“Keep onside with the Almighty!” he’d said from the podium, triumphantly waving a hand and pointing upwards, as the crowd laughed in one accord!
It’s that time of the year again, when we honour our fathers for…well…just being Dads! Often we look to the fathers of our community to give great advice.
There is an amazing array of Dads spoken of in the Bible…and I was thinking on a few of these father figures as I wrote a few lines in a card to honour the father of my own children today.
There’s Noah! Wow, what if he had not decided to listen when God told him about the Big Flood? Wait a minute, he would have had no idea rain even existed, would he? So how would he have understood what God was even talking about….I mean, “flooding” the whole world and starting again? With just old Noah and his wife and kids, and a few hundred pairs of animals? There’s a listening heart….and a trust that’s above and beyond.
Then there’s Abraham. Now there’s a guy, right? Even when the promise of a son to he and his really aged wife, Sarah, actually became a fact, and they had a boy named Isaac. Now, WHO would have been that obedient to God’s request – to actually sacrifice the boy’s life as an ‘offering’ to God Himself…just because! I’m so glad God stepped in on that one! There’s an obedient spirit….
And then the amazing king of Israel himself, David…wow! He honoured God so much, that he even stayed in the background to a murderous opponent, King Saul. And God built David’s character, through his circumstances! Bit by painful bit. But then to be able to have such a successful life, handing down the wealth and kingdom to his son Solomon, who is said to have been the “wisest man who ever lived”. Now, that’s amazing! Especially when we know that old Dave had his faults…amongst them committing murder and adultery. (oops) But he also had a faithful, repentant heart.
Often it’s a journey to realize that God is in control if we are indeed His. And that He has the best in His heart for every Dad, and every family. We develop trust, honour and faithfulness when we learn how much God actually loves us.
What was it that made the Old Testament fathers great?
There was the ‘listening heart’ of Noah.
The ‘obedient spirit ‘of Abe.
The ‘faithful, repentant heart’ of David.
A life long “walk” with the Saviour; keeping “onside with the Almighty”…it’s got to be the source!
REALATIONSHIPS!!
Hi Shirelive,
Join us this Saturday for REALationships!
This is a half-day experience designed to help you build meaningful, effective and lasting relationships. Our international guests Pastors Matt and Martha Fry are well recognised for the ability to inspire and equip adults in a very practical way towards building great life partnerships. Admission is FREE and childcare is available.
TIM HALL COMES TO SHIRELIVE!
We have such an exciting weekend coming up!
As you know, we had Pastor Tim Hall with u
s recently, and such was the response to his ministry, that we’ve decided to bring him back THIS coming weekend, 1st,2nd & 3rd June!
FRIDAY 1st JUNE:
Tim Hall will bring his unique gift of healing and teaching the Word to combine with all ourYOUTH activities on Friday night….we are excited that our young people get a chance to experience this first hand…and ALL ADULTS are invited. 7 PM start.
Children’s Program Available: 1 year and walking to Year 5 at school
SATURDAY 2nd JUNE:
5:45 pm ALL LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS, KINGDOM LEADERS & BUILDERS:
All leaders and those who aspire to “building’ with us at Shirelive, are welcome to join us for canapés and coffee, and some strategic time with Pastor Tim Hall. What a privilege!
FOLLOWED BY:
7pm SATURDAY NIGHT MIRACLE SERVICE!
Shirelive celebrates with a special Saturday Night Service!
Come, bring friends, family, neighbours!
Children’s Program Available: 1 year and walking to Year 5 at school
WHAT other ministries are saying about Tim Hall:
“Tim Hall is one of Australia’s favorite preachers and has been a great blessing to our church! He has a unique ability to mix faith with humor to get a congregation hungry and ready for the Holy Ghost to move. Having ministered alongside Tim, I have always seen a move of God take place with many people giving their lives to Jesus Christ. Both Tim & Jacque Hall’s commitment to revival will motivate and challenge you to hunger for more of God.” - Pastor Darlene Zschech Hope UC Church, Central Coast
“Tim Hall is one of the most unique power ministries we’ve ever had in our church. Hundreds of lives in our church and thousands of lives throughout Australia and the world have been saved, healed and blessed through Tim’s ministry.” - Ps Phil Pringle C3 Church, Sydney.
See YOU there!
Michael and Valery Murphy
Senior Ministers
“MEET THE PASTORS MORNING TEA”
If you, or anyone you know, would like to come and be a part of this, we’d just LOVE to meet you. In fact, the Bible talks about us all remembering that we’re meant to care for and to look out for, one another….so let’s ‘look out for’ someone new in the life of our church, and bring them along with us after the Morning Service at Sutherland. (they might have been coming to church for a while, but would like to meet us and make new friends!) If you send their name to us, we will send an official invite, or simply just BRING them!
Last weekend our speaker, Dr Dave Martin used the “Amplified” version of the Bible, so here, in “Amplified speak” is our encouragement to do just that:
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,
Here’s hoping you have someone to bring, and that you are able to come and take part in our current series:
“Carpe Manana!” (Seize Tomorrow!)
We look forward to seeing you, your family and your friends on the weekend!
Carpe Manana!
SEIZE TOMORROW!
Our guest speaker this week is Dr Dave Martin
Here’s what Ed Young has to say about Dr Dave:
“I encourage every Pastor to get in touch with Dr. Dave
because he will rock your church and take it to a whole nutha level in wisdom, success, and finances”
Dr. Dave Martin is known by many around the world as America’s #1 Christian Success Coach. He has embraced his assignment to teach others how to walk in the fullness of God’s plan by pursuing, possessing and teaching the scriptural keys to biblical success.
CONTACT SHIRELIVE OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE HE IS SPEAKING THIS WEEKEND:
SHIRELIVE SUTHERLAND:9:30 AND 6PM
REDINC RETREAT
KINGDOM BUILDERS EVENT, SYDNEY
call: 02 9521 2933
http://davemartin.org/
Mother’s Day
Wishing all our mothers a wonderful and blessed Mother’s Day. To extend family time for honoring our mothers there will be no 6pm service this Sunday 13th May.
Blessings.
Shirelive TVJoin us every Sunday at 7:30am on TVS.
