Gerringong Uniting Church

The 10.30am Family Service gets going again this Sunday (Feb 7th) after its summer break. Being the 1st Sunday of the month, its also morning tea, so swing by a bit earlier (say… 10am) to make sure you catch the baked goodies on offer.

Once we have had a cuppa and chat, Carlie will lead us in a creative time of discovering “Who’s who?” (ie. Who are we? Who is God? Who are we in relation to God? Why are we special?).

The Evening Service (5.30pm) is also back on home turf after spending the summer chilling out down at Gerroa. This Sunday Christine will be leading us in song, and Peter will be speaking on how we are being called to a higher purpose in 2010.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Term 1 in 2010 sees us kick-off a new group specifically for primary school aged boys. Called ‘Boys in Gerringong’ (or BiG for short), the group aims to provide a fun and safe environment where boys can grow physically, socially and spiritually. BiG is open to all boys from K-6 who want to play games, do craft, build things, hear stories from the Bible & generally do fun boy stuff.

We are looking forward to serving our town by providing an active and fun set of activities that boys will enjoy and benefit from. We hope to help parents grow our boys into the confident, respectful, faithful young men that God wants them to be.

BiG will fill the void for a group catering specifically for boys that was left by the Scouts who closed in town several years ago. GiG (Girls in Gerringong) has been doing good things for some time now, and we look forward to providing a similar sort of thing for our boys.

Both BiG and GiG will operate on a Wednesday night in the hall and in Nestor House from 6.30-8pm during school term (starting February 17th). Separate programs will be undertaken by the two groups with some occasional combined activities taking place. For more information contact Peter & Carlie Chapman on 4234 1044.

Some of the boys and leaders muscle up for the start of BiG this term

Our friends, Richard & Lindsey Parker have sent an update regarding their work in South Africa with Siyandlulisa Ministries. A special prayer request at present is for Richard’s health – he has been hit by a virus which has symptoms similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome  - please pray for full healing and restoration of his strength. See here Siyandlulisa December News their full update.

‘Church at the Beach’ starts again this Sunday night (Jan 3rd). Each year in the holiday period, our evening service adjourns to Emery Park, Gerroa for some fellowship and informal worship. We gather at 5.30pm for a BYO dinner (free BBQs available) and then enjoy a short time of teaching, reflection and prayer. A trip across the river to the beach for a post-church swim or surf is purely optional. Church at the Beach will be held each Sunday throughout January.

We welcome all visitors to our services on Christmas Day 2009 : 8am – Traditional service, 9.30am Family service. For more information please call Rev. Peter Chapman on 4234 1044.

Each year on the Sunday night before Christmas, the churches of Gerringong get together to put on ‘Carols in the Park’. This year Carols will be bigger and better than ever. With our own Lincoln Piper managing the event, Carols ‘09 will include food stalls, jumping castle, bungee run and heaps of other new attractions for the young and the young at heart. The team from Quiz Worx will help communicate the good news of Jesus’ birth through their puppet ministry. Carols in the Park for 2009 will kick off at 7.30pm on Sunday 20th December at Old School Park, Gerringong.

As you can see from the pics below, a great time was had by all at the recent combined churches Coffee Appreciation night at Gloria Jeans, Kiama. Josh and all the staff at Gloria Jeans were very generous with their time and expertise in sharing some of the secrets of how to make great coffee. Thanks to all involved.

As part of the ‘Jesus. All About Life’ campaign, Bellachara will host a special evening aimed at strengthening marriages on Friday October 16th.

This Gerringong combined churches function will feature of a screening of the film ‘Fireproof’ starring Kirk Cameron (of Growing Pains fame), and a scrumptious meal from the Bellachara kitchens.

Fireproof follows Capt. Caleb holt who, at work in burning buildings, lives by the old firefighter’s adage: Never leave your partner behind. Whilst his job is saving lives, he will face his toughest challenge ever – that of saving his marriage.

The night kicks off at 7pm and places are limited, so please call Peter & Carlie Chapman on 4234 1044 to book your spot.

Leanne ‘Number Fiend’ Mitchell has held off a late challenge by Phil ‘Philthy’ Burgess to win our inaugural footy-tipping competition (see full table below). Having led nearly all throughout the season, Leanne took the top stop despite her beloved Eels being denied in the big one by the Storm. Congratulations Leanne. We look forward to season 2010.

Today at our 10.30am Family Service, our kids got creative and reenacted the story of Jesus calming the storm (from Mark 4:35-41) using lego, and posted it on YouTube. You can watch the clip below. We expect Hollywood to come knocking any time now…