DECEMBER,
the POS handout
2017 | ISSUE
NO. 12
A letter from the pastor BY PASTOR
STAN &
ROBYN
HARVEY
Gratitude For many people the final month of the year is welcomed with a long awaited sigh and celebration as it signals holidays, food, festivities and summer. For others however the season is viewed with a sense of dread and weariness, due to the stress of expenses, events, deadlines and get togethers, or not. Regardless of whether this month energises or depresses you, one thing is for certain, it represents an opportunity to look back over the last 12 months and assess our successes and failures. This is vital in seeing whether we have been effective or not but don’t let that be the only function. Let this month also serve as a time to look back and be truly grateful for all that has transpired, both good and not so good. Gratitude is not only a virtue that our parents insisted that we show as children with good manners but it is an attitude that secular researchers are now discovering has tremendous health benefits. In 2007, Robert Emmons began researching gratitude through a psychological lens. He found that expressing gratitude improves mental, physical and relational well-being. Being grateful also impacts the overall experience of happiness, and these effects tend to be long-lasting. Little wonder that the Bible repeatedly commands us to give thanks. Col 2:7 tells us that we are to abound in thanksgiving. Luke 17 records the remarkable story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers. After instructing them to confirm that their leprosy had ceased to the priests, one of them came back immediately praising God and throwing himself at Jesus feet out of sheer gratitude. Jesus marvelled at the absence of the other 9 who were also healed but did not demonstrate the same level of appreciation. Due to this man’s gratitude, Jesus made him whole, the implications of which are that his sins were forgiven and possibly any missing body parts as a result of the leprosy were restored. Gratitude is an attitude that the child of God ought to embrace. We have so much to be thankful for, even when our lives are not ideally placed. Get into the habit of giving thanks always (1 Thes 1:2). Get into a habit of being grateful. Here are just a few tips: - Keep a journal where you can list 2-3 things to begin your day being thankful for and end it in the same way. (I recommend the Five Minute Journal). - Spend a significant part of your prayer time thanking God for every detail. Count your blessings everyday and name them one by one. - Practice thanking your loved ones for something at least once a day - Say ‘Thank you’ often - Write a letter or send a gift of thanks to someone who has made a difference in your life. We don’t celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday like in North America but we can exercise this wonderful virtue that can literally transform our lives every single day. Remember that the word gratitude comes from the same root as Grace. Gratitude is the appropriate response to Gods’ amazing grace in our lives. Have a blessed season! 2
| DECEMBER
2017
Connect at the Pentecostals of Sydney
Life Studies are an enjoyable, non-threatening
We invite you to join NLJ; a teaching program conducted on
way to learn more about the Bible. We can
Sunday mornings following worship. These classes will
meet with you in your home, our home, or a
cover questions you may have about doctrine, why we
coffee shop. The studies are less than an
worship the way we do, what God really has in store for
hour but have the power to change your
your life and how God’s love for you can conquer all. These
life. Speak to one of our greeters if you would
classes are very beneficial to your Christian walk, so take
like to start a Life Study.
your first steps with Jesus today!
We understand that High School, Uni and Tafe
These are groups that meet on Wednesdays all
are times of much change- Physical, Mental
across Sydney. It is a great time of Biblical
and even Spiritual. Whether you're the big
teaching, growing and spending time together.
man at school or the quiet one in the back of
You will not want to miss out on these exciting
the class you have a place at KEY Youth. Come
groups!
along to a dynamic service on Friday nights at 7:30pm - with skits, games and a message aimed right at you, we guarantee you'll have a great time. DECEMBER
2017 |
3
UPCO MING 2
17
On this Sunday we will be setting it aside to celebrate the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. This is a perfect opportunity for you to invite your friends and family to a time of worship, carols and to hear the real Christmas story. There will be a Kids Spectacular at 10AM & a family Christmas Concert at 6:30pm.
COMMUNITY DAY Join us for a time of fun and fellowship at Clemton Park as we reach out to our local community. There will be a Jumping Castle, Face Painting, Sausage Sizzle, Gift bags and LIVE music!
13
24
MIDWEEK SERVICE
31 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING This month we have our AGM on Thur, 14 Dec at 7pm to discuss the previous financial year of the church. In order to attend you must be a registered church member. If you would like to become a member the appropriate forms can be found at the Welcome Desk.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Join us for a special Christmas Eve Service at the POS where we will only be having one service at 10am. There will be no Evening Service.
On Wednesday we will be having a combined mid-week service at 7:30pm at the POS. All Life Groups will be on break at this time so we encourage you to come along for a great time of worship and teaching.
14
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION SERVICES
FAMILY SUNDAY If a month has 5 Sundays, the last Sunday is Family Sunday. We encourage you to come to our 10am service and spend the rest of the day with your family. There will be no 6:30pm service Sunday Services- 10am only
DECEMBER 2017 | 4
DECEMBER 2017 SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
DECEMBER 31
01
02
Family Sunday- 10am only
KEY Youth- 7:30pm
Community DayClempton Park
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
Music Practice
KEY Youth End of Year Event- 7:30pm
Fijian End of Year Event
15
16
Fijian Thanksgiving Service- 3pm
Church Prayer Meeting- 7:30pm
Bible School 10am & 6:30pm
Life Group Term 4 Concludes
10
11
12
13
14
Midweek Church Service- 7:30pm
Music Practice
20
21
22
23
28
29
30
MDL Meeting- 5:15pm
17
Bible School 10am & 6:30pm
18
19
Christmas Celebration ServicesAM and PM
MDL End of Year Breakfast- 9am
Annual General Meeting- 7pm
School Term Ends
24
25
Christmas Eve Service- 10am only
Christmas Day
5 | DECEMBER
26
2017
Boxing Day
27
Music Practice