7th October 2022

It’s weekly news time and we here at CCC Central are pumped. We are also praying as always for our church family and mission partners who live in our vicinity and elsewhere. We pray in faith for all those who are needing God’s healing grace and peace at this time, and also for those traveling during this school holiday season. May you and yours experience God’s exceeding abundance this week.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS SUNDAY 9th OCTOBER

THIS WEEK, It’s Julie’ turn to explore something in the word of God with us that is close to her heart and connected to our current journey as a church. IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY ON SUNDAY, PLEASE DO JOIN US face to face at the Augusta Street Hub, and if you are away for whatever reason, please join us ONLINE via our Live-Stream from 10am THIS and EVERY SUNDAY … (see our Facebook page link OR our YouTube Channel for online access). NB: The recording of the Live-Stream is available for viewing on our YouTube Channel AFTER our gathering, ‘usually’ from about midday Sunday onward.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER – PLEASE stay home if you are feeling unwell.

The HOPE Project Mission Situation Reports (Sit-Reps)

2ND CONCERT IN SYDNEY ON SATURDAY WEEK, OCTOBER 15 – Please PRAY with us as the team prepares for the Sydney edition of the Keith Green Tribute Concert for HOPE4Kids and Hope and Future Projects, which is scheduled for 7pm Saturday 15th October 2022, @ CROWS NEST UNITING CHURCH CENTRE (just ONE block west of the Pacific Hwy on Shirley Road – which is the extension of the main road Falcon Street for those who know North Sydney). Once again we’d like to thank God for this ‘last minute’ venue opportunity and we’d like to publicly thank our long-time mate Rev. Michael Thomas, and office administrator Alison for their efforts to help us with this. We have contacted everyone who has booked tickets ONLINE, but we have now shut down online ticketing and if you or someone you know missed out in August, OR if you simply know someone in Sydney who might like to experience the event, PLEASE encourage them to show up at the door at 6.30pm on the 15th. We have enlisted a prayer team for the two events (we are so grateful) and if you’d like to pray with us, here is the updated general prayer points that you can use as a guide. Thank you!

HOPE4Kids ANNUAL AWARENESS & FUNDRAISER IS DONE FOR 2022 – We won’t wrap things up until after the second Keith Green Tribute Concert in Sydney during October (see above for details). We are so thankful to God for people’s generous giving hearts …. more soon! You can also catch up with the latest about our KIDS and the 2022 campaign stories on the HOPE4Kids Facebook Group. If you’d like to read the UPDATED H4K backstory, visit our website’s ‘HOPE4Kids’ page.

COVENANT PARTNER CAMPAIGN – As an outworking of this year’s AGM, the Management Team has asked the ministers to encourage all of our recent church family members, who would like to be committed to journeying with us in the mission God has called us to, to prayerfully consider signing up as official Covenant Partners. It is true that we ARE very relaxed about this, primarily because this is a relationship we are seeking, and it has only been a RECENT journey and effort in the life of our church, that people are generally just starting to understand. Even though we haven’t wanted to push anything down anyone’s throat, there is a legal side to it all, and our policies and procedures state that a person who wants to be released in ANY leadership capacity in and through the life of the church, needs to sign a ‘code of conduct’ and an acknowledgement of, and agreement with, our written policies and procedures. (e.g., Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable people in particular – which is now legislated. In fact, our church is about to be audited – a general audit check list – by the NSW Office of Children’s Guardian. Even though we have no official Children’s ministry currently, we expect to have one at some God ordained point in time and so our WHOLE leadership team have ‘Working With Children Checks’ AND a tri-ennial certification in Child and Vulnerable People Safer Church Practices refresher). This is also an insurance requirement. Our policies and procedures are as biblically and common sense based and executed as they can be, BUT they are still in response to issues that are also recognized as compliance legislation, and we see this as being ‘transparent’ and ‘responsible’ in the eyes of the community, so that we may ‘win some’. This is absolutely not about financial commitment. As a church we are sincerely grateful for all who have committed over the years to investing in the church and its mission, BUT, whilst we continue to see giving as a biblical imperative, we believe it is something that is worked out between you and God. Finally for now, we are an affiliated Baptist Church and at some stage down the track, we will have to negotiate future uses of our property with the Baptist Property Trust. Only Covenant Partners will be able to make decisions about any property issue according to the Baptist Association By-Laws. So, other than all the exciting things to consider regarding being mission partners with us, there are some other issues to consider also.

Having said all that, I am more than happy to spend time answering questions with anyone who needs to seek clarity. In the meantime, we will make the paper work more readily available from this Sunday. PLEASE see Heather as soon as possible if you would like to check to see if you are already a Covenant Partner OR if you are relatively new and you are sure you’d like to go straight to the sign up step. PLEASE NOTE that the Codes / Agreement forms are ONLY available from Heather, either face to face or via the secretary email. Of course, you can download an e-copy of the Covenant Partnership Introduction and EOI from our website’s FAQ page HERE. FYI, We are updating the podcast so that’s unavailable currently. Thank you for your care, support and patient understanding.

PODCASTS / SERMONS / STUDY GUIDE OUTLINES – THANKS to all who have given us positive feedback about the publishing of content over recent weeks on our HOPE Podcast Station. Current Content includes ……

  • Julie presenting the prophetic word the Lord gave her in August which she preached on the same month. If you are interested in accessing this, we have uploaded Julie’s Prophetic Word Podcast HERE and the written out version of the prophetic word is available on our Sermon Notes etc. website page HERE. Julie has recommended that if you are planning to listen to this particular podcast, it would help to have a printed or visible electronic version of the prophetic word in front of you as she speaks to the context and biblical bases in the podcast which is about 25 minutes in length.
  • Graeme has published NINE new HOPE Devotional reflections to coincide with this ‘SEED for Sustainability’ season. The WRITTEN ONLY versions (along with the podcast link) are available via our web site’s listing of published devotions by date HERE
  • There are a couple of sermons from earlier in the year
  • Here is the link to the HOPE Podcast Station so you can take a look around.
  • Graeme has also uploaded his Sermon Note Summary from his ‘Fullness IS Equipping’ series to date.
  • THE HOPE COLLEGE PODCAST STATION WILL BE LAUNCHED SHORTLY … More soon

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (OCC) 2022 – Heather has assembled some boxes and they will be available for you to take home, fill, and return by NOT LATER THAN SUNDAY 23 OCT. There are leaflets explaining what to do with the boxes. This is our annual hands-on way to bless children in need across the world by filling shoe-boxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and fun gifts. We’ll contact our local OCC coordinator Robyn, who will collect and distribute them in the name of Jesus Christ to children living in vulnerable situations around the globe.

Calendar Updates

(Please use our Contact Us page if you’d like to register for, or get more details for the following)

  • EVERY THURSDAY MORNING 10-11am – We provide a support team to help distribute affordable grocery hampers out of a truck parked in the Car Park west side Fred Guest Park off Balgownie Road. If you could help every week, or fortnightly or monthly, please talk with Gary or Jacki – thank you!
  • General Bible Discussion (Beverley) 19th October at Judy’s place (on the verandah or inside with the heater if cold), (now the 1st and 3rd Wednesday’s of each month) Contact Beverley or Judy if you are thinking of coming to any given meeting.
  • Regular Hour of Prayer for the Churches of the Illawarra and the Salvation of Souls (Graeme) We will TRIAL Mt Keira Lookout park as a venue – 8am on the 2nd and 4th Fridays each month. NEXT PRAYER MEETING IS FRIDAY 11TH NOVEMBER as Graeme will be away at a National Leaders Meeting on October 28th (be patient please as we work this out)
  • NEXT Blokes Sharing and Ministry – Tuesday 11TH OCTOBER 6.30pm @ McLean’s Residence in East Corrimal (see David or Andrew or Gary for the address please) … Bring your favourite toppings and cook your own pizza to share in the McLean Pizza oven and we’ll have a good chat with Joe Zohar.
  • The ‘Keith Green 40th Anniversary’ Tribute Concert # TWO (for HOPE4Kids & Hope and Future Ministries) 7pm start, Saturday 15th October @ Crows Nest Uniting Church Centre, Cnr. Shirley Road and Nicholson Street Wollstonecraft (one block west of the Pacific Hwy / Falcon Street intersection in Crows Nest). Find out more HERE and above in SIT-REPS.
  • WEEKLY TRAINING WORKSHOP (between mid-October and the end of November) in discipling, pastoral and community care, the ministry of reconciliation, starting kingdom conversations and more – 1st SIX (6) to EIGHT (8) WEEK INTENSIVE – please see Graeme ASAP as he will confirm times / days etc once he has spoken with all the interested parties. LAST DAYS FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST!!
  • Oct-Nov Sunday Weekly Preaching Theme with an Outward Focus towards ‘others’ will be ‘All You Need Is Love’ and will span the FOUR Sunday’s from October 30th to and including November 20th. As with ‘Outrageous Forgiveness’ in 2021, we will focus messages, creative and interactive presentations over the FOUR Sundays around the ‘All You Need Is Love’ theme. More Detail soon …
  • HOPE Sunday 2022, 10am 27th November – Join us as we do our annual reflection and launch of church’s goals for the following year, and celebrate the 69th anniversary of the church’s ministry and witness in the East Corrimal community. A Special Morning Tea will follow the gathering, so book your attendance in with Heather OR Carol ASAP.
  • Church Family Christmas Lunch – Sunday 4th December SAVE THE DATE! Details from Carol soon.
  • ‘Carols in the Street 2022’ – is scheduled as always for the second Sunday of December (11th). The street closure will occur from 4pm – 8pm. We will gather on that Sunday (11th Dec) morning to PRAY and ALLOCATE tasks for this our annual Christmas Gift to the community and as such there will be NO SUNDAY AM GATHERING that day. Our mate AMBER NICHOLS is booked in! (see today’s banner image above) and DESPINA is checking her schedule. More Details soon. SAVE THE DATE!
    • NB: If you know someone in a local business who might like to sponsor the Carols with a small financial gift, we will organise advertising for them in the lead up to and during the Event. PLEASE mention any options you might have to Heather or Carol soon as sponsor request letters are being sent out THIS WEEK, with an initial cut off date for being promoted – 30th October. Thanks!

Weekly Pastoral Prayer Update

NB: We leave prayer points up until we either hear about resolutions OR thank God for answers etc. so …

  • Firstly, we are THANKFUL for all the answered prayers that often go unnoticed. Thank you, Lord, for Your faithfulness.
  • Secondly, each and EVERY week we pray for each other and our brothers and sisters representing the Illawarra region’s body of Christ through other local churches who meet around us. And as Jesus prayed 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. We know this is a season when we will need to be combat ready and so we pray for each other that we would stand firm in the victory Christ won for us … AND that the Lord will add daily, those who are BEING SAVED!
  • Thirdly each week we pray for the New Season of Mission Effort – We thank you for the first ‘7 years of planting and re-aligning to heaven’ and now we pray for the FIRST PHASE of the time we are referring to as ‘The SEED of Sustainability’ (2022-23). As we now release the strategic plan for Spring 2022, PLEASE PRAY AS WE PREPARE (Pre-Prayer). PLEASE ALSO PRAY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE 2ND KEITH GREEN TRIBUTE CONCERT IN SYDNEY ON OCTOBER 15TH. GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THE WOLLONGONG CONCERT A FEW WEEKS BACK, AND FOR THE KIDS AND FAMILIES WHO WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH HOPE4KIDS AND THE HOPE AND FUTURE PROJECT.
  • Fourthly, here following are the MOST RECENT prayer requests that we have been given permission to share across our praying network … (please talk directly with the source of the request if you want more info) – we will endeavour to seek updates on all of the following, particularly those points that we’ve been praying for these last few weeks – not always simple, so thanks for your patience.
    • Heavenly Father, we pray for our little mate Zarah, who fell off some equipment and fractured/broke her upper arm. Lord, we ask for a quick and complete realignment and for peace, strength and patience for Zarah, Georgia, Caleb and Stellah as she mends.
    • Lord we pray complete healing and freedom from any sickness for Dot’s 6 year old great grand daughter in hospital having tests.
    • Father we pray for Judy’s sister Debbie who has had some historical health issues but now some new tests looking for serious things. We pray guidance for the oncologist, healing for Debbie and peace and strength for the family.
    • Father in heaven we also pray for Maree’s friend Marion’s brother Peter who has been diagnosed recently with bone cancer and the outlook in human terms is not good. Peter also has autism so please pray for him, Marion and the family, for God’s love, healing, strength and mercy as they negotiate the path before them.
    • Lord we are also praying for Maree’s friend Margaret who is experiencing extreme pain in her jaw (unrelated to teeth). Whilst waiting for a facial specialist we pray for complete healing for Margaret.
    • Lord Jesus we thank you for our Beverley’s clear results from a recent procedure. We praise You Lord for answered prayer.
    • We continue to pray for quick and full recovery for Ken and Beverley’s 5 yo granddaughter Eloise (Nick and Dianna’s daughter), who has tonsillitis and has needed some care this week.
    • Lord we thank you that Christian has had his appendectomy scheduled for October 28th. We give thanks for his good health in the lead up and that all is in Your sovereign healing hands as his procedure dawns.
    • Father God, we are praying in faith for wisdom, peace and guidance for Jono and Nicky as they care for Jacob who is struggling with addiction. Lord we ask for freedom for this great young bloke as he breaks free from these chains in Your consistent and lasting strength.
    • We also pray Lord for Cozzie who is engaging with the Hyratt’s and the Sanctuary outreach. He has a bunch of health problems associated with a life time of smoking and recent drug use. We pray that you would help this man help himself and we pray your strength for Jono and Nicky as they reach out in support.
    • We thank you Lord that Jo’s arthroscopic procedure went well. We continue to pray for a quick and complete recovery as she experiences some pain and stiffness and deals with time concerns for her 3 month rehabilitation in the context of her work situation. Lord, please grant wisdom and clarity.
    • Lord Jesus, we are praising you Lord for the excellent outcome for Maree’s girlfriend Penny’s daughter Jo’s court proceedings. We acknowledge some bad choices have been made and she will have to be on good behaviour, but we continue to ask for Your mercy and strength for Jo to learn from this and successfully engage the pathway ahead.
    • Lord we are continuing to pray for Ilja’s daughter for whatever her needs, as per Ilja’s request.
    • Father, we are praying for Kylie’s uncle who has potential kidney and heart issues and for her aunt who fell recently and broke her pelvis in a couple of places. We pray for your healing touch and best process outcomes.
    • Lord God, we continue to pray for Linda’s sister Shirley (in Abu Dhabi) and Alex’s brother Rab (in Perth WA), who have both undergone serious life saving surgeries recently. We pray for their families and thank God for continued good reports.
    • Father, we pray for our Gwen who was admitted to the hospital’s medical ward a few weeks ago. We pray for complete healing and peace and strength for Nancy, Jason and the whole family. We also pray that Gwen will receive help for some everyday domestic needs.
    • Lord we continue to pray for Jayden O’Connell (son of John and Chris) who took ill whilst away in Tweed Heads. He is stable and slowly recovering in ICU. There are things being monitored. The family will be in their current location for a bit longer yet but are assured of the best care where they are. Thank you Lord.
    • Please keep praying for our friend Marie and her family as she continues to recover from some serious health challenges. We praise God for her recent positive move to a Residential Care Home, Doug’s decision to move with her, and the contentment they are experiencing.
    • We are praying also for our friend Audrey who continues to deal with some health challenges. Lord, we pray for patience and strength as things tend to feel worse before they improve after recently completed treatment regimes. We pray for health and peace for her, her family and her friends, and a fresh revelation of Your love for Audrey.
    • We are praying for complete healing in Jono’s body, particularly the hernia that has been an issue for some time now. Lord, bring peace to Jono, particularly with regard to what you want from him with regard his work situation.
    • We pray Lord that you would do a mighty work of love and care as Nicky continues to grieve the loss of a dear furry friend.
    • We thank you Lord that Christine continues to improve after her broken toe and the recent bout of the migraines she’s been having. Christine sends her greetings and heartfelt thanks for prayer support.
    • We thank you Lord for our sister Dot who sends her love to you all and we keep praying for her general health and well-being.
    • We thank God and keep praying for Evelyn’s complete recovery.
    • We are praying for Maree’s friend Gail who has a suspicious nodule on her thyroid gland. We pray for God’s miraculous healing supernaturally through the surgeon – guide them in whatever they do. Lord bring hope, peace and healing to Gail and all who love and care for her.
    • We pray for Emma’s friend Anna. That you will be sovereign in her life and completely cure whatever is wrong with some vital organs. We thank you for a recent positive update.
  • Please Keep Praying for these Brothers and sisters and situations –
    • We pray healing for members of our family who are each dealing with a variety of ongoing health issues currently, including those still experiencing cold and flu symptoms and or respiratory infections. We thank you for recent full recoveries and Lord for your protection over other family members of these precious folk.
    • We continue to pray for Harry, Joy and Greg, Tom, Elsie and Carolyn’s family, Tim, and for Kylie.
    • We pray thanks to God for the work of the Northern Illawarra Scripture Board and for answered prayer. We pray that we are empowered to play our part in this kingdom advancing work as it increases across the northern Illawarra churches network. We pray for our scripture teachers and chaplain as they get some well earned rest in the term break. We ask particularly Lord for Clara as she engages a 3 week New Testament field study (following the journeys of Paul) which she commenced last Tuesday. We ask for safety and a deeply enriching and revelatory time.
    • We continue praying for Murray and Julie and the Food for Life Community Care team as they work tirelessly to provide affordable groceries to people trying to make ends meet across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. We pray for Murray in the aftermath of a melanoma removal and the impact this has for his wife and mission partner Julie and the Kids, with Julie running the FFL Service currently. We pray for our support team who work with the hamper truck on Thursday mornings. (Gary, Christine, Beverley, Ken, Jacki, Denise, John, Margaret, Maggie and Alex)
    • We pray for the people doing it tough that our Food for Life volunteers come across weekly when they serve hampers off the truck.
    • We continue to petition our Lord Jesus for Heaven’s answers to the needs of so many who are struggling in the current economic climate and or have lost significantly (again) in these repeated floods and cold weather snaps up and down the east coast.
    • For all of the wonderful people connected with our church family as we stand together during this new season of the battle for souls. We thank God for His encouragement, His healing touch and His mercy, grace and protection.
    • We pray both thanks to you God and ask for exceeding abundant blessings on all the new people who are determining whether or not to partner with us in the mission You have called us to.
    • We also pray with thankfulness for the wonderful and consistent giving and investment that our family and partners offer to enable this mission to thrive.
    • Graeme is grateful for the faithful pray-ers who have stepped up and interceded for important gospel and kingdom work that we’ve been engaged in of late, including the Keith Green Tribute, the UCI Bike Event and the AGM, along with the usual engagements each week. We give thanks to God for Karen’s continued, but slow and steady return to full energy and health.
    • We have been asked to pray with Lionel Rattenbury (Hope Church – Helensburgh) as he and a team engage people with dire need in the Port Kembla CBD. We pray for all efforts in this space, including Gordon and Port Kembla Baptist – particularly as he and a kingdom team engage with the people west side of King Street Warrawong, Brian and Hope Street (Baptist Care), James Dargin and the Aboriginal Outreach, The Foundery, YWAM and more. Lord, hear our prayers!
  • The World needs our Faithful Prayers –
    • We continue to pray for people in the Ukraine and Russia, for peace, for unity, for a sense of purpose together for the future, instead of the divide and the misdirection that seems evident and ongoing. LORD HAVE MERCY and prevail on key players to bring this conflict to a close.
    • We pray for ongoing health issues around the world and ask for Your intervention Lord, bringing about your purposes in response to these things rather than feeble human control efforts. LORD HAVE MERCY on those affected and those working out what’s happening, and those working closely with those affected.
    • Please pray for the people who are hungry and helpless.
    • Pray for the church (under persecution in many of these countries mentioned below) that they along with World Aid organizations will be able to be God’s effective hands and feet in that desperate scenario. We pray as the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) commences on Sunday 16 October and the apparent implications this might have for the church in China.
    • Pray for the people in many other countries who are dealing with political, religious and military unrest and or are being subjected to violence and persecution; in particular this week we pray for the escalation of the persecution against Christian ministries in Uganda and the focus on recent converts from Islam. Also for the unrest and unease continuing in Myanmar, also ongoing concerns in Afghanistan, the senseless violent attacks on people on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Togo and Ghana, Kenya, pending genocide in predominantly Christian Papua (Indonesia), Eritrea, Burkina-Faso (particularly in the East where Jihadists seem hell bent on eradicating Christian facilitated education), Algeria and Indonesia, Nigeria (particularly for recent savage attacks on churches and renewed calls by IS to attack Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Shi’ite places of worship across Africa and Asia), India, Iran, Egypt, the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and this week our prayer call is for continued and lasting peace along the North-Eastern Syrian border with Turkey (and Syria in general)
    • PLEASE add any concern you have for our world HERE and pray LORD HAVE MERCY!
  • For other general weekly prayer points for our mission effort (incl. The Sanctuary and other churches/leaders in our kingdom patch, check out Mission Prayer Points on our website news and journals page.
  • Of course if you have any thing you feel confident to ask us to SHARE in prayer for, please call, send a text or email Gary Padwick if you know his contact details, otherwise via our Contact Us page. We can help connect you, and Gary will faithfully engage our prayer-network.
  • Thank you for continuing to uphold each other and the lives and circumstances of our partners everywhere, in life-empowering prayer.

Love & blessings
Graeme for The Team