The Link

March 17 2013

Neil Ryan Senior Pastor

Seth Emery Youth Pastor

Kathy Heath Childrens Pastor

Gavin Jones Pastor, LifeChurch

Allan Stanley-Smith Pastor, Pastoral Care

Welcome

March 17 2013

Welcome to Unley Park Baptist today. It is great to have you with us. If you are new to Unley Park, we appreciate that it can be daunting to walk into a new church, so as much as we can, we want to help you feel at home here. In the pew in front of you please find a black folder that contains a white care card for you to complete. There is also a "Welcome Pack" available for you that, among other things, has a special Care Card for you to record your visit and for us to follow up any requests you make. All Care Cards should be "posted" as you leave the church, in the locked box on the table by the "Baptistry Door".

10.00am Morning Tea: Morning Tea Next Week: 5.00pm

Morning Worship Ian Powell City Bible Forum

Monica Kennerley, Catherine & Peter Warnecke Suzanne Stanley-Smith, Bob & Noelene Hunt, Lyn Ryan LifeChurch

Finances
March 2013 Giving Target Cash Giving to date Electronic Giving to date Total Giving March 26,385 4,626 4,840 9,460

Account Name: Unley Park Baptist Church Inc Offerings Confidential BSB: 704 922 Account Number: 100013066

Just a Minute
the Lord told Gideon, With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home. [Judges 7:7] Weve all been there.. facing a battle that seems too big, a deadline that looms too quickly, a challenge that appears too hard or a fear that threatens to crush us. In these times we look for strength. Thats what Gideon was thinking as God gave him the challenge of taking on the Midianites. There is nothing like strength in numbers. Makes us feel a whole lot stronger when there are thousands of people who feel what we feel, or face what we are facing. Gideon must have felt strong as 32,000 men answered his call. Then God said something to him that you rarely hear among Gods people. God said, Youve got too many volunteers! Gideon had to put them through a couple of tests. Im sure he knew he would lose a few good men but not in his wildest dreams did he think he would lose 31,700 of them!! With just 300 men left, Gideon is no longer feeling strong. It would have been bad enough if only 300 men showed up from the start but to have 32,000 and then be left with 300 it felt empty, lonely, humiliating and pointless. One of the questions I have often mulled over is this, Could Gideon have defeated the Midianites with 32,000 men? Certainly, but God was not testing Gideons military strategy, he was testing his humility! God wanted Gideon to know that God was the only reason they defeated the Midianites! What are you facing right now? I know you are looking for the strength of 32,000 soldiers. What about the humility of 300? Uncommon Key: Dont be surprised if you feel like you are facing some challenge undermanned, ill-equipped or without the resources you need. God is just doing a humility check-up! God Bless Neil

2013 Small Groups

BELONG, CONNECT, GROW! There are significant and exciting developments within the small group ministries at UPBC in 2013 and there is no better time than right now to join a small group. For more information and enquiries please contact one of the ministry team, or the office during the week.

Discovery Group
A new group starting this Wednesday 20th March 7:30 - 9:00pm at 5 Coreega Ave Springfield, will meet fortnightly for 5 evenings over 10 weeks. The focus will be discovering the Christian story in an informal, relaxed, non-threatening and interactive way where we will learn what the Christian faith is all about. You may have a neighbour or a workmate or a partner who you wish to bring or maybe you are exploring or wanting clarification on what Christian's believe. If so, this is a group for you where you can learn and have your questions answered. For more info contact Peter and Anne Hillan (83578186) or Rob and Robyn Waldron (83796030/0407795235)

2013 UPBC Winter Basketball Season

The beginning of the 2013 UPBC Winter Basketball Season is not far away. Both Ladies and Gentlemen are invited to join our teams - new players are always welcome. To register your interest, or for more information please contact Peter Battersby pbattersby@adam.com.au by Sunday March 17.

Under 10s Basketball Team

We have 3 or 4 kids interested in playing basketball for UPBC this season. We are keen to find out if there are any more children in the church that would be interested in playing. (girls or boys) Please contact Peter Battersby pbattersby@adam.com.au by Sunday March 17.

Advance Notice
April 7 - Church Picnic at Concordia College. Please put this date in your diary.

Good Friday Service

A Good Friday Service will be held at 9.00am followed by morning tea with hot cross buns. Please come and join us on this special day.

Members Meeting
A Members Meeting will be held after the service on Sunday March 24 Please come and hear what is happening in the life of our church.
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MLT Meeting
The leadership team is planning to meet on Monday evening 18 March. As always we very much value the prayers of Gods people that we may have His wisdom and guidance in all our ways. Will you please pray for the team as they meet. Many thanks.
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Pre-service prayer meeting

Each Sunday at approx. 9.45 a.m. we plan to meet for pre-service prayer in Pastor Neil Ryans office. Please come a little early and join us (before coffee!) to wait on God in prayer and praise for differing aspects of our church life and the many needs of the church family. IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD. Gen. 18:14 Let us see what the Lord will do as we wait on Him.

Emmaus Christian College Open Day

Emmaus Christian College will be holding an Open Day on Sunday April 7 : 2pm-4pm at 7 Lynton Ave South Plympton. For more information email enquiries@emmauscc.sa.edu.au
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For Sale
FISH TANK - second hand, good condition, no chips or scratches. Gravel and pump included. Wooden stand. Ideal for goldfish Dimensions 60 X 30 X 30cm, 50 litres $50 ONO paid to the Munchies / City Bible Forum. Excellent for Children's Education Contact Allan Stanley-Smith H - 82783992 M - 0400150569

Our Missionary Families

The Ames Family Owen, Sarah, Rachel, Jessica & Joshua OM/TEAM Church Planting, Tokyo, Japan SonRise Caf is spreading the message of Easter this month there are Easter egg chocolates available, with a message about the meaning of Easter attached. Please pray that customers will be interested to read this message and be prompted to ask more! th Tomorrow, March 18 , Sarah will be hosting a party at the caf for the mums and children that attend her pre-school English class. This will be the last time the 3 and 4 year olds attend this class. Two of the mothers have shown interest in meeting with Sarah to do a biblically based parenting course. Please pray for continued opportunities to meet with the mums and their families. This coming week is the last week at school for term 3. Please pray that the kids will finish well, they are all tired. We will be taking a weeks break next week. Unfortunately due to changes in management (and therefore the prices) we are not able to go to Baguio to rejuvenate in the cooler air. Instead we are going to Calapan, which gets us out of the big city however it is slightly warmer there than Manila and the last week has been really HOT! Please pray for boosts of energy to cope with the unrelenting heat - it is mid 30's plus heaps of humidity. We know it will get hotter in the weeks to come, but the first few weeks of high heat each year are the hardest to deal with.

The Badger Family Tim, Bron, Stephen, Joshua, Amie, Annalise & Kaitlyn OMF, Manila, Philippines

Pray for these families

Names for this week beginning March 17: Barry, Elaine & Jade Booth Dawn Branson Thomas & Kathy Breitweg Don, Lisa, Rachael & Mitch Brice John & Gaynor Brook Lyn Brown

Out & About

Christine Gould, Jill Dyer and several other women from UPBC would appreciate prayer th this morning, Sunday March 17 (as well as Friday & Saturday) as they are involved in ministry at the CWCI Womens Convention, Victor Harbor. It is anticipated that 1,000 women will be attending these meetings.

Book Club
Meeting this Friday (March 22nd) at Koorong in the city 7pm Looking forward to great conversation and good coffee! Contact Margie Stevens or Rosie Harris for information

Prayer Ministry
Did you sign up for the prayer ministry at the Womens dinner? Did you pick a name out of the basket to pray for this year? If not please see Margie Stevens so you can discover who you will be praying for.

Mens Biz
For retired Semi retired Or men who can just make the time
JOIN CARL AND THE GUYS FOR A COFFEE AND INFORMAL CHAT ABOUT LIFE IN THE LOUNGE ON THE FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH from 10-11am (SCHOOL HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED)
Mens Biz is a Link Ministry of Unley Park Baptist Church

This Week at UPBC

Playgroup Tuesday March 19 9.30-11.30 Tuesday March 19 9.30-10.30 Tuesday March 19 11am-12noon Tuesday March 19 5.30 - 8.00pm Wednesday March 20 Wednesday March 20 7.45-9.00pm Thursday March 21 9.30am Friday March 22 7.30-9.30pm Sunday March 24 10.00am Sunday March 24 5pm

Prayer Team

Hilighters

Munchiez Food Van

Playgroup Bible study at the church

Know Your Bible

Elevate Youth Group (year 8-12)

Morning Worship

LifeChurch

Northgate Street Unley Park PH: 82720258 www.upbc.org.au admin@upbc.org.au