Every Woman knowing and Living out her Part in God's Plan (Women's Retreat 22nd-24th June 2007)

Some quick hellos before the start of the first session of singing and a talk

The Women's ministry committee, hard @work
Jenny explaining the conception, purpose and mission staement of the Women's Ministry
Lesley giving a talk on Ephesians 1

Wendy leading singing
With one heart and one voice (united in the body)



Discussion groups (first session)

Felicity giving her "debut" talk

"Chilling" in between sessions
Iris & Camelia
Sarah, Karen & Angie

Tina, Lyn & Maria

Denise & Charisse

Julia & Eve
Jenny & Sharon
Luan & Jocelyn
Diane & Malika


Discussion groups (2nd session)

Every woman was given some pieces of puzzle

Working together to put the pieces together


To form a complete picture (minus one) of the mission statement "Every Woman knowing and living out her part in God's plan)



The summing up of the day's events

Relaxing at the end of the day (Diana, Amy & Felicity)
Malika & Kitty
Kath & Millie



Amy & Sussana

Who's this Korean lady? Susan of course!! :P & Nghi
Diane & Maria
Wendy & Karen
Wendy, Karen, Lyne (@ back), Diane & Maria

The Women's retreat for Cornerstone & @north was held on 22nd-24th June at Caldercott (which is part of the Royal National Park).

The Lord blessed us tremendously, and I can personally testify that many of us felt thoroughly encouraged & edified. We had many "God" moments. One of which, was the wonderful coming to faith in Christ, of our sister; Lyne Lawler! How the angels must have been rejoicing! Praise God!

Many of us had wonderfully deep sharing times with our sisters in our discussion groups and "warm fuzzies" groups; and we also sat together under God's word; which was expounded very clearly, and faithfully to us by Lesley and Felicity.

Lesley based her talk on Ephesians 1, of being in God's wonderful plan and purpose, even before the foundation of the world. She shared about the wonderful blessings that God has already given us in Christ. The blessings of being chosen; having been predestined; having been adopted as daughters in Christ; having been redeemed and forgiven of our sins.

She also talked about us being set part and being holy and blameless and to make His word central in our lives...to "set apart Christ as Lord" (1 Peter 3:15) For God's big picture, is that He would "bring all things in heaven and on earth" under the headship of Christ.

Lesley reminded us that we are children of God, forgiven sinners, adopted by a glorious, powerful, majestic awesome King!! How glorious our purposes are in Christ!

Felicity gave a wonderfully, biblical, practical, moving and personal talk on being ONE in the same Spirit, in the ONE body of Christ. She clearly outlined many examples of "living our part in the Body of Christ, in God's plan".

She also talked about accepting one another as we are...in our differences, frailties and weaknesses.

To be real with each other, to be able to confess our sins to each other, to be able to let our guards down and be ourselves....without having to put up "fronts” and "masks"...without covering up our pain, hurts, weaknesses, vulnerabilities and to value each other's uniqueness and that of others.

We must also serve others and be equipped by the Word, and finally, we must "make love our highest priority". For gifts minus love = nothing

In our spare time, ladies caught up with each other, went for walks, played games, ate, ate & ate....

It was a hugely successful Women's Retreat. Thank God for His faithfulness and the successful launch of the Women's ministry. God so evidently worked in our midst.

Thank you to all the hardworking and faithful women who spent many months, weeks and hours, praying, planning and working together for God's glory!

Youth Led Service (24th June 2007)

Beth leading singing with Sam & Mel on back-up

Jono & Bren on accoustic and electric guitars
Mitch with Nat

Jordan & Mitch
Jordan
Jono, Bren & Jordan @ "work"
Young Andrew (on left) budding guitarist

The youth singing an item called "Come Bless the Lord"
Justin chairing the service
Bec reading Scripture
Bren & Jono giving the Children's talk

Willing volunteers





Our youths led the service yesterday at Cornerstone@north.

It was most uplifting and encouraging to see our youths, stepping up and leading us in the service.

Justin chaired the service; Beth led the singing with Melody and Sam on back up; Jono and Bren did the children's talk; Bec read the bible; Mitch, Jordan, Bren & Jono played in the band (under the direction of Ed, and Nat-who was assisting Mitch);and all of them got up to sing a tremendously rousing, lively, and stirring song, called "Come Bless The Lord". (Scroll down on video of the children's talk)

CS encouraged us with a passage from 1 Timothy 4: 12-16
"Don't let anyone look down on you, because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity...devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, preaching and to teaching....Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers"

Age is not the main issue in ministry. Spiritual maturity and progress in our walks with God, requires perseverance. We should be modelling lives of love, faith and purity to other believers.

No matter how young or old we are, we are encouraged to set an example of our lives in the way we speak, in the way we live our lives, in our passion for the Word of God.
Not only are we to watch our lives, but also our doctrine.

We are to labour and strive, to be diligent and to give ourselves wholly to the reading of Scripture, to the preaching and teaching of God's word. We are to be utterly devoted to this, for it has eternal consequences, not only to us, but also to the people whom we influence (knowingly or unknowingly).

CS challenged us with a story of General William Harrison, who was the most decorated soldier of the 30th infantry division (the most famous infantry division in World War 2). From the age of 20, though General Harrison was in the thick of war on the front line of battle, he read God's word faithfully, everyday; as it was a priority to him.
By the time he was 90 years of age (and blind), he had read the Old Testament 70 times, and the New Testament 280 times.

How obviously General Harrison must have loved God and His word. He made time for his God and Father, despite his very busy life. What an awesome example he is to us!

Video of Children's talk by Jono and Bren