Come and hang out for the arvo down at south one mile beach.
We’ll just be going for a swim and kicking a ball around, wasting time together.
BYO meat, drinks and something to share.
Kick off around 4.30pm.
Bring a mate.

The church is the flock of God.
Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.
We are His sheep.
This is a very humbling metaphor which impacts the way we lead and relate to others.

Listen to the sermon and bible reading here:

God’s Flock

something random from youtube….

Thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support. Praise God for the start we’ve made, and ask for God to continue to grow His church, for His glory.

We had our Vision 2010 day on Sunday, and I was really encouraged by the response of the members of COAST EC. We talked about our strategy for the years ahead as we seek to make more and better disciples of Jesus in our region. If you’re interested in the plan, check it out here.

Prayer Points…

Print Version

• Praise God for the foundation that has been laid over the last 12 months. God has graciously drawn together a like-minded bunch of people who now call COAST EC their home church. Praise God for their friendship and willingness to partner together to see the gospel go out to the 25,000 people living in our region.
• We need more leaders – Pray for God to raise up more leaders (for home groups, youth groups, and children’s ministry). Ask for wisdom as we seek to identify and equip godly and gifted people for these roles.
• Home Groups – Pray for all our home groups to grow in size and multiply into 2 separate groups this year. Pray for Tom and Ali as they have just started to lead a home group (Bible study) on top of heading up the kids ministry (Coasties kids church). Ask God to strengthen and sustain them.
• Mission – Ask for wisdom as we look toward starting new congregations up and down the coast. Pray for God to raise up godly and passionate core groups that we can send out.
• Admin Committee – Pray for wisdom for the AC as they meet on 28th March to hammer out some of the finance and business aspects of the church. Pray for wisdom for Chris as he leads, and ask that we’d be great stewards of the resources we’ve been entrusted with. Thank God for the faithful service of Evan Barnes who has now passed on the baton of treasurer. Pray for Grant Burrow, our new treasurer, that God would equip and energise him for his new role.
• Finances – Thank God for the generosity of the other churches and Christians who have pledged their financial support again this year! Our goal is to be fully self funded after 3 years, so this year we are striving to hit 50% of our budget from local giving. This will be a big stretch – so ask God for joyful, generous and sacrificial giving from COAST EC members.
• Primary School Scripture – Praise God for the 8 primary school scripture classes we’re teaching at Forster and Tuncurry Public Schools. Pray for Evan, Alicia, Ali and Bruce as they share Christ with the kids. Ask for wisdom as we work together with other churches to teach scripture in the local primary schools. Pray that many kids will start coming to Coasties Kids Church and Grommets (youth group).
• High School Ministries – Pray for God to open the door to both the Forster and Tuncurry campus’ of the Great Lakes College, so we can teach year 7 scripture there. Ask for wisdom and soft hearts as we negotiate with the schools.
  Alicia has been participating in three high school Christian groups the Chaplains run (aka Bible studies). Pray for wisdom for the Chaplains as they run these groups and other ministries, and ask God to connect the local kids into youth groups were they can grow to know Jesus.

• Youth Groups – Grommets (yrs 5-6) and Wired (yrs 7-9) have gained great momentum. Praise God that we were able to start Wired this year and for the small core groups that are attending each youth group. Pray that the kids will grow in Jesus and be bold at inviting their friends, and for wisdom and energy for Evan and Alicia as they lead the youth ministry. Ask God to raise up (or send up!) more youth leaders.
• Youth home groups – Chicks (for high school girls) and Barracks (*new* group for high school boys) have kicked off this term. Praise God for the core groups in chicks, and pray that Barracks will develop a solid core groups of kids.
• Marriage Course – Is run on Friday nights over March and April. Ask God to strengthen the marriages of those in our church.
• Easter Celebration – COAST EC turns one!. Pray for a great time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the birth of COAST EC. Ask for many opportunities for our people to present the gospel over this weekend to their friends and families, and for many guests to attend the service so they can hear the gospel.
• Staff Holidays are coming up – Alicia – 5 to 12 April and Chris – 26 April to 2nd May. Ask for refreshment and safety in travel. Pray that they’ll be sustained until their holidays.

Why does God call His people The Body of Christ?
And what does it mean for us to be members of that body?

Listen to the sermon and bible reading here:

Christ’s Body

something groovy we found on youtube….

Listen to the sermon here:

Vision 2010

See text

The Church is the Temple of God.
The building is just a convenient place to gather.

Why does God call His people His temple?
And what should it look like for us as a community of believers to function as a holy temple in the Lord?

Listen to the sermon here:

God’s Temple

The course will be on Friday nights at 7.30 after dinner – starting 19th Feb (other dates are 26 Feb, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 9 April, 16 April, 23 April).

Cost is $30 per couple.
Rego and payment deadline: Sunday 14th Feb (not much notice, but there’s nothing like the present!)
To register, or if you’ve got any questions, please call me on 6555 4093 or shoot me an email – chris@coastec.net.au
God bless,
Chris

This 7-week course is designed for married couples to invest in strengthening their marriage.

Couples will explore topics including:
- building strong foundations,
- communication,
- resolving conflict,
- power of forgiveness,
- family background,
- good sex,
- love in action.

The structure of the course is: tea & coffee, intro, watch DVD, break for dessert, time for private couple discussion and exercises, then a brief wrap up.

The course was developed in the United Kingdom, and has been used extensively by churches around the world. More information about the course can be found at The Marriage Course website.

The Church is the Bride of Christ.

Jesus is the groom,
and we’re his bride.
And no matter how hairy your back is,
or how tuff your ute is,
if you’re a Christian –
you’re part of the bride.

So what kind of husband is Jesus?
And what does it look like to get your dress on?

Listen to the sermon here: