- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
17th June 2026
Have you considered...
Last Sunday, many of us took the opportunity to fill out a "Have You Considered...?" card, naming gifts, strengths, and possibilities we see in someone else. This was more than a simple response after a sermon, it was the chance to live into our values as the people of God. In a world that can be quick to overlook, criticise or compare, we are the church - a place where people are seen, encouraged, affirmed, and called forward.
Throughout Scripture, God often works through others to help people recognise their gifts and calling. Barnabas saw leadership potential in Paul. Eli helped Samuel recognise God's voice. The early church identified and commissioned people for ministry because they saw evidence of God's work in their lives, just as we read of in Acts 6 on Sunday.
Thank you to everyone who participated so far! For those who received encouragement, we hope it was a real affirmation to hear how others see your gifts. And if you choose to share your details with the pastoral team, we would love to help explore ways those gifts might be used in serving God and building up our church family.
What's next? Well, we hope that Sunday's in-service moment was just a start, a catalyst for further mutual encouraging and affirming right across our church family! As you are praying and thinking this week, we'd love if you kept the ball rolling. Think of others you can reach out to and affirm. And if you missed out on Sunday, join in the fun. We will have spare "Have you considered...?" cards available at the Info Desk on Sunday.
May we continue to be the sort of church community that notices, celebrates, and calls out the gifts God has given one another!
Coast Baptist Regional Initiatives
How good was it to have Phil Blair with us last Sunday?!! As our regional minister he shared about some of the amazing Kingdom collaboration initiatives happening in our region that have arisen from our shared unity as Coast Baptist Churches.
If you missed Sunday, here were some of the works Phil highlighted:
We continue to celebrate and support Liv, Georgia, Maddie and Joné as they engage in the Emerging Leaders Program. We are also excited for our upcoming Baptist Churches Kids Day Out and the next regional Prayer and Worship night. On Sunday, a number of expressed interest in the upcoming intercultural church plant in Gosford too - we will keep sharing about this regional initiative and ways to be involved as it unfolds.
Fun Community News
A number of our church were off running as part of the Bay to Bay running festival last Sunday. From all reports, it was a fabulous community event with NVBCians running in the 5km, 12km, half-marathon and marathon events. Enjoy some of the photos shared below.
(These photos were shared within our NVBC Community Facebook Group. It is a closed (private) Facebook Group that anyone part of our church family is welcome to join. If that is something you would like to join, please request to join here.)
Care and Connection Team
You don't have to wait to receive a "Have you considered...?" card before putting your hand up to express interest in joining our Care Team or soon to be formed Connect team!! Let Travis know if you have a heart to help connect our new people and/or to help care for our broader church family. A big thanks to those who already have.
This Weekend
Equip Conference (Sat 20 June)
Not too late to join with the women of NVBC for a time of encouragement, connection and faith formation at the annual Equip Women's Conference. Please rego (ASAP) here
This Sunday AM Andy Pow from our AM Congregation will continue our Acts series (Acts 8:9-25). Please also pray for Travis who will be guest preaching at Kariong Baptist (as they are currently without a pastor).
This Sunday PM we open space for an unhurried night of prayer, worship and reflection.
Coming Up
Creating Safe Spaces Workshop (Sun 28 June)
We will host an onsite CSS workshop Sunday June 28 for any needing to complete (or refresh) their training. For more info or to RSVP.
Kids Day Out (Tues 7 July)
Regoes are coming in and we're getting excited for Kids Day Out in the upcoming school holidays! Time to invite your friends and rego here for a fabulous peak experience.
Kids Movie Night (Sat 18 July)
Come and join us for a time to spend unhurried time together as a family as you enjoy your final few days of school holidays. Movie of the night is Zootopia 2. Sausage sizzle, drink and popcorn included. Bring something so sit on and a blanket to get comfy. Limited Lounges available.
For all other upcoming events, visit:
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