3rd Sept 2025

A Father's Love

from Johnny

It’s Fathers Day this Sunday – happy Fathers Day everyone!

In our recent Mark series in our PM service, we met a particular father in Mark chapter 5, a synagogue leader named Jairus. Jairus had a sick daughter, whose life was fading away at just 12 years old. Jairus is an example of a father’s heart – he runs to Jesus and kneels at his feet; here’s a man of influence in the community who’s not afraid to humble himself for the sake of his beloved daughter. Good dads know that loving their kids is more important than being liked by everyone, or being important. Good dads will be silly with their kids in public, or will give up things that are important to them like their ‘important status’ or even dignity and respect! I think we all know this, instinctively. And so we admire Jairus for his love for his daughter.

In this way, Jairus serves as a picture of Jesus’s own father-heart. Jesus, who left his position and status in heaven at God’s right hand, who humbled himself to serve you and me, who willingly died on the cross for us, his beloved sons and daughters.

May we all know and experience God’s love this Fathers Day. And those of us who are Dads – let’s learn to love like Jairus did - and like Jesus does!

Coast Baptists: our church planting story

Last Sunday in our services we showed the recently created video that captures some of the history and heart of our movement of churches in the Central Coast. For those who missed it (or ask to share it with a family member or friend), we've uploaded it below.

As an expression of our ongoing unity and shared heart to reach the Central Coast community for Jesus, next Sunday night we are joining together for a night of worship and prayer being held at NVBC! We'll start with a shared meal at 5:30pm, so you do need to RSVP here ahead of time.

Global Week of Prayer

This week around the world, many believers are engaging in what is known as the Global Week of Prayer. It is an annual, worldwide prayer movement organized by the 24-7 Prayer network, inspired in part by the question:

What could happen if every nation on earth joined together in non-stop prayer at the same time?

For many of us, the idea Christians joining together across the world in a movement of unceasing prayer is incredible inspiring! At the same time, it can sometimes be difficult to know how to pray into the complexity and heartbreak of world events and conflicts. As part of the Global Week of Prayer, we encourage you to have a read of this short 5 Simple Ways to Pray for the World blog post and to set some time aside to pray for the world using the framework.

If you would love to join with others to do so, there is a local 24-7 Prayer Room being hosted for the Global Week of Prayer on the Central Coast. If that is something you would like to get along to, you can view the calendar here.

Volunteers Needed - State Youth Camp

Over the last weekend of Term 3, our Baptist movement of churches run a State Youth Camp. This year 400+ high schoolers from 28 youth groups are coming together for a weekend of community, fun, worship and equipping.

At relatively short notice they have had to relocate from their normal venue for 2025... to right up the road onsite at Wyong Christian Community School! With a new site and a very tight turnaround from school finishing for the term to camp kicking off that same night, they are sending an urgent ask to local churches that volunteers are needed!

Volunteers are especially needed on the Friday afternoon/evening for set up and check in. Over Saturday and Sunday general helpers would be appreciated, as would be some extra pack up volunteers for the Monday after 11:30am.

If you are interested or able to help volunteer in some capacity please let us know here this week or sign up directly via the QR code.

Bring in Your Non-Perishables!

This Sunday is the last Sunday before next Saturday's Flourish event, so now is the time to bring in any non-perishable food, sock, gloves and any old working mobile phones that will be gifted to those experiencing homelessness in our region. You can drop them off at the info desk this weekend. And women of NVBC - don't forget to RSVP for the arvo tea here.

This Sunday

This Sunday we continue our Taking Ground series looking at one of the most important spaces we follow Jesus: our homes. We will also celebrate Father's Day with Bacon & Egg rolls before the AM service and with a grazing board after the PM Service.

Next Weekend

On Saturday September 13 the women of NVBC will join together for a time of connecting over afternoon tea while serving our community by packing hampers for people facing homelessness. Rego or find our more here.

On Sunday September 14 we are hosting a Combined Baptist Churches Prayer and Worship Night, starting with dinner at 5:30pm. Rego here.

Further Ahead

Learn more or register for our upcoming Cru-Coast Day Camp here: https://crudaycamps.com.au/cru-coast

SAVE THE DATE for The Gathering Conference!!

Held over the weekend of Oct 17-19, this church-wide conference onsite is one to put in your diaries. We will have guest keynote speakers, elective workshops you can choose from, opportunities for prayer, worship and time to hang out together while enjoying one another's company. Rego will open soon!

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