- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
25th March 2026
Generous Worship
from Johnny
Today we are halfway through 'Holy Week' - the week leading up to the Easter weekend. We read in John 12:1-11 that Jesus shared dinner that Wednesday night with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Lazarus was the man Jesus raised from the dead, and perhaps partly in response to this, his sister Mary stooped down in the middle of the party and anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, wiping his feet with her hair. Judas is appalled, saying that the expensive perfume could have been better used to give to the poor, and perhaps feeling that what Mary is doing is shameful, embarrassing, inappropriate (which in this particular culture, it surely was!) I imagine there were many others at the dinner party feeling similarly.
Where do you see yourself in this picture? Are you with Mary, shamelessly worshipping Jesus, generously giving everything you've got simply to honour Him and celebrate His goodness? Or are you with Judas, careful and cautious and prudent, worried about wastefulness, perhaps even grasping after what could possibly benefit you? (This was Judas's underlying thought, according to John - he was a thief, skimming some of the group's money for himself while claiming he was giving it to the poor...)
I want to be more like Mary, that my life can be filled, like her house, with the fragrance of the perfume of worship.
Jesus was about to go to the cross; he would be dead in less than two days. As we remember these significant events, and most of all as we remember the cross and resurrection this weekend, may we be drawn in once again to have hearts of generous worship to our Jesus, who died to set us free.
BAMCAMP 2026 Wrap
from Zach
(All camp photos to be sent to attendees in coming weeks)
"I think I found my community", "I love youth so much, I love Christianity so much", "I want you guys to hold me accountable to my bible reading..." were the words of Lulu, a year 10 girl from a non-Christian family who took a leap of faith at BAMCAMP 2026 by sitting on a chair in front of her entire youth community after making a first time commitment and expressing her deep desire to want to commit to faith in Jesus. Just one of many ways in which camp pushed youth to go Beyond simply Believing in their head and towards a faith that acts.
This weekend we hosted 91 youth along with an additional 25 Leaders and 15 Helpers at our annual youth camp. The new campsite posed a few minor challenges that we came prepared for an others we didn't, but overall feedback was positive; New places to explore, a pool!, so much nature, beautiful creek to swim in and so much more.
Youth competed in tribes (Gideon, Barak and Samson, named after 3 heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11) to win the golden gnome. Tribe wars consisted of building, puzzling, gross challenges (yes, that is a bathtub full of creek water, lettuce and 3 year old BBQ sauce), swimming, throwing and of course capturing flags.
Congratulations to champions Samson! 💪 Our tribe wars are a fun way to build bonds and create mutually shared experience. One comment that I heard from a 1st timer at camp was how friendly and united everyone was despite being in competing tribes.
We also heard talks from friends Matilda, Tim and Matt from Soul Survivor NSW. They helped us to see that faith wouldn't be faith without doubt, that to have faith is to be obedient to God's call and to live out faith is to take action. Youth had an opportunity to discuss with their mates where they are at with faith and reflect on what next steps they might take to live their faith.
Huge thank you to you all! The leaders, cooks, first aid, resource team, sponsors, prayers and encouragers for playing a role in making camp what it was.
I love camps ministry. A space that naturally causes you to be more open and vulnerable than normal which leads to the ability to go deeper. Deeper in relationships. Deeper in understanding. Deeper in experience. And this makes it all worth it. It truly feels like a family at The Valley Youth Group and this was just one big family holiday.
New Song for Easter
At both Services across the Easter Weekend we will be singing “To the One” (which we pre-introduced last Sunday). It is a worship song that beautifully draws us together in a shared expression of praise. Throughout the song, the language of “we” and “our” reminds us that worship is not just a personal response, but something we offer collectively as the body of Christ. As we lift our voices in unity, we declare together that Jesus is worthy of all our honour and devotion.
For Good Friday, pay particular attention to verse 3:
"King of endless life Yet You chose to die On a sinner's tree Exposed for me"
And for Resurrection Sunday, let's declare together in the second chorus:
"To the One who overcame
We lift You higher, we lift You higher
To the Name above all Names
There is no other like you"
If you are not yet familiar with the song, have a listen ahead of the weekend so you can join in singing wholeheartedly as we together lift high our King and Saviour Jesus!
Youtube lyric video above, Spotify Link below
Easter @NVBC
Easter Services (Fri 3-5th April)
It is one of the most significant weekends in our church calendar. Who will you invite to join us in the celebration of Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Sunday (April 5) this year?
We will be running one 9:30am Service on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
For our kids, we will be running an Easter movie and activities during the Service on Good Friday and a full program (including Easter egg hunt!) on Easter Sunday.
Beyond Easter
Prayer Meeting (Wed 22nd April)
Let us come gather together for a night of worship, prayer and intercession.
Baptism Class (Sun 26th April)
If you love and follow Jesus, but have not yet taken the next step of being baptised as a believer, come along to our baptism class. All are welcome, whether you are interested in learning more about baptism or if you are ready to prepare for being baptised on May 3.
ALPHA Course (starts Sun 26th April)
Our next Alpha course starts April 26th, running Sunday nights through term 2. It is the perfect opportunity to come ask questions, explore faith and have conversations with other hope-seekers. Sign up here
For all other upcoming events, visit:
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