Work

The Gospel work continued on Day 4 in Wollongong. It was hard to tell who was more encouraged: Jamie, who preached on John 10, “Jesus is our protector”, at the St Michael’s Friendship Service, or the lovely congregation of faithful mature saints. One person commented, “If I wasn’t converted already, I would have been converted again!” Yet what was equally encouraging was seeing the fruit of work of the Lord as He sustains his saint’s through the trials that many years of life bring. Jamie was particularly encouraged by how they served one another, giving lifts to those who could not drive, and praying for those who could not be there due to illness. Their zeal for Christ was clearly not on pause, as a number of people came to the service after receiving an invitation from their Christian friends.

Please pray:

Pray that those who came back to the church for the first time in many years today. Pray that they would be gripped by the One who, for their sake, “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).
Praise God for the faithfulness of our Lord as he enables his people to endure to the end.
Pray that they would continue living gospel-shaped lives: loving Jesus, loving others, sharing Jesus with those they are given the opportunity to.

Some of the women were also given opportunities to proclaim Jesus at a Coffee and Dessert night at St Marks West Wollongong.

Please pray:

that those who brought friends will have opportunities to read the Bible with them in the coming year. Pray for boldness and confidence in the power of God’s Word for the women of St Marks.
Pray that those who don’t yet know Christ would investigate him further.

Rest

The tempo was slower for the rest of the team, most of who were able to enjoy a day off. This was well timed, as a few in the South Wollongong team have become sick or are feeling the effects of late nights and early starts.

Please pray:

For rest and refreshment, wisdom and energy as we plan for the rest of the week
Praise God for the way he equips his people with different gifts and abilities and capacities.
Pray that we would work well together, delighting in God’s good and wise provision, and trusting that He can work even through our weakness.

Play

Day 4 saw the start of the Mark Drama rehearsals. 15 local Christians gathered together to prepare for their coming performances. The cast come from different churches across Wollongong, have different acting abilities and different levels of confidence with acting. But the two things they all have in common is their love for Jesus and their desire for others to know him. Though many were terrified at the start of the rehearsal, wondering how they would learn the whole of Mark’s gospel in half a week! Yet after practising their lines and being guided by our Directors, Rebekah and Lucy (Moore College students), the Mark Drama team left full of enthusiasm and excitement.

Please pray:

that many will come to the performances and hear the good news of Jesus. At this stage, ticket numbers are low.
For good health and good memory as the actors learn their part.
That the rehearsal process will encourage the actors in their love and knowledge of Jesus