Ryde Presbyterian Church

Thanks to Ken for keeping things ticking over while I was busy blogging. Just a couple of other things people might be interested in...

We have started our new sermon series on Song of Songs. This book in the OT is a collection of love songs/poetry between two lovers. It also serves as a picture of how much God loves us and how fulfilling his love for us is. You might want to check out the talks at our audio downloads, or drop in and catch them 'live'. Always wanted to say that.

This Sunday (30th Aug), we are having a little break from Song of Songs with a guest speaker (Tom Wall) who will be speaking to us from Hebrews.

Also our first "Family BBQ Movie night" for term 3 is on on Saturday the 5th of September. BBQ at 5, movie at 6...coffee and chocolate for the parents!!

Our church lunch on the 2nd of August was great! The hamburgers are better at RPC. Our next church lunch is on the 30th of August and will involve a Trivia comp (organised by our Monday Night Small Church).

We have a monthly Young Adults program in the works which will involve the Young Adults getting together once a month to hang out and do what Young Adults do together!

We are looking at starting a Family Small Church on the third Sunday of each month. This will be a family friendly Small Church where the kids will be able to keep themselves entertained while the adults talk. It will look to have a relaxed atmosphere where child interruptions will be expected and accepted as a part of the program!

This Sunday we kick off our new sermon series on Song of Songs!! I'm excited.

Our Blog has started and we are beginning the warm up (the count down) to our first Blog Conference.

The Carol's Outback date has been set for this year, for the 12th of December. We are always looking for people to be involved, help out, or just come along and sing carols. It is still a long way off, but you can put it in the diary now!!

There are lots of things happening. Feel free to come along, ask questions, be involved, make comments and give feedback!

Term 3 has rolled around and so tomorrow (Friday the 31st of July) sees our playgroup resume along with our Kid's Clubs and our Teens program. It has been noted by some that I use a lot of exclamation marks...perhaps that I even over use them!!

I reject these accusations and believe that every exclamation mark I use is carefully considered and essential to expressing the extreme joy and excitement I contain...!

On the left you might have noticed a new link. It links to our Blog. Why do we have a Blog? Some of us wanted to create a forum where we could talk about what it is to do and be "church". Please feel free to check it out and be involved in the discussion...when it starts!

In September (1st-15th) we are hosting a Blog Conference where we will focus on the issue of women in eldership. If the idea of a church debating the role of women seems strange or backward to you, don't be alarmed! It is strange and backward! Seriously though, this is an issue that causes debate within the church, largely because of confusion over some passages in the Bible. It is hoped that during our Blog Conference we can gain a clearer understanding of God's plan for women (and men), and help foster unity within the wider church.

If you want to know more about the gender debate in the church feel free to check out our "chromosome" sermon series!

I have been away for a week of holidays with the family. It was a really enjoyable and relaxing time away. Just us and a farmhouse! Now that I am back and into the swing of things again I am getting ready for the next term of stuff!

Next week (Fri 31st) will see our playgroup (First Friends) start back, along with Kid's Clubs, Teens and our Small Church groups. Cool!

On Sunday the 2nd of August we are having our next church lunch. Not sure what we will be eating just yet...but I am sure it will be yummy!

Man it is great to be back!!