22nd July update

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As we settle into an extended lockdown, let’s remember our God knows our needs and understands our fears. We can bring everything to him in prayer to find help, hope and peace beyond understanding.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Check out the video message from Dave as he encourages us to keep up good spiritual habits during lockdown.

Sunday church

This Sunday we continue in our new series: 1 Samuel – Looking for a leader. Israel’s King David points forward to Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people and the only perfect leader the world has ever known.Join us live online at 8.30am or watch the recording any time after the service is finished. The Chinese translation will be at the same time via a different link. The links are below and also on the Livestream page of our website.

8.30am Sunday livestream
8.30am Sunday livestream (Mandarin translation)

Kids Church printout

Be sure to download the Kids Church printout for your children so they can participate in church along with you this Sunday! It is available here and in the right hand sidebar.

15th July update

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We know this is a stressful and challenging time for many in our church family and wider community. Let’s continue to go to the source of our endurance, patience and thankfulness: time in God’s word and talking with him in prayer. Stay in touch with each other, particularly anyone you know who could be feeling isolated during lockdown. 

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:9-11

Sunday church

This Sunday we start a new series: 1 Samuel – Looking for a leader. Israel’s King David points forward to Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people and the only perfect leader the world has ever known.Join us live online at 8.30am or watch the recording any time after the service is finished. The Chinese translation will be at the same time via a different link. The links are below and also on the Livestream page of our website.

8.30am Sunday livestream
8.30am Sunday livestream (Mandarin translation)

Kids packs

Be sure to download the Kids Church printout for your children so they can participate in church along with you this Sunday! It is available here or via the link in the sidebar under ‘Kids Church downloads’.

Lakes Youth

For the next three Fridays the Youth team will be livestreaming a talk at 7pm followed by a short 20-minute Bible study over Zoom. While not the same as gathering in person, we hope these sessions will be an encouragement to your teens during lockdown and an opportunity for you to watch with your teens if you would like to. Lakes Youth parents will receive the YouTube and Zoom links via a separate email this week. For more Youth info please visit the Youth page of our website.

8th July update

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As we head into another week of lockdown and all the challenges that come with it, let’s intentionally cultivate hearts of gratitude for all we have in Christ and keep our eyes fixed on the hope of eternity where all pain and grief will be done away with. Also, consider if there is someone you could encourage with a phone call or text message, especially those who live on their own and could be feeling particularly isolated during lockdown.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

Sunday church

We’d love you to join us online this Sunday for a time of worship, prayer and digging into God’s word together as we consider what God’s word says about growing Godward in our walk with him. Church will be at 8.30am via livestream only (the recording will be available to watch any time after the service is finished). A Mandarin translation will be at the same time via a different link.

Click here for 8.30am Sunday livestream
Click here 8.30am Sunday livestream (Mandarin translation)

You can find our YouTube channel here or simply search for The Lakes Church NSW in YouTube. Remember to hit subscribe so it’s easy to find in future.

Growth Groups

We encourage Growth Groups to meet together via Zoom next week, not only to do the first of our 1 Samuel studies but also to encourage and pray for each other during this challenging time.

26th June 2021 restrictions update

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Due to the NSW Government lockdown that was announced this afternoon, we won’t be gathering at the Ministry Centre tomorrow. Church will be via livestream at 8.30am only (the recording will be available to watch any time after the service is finished). For our Chinese brothers and sisters, a Mandarin translation will be available live during the 8:30am livestream.

Click here to watch the 8.30am Sunday livestream
Click here to watch the 8.30am Sunday livestream (Mandarin translation)
Click here to see the announcement on the ABC news website

The funeral on Monday will still go ahead at the Ministry Centre but with limited guests. Please contact the family for more information. Click here to watch the funeral via livestream.

This is a difficult time for many who are facing disappointment with cancelled school holiday plans or changes in work conditions. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on the One who holds all things in his hands and remember the hope that we have in him. Why not take a moment during the week to encourage someone with a phone call or text message, especially those you know who live on their own and could be feeling particularly isolated during lockdown.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25

June 2021 restrictions update

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Due to the temporary restrictions announced by the NSW Premier yesterday, face masks will be mandatory for everyone who attends our services this weekend (see exemptions below). There are a number of church activities affected by the restrictions over the next week which are outlined below. These are based on the current Public Health Order.

Sunday services at the Ministry Centre

Our services are still on and we have plenty of space for everyone. We’ll be humming and clapping along to our band instead of singing, but we will still pray together, hear God’s word and encourage each other over refreshments after the services. Morning tea/supper will be available outside, prepared and served in a COVID-safe way. Please note the following:

  • No congregational singing during worship
  • Bring a mask (face masks are compulsory indoors and outdoors – see exemptions below)
  • Keep at least one seat gap between households in the main hall
  • Practice physical distancing when talking with people who are not from your own household
  • Greet others without making contact
  • Wash your hands & use hand sanitiser
  • Cough or sneeze into your arm
  • Stay home if sick!

Growth Groups in homes

Growth Groups meeting in homes are limited to five people, including children.

Growth Groups at the Ministry Centre

  • Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors (see exemptions below)
  • The 4m2 rule applies to room capacities

Lakes Youth Extreme on Friday night

Leaders and children are NOT required to wear masks at Lakes Youth Extreme, however parents must wear masks when dropping off or picking up kids.

Lakes Youth Camp

The camp is going ahead however please note the following:

  • The campsite has offered extra accommodation to allow for physical distancing
  • No congregational singing during worship
  • Facemasks will NOT be required for youth and leaders during camp, in line with guidelines for education programs
  • Facemasks will be required by parents picking up and dropping off kids at the camp

State of Origin night after Church@5

This event is cancelled. There will be a dinner after Church@5 on 4th July.

Seniors Day

  • Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors (see exemptions below)
  • No congregational singing
  • Held in the main hall to allow physical distancing

Funeral on Monday

  • Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors (see exemptions below)
  • No congregational singing
  • Held in the main hall to allow physical distancing

Church office and Ministry Centre during the week

Everyone who visits, volunteers or works in the church office or the Ministry Centre during the week will be required to wear a mask (see exemptions below).

Exemptions to mask-wearing

In accordance with NSW Government guidelines, the following people do not need to wear masks at the Ministry Centre: children 12 years and under while in church, singers/speakers on stage, teachers and children in Kids Church, anyone while eating or drinking. For a full list of exemptions click here.

January 2021 restrictions update

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Good news! With no community transition of COVID-19 in the past two weeks, restrictions have eased for church this weekend. This means we have plenty of capacity once again for everyone to come along to our Sunday gatherings.

We’d love to see you face to face at the Ministry Centre this Sunday:

8.30am – with kids/teen church (also livestreamed)
10.30am – with kids/teen church
5pm – Church@5

After check-in kids and teens will head straight to their groups. Remember masks are still mandatory indoors for anyone over the age of twelve. We’d also love you to stay and enjoy a cuppa with us after church.

Please note: the 1pm service is now cancelled. We’re so grateful to everyone who came along to this service to enable more people to join us at the other services.

We look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Good News Week 2021 has been cancelled

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The NSW Premier announced new restrictions from today that impact The Lakes Church immediately. Three major changes are: 

1. The introduction of MANDATORY mask-wearing at church; 
2. A site limit of 100 worshippers; 
3. No non-essential gatherings. 

What does this mean for us?

Sadly GNW has been cancelled for this year. This outreach has been a wonderful way of connecting with our community for the past 19 years however GNW cannot take place this week.

Our Sunday gatherings will now be limited to 100 (as they were 2 months ago) and masks are now mandatory. We will continue running all three services (8.30am, 10.30am and 5pm) within these limitations. Our livestream will continue to operate at 8.30am, visit: www.thelakes.net.au/live

Our COVID Committee will monitor any further changes and consider how best to adhere to government requirements, while maintaining every appropriate opportunity to encourage one another.

Please pray for our community: that God will keep us safe from this virus, soften hearts, and continue to grow his church amidst these uncertain times.

Love
David and Ruth Sheath

Pastoral update from Dave

Three Sunday services from 2 August

With the recent easing of restrictions, it’s been so special to re-launch our Sunday services and to gather with many of you face to face. Of course it isn’t the same with the reduced numbers, the hand sanitiser and not being able to hug or sing. However meeting in person is a blessing that doesn’t compare to meeting virtually. Those attending have been surprised at how good it is to finally be together again. We want to keep you informed and invite you to take part in the relaunch of church in the weeks and months ahead.

Three Sunday services from 2 August

  • 8.30am with Kids Church – this service will also be livestreamed*
  • 10.30am with Kids Church
  • Church@5 (5pm)
*Our aim is to also provide the livestream for as long as government restrictions are still in place for those unable to join us face to face.

Why 2 August?

We expect that each week following the school holidays more people will return to face to face gatherings. While the Main Hall can seat over 400 in normal circumstances, during the current restrictions it only has a capacity of 140. With three Sunday gatherings we should comfortably accommodate everyone with minimal need for “overflow” into the function room.

Government restrictions

  • For the immediate future the NSW government has decreed no congregational singing.
  • We are to continue physical distancing and minimise physical contact.
  • We need to record the details of everyone who comes onsite.

Not everyone is able to join us

As indicated by government guidelines your medical condition, age and level of anxiety needs to be considered in making a decision to return to Sunday gatherings. We know that risk increases for those over 70 and for those with certain medical conditions, so please take these into consideration and know that we wholeheartedly support you in whatever you choose to do.

As wonderful as it is to gather at the ministry centre, we want to assure you that we do not expect you to come if you’re not ready.

Ministry teams will be impacted

Every Sunday we’re so wonderfully served by people in our Kids Church ministry, audio-visuals, welcoming, musicians, cafe/kitchen, cleaning, setup and pack-down. In each of these teams there may be people who are not ready to return to Sunday gatherings yet.If you are in a Sunday ministry team and will not be coming to church by the end of July please have a conversation with your ministry leader to keep them informed.

Get involved

Join the relaunch team!

Whether or not you are part of one of our ministry teams we’d love you to join our relaunch team. We’re having a special get-together at 11am Sunday 19 July for anyone eager to see us make the most of our Sunday gatherings in the coming months. Please fill out this brief survey to let us know your capacity to serve and be part of this relaunch.

Pray

We’d love your prayers for wisdom as the leadership of our church make decisions in the midst of change and uncertainty. Pray for the sick and vulnerable in our church community, that God would protect and encourage them in the midst of isolation.Pray for our fellow Christians in Australia and throughout the world who are facing more extreme impacts.

The FIEC churches in Victoria have specifically requested our prayers:

IN MELBOURNE: Cross & Crown, Grace Christian Community, Laneway Church
ACROSS VICTORIA: Baranduda Community Church, Flooding Creek Community Church, Seed Community Church
BORDER COMMUNITIES: Albury Bible Fellowship

Church relaunch!