Celebrating Jesus, culture and diversity

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1 Celebrating Jesus, culture and diversity December 2016 January 2017

3 Reflections from Ola (lead pastor) Music is good medicine for the soul so the saying goes! One of the things we love about Christmas is the music. Music makes Christmas special. The songs and melodies we hear reminds us of the uniqueness of this time of year. The sheer joy of celebrating the season through music captures the pleasant hope and peace that makes the Christmas story ever new and beautiful. It is a story celebrated with such diversity by people of different cultures and languages It is fascinating that when Luke, a doctor, narrates his inspired and carefully detailed account of the Christmas story some 2000 years ago, he tells of the song of a teenage girl, a Jewish priest, some angels, and an old man. Each song, the first Christmas playlist, unveils the heart of the Christmas story as they each celebrate their joyful hope in Jesus-the God-Man who changed all of human history. Perhaps you have a favourite playlist for Christmas. As we reflect together on the first Christmas playlist, may we sing with much joy and awe. May these songs inspire in us a renewed heart of worship and gratitude as we celebrate Jesus this Christmas Enjoy, Ola Do you have a favourite Christmas playlist or favourite carol? Why not join the celebration and post a link to our Facebook page ( with #christmasplaylist Share the joy with everyone! Celebrating Jesus, culture & diversity

4 Notes.

5 Bible Talks in December

8 Notes.

9 Bible Talks in 10AM

on Sundays @ 5PM except the last of the month (Exhale) Bronwyn s reflection on the 'Upside Down' series: "One of the things that I've really appreciated learning about in

Leadership becomes about serving rather than climbing a ladder. Our motivation to do this comes from the love that Jesus has for us.

Is it about being a 'good person'? Is there more to it than this?

10 on 5PM except the last of the month (Exhale) Bronwyn s reflection on the 'Upside Down' series: "One of the things that I've really appreciated learning about in Breathe this year is the idea of the upside down life, and the idea that we can turn society, culture, and what is accepted as normal, upside down. Leadership becomes about serving rather than climbing a ladder. Our motivation to do this comes from the love that Jesus has for us. In turning things upside down, we become that love for everyone else. I've found that really encouraging and inspiring." What does it mean to follow Jesus? Is it about being a 'good person'? Is there more to it than this? These questions led to many interesting discussions at Breathe gatherings and in the coffee shop afterwards during the year! This Christmas Breathe is focusing on showing hospitality to the friends and neighbours we have connected with this year. On Christmas Eve, The Pearsons are hosting a celebration lunch and dinner for those in our local networks.

We pray our presence and small gift is a gentle reminder to those doing it tough this Christmas that they matter and they too can receive the good gift of Jesus along with us this Christmas!

11 Some of us will also be serving our friends in the parks at Mount Druitt & Parramatta on Christmas Eve. The Vinnies Van team will head out armed with love, Christmas cheer, and donated Christmas puddings to share around. We pray our presence and small gift is a gentle reminder to those doing it tough this Christmas that they matter and they too can receive the good gift of Jesus along with us this Christmas! Recently Nicole drove past a building that had the following phrase painted on its side "Expanding beyond what we know we can be". Thankfully with Christ s power at work in us that is indeed our reality, our opportunity, our privilege. It is our prayer for Breathe in 2017 that we would be expanding beyond what we already know we can be through, in and for Christ! January 2017 "Let's Live!" As the saying goes "I'll live while I'm alive, sleep when I'm dead". What does it mean to really live while we're here walking planet earth? Perhaps some might say it has to do with living a successful life, an extravagant life, others might say its being able to do whatever we want whenever we want. What do you think? Join the conversation this January 5pm Wentworth Point

UPSIDE DOWN experiences At the end of our recent journey through Paul s

multi-sensory experiences at different stations.

like, and what a community of passionate followers of Jesus feels like.

in this world and fulfil his good purposes.

12 UPSIDE DOWN experiences At the end of our recent journey through Paul s letter to the Christians in Philippi we had our own Upside Down multi-sensory experiences at different stations. It was an opportunity to reflect on what a life lived fully for Jesus looks like, and what a community of passionate followers of Jesus feels like. Shine like stars God is at work in us, and through us, to make a difference in this world and fulfil his good purposes. What next step of obedience could he be calling each of us to make in our life in community with others? Are we willing to cooperate with God for that to happen?

13 Hospitality We were able to experience being the recipient of generous hospitality as well as being the one to be generous and hospitable to others and to be thankful for each other and the food we shared together

Fragrant offering Celebrating communion reminded us of

What can our offering or sacrifice be in response to

Find your rest and strength in God A guided mindfulness

14 Fragrant offering Celebrating communion reminded us of the greatest offering made Jesus life for ours. What can our offering or sacrifice be in response to this crazy upside down love of God? Find your rest and strength in God A guided mindfulness meditation and relaxation sequence helped relax body and mind, as we dwelt on who God is.

16 Crazy Hair at the CWPS fair It was great to be part of the Concord West Public School Fair by offering crazy hairdos. Thanks for getting involved Audrey, Cassandra, Kiran and Louise. Looks like it was a lot of fun.

The night was fast paced, loud and exciting with plenty of thrills and spills in a Minute-to-Win It style

17 Family Feud at Crosseyed YG Parents were invited to come and join in the hype at Crosseyed for a classic battle between themselves (The Originals) and their Teenagers (Next Gen). The night was fast paced, loud and exciting with plenty of thrills and spills in a Minute-to-Win It style battle. By the end of the night The Originals rose victorious. None the less everyone, including the Youth enjoyed the night. We had a blast!

sizzle. The previous day and night saw constant rain but by Saturday morning it had cleared and, despite the wind, conditions were good for the event.

18 Ride the Wall with the Joneses The annual Walk the Wall fundraising event for International China Concern was held in Sydney in September. Approximately sixty people took part, either walking from Wilson Park to the Olympic Park ferry terminal and back or riding bikes from Wilson Park to Bicentennial Park and back, followed by a sausage sizzle. The previous day and night saw constant rain but by Saturday morning it had cleared and, despite the wind, conditions were good for the event. Special thanks to the nine Baysiders who participated by walking or riding and to the many that have generously supported ICC financially. Almost $1000 has been collected from Baysiders. With so many worthy causes vying for attention and financial support, Jim and Cas really appreciate this outpouring of generous love towards the huge task that faces ICC as it seeks to provide love, hope and opportunity to some of China s most vulnerable citizens.

19 Celebrations! Vinny and Melinda are getting married very soon on 14th January Madeline Wellings was dedicated in November And so were Ayoola Odejayi and Marcus Chandumal Bayside celebrates another year of God s goodness and faithfulness

20 Welcome to our new Bayside Partners James Burton Vinny Do Dorothy Elliott Marcia Graetz Murray Graetz Andrew Ho Rhonda Lin Ruby Parker Nadeem Siraj Kiran Nadeem James Sinclair Yana Tarasenko KC Thor Audrey Liau Mario Tropea Archie Viray Joy Viray Christina Viray Mattthew Wellings

22 The Shepherds run to Bethlehem. Spot the 12 differences in Picture 2 when compared to Picture 1

23 Notes.

Connecting with our city and world Jonno and Heather Crane and their children Samuel, Caleb, Hannah,

They re connected with Global Interaction.

Keep in touch with him at euodoo@swissmail.

like and how he wants them to live both locally and overseas via the internet.

24 Connecting with our city and world Jonno and Heather Crane and their children Samuel, Caleb, Hannah, Micah and Josiah living amongst the Yao people in Mozambique. They re connected with Global Interaction. Neale V in North Asia living amongst a Muslim minority group. Keep in touch with him at euodoo@swissmail.org Bob and Chris Prouty helping families and groups of friends discover for themselves what God is like and how he wants them to live both locally and overseas via the internet. Chris is also chaplain at Homebush West Public School helping recent migrants connect with the school and wider community. Mick and Tammy Dunne and their children Jack, Mark and Harry volunteering on board the Africa Mercy hospital ship that provides free state-of-the-art medical treatment to the forgotten poor in West and Central Africa. Keep in touch with them at Mick.Dunne@mercyships.org Tammy.Dunne@mercyships.org Dave and Tash Brice serving in Uganda Find out what they re up to on their website dash2uganda.wordpress.com

25 Regular Happenings 10AM Concord West Public School with KidZone (2 yrs to Year 5) and Crosseyed Sundays (Years Concord Rd (IKEA end near Killoola Ave). Parking in Queen St Contact Mark Falson PM Breathe (except last of the month) Pulse Room 2, Pulse Function Centre 3 The Crescent Wentworth Point Contact Melinda Cooper mainly music for pre-schoolers and carers Thursdays am during school term Newington Community Centre Contact Rhonda Lin Crosseyed YG for everyone in Years 6-12 Friday nights 7-9pm during school term 59 Arthur St, Homebush West (enter from Fraser St) Gold coin donation Contact Tom Burton Scripture (SRE) in Schools KLAG (Kids Learning About God) Tuesday Newington Public School during school term Contact Amanda Faase Vinnies Van Run feeding the homeless in Parramatta and Penrith 4th Saturday of the month Contact Kath Simmonds or skimmcap@gmail.com LifeGroups & Connect Groups Contact Mark Falson

26 Our Leadership Team Lead Pastor Ola Odejayi AM Congregational Pastor Mark Falson Breathe Congregational Pastor Nicole Regan Interim Children s Ministry Coordinator Louise Bartlett louise@baysidecc.com.au Youth Worker Tom Burton tom@baysidecc.com.au Communications/Admin Amanda Faase amanda@baysidecc.com.au Oversight Team Sanjay Chandumal Daniel Debenedetti Dan Lee Albert Tan Tania Tsang Our Contact Details web connect@baysidecc.com.au office/arthur St Centre (ASC) 59 Arthur Street Homebush West 2140 phone mail PO Box 338 Concord West Our Giving October $15,850 YTD average $15,373 Monthly budget $16,600...Budget shortfall $12,274 Bayside Community Church Offering Account BSB Account No Bayside Community Church is part of the NSW & ACT Baptist Association

discover a fresh expression of love

discover a fresh expression of love Februrary March 2017 Reflections from Ola (lead pastor) When love comes to town, everything changes. When love chooses to reside in our neighbourhood, people leap for