Just a friendly reminder that we’re going to hold a “Pray for Brisbane” gathering this Friday night. We’ll be praying for our friends, family, workmates and uni-mates, our neighbours, our city, and all the churches in our area. We’ll be asking God to pour out His life-giving Spirit, to give life to the spiritually dead through the gospel, to build His church, bless the least and the lost, and grow His people in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

As the poster says, it’s at Keiyeng and my place. So please come, and let me know if you can come by leaving a comment below.

As has been announced the last few Sundays, and in Eleasa’s emails – 5:17′s first ever church camp is coming. The dates are Friday 4th – Monday 7th May (Labour Day long weekend). It will be held at a Mt Tamborine campsite. It will be cabin-camping, so not “real” camping!

Please save the dates – because Eleasa promises ‘it’s gonna be a great time getting to know each other, discussing a RADICALLY cool book, and getting away to beautiful Mt Tamborine .  Registration details coming soon.

As part of our desire to pray big prayers to our big God, we’re going to hold a “Pray for Brisbane” gathering.

We’ll be praying for our friends, family, workmates and uni-mates, our neighbours, our city, and all the churches in our area. We’ll be asking God to pour out His life-giving Spirit, to give life to the spiritually dead through the gospel, to build His church, bless the least and the lost, and grow His people in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

As the poster says, it’ll be on April 13, 7:30pm at Keiyeng and my place. Let us know if you can come by leaving a comment below.

For all our city workers:

When was the last time you had an honest look at life? Sometimes the sheer busyness of life stops us from stepping back to reflect on our lives and where they are going.

Why not join us as we step off the treadmill for a moment with three opportunities for an honest look at life.

Tuesday 6th March – “Ground hog day.”

Wednesday 7th March – “Why is there never quite enough money?”

Thursday 8th March – “The level playing field and why we’ll all be under it.”

Time: 12:30-1:15pm

Venue: Premier Room, Berkley’s on Ann, Corner of Edward and Ann St, Brisbane CBD

Speaker: Al Stewart

There is no cost for this event. Our speaker Alan Stewart will give a presentation exploring ideas the book of Ecclesiastes from the Bible. Why the book of Ecclesiastes? It is like the minority report of the Bible. It takes a long hard look at life and asks the bigger questions. There will be an opportunity for discussion and comments.

Register your interest here and we’ll send you a reminder email the week before and on the days of the series.

Early bird registration closes this coming Sunday. Again, whether you’re a worker or a student, if you can possibly make it we’d LOVE you to come – to get trained to read and understand God’s word, to hear excellent Bible teaching, to get to know a bunch of other Christians from around Brisbane, and to ignite 2012 with a greater love for God.

Coming up on October 5 is the annual TWIST (The Word in Song Together) music conference. TWIST2011 is about encouraging all Christians to celebrate, share and remember the gospel in song. So this evening is for everyone, and will be packed with awesome teaching, singing and heartfelt response to the Word of Christ.

The main speaker will be Bob Kauflin – he’s the Director of Worship Development for Sovereign Grace Ministries, US. His influence in contemporary church music across the world is characterised by a deep commitment to Biblical truth and desire to see Christians sing that truth with passion. He wrote quite a few 5:17 church song favourites: “Receive the Glory, Let Your Kingdom Come etc”, and wrote a very helpful book called “Worship Matters” (highly recommended to all our muso’s).

When is it? Wednesday, 5th October (7pm – 9:30pm)
Where will it be? Creek Road Presbyterian Church (cnr Creek and Fursden Roads, Carina)
How much will it cost? $20

To register, go here

Here’s a shameless photo of Bob, Keiyeng and I – when we were at the Worship God 09 conference at Bob’s home church (in Maryland, U.S). We had lunch with Bob and his family, and were incredibly encouraged by his love for Jesus, and his honest other-person centredness. He was a great model for me as a Christian man.

Thanks Eleasa and Grace for letting us know at church last Sunday about the TC walk you participated in! It was indeed great to see so many (maybe 100?) women from all around Brisbane walking together for the same cause.

Here’s a photo of E&G and their support crew

You can read up about Teen Challenge and what they do here.

We’re turning our service leaders’ training session into a BC3 event – this Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm. If you’re not a service leader you don’t really need to worry about this but feel free to come if you’re interested! Otherwise please pray for it and everyone coming.

As announced, it will be 5:17 church’s 1 year anniversary in 2 weeks’ time! The big day is Feb 7 so invite your friends to our special anniversary service which will be incorporating 2 baptisms (wahoo!). Obviously there isn’t a large body of water in or outside of our church building so we are moving church that Sunday to Pastor Ben and Faith’s home at 48 Boundary Rd, Indooroopilly, and we’ll start at the special time of 5pm. PLUS we’ll be having a BBQ anniversary party after the service so that’s triple reason to invite your friends (1. anniversary 2. baptisms 3. food)!

The Women of Purpose annual Bible teaching day is fandiddlytastic and I personally think this year’s (Sat March 13) is looking like the best yet. See the City North Baptist Church website here for all the convincing details and register yourself straightaway or if you must, let me know by comment, email, or at church and I’ll add you to the group rego count. If you’re a 5:17 female you have to come!!! If money is an issue please don’t be embarassed to say so and we’ll see if we can arrange subsidies.