COVID-19 Advisory Updates

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #37 (27 November 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 27 November, 2020.}

New Government COVID-19 requirements coming up

From Sunday 6 December it will be a mandatory requirement for us to maintain a register containing the names and telephone numbers of everyone attending our services.
To assist with this the WA Government has developed a SafeWA app, an online contact register system that enables you to scan to register your attendance. Alternately, you will be required to write down your name and telephone number in a manual register that we will have available at the door.
In preparation for Sunday 6 December we urge you to download the free SafeWA app onto your phone from the Apple App Store (for apple devices) or the Google Play Store (for android devices).

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #36 (20 November 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 20 November, 2020.}

Church Family Meeting

A reminder to members to vote via the link in the email you should have received from our Board Chair Hudson Lun.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #35 (13 November 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 13 November, 2020.}

Book of the Month

Our Book of the Month is the Christian classic, “Knowing God,” by J I Packer, a book which in my view every Christian should read at some stage. To order your copy from Seeds, click here.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #34 (6 November 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 6 November, 2020.}

Book of the Month

During the month of November our preaching series will be based on the New Testament book of 1 John, and will be titled, “Knowing God.” Our Book of the Month is the Christian classic of the same title, “Knowing God,” by J I Packer, a book which in my view every Christian should read at some stage. To order your copy from Seeds, click here.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #33 (30 October 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 30 October, 2020.}

Book of the Month

During the month of November our preaching series will be based on the New Testament book of 1 John, and will be titled, “Knowing God.” Our Book of the Month is the Christian classic of the same title, “Knowing God,” by J I Packer, a book which in my view every Christian should read at some stage. To order your copy from Seeds, click here.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #32 (23 October 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 23 October, 2020.}

Book of the Month

During the month of November our preaching series will be based on the New Testament book of 1 John, and will be titled, “Knowing God.” Our Book of the Month is the Christian classic of the same title, “Knowing God,” by J I Packer, a book which in my view every Christian should read at some stage. To order your copy from Seeds, click here.

Other Matters

I was recently contacted by Pastor Vee Tetseo, General Secretary of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, inviting our team to record a Christmas Carol to be included in their Christmas Video presentation to be sent to 33,000 churches across the Asia Pacific. What an honour! As you might expect, Jonathan and his dedicated team have risen to the challenge. Please pray for them as they undertake this important project to the glory of God!

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #31 (16 October 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 16 October, 2020.}

Church Family Picnic

With MPK and Keystone up and running we won’t be serving coffee after the service, but the good news is that you’re all invited to join us this Sunday for a Church Family Picnic at Point Walter. Jonathan Anthony and his family will be there from 11.30am – ALL are welcome! For more details click here.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #30 (9 October 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 9 October, 2020.}

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #29 (2 October 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 2 October, 2020.}

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

Keep safe and we look forward to worshipping together on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #28 (25 September 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 25 September, 2020.}

Book of the Month

In line with the preaching series, we recommend the book by Dr Richard Booker entitled “Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts.” We have some copies on order and will let you know when they are available at Seeds. Alternatively you can purchase an e-copy online.

Other Matters

One of the few upsides of COVID-19 has been the increase in interactive online opportunities. One such opportunity is taking place over the next two days. The National Council of Churches has initiated the National Solemn Assembly and set aside 26-27 September as days of prayer and fasting for the pandemic. The following links will enable you to find out how you can participate in this important prayer event for our nation.

National Solemn Assembly website or download pdf.

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #27 (18 September 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 18 September, 2020.}

Book of the Month

In line with the preaching series, we recommend the book by Dr Richard Booker entitled “Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts.” We have some copies on order and will let you know when they are available in our Bookshop. Alternatively you can purchase an e-copy online.

Other Matters

With school holidays coming up, on Sundays 27/09, 4/10 and 11/10 we look forward to our children and teens being with us in our Sunday services. One of the implications of this is that we anticipate these services being well attended, making the registration process even more important. So when the time comes to register for these services, please remember to register every member of your family who will be attending. We hope you will plan to come as a family.

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #26 (11 September 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 11 September, 2020.}

Book of the Month

In line with the preaching series, we recommend the book by Dr Richard Booker entitled “Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts.” We have some copies on order and will let you know when they are available in our Bookshop. Alternatively you can purchase an e-copy online.

Other Matters

Let’s remember in prayer those in our church family who are away at New Norcia on the Silent Retreat this weekend, and for Graham and Merle as they lead this precious time.

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #25 (4 September 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 4 September, 2020.}

Book of the Month

The planned preaching series through September and October is entitled “Celebrate” which presents an exciting opportunity to focus on seven significant Old Testament celebratory feasts and their fulfilment in Jesus.

We recommend the book by Dr Richard Booker entitled “Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts.” We have had trouble locating copies but the book should be available in our Bookshop by mid-September.

Other Matters

Sue and I will be taking long service leave from 8 September, returning 3 and 15 November respectively. We were originally expecting to be in Germany to attend the once in a decade “Passion Play” in Oberammergau, as well as enjoying a German Reformation tour. However COVID put an end to all that, so we will be spending time in Western Australia instead.

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #24 (28 August 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 28 August, 2020.}

Other Matters

For those who receive our Weekly Communication email from Sue, please note there was a mistake in Gladys’ email address. Please contact her at Gladys.burgess@mounties.org.au

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #23 (21 August 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 21 August, 2020.}

Church Offerings

Thank you all for your love and faithfulness during this COVID-19 period. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways, including our church finances.

Our General Offerings for the six months to 30 June were $900,839 representing a shortfall on budget of $83,506 or 8% which is a great outcome in light of the COVID-19 circumstances. Our Building Fund giving for the six months to 30 June was $188,610 with our annual target being $360,000.

Due to our overall income being significantly less than in 2019 we have been incredibly blessed to receive the Federal Government JobKeeper grants which have ensured that 100% of our Missional commitments have been met, church ministries have continued and all our staff have continued to be paid.

We give thanks to our Lord for his wonderful provision.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #22 (14 August 2020)

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 14 August, 2020.}

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #21 (7 August 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 7 August, 2020.}

Sunday Morning Services at our Booragoon Campus

As previously advised under our Phase 4 COVID-19 Safety Plan there is a need to register in order to attend the services which will be held at 8:30am and 10:30am (there will be no PM service at this point).

Currently the 8.30am service is almost at capacity but there are spaces available for the 10.30am service.

• If you would like to attend this Sunday you need to act quickly. Please note you will need to register each week (including children of all ages) either online by clicking on this link or on our Mounties website.
• When you register you will provide the first and last name of each attendee and select the appropriate ticket based on age demographic (to help with our MPK planning for future weeks).
• You will receive a confirmation email from Trybooking but there is no need to bring the confirmation ticket to the service.
• Online registrations will be open from 9.00am the previous Sunday until midnight on the Saturday before the service, unless we have reached capacity.

To help with the smooth flow of the services and the associated logistics with the COVID-19 requirements, I thought it would be good for you to be aware in advance of the following:

• We request you arrive from 8.00am and be seated before 8:30am for the first service, and arrive from 10.00am to be seated by 10:30am for the second service.
• We ask (though we know it will be difficult) that you refrain from hugging and handshaking.
• On arrival you will be welcomed and there will be hand sanitiser available.
• You will then be directed to the sign-in desks in the Foyer and have your name ticked off the registration list before heading directly into the Auditorium.
• Our Foyer has a capacity of 150 people and our Auditorium a capacity of 330 people under COVID-19 restrictions.
• Every second row in the Auditorium will be left empty.
• We encourage you to be seated in family groups or household groups and please follow the instructions of the ushers.
• Please leave one seat empty either side of family/household groupings.
• At the end of the service we will be leaving the Auditorium as soon as possible and not be congregating in the Foyer to allow for COVID-19 cleaning in the Auditorium, and room capacity requirements to be met in the Foyer.
• The ushers will be directing an orderly exit. Please follow their instructions.
• There will be no tea or coffee available in the Foyer. This is an opportunity for you to invite others to join you at a local café, for a picnic in the park or at home.
• If you have any flu-like symptoms or feel unwell please refrain from attending.

Sunday Morning Services at our Booragoon Campus Online

The details for the Zoom session for this and the following Sundays (8:30am service only) are set out below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87249820016

Meeting ID: 872 4982 0016

No password required.

Meeting will open 5 minutes prior to the service commencing.

Booragoon Service Filming

As we recommence our ‘live’ services at Booragoon, we will be filming the 8:30am service and making it available by Tuesday evening on the Mounties YouTube channel and a link will be placed on the Sunday@Home page for easy access.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Dan Rodgers and can be accessed here.

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

For prayer requests please click here

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #20 (31 July 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 31 July, 2020.}

It’s exciting to be preparing to recommence our Sunday Morning Services on 9 August here at our Booragoon Campus after what will be 20 weeks of Sunday@Home.

We are planning to safely recommence our Sunday gatherings under Phase 4 and with a worsening situation in Victoria it is unlikely we will move into Phase 5 in WA in the near future. Our hope is that the low level of infections, with no community transmission in WA, will continue. The Lord knows and so we move forward in faith and with the understanding that things could change at any time.

Church Family Picnic (2 August)

There will be a church family picnic lunch this Sunday 2 August from 11am, open to all to come and catch-up at the upper level of the picnic area at Point Walter. This will be a BYO picnic; bring own food, chairs, games etc. What a great opportunity to connect and enjoy a fun time together, the week before we resume services.

Booragoon Sunday Morning Services (9 August)

As we are recommencing under our Phase 4 COVID-19 Safety Plan there are a number of things we wish to bring to your attention:

• There will be two services at 8:30am and 10:30am (there will be no PM Service at this point).
• Our Auditorium under Phase 4 social distancing restrictions can accommodate 330 people in each service, allowing 660 to meet in total.
• There will be a need for everyone to register for the service you would like to attend each week (including children of all ages) either online by clicking on this link or on our Mounties website.
  • When you register you will provide the first and last name of each attendee and select the appropriate ticket based on age demographic (to help with our MPK planning for future weeks).
  • You will receive a confirmation email from Trybooking but there is no need to bring the confirmation ticket to the service.
  • Online registrations will be open from 9am the previous Sunday until midnight on the Saturday before the service.
• We request you arrive for the service early to allow for sign-in.
• Second service attendees should arrive after 10.10am as we need to allow time for cleaning the Auditorium after the first service.
• On arrival you will be welcomed and your name will be ticked off the registration list before moving into the Auditorium.
• There will be hand sanitiser available and we ask (though we know it will be difficult) that you refrain from hugging and handshaking.
• If you have flu-like symptoms or feel unwell please refrain from attending.

Please be encouraged to register. It would be disappointing if you all held back to allow others to attend and the Auditorium was empty, or indeed if you register and then don’t attend.

Sunday@Home

This coming Sunday will be our last Sunday@Home and Michael Yoo will bring the message titled “The Power of Encouragement: Serve One Another.” Do take the opportunity to engage in our Sunday@Home service either before or after the picnic.

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

As we recommence our “live” services at Booragoon we will be filming the services and making them available mid-week through the Sunday@Home page on the our website.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

The Cooby message “One Sure Foundation” preached by Mick Stringer will be available on our Sunday@Home page click here.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Mick Stringer and can be accessed here.

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Once our services resume the offering buckets will not be passed along the rows. Instead the buckets will be available on the front of the stage for you to place your offering in. Ushers will be on hand to help you as required. Please consider giving electronically if you are able to.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

We look forward to catching up on 2 August at the picnic, and gathering together in our Booragoon services on 9 August. Till then keep safe, stay connected and have a great weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #19 (24 July 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 24 July, 2020.}

We are so thankful that for the sixth day in row WA has recorded zero COVID-19 cases. However, sadly, with the serious situation in Victoria and with NSW’s cases being closely monitored our Premier announced a further delay in moving to Phase 5 until at least 15 August. Phase 5 will see the removal of all restrictions. Therefore at this stage our moving to Phase 5 is not certain but subject to government review based on national infection rates.

We have been prayfully considering our response and direction as a church. While all our mid-week ministries have commenced or have definite start up dates (under Phase 4) the only gap is our Sunday celebration services at Booragoon.

When Phase 5 was imminent (originally planned to commence on 19 July, then 2 August) our intent was to move forward cautiously and wait until Phase 5 to recommence our Booragoon Sunday services. In the meantime our Sunday@Home recorded services have been a great blessing.

Now with today’s announcement from our Premier pushing out Phase 5 again to an unknown future date, we believe it’s time for us to set a date for Booragoon services to recommence under Phase 4 restrictions to give some certainty, particularly in light of there not being community transmission in WA. We don’t feel we can wait indefinitely for Phase 5 to commence and we believe we can make arrangements to safely recommence under Phase 4 restrictions.

Today we make two significant announcements:

• We will recommence our Sunday morning celebration services at Booragoon on 9 August. Our Auditorium under Phase 4 restrictions can accommodate 330 people in each of our two services (8:30am and 10:30am) allowing 660 to meet in total. There will be a need to register for the service you would like to attend, and we will need support to ensure our COVID-19 Safety Plan is implemented. This means the 2 square metre per person rule remains with 1.5 metre social distancing, along with cleaning between services.
• There will be a church family picnic lunch from 11am on Sunday 2 August, open to all to come and catch-up at the upper level of the picnic area at Point Walter. This will be a BYO picnic (bring own food, chairs, games etc.) and a great opportunity to connect, the week before we commence services.

Sunday@Home

Graham Mabury will bring the message titled “The Power of Encouragement: Be Devoted.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

There will be a Missional Links spot in our service where we will hear from James Kozina from Open Doors, a significant ministry to the persecuted church. Open Doors began in 1955 when Brother Andrew smuggled bibles into Eastern Europe and is now active in over 70 countries. We have been engaged with the ministry for many years and now through James are continuing our prayer and financial support to the persecuted church.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

The Cooby message “Knowing God” preached by Peter Christofides will be available on our Sunday@Home page click here.

This is a real tribute to JI Packer, the famous theologian who died last Friday at the age of 93 years. He was well known for his book “Knowing God” which has sold over 1.2 million copies. Sue and I attend Jim’s 82^nd birthday celebration while studying at Regent College, where he taught for nearly 40 years. He died across the street from Regent College in the UBC Hospital.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Mim Hosking and can be accessed here.

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.
• If you donated to the Building Funds during the tax year ended 30 June 2020 you should have received your tax receipt either by email or through the post.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

We look forward to the church family meeting all together in our Booragoon services on 9 August, and catching up on 2 August at the church picnic. Till then keep safe, stay connected and have a great weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #18 (17 July 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 17 July, 2020.}

Our current focus on the importance and power of encouraging one another is particularly timely in the midst of current world events and the difficulties many of us are facing in these challenging days.

As the writer to the Hebrews says “let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds” and consider how we can make opportunities to catch-up and encourage one another in various settings during this time.

It’s been heartening to see our facility come to life as many of our mid-week ministries have resumed (under COVID-19, Phase 4 restrictions), and there is a great sense of excitement as other ministries prepare to relaunch this coming week with the commencement of Term 3.

The big gap at present is of course our “all together” Sunday celebration services. We are certainly missing seeing one another and worshipping the Lord together. There is something very special and powerful about praising the Lord as one body and building one another up in Christ.

We are expecting an announcement from our Premier next Friday as to whether WA will move into Phase 5 on 1 August. With the situation worsening on the east coast it seems our roadmap will be further delayed. In the meantime please be praying for those affected in our country and we will keep you posted on the timing of the resumption of our Booragoon services.

Sunday@Home

Peter Christofides will bring the message titled “The Power of Encouragement: Be Kind.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

There will be time in the service this week to share Communion. I encourage you to be prepared in advance with the appropriate elements for the bread and the cup.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

Our Cooby campus has been gathering on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings during Phase 4 and Peter Christofides will be preaching the same message recorded on Sunday@Home at the Cooby “live” services.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Mike Miles and can be accessed here.

Our intent is to continue these mid-week devotionals post-COVID-19 as they have been enjoyed by so many of you over the weeks.

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Building Fund Receipts

We will be emailing or posting tax receipts (depending on whether we have your email address) to those who have donated to the Building Fund during the tax year ended 30 June 2020. If you are expecting a receipt and have not received the email or letter in the post by the end of next week please let us know.

Busy Bee

Thank you to all who made the time to help out at our Busy Bee and for the great work done around our facility. Sue and I were visiting our son Michael and Sue’s family in Merredin so we missed the Busy Bee. But it’s not too late for those who could not make it. There are still a number of outstanding jobs. If you can help please contact Gladys Burgess in our church office to arrange a suitable time.

Book of the Month – July

“Encouragement: The Unexpected Power of Building Others Up” by Dr Larry Crabb and Dr Dan Allender can be ordered through our website and collected at our church Bookshop.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

We continue to look forward to the church family meeting all together in our Booragoon services when it is possible. In the meantime keep safe, stay connected and have a great weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #17 (10 July 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 10 July, 2020.}

In light of health advice and the growing COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne our Premier announced today that Phase 5 of the state’s road map out of COVID-19 restrictions would be pushed back to a tentative date of 1 August.

Phase 5 was to begin on 18 July, which would have seen the removal of all restrictions, both in terms of the number of people permitted to gather and social distancing requirements.

Therefore, sadly we WILL NOT be recommencing our Sunday morning services here at our Booragoon campus on the 19 July as planned. We are now awaiting an expected Government announcement around 24 July as to whether we will be able to meet together on Sunday 2 August.

Our intent is to continue to adopt a cautious approach and move consistent with our Government’s direction on social distancing. While in WA we are in good position, the recent outbreak in Melbourne has reminded us all how quickly things can change and so we encourage you to continue to be diligent in maintaining social distancing and hygiene requirements.

Sunday@Home

Dan Rodgers will bring the message in our new series titled “The Power of Encouragement: Be Humble.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

The appointment of two new Church Board members will be announced.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

Again there will be an opportunity for us all to engage in our Coolbellup Saturday evening service where Michael Christie will bring a message titled “Fear of the Lord.” This same message will be preached at the Cooby Sunday morning services.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Michael Yoo and can be accessed here

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Busy Bee

A reminder that our Busy Bee continues tomorrow Saturday 11 July from 9am at our Booragoon Campus. Please bring gardening tools and other cleaning utensils.

Book of the Month – July

“Encouragement: The Unexpected Power of Building Others Up” by Dr Larry Crabb and Dr Dan Allender can be ordered through our website and collected at our church Bookshop.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

It is disappointing we are not coming together on the 19 July but continue to look forward to recommencing our Booragoon services when it is possible. In the meantime keep safe, stay connected and have a great weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #16 (3 July 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 3 July, 2020.}

We are certainly blessed to be living in one of the best cities in the world, particularly during this COVID-19 pandemic. We are so thankful for the low infection rates here in WA but continue to be prayerful for the situation in other states and across the globe as the international infection rate continues to escalate. Lord have mercy.

On 18 July we are moving into Phase 5 of the WA Roadmap which brings the removal of all restrictions, in terms of numbers of people permitted to gather and social distancing requirements, dependent of course on infection rates remaining at the current low levels. Therefore with great excitement and anticipation we are planning to recommence our Sunday morning services here at our Booragoon Campus on Sunday 19 July with celebration services at 8:30am and 10:30am.

These services will be themed “Celebrate Together” and the word ‘together’ is there to emphasise the coming together of the whole church family across the generations to worship the Lord. After what will have been 17 weeks of Sunday@Home (which has been great!) we have something different and special in mind to really celebrate with great joy our return from isolation.

Our intent is to continue the celebration theme for the two morning services on Sunday 26 July before returning to our new series titled “The Power of Encouragement” on 2 August. There will be no Sunday PM services as we move through this time of transition together.

Sunday@Home

Nick Scott will bring the opening message in our new series titled “The Power of Encouragement.” Nick will be encouraging us to “Be an Encourager.”  

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

Again there will be an opportunity for us all to engage in our Coolbellup Saturday evening service where Peter Christofides will bring a message titled “Is COVID-19 The Real Enemy?” This same message will be preached at the Cooby Sunday morning services.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Graham Mabury and can be accessed here

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Busy Bee

In readiness for our coming back together a Busy Bee is planned at the Booragoon Campus on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July. The work will be spread over 2 days to accommodate as many people as possible, and of course we will enjoy fellowship together over food and drinks. Please contact Gladys at gladys.burgess@mounties.org.au or call church reception by Tuesday 8 July if you are able to be involved.

Book of the Month – July

“Encouragement: The Unexpected Power of Building Others Up” by Dr Larry Crabb and Dr Dan Allender can be ordered through our website and collected at our church Bookshop.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Thank you for voting on our AGM resolutions. We had a record level of participation and the outcome on the appointment of the two new Board members will be communicated by our Chairperson this coming week.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

Looking forward to us being together on the 19 July. In the meantime keep safe, keep in touch and have a wonderful weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #15 (26 June 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 26 June, 2020.}

While the global COVID-19 infection rate continues to climb and has not yet peaked, we are in a very blessed position here in WA leading to a significant change this week in our COVID-19 Roadmap.

Due to WA’s low level of active COVID-19 infection our Government has announced that Phase 4 will commence this Saturday 27 June and Phase 5 is scheduled to commence on Saturday 18 July. This brings some very exciting news for me to report today.

Our Saturday night and Sunday morning services at Coolbellup will recommence on the 26 & 27 June, and our Sunday morning services at Booragoon are planned to recommence on the 19 July. What a time for celebration! Thank you Lord.

COVID-19 Restrictions

Phase 4 (from 28 June) includes the removal of the 100 people gathering limit, while the social distancing (2 square metres per person and 1.5 metre physical distancing) along with hygiene requirements remain in operation.

Under Phase 4 our Coolbellup services will recommence for regular Cooby attenders (Saturday 5:30pm; Sunday 9am and 11am), and we will continue to progressively recommence the mid-week ministries in our facilities across both campuses in line with individual ministry plans.

Phase 5 (from 18 July) includes the removal of all restrictions (including social distancing requirements), but this is dependent on infection rates in WA remaining at current levels.

Under Phase 5 we plan to recommence our two Booragoon Sunday morning services (8:30am and 10:30am) on 19 July. These services will be multi-generational celebration services to gather the whole church family together for something special. There will be no Booragoon evening services at this stage.

Sunday@Home

Simon Ford will bring the final message in our Uncertain Times series titled “Hoping: In Uncertain Times.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

There will be a Missional Links spot reporting on the wonderful work of Prison Fellowship, including familiar faces from our church family.

Next Sunday 5 July we look forward to Nick Scott launching a new preaching series titled “The Power of Encouragement.”

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

Again there will be an opportunity for us all to engage in our Coolbellup Saturday evening service where Peter Christofides will bring a message titled “Why Church?” This same message will be preached at the Cooby Sunday morning services.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Nick Scott and can be accessed here

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.
• A reminder that our Building Fund giving is tax deductible and monies must be received into our bank account before close of business on 30 June to qualify for a tax deduction in the 2019/20 tax year.

Virtual Foyer

Mike Miles will continue to be hosting a Virtual Foyer, this Sunday at 11am via this Zoom link.

Book of the Month – June

“Where is God in a Coronavirus World” by John Lennox can be ordered through our website and collected at our church Bookshop.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

A reminder email will be sent to church members to vote on the resolutions by 3 July. The voting link is included on the email sent and the Info Pack can also be accessed on our website here.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

Keep safe, keep in touch and have a wonderful weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #14 (19 June 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 19 June, 2020.}

This Sunday will be the thirteenth week of our Sunday@Home services; amazing! It’s been encouraging to continue to hear so many good and uplifting stories of how the Lord is moving and blessing us in our homes over these weeks. Our current series titled “Uncertain Times” will conclude at the end of this month and we will be launching into a new series in July titled “The Power of Encouragement.”

COVID-19 Restrictions

There has not been any significant change this week in our COVID-19 roadmap. The key matters for us are the 100 person limit on the number of people that can gather, and the 2 square metres per person. The social distancing (1.5metres) and hygiene measures, along with a COVID-19 Safety Plan and the maintenance of attendance records continue to apply.

It has been exciting to see the College, Café and a number of mid-week church ministries successfully reopen in our facility. As previously reported the initial ministries that are able to progressively start-up in our facilities, complying with COVID-19 guidelines, include Youth, Salt, Flourish, Prayer groups, Women in the Word, Men’s Bible Study, Sunday International Group and small Venue hire educational groups. For more information please contact the relevant Ministry Leaders.

Given the uniqueness and size of our Coolbellup congregation our intent is to begin services for regular Cooby attenders only, on the 27 and 28 June, that comply with our COVID-19 Safety Plan.

While we would love to open our Booragoon Sunday services it will not be until Phase 4, when restrictions are potentially eased to allow gatherings of 500-plus with social distancing and hygiene measures further relaxed.

Sunday@Home

Jonathan Anthony will bring a message titled “Loving: In Uncertain Times.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

There will be a time in the service to share Communion. I would encourage you to be prepared in advance with the appropriate elements for the bread and the cup.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

There will again be an opportunity for us all to engage in our Coolbellup Saturday evening service where Michael Christie will bring a message titled “Waiting for God”

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Peter Christofides and can be accessed here

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.
• A reminder that our Building Fund giving is tax deductible and monies must be received into our bank account before close of business on 30 June to qualify for a tax deduction in the 2019/20 tax year.

Virtual Foyer

Mike Miles will continue to be hosting a Virtual Foyer, this Sunday at 11am via this Zoom link.

Book of the Month – June

John Lennox, has published a book titled “Where is God in a Coronavirus World.” This is well worth a read and can be ordered through our website and collected at our church Bookshop. Our Youth recently engaged in a Zoom session where John spoke on matters contained in the book.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

All church members should have received an AGM Info Pack via email or through the post. Please ensure you vote on the resolutions, which include two new Board members, by 3 July.

The Info Pack can also be accessed on our website here.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

Those involved in our Children & Families ministry would have received a survey from Mim Hosking to help set the future direction for our ministry with families. Thank you to the 40-plus families and volunteers that have already responded. The survey closes this Wednesday 24 June.

Keep safe, keep in touch and have a wonderful weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #13 (12 June 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 12 June, 2020.}

Sue and I returned this week refreshed from a short break in the Western Australian countryside that included a magnificent whale watching expedition off the coast from Augusta.

COVID-19 Restrictions

We have moved into Phase 3 of the WA COVID-19 roadmap on 6 June. The key changes for us are that the limit on the number of people that can gather has increased to 100 with 2 square metres per person. The social distancing (1.5metres) and hygiene measures, along with a COVID-19 Safety Plan and the maintenance of attendance records continues to apply.

We are taking a cautious and prayerful approach. During Phase 2 our College and Café have successfully reopened in our facility. It’s been encouraging to witness how many of our ministries have successfully continued through these restrictions in different formats.

Now, during Phase 3 a number of our ministries will be free to progressively start-up in our facilities, complying with COVID-19 guidelines, beginning this coming week. These initial ministry areas include Youth, Salt, Flourish, Prayer groups, Women in the Word, Men’s Bible Study, Sunday International Group and small Venue hire educational groups. Key points to note are:

• Pastors will be in contact with relevant leaders in these ministries and appropriate notifications will then be made to all involved. In the meantime ministries will carry on in their current format.
• The move back into our facilities by these ministries will be made progressively as each ministry plans to stage their move from their current format in a smooth and efficient way that best works for them.

Our intent is to see all our mid-week ministries free to meet in our facility by the beginning of term 3 on 20 July, subject to compliance with Government guidelines and our COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Given the uniqueness and size of our Coolbellup congregation our intent is to begin Services for regular Cooby attenders only, which comply with our COVID-19 Safety Plan as follows:

• One Saturday night Service at 5:30pm beginning 27 June.
• Two Sunday morning Services at 9am and 11am beginning 28 June.
• A separate communication detailing COVID-19 requirements and the need to register for services will be sent next week.

While we would love to open our Sunday services at our Booragoon facility, it will not be until Phase 4, when restrictions are potentially eased to allow gatherings of 500 plus with social distancing and hygiene measures further relaxed. It’s been encouraging to hear the special times being experienced by Connect groups as they gather together in homes for our Sunday@Home services in anticipation of the reopening of our Booragoon facility.

Sunday@Home

Peter Christofides will bring a message titled “Thinking: In Uncertain Times.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

There will not be a separate SaturdayNight@Cooby message this week so just one message will be on our Sunday@Home page.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Simon Ford and can be accessed here

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.
• A reminder that our Building Fund giving is tax deductible and monies must be received into our bank account before close of business on 30 June to qualify for a tax deduction in the 2019/20 tax year.

We are so thankful for your faithful and generous giving to the Lord’s work here at MPBC. While we are down on our year-to-date giving budget we are managing to continue to meet our budgeted commitments. I will provide you a separate summary of the half-yearly financial position in July.

Book of the Month – June

John Lennox, the well-known Christian apologist and Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University has published a book titled “Where is God in a Coronavirus World.” This is well worth a read and can be ordered through our website and collected at our church Bookshop.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

With the COVID-19 restrictions still in place along with logistical issues with holding a “live Streaming” type of meeting, the meeting will be conducted via an email/post-out. All members will be receiving a “Notice of the Annual General Meeting” via email today or through the post for those for whom we don’t have a current email address. This email will clearly explain the rationale behind the approach we are taking, the best way for you to engage in the meeting process and an AGM Info Pack will be attached. The AGM meeting will be deemed to be “held” on Sunday 28 June 2020.  Please note there is NO actual meeting either in person or online on this date.

If you are a member at MPBC and do not receive this AGM email (do check your spam email box), please let us know by contacting the Church Office on 9329 1777 or by email to andrea.thomas@mounties.org.au.

The Info Pack can also be accessed on our website here.

Virtual Foyer

Mike Miles will continue to be hosting a Virtual Foyer, this Sunday at 11am via this Zoom link.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

Keep safe, keep in touch and have a wonderful weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #12 (5 June 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 5 June, 2020.}

As I write this letter I do so as a proud grandpa! Margie and I are delighted at the safe arrival of little Rosie Drew Peletier, born last night at 8.10pm, weighing in at 8lb 1ounce. All are safe and well and we give thanks to God for the miracle of new life and for every blessing. To be honest, I’m finding it very difficult to focus on anything else today!

With the easing of covid-19 restrictions this weekend, some are asking whether we’ll be able to resume Sunday services. However, the new restrictions still only allow for a maximum of 100 people in our auditorium, so, given the size of our congregation it seems as though it may still be a while before we can all gather together for a Sunday celebration service. This coming Tuesday we’ll be meeting together as a Ministry Leaders’ team to prayerfully discuss what is now feasible for other ministries of the church within these new parameters.

Infuse Cafe and College

It’s been so lovely to see our facility slowly coming back to life after being somewhat dormant for so many weeks. College staff and students are back on site and Infuse Cafe has been a hive of activity this week. We’ve also loved seeing so many familiar faces at the cafe, as people stop by for coffee or for lunch. There’s a ‘$10 eggs on toast and coffee’ special this Saturday only – that’s something to look forward to!

Sunday@Home

We’re blessed this Sunday to have Graham Mabury sharing with us on the topic of ‘Thanking God in Uncertain Times,’ with a focus on Philippians 4:6. I hope you’ll take the time this weekend to sit down with your connect group, your family, or even just on your own, to worship the Lord and to focus on what He is saying to us together this week.

SaturdayNight@Cooby

And for our Coolbellup Campus family, Peter Christofides’ Saturday night message will be on the topic, “Living in the Kingdom of God.” His text is Acts 28:30-31, for those who would like to do some pre-reading in preparation.

A Word in Season

I know that many people continue to be encouraged by our weekly Word in Season devotion. Jonathan Anthony continues to do an amazing job leading our Creative Ministries Team and guiding our Missional Links ministry. To listen to his devotion for this week, click here.

Virtual Foyer

For those who are particularly missing that cuppa in the foyer on a Sunday morning, we have the next best thing with our virtual foyer – a chat with Mike Miles from 11.00am via this Zoom link.

Glenn and Liz Black

Don’t forget that while the Black’s are back from Thailand, they’d love to come to share with your Connect Group, either in person or via Zoom. You can email them through this link.

I’ll sign off this letter by continuing the 8/1 theme of my opening paragraph! Psalm 8:1 says, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies.”

The Lord is so good! Have a blessed week.

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #11 (29 May 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 29 May, 2020.}

I was walking my dog by the river last night as the sun was setting, and the words of an old hymn came to mind: “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven.” There weren’t many people around so I sang these words at the top of my lungs. I was powerfully reminded that whilst during this time we can’t meet together to worship, it does the soul good to sing, and to sing loudly!

With Simon and Sue taking a well-earned break, I’m delighted to bring you this weekly update with easy links to various online options for this week.

Infuse Cafe and College

With the easing of some restrictions our church building will still remain closed for the time being for most purposes. However, we’re delighted to see Infuse Cafe opening this week from Tuesday 2 June with a wonderful display cabinet menu. And it will be a great joy to welcome our students back on site after many weeks of on-line learning. Please pray for them and for Mick Stringer and our College Staff.

Sunday@Home

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and Michael Yoo is our speaker this week on the topic of Praying in Uncertain Times. We hope you’ll join us for a very special morning.

There are also a couple of other significant prayer events taking place on Sunday, both of which you can easily participate in from home.

The first is the Global Day of Prayer, an online prayer meeting which you can join via zoom on this link. This event will run from 1 – 2pm on Sunday and will involve people leading in prayer from all over the world.

The second is the Pray Together WA event: a virtual prayer meeting broadcast live from the 98five studios this Sunday. 30 Church and community leaders will lead us in prayer for the healing, peace and prosperity of our city and state. Tune in from 5.00-6.30pm, or join the interactive livestream from 4.30pm.

SaturdayNight@Cooby

Once again we look forward to an inspiring and timely message from Peter Christofides this time on the topic, “Overcoming Anxiety during Difficult Times.”

A Word in Season

I have been finding our weekly ‘Word in Season’ devotions thought-provoking and helpful.
I hope you have too. This week’s contribution from Michael Christie is no exception!

Virtual Foyer

And of course, in his usual inimitable style, Mike Miles will once again be hosting our virtual foyer again this Sunday from 11.00am to 12 noon. Feel free to join him in the church foyer via this zoom link.

As the week draws to a stormy end, we’re thankful to God for the rain and for every blessing. I pray that you’ll go into this weekend with a song of praise not only in your heart, but on your lips!

Stay safe and well.

Nick Scott

Senior Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #10 (22 May 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 22 May, 2020.}

There is much happening across our various ministries in different permitted formats outside of our facility which has been very encouraging. This Sunday we continue our series titled Uncertain Times which will take us through to the end of June. The series has been designed to focus on how we practically face and get through the difficulties and painful challenges that come our way in this life.

COVID-19 Restrictions

We moved into Phase 2 from Monday 18 May where the number of people permitted to gather increased from 10 to 20 with the appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures.

Although churches and cafés are permitted to open within the 20 person restriction, with
the adoption of a COVID-19 Safety Plan and associated administration, we are taking a
cautious approach and at this stage are planning on opening the Café and the College
on Tuesday 2 June.

Sunday@Home

Mim Hosking will bring a message titled “Trusting: In Uncertain Times.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

There will be a Missional Links segment where we will hear from Glen & Liz Black who we are supporting in their work with Global Interaction Australia in Thailand and are currently on home assignment. There is also a video on our Sunday@Home webpage under children’s resources for our children to hear from the Black children – Sebastian, Levi and Oliver.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

There will again be an opportunity for us all to engage in our Coolbellup Saturday evening service where Peter Christofides will bring a message titled “Jesus First.” The video is available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Sue Ford and can be accessed here

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Virtual Foyer

Mike Miles will continue to be hosting a Virtual Foyer, using internet technology called Zoom between 11am and 12noon on Sunday, where you can enter our church foyer and chat with Mike from the comfort of your living room.

The meeting can be accessed here

Meeting ID: 833 7834 8532 and Password: 497497

Behind the Scenes

There is a lot happening week by week in the life of the church and with us not being able to all meet together it’s been difficult to effectively communicate. So we will begin next week a “Behind the Scenes” report attached to Sue’s Weekly Communication that will contain pictures and short articles that we hope will give you an insight into what is happening across our various ministries.

If you do not currently receive Sue’s Weekly Communication please contact us at communications@mounties.org.au and we will update your requirements.

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

Sue and I will be taking a two week holiday break from 26 May and returning 9 June.

Keep safe, keep in touch and have a wonderful weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #9 (15 May 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 4.00pm 15 May, 2020.}

It was so encouraging to receive your wonderful response of gratitude for our Mother’s Day service and to hear that the Lord spoke to many, including those who don’t ordinarily come along to MPBC.

This Sunday we continue our series entitled Uncertain Times which will take us through to the end of June. The series has been designed to focus on how we practically face and get through the difficulties and painful challenges that come our way in this life.

COVID-19 Restrictions

During the week our State Premier announced a 4 Phase WA Roadmap to carefully ease restrictions following our Prime Minister releasing a 3 Step Framework for a COVID-Safe Australia.

We move into Phase 2 from Monday 18 May where the number of people permitted to gather increases from 10 to 20 with the social distancing and hygiene measures continuing. Although churches and cafés are permitted to open we are taking a cautious approach and remaining closed for the time being. The main reasons for this include:

• The 20 person restriction means it will be some time before we can hold our Sunday gatherings. It’s thought that in 4 weeks’ time under Phase 3 the number of people permitted to gather may increase to 100, although this has yet to be confirmed by our State Government.
• The Government and Baptist Ministry Centre has only today released the Phase 2 requirements to be included in a mandatory COVID-19 Safety Plan that enables us to reopen.
• The social distancing and hygiene requirements, along with the administration required to log and control numbers, is not a simple exercise within most of our church ministries.

At this stage it looks like Infuse Café will be the first ministry to recommence in our facility in the next couple of weeks. The café will gradually provide a controlled place of reconnection and community.

A key component in our planning the pathway to re-engagement in our facility has been receiving the Government’s COVID-19 Safety Plan guidelines. While our planning is underway we are adopting a cautious and carefully-thought-through approach given the risks involved.

In the coming weeks we will continue to encourage the existing mechanisms for connecting including small group meetings in homes or in public places. Sunday@Home could well be in place for a number of months yet.

Sunday@Home

Mick Stringer will bring a message titled “Weeping: In Uncertain Times.”

The sermon and supporting material, including songs and children’s resources are available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

There will be a time in the service to share Communion. I would encourage you to be prepared in advance with the appropriate elements for the bread and the cup.

For prayer requests please click here

SaturdayNight@Cooby

There will again be an opportunity for us all to engage in our Coolbellup Saturday evening service where Michael Christie will bring a message titled “Living on the Word of God.”

The video is available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

A Word in Season

This week’s devotional in our series “A Word in Season” was given by Dan Rodgers and can be accessed here

Church Offerings

There are several giving options listed on our Giving page:

• You can give through the Church App or Click here
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 30pm.

Good Friday Corona Care Appeal

The $5,800 given has been allocated as follows; $3,000 to Baptist World Aid’s COVID-19 overseas relief work and the balance of $2,800 to local needs including food hampers and support for those in real need.

Virtual Foyer

Mike Miles will continue to be hosting a Virtual Foyer, using internet technology called Zoom between 11am and 12noon on Sunday, where you can enter our church foyer and chat with Mike from the comfort of your living room.

The meeting can be accessed here

Meeting ID: 833 7834 8532 and Password: 497497

Other Matters

If you have any pastoral care needs please contact us at the Church Office by email or by phone 9329 1777.

Keep safe, keep in touch and have a wonderful weekend.

God bless

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #8 (3 April 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 3 April, 2020.}

It has been a great joy to witness the way our church family has responded in love and care for one another and the wider community as we have worked together to adopt and embrace our new operating environment for the benefit and well-being of our nation.

I would like to extend a huge thank you on behalf of the pastoral and staff team for all your love and encouragement extended to us during this challenging time – it’s been much appreciated.

It has been encouraging to see a flattening of the curve of COVID-19 infections following our Governments initiatives and the overarching direction to stay at home unless doing essential activities. There is a new COVID-19 Government App you can download to keep updated on all the developments.

Sunday@Home – Our Sunday Gatherings

Thank you for your inspiring and heartening feedback and photos sent through after last Sunday. We have prepared a feedback clip for you to enjoy this Sunday, along with a missional links clip providing feedback on the most recent Cambodia trip and visit to our Transform Centre.

Our current sermon series on Friendship will continue to the end of April and this week Peter Christofides will be speaking on Acceptance.

This Sunday’s sermon and supporting material are now available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

A Word in Season – Our New Weekly Devotional

We launched our plan to provide a mid-week devotion to be led by a different Ministry Leader each week. Each devotional will be 3-5 minutes with the intent of providing encouragement from the Scriptures from across our pastoral team.

The first devotion was prepared by Nick Scott and distributed on Wednesday 1 April by email with a link to the devotional. The devotionals can also be accessed through our Church App, our social media channels and via the home page of our website.

Easter

Good Friday is only a week away and we are preparing something special for both Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. The services will again be available on our Sunday@Home webpage.

Church Offerings

We all find ourselves in financially challenging times and we greatly appreciate those who are able to sustain normal levels of giving. There are several giving options:

• Direct EFT bank transfer
• Through the Church App
• The Offering link on our Sunday@Home page
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Pastoral Care and Prayer

Our pastoral team will continue to be available and will do our best to keep in contact with you, especially people in need, the elderly and those who are unwell.

If you have particular needs such as being unable to get to the shops or not able to acquire essential items, please contact us at the Church Office 9329 1777 or at contact@mounties.org.au

For specific prayer requests, please send them via this form.

Small Groups

It has been great seeing families sharing in the Scriptures together as well as the many inventive ways Connect groups/Home groups have found to continue to communicate without physically meeting together.

Links to suggested tools are listed here.

If you are struggling to find a Connect group to be part of during this time please get in touch, either by contacting the office or you can go to our Connect Groups page, find a group and request to join.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Our AGM will not be held on Sunday 26 April as originally planned. The Board are reviewing available options and we will notify you in due course.

Other Matters

Thank you for your patience as we seek to align our costs and staff levels in order to provide the required ministries and meet our missional commitments during this ever changing and challenging period. We are making an application under the Job Keeper package announced by the Government this week.

It is so important to continue to keep in contact and look out for one another. The Lord is doing new and exciting things and so let us together look to him and find shelter in him while letting the light of Christ shine brightly in our neighbourhoods.

Keep safe and have a blessed weekend!

Blessings in Christ

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

OUR COVID-19 UPDATE #7 (27 MARCH 2020) & SUNDAY@HOME RESOURCES

^{*Information was accurate as at 2.00pm 27th March, 2020.}

Our ongoing response to COVID-19 has been to fully support and work with the Australian Governments in flattening the curve of the infections for the well-being of everyone. Our response is a faith response that has the love and care for our neighbour clearly in view and a right submission to our governing authorities (Romans 13:1-10).

The latest measures issued by the Australian Governments include:

• Restrictions on religious gatherings and places of worship, including marriages and funerals.
• Further actions to strengthen and support social distancing measures

Last Sunday we closed our buildings at Booragoon and Coolbellup and suggested meeting in smaller groups. Much has changed during this week leading us to suspend remaining ministries and where possible reformat the delivery of particular ministries to meet our desire to limit face- to-face contact as far as possible.

A major consideration for you now is how you operate Sunday@Home. Nick Scott made a video announcement on Thursday recommending only family households meet together. Connect groups and small groups will now need to connect in ways other than face-to-face.

I set out below under key headings the impact of these further developments:

Sunday Gatherings (Sunday@Home)

We commenced our new reformatted Sunday@Home family approach last Sunday involving the pre-recording of the sermon and providing intergenerational family activities and resources with suggested song playlists.

This Sunday’s sermon and supporting material is now available on our Sunday@Home webpage click here

Church Offerings

These times will be financially challenging for all of us and we greatly appreciate those able to sustain normal levels of giving. There are several giving options:

• Direct EFT bank transfer
• Through the Church App
• The Offering link on our Sunday@Home page
• Cash or cheques can be delivered to our Church Office Reception: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Pastoral Care

Our pastoral team will continue to be available and do our best to keep in contact with you, especially people in need, the elderly and those who are unwell.

If you have particular needs such as being unable to get to the shops or not able to acquire essential items, please contact us at the Church Office 9329 1777 or at contact@mounties.org.au

For prayer requests please click here

Prayer Meetings in our Facilities

House of Prayer and all organised prayer meetings in our facilities have been suspended until further notice. We are encouraging prayer over the phone and internet connections.

Small Groups

Connect groups/Home groups as normally practiced should be suspended. We are suggesting you connect and communicate through the most appropriate communication channels including phone, email, FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.

Links to suggested tools are listed here.

Please be aware that our Safe Church policies and guidelines apply to all forms of communication.

Office

The Office, including Reception will remain open during normal work hours however we are encouraging staff where possible to work from home.

Facilities

All venue hire events have been cancelled or postponed and the Book Shop and Library will be closed until further notice.

College

Our College is continuing to operate with students moving to an online educational platform until further notice.

Cafe

Infuse Cafe has been operating in a take-away capacity this week and from close-of-business on Saturday 28 March will be closed until further notice.

Other Matters

We are reviewing and aligning all our costs and staff levels in order to provide the required ministries and meet our missional commitments during this challenging period.

Let’s all continue to keep in contact and look out for one another. The Lord is at work in all of this and our trust is in him. Keep safe and have a blessed weekend!

Blessings in Christ,

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

Sunday@Home (COVID-19 Update #6) – 26 March 2020

Our COVID-19 Update #5 (20^th March 2020) & Sunday @ Home Resources

^{*Information was accurate as at 12.00pm 20th March, 2020.}

We certainly have been busy managing our response to the risks associated with the coronavirus, COVID-19, across the spectrum of our ministries, activities and events on what feels like an hour by hour basis.

Our response as a church is not one of fear and panic as those without hope but is characterised by love and care for the people of our city and your leadership team is continuing to seek the Lord’s wisdom for us. As a minimum we are following the recommendations of the Australian Governments.

You should have received two church-wide communications this week already

• a recorded announcement from Nick Scott regarding our Sunday gatherings
• our regular Weekly Communication from Sue Ford that includes helpful messages in particular areas, around our response to the current situation

You would have also received various other communications relating to specific ministry areas within the church that affect you.

Following the previous two church-wide communications this week there is a need for this third note today to provide key information referenced in previous communications regarding this Sunday and how we currently propose to move forward day to day.

Overall position

We believe the most loving response at this time is to refrain from meeting in large groups for a period to help flatten the exponential curve of infections, for the benefit of our medical and health professions and for the well-being of the whole community and indeed our nation.

Our intent at this time is to reformat and reframe our gatherings to enable us to meet in small groups until further notice. So some ministries have been reformatted and reframed to continue operating during the foreseeable future (mainly, Sunday gatherings, Prayer meetings, Connect groups, Salt and Youth), while other ministries and events (which is a long and growing list including our Pillar Event with Rikk Watts) have been postponed until we are in a safe position to continue them in a workable format.

It’s important to let you know that our Office and Building will continue to be opened during the week as a place of welcome and hospitality with the café, Book Shop and Library open as usual. The Auditorium at Booragoon will be a place of prayer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 12:30pm and on Fridays between 6am and 9am, in accord with our social distancing guidelines.

Sunday Gatherings

As previously announced by Nick Scott we will not be meeting in our Auditorium at Booragoon or at our Coolbellup building this Sunday until further notice. We will be meeting in small groups (suggested no more than 15 people) in various homes and locations across our city. No small groups will be meeting in our Facility on Sundays. If you are not currently in a Connect Group then please be proactive in gathering with a few other people. We suggest that as far as possible you meet on Sunday at your usual service times, so we are all in this together and be praying for one another.

We have created a special page on our website that will hold our Sunday resources, including the Sermon for the week along with Children’s ministry material and song playlists if required. The website will be updated every Friday afternoon and contain:

• The pre-recorded Sermon Video, which includes Screens and if you require subtitles click on the “CC” button next to the play slider
• Links for Song suggestions to a YouTube Lyric Video Playlist and a Spotify Playlist (recommended songs from our CM team)
• Links to Kids Praise Clips and Children’s & Families Activities (you will need to provide your own craft materials, paper and pencils etc.)
• A Button that will take you to our online giving page

We will also be sharing the Sermon video direct to our Facebook Page and the Church app. Our provision of videos and other materials will develop further over the coming weeks. Our desire is to provide resources for all aged groups across our church family.

Other Matters 

Our desire is to continue to keep in contact with you and provide pastoral care, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are in need of pastoral support. Sue Ford and Mike Miles are gathering a larger group of carers to help meet pastoral and other needs during this challenging time.

I encourage you to continue to comply with the following guidelines which are on our Sundays webpage:

• General Infection Control Measures
• Social Distancing Guidelines
• Small Group Guidelines

If you normally give your offering to the Lord’s work through the Offering buckets as opposed to EFT bank transfers then please feel free to come into our front reception during office hours and our receptionists will handle this for you.

We pray you have a safe and blessed weekend as you meet together.

Blessings in Christ

Simon Ford

Executive Pastor

Sunday Church Update (COVID-19 Update #4) – 18 March 2020

Our COVID-19 Latest Update (#3 14 March 2020)

It’s important to update you on our on-going planning and response to the risks associated with the coronavirus, COVID-19. Since our two previous church-wide communications the situation has escalated and our risk management response has been progressively updated and will continue to be updated over the coming weeks as necessary.

Our desire is not to respond in fear but love and care for the well-being of our people and those who enter our Facility, and with wisdom given the potential significance of COVID-19.

As a minimum we are following the recommendations of the Australian Government, along with directions from the Baptist Ministry Centre and are prayerfully seeking wisdom from the Lord concerning further actions we believe we should be taking.

We have identified high risk events and activities and are monitoring our response on an hour by hour basis, things are changing rapidly.

Over the last couple days having assessed the risks involved, we have cancelled the following events until further notice:

• The International Dinner
• Seniors Communion Service
• Women In The Word
• Men’s PIE Night
• Women’s Essence Event
• MPK Training and lunch Sunday 15 March
• Craft Connection

Sunday Services

In relation to the Government’s announcement on Friday (to come into effect from Monday) regarding cancelling gatherings of over 500 people and for churches to consider spreading attendances over multiple smaller services:

• Some larger church have cancelled all their Sunday gathering and are live streaming and other large churches are continuing to meet.
• Our response at this time which could well change as events unfold, is to continue to hold our Sunday gatherings and implement precautionary measures.
• We ask you to consider how you could help spread our numbers more evenly across our 3 services at Booragoon – only the 8:30am services is around 500, the others are much lower
• Of course the choice to attend or otherwise is up to each one of you.

General Infection Control Measures

• If you or a family member have flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, or
• if you have returned from overseas travel from any destination, or
• If you have been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus,
• We ask that you refrain from attending any of our services or activities for a minimum of 14 days.

If you are unwell, or self-isolating, or are diagnosed with COVID-19, then please do not hesitate to contact us so we can be praying for you and provide pastoral care.

Others precautionary actions that have been taken to manage the risk, include:

• Refrain from handshaking and close physical contact – no hugs and kisses!
• Exercise caution in touching surfaces and practice thorough hand-washing
• Teas and Coffees in the foyer
  • There will be no self-serving – you will take a cup and be served by an attendant to limit the handling of dispensers and jugs
  • We have closed the water fountain and no food will be served
• Offering buckets will not be passed along the aisles but there will be an opportunity to come and give in the buckets placed at the front of the auditorium and at the rear doors
• A foot opener has been installed on the bathroom doors
• Our children ministries will be taking added precautions to help protect our children
• We are currently awaiting further supplies of hand sanitiser.

This and all major updates to our response will be posted on our website and through our social media, including the Church app.

The leadership team is united in our response and will be meeting this coming Tuesday 17^th March to review and if necessary update our response.

Blessings in Christ

Simon Ford
Executive Pastor