Here's some great Christian books on motherhood - perfect for gifting to Mum this Mother's Day.

The End of Me - Finding Resurrection Life in the Daily Sacrifices of Motherhood - $22.99

There are many books on motherhood but not many that talk about how hard it is physically, mentally and spiritually and what to do when you reach your limits.

When Liz Wann became a mother, she was unprepared for how hard it would be. In this book, she writes honestly about these deeply challenging aspects of motherhood and how God works through them to make us more like his Son. Coming to the end of who I was, and what motherhood was stripping me of, was a good thing that drove me to Christ and to the power that he supplies in every failure and weakness of motherhood.

This short, easy-to-read book encourages mothers to depend on Christ when they reach their limits. They will find that God will supply what they need to cope with the daily sacrifices and challenges of motherhood, and that he will use these struggles to make them more like Christ.

New Baby Survival Guide: Bite-sized Bible reading for new mothers - $18.99

A new baby is a wonderful gift from the Lord, bringing great joybut also sleepless nights, constant laundry and, sometimes, total exhaustion. It can be hard to read your Bible and pray. So here's a survival guide, which is do-able and God-centred. There's probably no time, brainpower or energy for your usual "solids" from God's word but: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" (1 Peter 2:2)

These bite-sized Bible readings from the book of Psalms are designed for you to dip into and be refreshed by the Lord. Also includes real-life stories, practical help and an A-Z of mothering.

He Gives More Grace - 30 Reflections for the Ups and Downs of Motherhood Through the Years - $22.99

Motherhood is one of lifes most joyful yet most difficult gifts. We are eager to get it "right", yet parenting usually highlights our weaknesses and leaves us worried about our mistakes.

These hope-filled, positive devotions recognise the realities and pressures, joys and disappointments of motherhood and will give you a precious reminder of grace from Gods word to hold onto each day. They will help you to trust that Gods grace is enough for you and your kids. As the authors say in the introduction, Our children do not need a perfect mother. What they do need is a mother who recognises her need for a perfect Saviour and understands that this is the greatest need of her children as well.

As you focus on the work of Jesus rather than your own efforts, you will feel less pressure and more freedom and joy in all the ups and downs of motherhood.

Written by a mother-daughter combination (one with four kids aged 10-16, one with three grown kids and ten grandchildren) who are both grateful recipients of God's grace and faithfulness in the many seasons, situations and realities of motherhood.

Whether its the TV or radio continually playing in the background or the persistent pinging on our phones, the constant noise and frenetic pace of modern life can be overwhelming. The cacophony of cultural messages that permeate the air produces an inner restlessness that says, You should be doing more, saying more, posting more and sharing more.

More than ever, we need sanctuary, not only as a refuge from the noise around us but also as a place where Gods truth can be clearly heard.

This 31-day devotional explores what it means, and what it looks like in very practical ways, to lead the quiet life Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. Readers will come to see that a quiet life doesn't mean escaping from the world around them but centring their hearts on Christ so that they can live with a clear focus, a quiet confidence and a steady peace.

This book is for those who

- feel overwhelmed and long for quieter spaces that allow for thoughtful reflections and honest conversations.

- want to balance time spent online with non-digital activities and invest in real-life relationships.

- desire a deeper quality of life beyond the online culture of noise, outrage and self-promotion.

$24.99 from shopacr.com.au

Applications to join the 2025 Mission Team to Cambodia are now open!

CLICK HERE or in the files tab to view the Application Packet.

Please read it carefully and prayerfully and then submit your application by 12th May 2024.

If you have any questions please contact Pastor Mark Schultz - email [email protected]

- If you are under 18 years of age, you should share your thoughts with your parent(s) about why you want to be a part of the Short Term Mission Team. Take into account their perspective as well. After you have submitted your application, we will send a parental consent form to your parents to sign.

- If you do not have a valid passport you should begin to obtain one soon. You should have a passport that will be valid for 6 months after the trip. Also leave enough time to have all your vaccinations.

A fun interactive music session for parents and caregivers to enjoy together with their preschool aged children.

The morning includes a 30 minute music and movement session, where children develop gross and fine motor skills, language and imagination. Then children can socialise with others over morning tea (also for the adults) before play and craft time.

Our sessions at Epping run each Friday of the school term, from 10am-12pm.

You are welcome to come along for one session for FREE! Try it out and see if you like it. After that, the cost per session is $6 for one caregiver & one child. Additional children or adults are an extra $2 each (newborns – 12 months are free).

2024 DATES

TERM 2: 3 May - 28 June

TERM 3: 26 July - 20 Sept

TERM 4: 18 Oct - 13 Dec

We are hosting a 'Baptism Quilt' preparation morning on Saturday 18th May from 9.30am at LifeWay Newcastle. Morning tea will be provided.

You don't necessarily need sewing skills to help create these quilts which we have been giving to those who enter God's family through baptism. Just bring along a pair of scissors and an ironing board and iron if you have them. We need people who can trace, cut, iron and even make cups of tea. For more info contact Elise von Stanke - [email protected]

Hey Christian petrol heads,

You're invited to join us fore a social outing to the

HODROD & CUSTOM AUTO EXPO

at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse

Saturday 25th May

If you'd like to carpool, meet at the Albances' house at 9.30am.

Book your tickets online at hotrodandcustom.com.au

$40 day pass (family, student and child prices also available).

For more info or to RSVP, please contact Mark Simpfendorfer - [email protected]

Christians have been united to Christ. But what does that really mean? And how should that reality affect how we live, how we interact with other believers, how we view ourselves and how we face the spiritual battles that come our way in life? We look forward to gathering together at Wollongong Women's Conference 2024: UNITED and being encouraged from Ephesians by the immense richness of what it means to be united to Jesus!

Saturday 25th May 2024, 9.30am-3.30pm

- This year we are at a new venue - Figtree Anglican Church! We thank God for the provision of this great venue, with lots of space, onsite parking, and a bus stop out the front.

- Morning tea and lunch will be provided, and we are excited to be working with a new caterer this year.

- We have been able to reduce our ticket prices and hope this will help more women to be able to join us.

Everything you need to know about Wollongong Women's Conference 2024, including a link to register, can be found at www.wollongongwomensconference.com.

SAVE THE DATE

Once again LifeWay Newcastle is hosting a Big 'Afternoon' Tea to raise money to support the Cancer Council.

We would love ladies from any of our sites to join us as we aim to raise $1000 this year.

This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family to enjoy a relaxed and yummy afternoon. We are also looking for men who would be able to help in the kitchen, preparing plates and serving food and tea and coffee.

More information closer to the date.

A fun interactive music session for parents and caregivers to enjoy together with their preschool aged children.

The morning includes a 30 minute music and movement session, where children develop gross and fine motor skills, language and imagination. Then children can socialise with others over morning tea (also for the adults) before play and craft time.

Our sessions at Epping run each Friday of the school term, from 10am-12pm.

You are welcome to come along for one session for FREE! Try it out and see if you like it. After that, the cost per session is $6 for one caregiver & one child. Additional children or adults are an extra $2 each (newborns – 12 months are free).

2024 DATES

TERM 3: 26 July - 20 Sept

TERM 4: 18 Oct - 13 Dec