ETC Alpha

Incredible Start

2011-02-28T00:58:00.000-08:00

We have had an incredible start to NC Alpha.
Over 70 people registered and over 20 Hosts and Assistant Hosts taking groups.
We are so appreciative of the Alpha Sprouts Life Group whose food has set a great atmosphere each night.

Pray for:

the confidence and sensitivity of group Hosts who are doing this for the first time.
an openness and a realization of the "no dumb question" feeling in the groups.

Alpha Reunion

2011-02-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

Together we explored the meaning of life-now an opportunity to catch up and see how “life” has been going

We welcome anyone who has been a part of an Alpha Course at anytime to join us

Oak Hall,
East Taieri Church
14 April 2011
7.15pm
Coffee & Dessert Provided

RSVP by Monday 11 April to: Joy ph489 6308 ext 703 or
email joy@etchurch.co.nz

Alpha Regional Training Day

2011-02-21T16:56:00.000-08:00

We warmly invite you and anyone interested from your church, to participate in an upcoming Alpha Training Day

Saturday April 2nd
East Taieri Presbyterian Church (Cemetery Road Mosgiel)
8.15am Registration, 8.45am Start – 4.30pm
Registration: $65 individual, $110 Married couple. Includes: Materials, Lunch, Morning and Afternoon tea.

To register please visit the website www.alpha.org.nz
We would really appreciate if you could also RSVP to Joy Davis: joy@etchurch.co.nz

More Alpha News

2011-02-20T00:59:00.000-08:00

After much planningand preparation, Night Church hosted the Alpha Launch Party tonight!
This is the beginning of a very big Alpha year @ East Taieri Church.
As the folks of Night Church Alpha continue over the next 7 weeks to wrestle with those life questions we are all challenged by, we look forward to more Alpha events.

On April 2nd East Taieri hosts the Alpha Regional Training for Otago & Southland, we hope to see you many of you here, for what promises to be a great day of training , encouragement and networking. Check out the Alpha NZ website for more information and registration details.

Then on April 14th @ 7.30pm we look forward to the East Taieri Alpha Reunion in Oak Hall @ East Taieri Church - invitations are being sent out to Alpha participants from the past 12 years!!! - but if we have missed contacting you , for whatever reason, do get in touch with us, we would love you to join us.

Finally on Agust 4th join us for the Alpha dinner as we launch into another great Alpha Course. where we will all explore those questions, concerning living in the 21st century we all struggle with. For more details contact us @ East Taieri Church, we would love to make contact with you.

Joy

Breakout Group Leaders Training

2011-02-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

The Group Leaders and their support crew will be running through the training video over the next 10 days.
There is need for a wide range of leaders and we are excited that there are a number of teenagers as well as older people happy to take this role.

Pray for:

Group Leaders and support crew as they do the training.
The NC team as decisions about the make up of each group are made
Alpha Sprouts as they look after the "food" side of things.

Launch Party this Sunday night.

2011-02-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

We have had an incredible response to the advertising (with only one sign out).
There have been phone calls from people inquiring about Alpha and three guys turned up on Sunday night for the first Night Church of the year because of it.

The response to asking people to be group leaders is so encouraging.
One 'Life Group' is taking responsibility for the food.
- Food and cash donations still most welcome.

Prayer Points:

That those inviting friends these next two weeks will have courage and that there will be a openness to Alpha.
Pray for the "Team" as we need to "do things well."

Alpha at Night Church

2011-02-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

Alpha is kicking off at Night Church this year using the Student Alpha format.

This and innovative and exiting presentation each week with plenty of opportunity to chat about the topic.

Become a Prayer Supporter by regularly checking this blog and pray for the team and those attending.
Feel free to comment below.

Prayer Points:

for the preparation and setup team
for great opportunities to invite friends to the Launch Party.

You missed a GREAT Alpha Dinner!

2010-07-26T00:28:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday night 21 people enjoyed a wonderful evening in Oak Hall. Our ET hospitality team served up the most amazing meal, with an "English" theme. One guest commented "They do it better than the English!"
There was a real "buzz" in the room from the get go. The "Dingbats" style word game at the start certainly brought out the guests' competitive spirit, we all enjoyed it.
Dessert followed the DVD and nearly everyone signed up for the course.

Week One starts this Thursday. Do you have questions concerning Christianity, Alpha is a great place to explore them, we would love you to join us as we investigate the Chrsitian faith. Is it true? Is it irrelevant, is it boring??
You may have missed the dinner but not the course - why not join us for Coffee and Dessert this week? Check it out and decide if this is for you. Contact me at East Taieri if you would like to know more.

We look forward to cathing up with you then.

Joy

What I Value About Alpha

2010-07-23T03:51:00.000-07:00

I am very excited that Alpha continues to gather momentum at East Taieri. There are so many good things that flow from Alpha.

People meet Jesus as their Saviour and lives are transformed - every course people are changed!
This results in wonderful stories of what God has done, and people going on to be baptised.
Those who are new to church make friends with others on the course.
People get excited when they invite their friends to Alpha and see what God does in their lives. This builds faith and excitement in the whole church, and greater confidence in telling others about Jesus.
People discover that the Holy Spirit works powerfully, yet gently, in a variety of ways such as healing, words of knowledge, speaking in tongues, prophecy, drawing us to seek forgiveness...
Good bible teaching lays a great foundation for faith and helps us grow and mature as followers of Jesus.
Often those who are guests on one Alpha course go on to be helpers and leaders on later Alpha courses. They develop all kinds of ministry gifts and skills, from hospitality and prayer ministry through to small group leadership and up front speaking. I love seeing the growth in team members. Their heart and commitment for helping people meet Jesus is contagious.
The prayer life of the church is encouraged.

What's not to love? Thanks for the great input of everyone involved in Alpha, and be assured of my prayers as the latest course gets underway.

Martin (senior pastor)

Next Alpha

2010-07-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

We are excited as the next Alpha course at ETC starts with the dinner this Thurs night.
Once again there are people signing up for the dinner in the last week.
This, of course, doesn't do Joy's sense of equilibrium much good but she's holding up!

Pray with us that our guests might take up the challenge of coming each night.
Pray that they will quickly get a sense of the gentleness and respectfulness of the Christian message presented in this way.

Those who have been part of a Alpha course are such an important part of this ... AND it's not too late to invite someone you know.
There are a mixture of people but especially some younger ones coming to the dinner this time.

Thanks for all you brought to Alpha

2010-07-04T02:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone
Only a few days since we were all together but as the Americans would say "Missing you already!" We started out not knowing each other too well but ended up as good friends. So good to journey together and learn more about our God and what it means to be followers of Jesus.
Look forward to your 'posting" on this blog. And thanks David for setting it up.
God Bless
Joy

Welcome to ETC's Alpha blog

2010-07-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

We have, yet again, been so encouraged by the way Alpha has been a vehicle for the gentle moving of God amongst a group of us "ordinary people".

The blog is a way of keeping in touch, continuing our conversations, asking questions, and telling our stories.

Blessings

David McK