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ZOO

A Christian ministry to children and youth. Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to introduce you to ZOO. What is ZOO? Who are the leaders?

ZOO is a program for children and youth. Each section of the weekly program will be designed to compliment the overall objectives of developing the whole child, mentally, physically, spiritually and socially, so they become confident, competent and productive individuals, who value, respect and contribute to each other, and to the world around them. This will be facilitated through fun and informative activities, which provide opportunities for the children to be recognised and rewarded for effort and achievement. The program elements are founded on Christian teachings. Our leaders are committed members of various Christian churches. Each leader contributes their own unique experiences, skills, interests and training and meets our strict screening criteria required as leaders of children. All leaders must be approved in accordance with the Working With Children Check. Currently, our leaders have a variety of background experiences including; home duties, disability and aged care, nursing, teaching and special education, information technology, computer programming, horticulture and various other trades and professions. There is no cost involved! Our focus is to provide opportunities for children to:

- discover and develop values, morals, ethics, integrity, and self control

- discover and develop skills and talents

- develop confidence, optimism, high self esteem, respect for others, and personal excellence

- provide real life opportunities to empathise, understand, and care for those who have disabilities, are sick, elderly, and less fortunate or different from themselves

- develop skills and interests which can lead to creative use of leisure time

- develop skills, attitudes and values which respect and appreciate the authority and position of parents and others in authority

- develop skills, attitudes and values which are conducive to problem solving and conflict resolution

- discover that they are important and have a valuable contribution to make to their society

- develop an awareness and understanding of God and His plan for mankind

- have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ as their Saviour

Where and when do we meet? Location – Glenquarie Anglican Church, corner of Second Avenue and Edgar Street Macquarie Fields. We meet on Friday evenings during school terms. The program begins at 7.30pm and finishes at 9.00pm. Children who arrive 15 minutes early will be given a snack meal on arrival and a desert on meeting completion. Are Parents and Guardians allowed to attend? All parents and guardians are welcome to visit at any time and share a cup of coffee or tea with the leaders. From time to time there will be special interest groups and activities for parents and guardians.

11/09/2015

Make sure to be at ZOO tonight!
It is the last night for this term...
So... Invite a friend and have double the fun. :)

11/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Friday, 11th of Sep 2015

The Samaritan woman
John 4:1-14

Living water

When Jesus and His disciples left Judea and headed back to Galilee, they had to go through the countryside of Samaria. At midday, Jesus rested at a well while His disciples went off to buy food in the small town.

Just then, a woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

The woman was surprised that Jesus spoke to her because He was a Jew, and she was a Samaritan (Samaritans were hated by Jews). “Why do you ask me for a drink?”

Jesus said, “If you knew about the gift of God and who can give you this gift, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living Water.”

“Where would you get this Living Water?” she asked.

“Everyone who drinks of this water [from the well] will be thirsty again,” Jesus replied, “but everyone who drinks of the water I give him will never be thirsty again!”

Can one drink Living Water?

Have you ever been really thirsty — so thirsty that your tongue feels completely dry? God created each person with a spirit that is ‘thirsty’ to know Him and that longs to have a relationship with Him (see Psalm 42:1). Only Jesus can take away that thirst by giving us Living Water: the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us.

Some people, like the woman at the well, try to satisfy their thirst for God in ways that aren’t right, and so their spirits stay thirsty. When Jesus told the woman about the life-giving water He gives, she wondered whether this water was like the water she drew from the well every day. But the Living Water Jesus spoke of is not the water one pours into a glass; it is the unseen Spirit He pours into our lives (Acts 2:17).

Verse for today
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

09/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Thursday, 10th of Sep 2015

Nicodemus
John 3:9-21

The Saviour of the world

Nicodemus, a respected leader and teacher who should have known about spiritual things, could not understand the truths Jesus spoke about.

So Jesus explained it this way; “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert to bring healing to those who looked up at it, so God’s Son must be lifted up [on a cross] to bring healing to the world.

God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him will not die but have a new life that never ends. For God did not send His Son to earth to judge and to punish, but that every person can be saved through Him.”

Did Jesus come to save our planet?

God, who created the world and everything on it, carefully watches every tiny part of His creation and keeps things going. He wants us to do our bit too by looking after our little part of this huge planet. We should care for animals and birds and plants, and be careful not to litter or waste.

However, when it says that God loved the world and sent Jesus to save it (verse 16-17), it doesn’t mean that He sent Jesus to save this round planet we live on. The word “world” means all the people living on earth — the Eskimos, the Indians, the Africans, the Chinese, the Europeans, and everyone else living on the different continents of the world.

The Bible tells us that the world (the earth) will come to an end one day when God finally destroys it (2 Peter 3:10-12). God would not destroy something He loves, so we know that when we read, “God loved the world,” it means that God loves every single person in the world — including you!

Verse for today
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
2 Peter 3:13

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

09/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Wednesday, 9th of Sep 2015

Nicodemus
John 3:1-8

Born of the Spirit

There was a man whose name was Nicodemus. He belonged to a group called the Pharisees — religious leaders who often cared more about their own rules than they did about people. They did not believe the things Jesus taught and were jealous because many people had started to follow Him.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he was afraid of being seen by the other Pharisees. “Master,” he said to Jesus, “we know that you are a teacher from God who does miracles.”

Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth: no one can become part of God’s Kingdom unless he is born again.”

“How can an old man be born again?” Nicodemus asked. “Can his mother give birth to him a second time?”

Jesus replied, “No one can come to God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

Can I be born twice?

It is obvious that you have been born once. The proof is that you are alive. However, you can be born a second time — and this time the choice is up to you!
1. The first birth - When you were born into a family as a tiny baby, you became part of your family and took on the family name (your surname).
2. The second birth – When you become a child of God, you are born into His family and take on Christ’s name — you become a Christian (Christ’s one).

To be born again you must believe in Jesus, ask Him to save you, and trust Him to give you new life. The proof that you have become His child is that the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. You won’t feel Him inside you, but from that moment on, He will start changing your heart and help you to follow God’s ways (1 John 3:24).

Verse for today
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
1 John 5:18

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

08/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Tuesday, 8th of Sep 2015

Andrew
John 2:1-11

Jesus’ first miracle

While Jesus was in a town called Cana, He was invited to a wedding, together with Andrew and His other disciples.

During the celebrations the wine ran out, so Mary the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no more wine!”

Jesus replied, “Why are you telling me? My time has not yet come.” Later, Jesus told the servants to fill six big water jars with water. So the servants filled the jars to the brim. Then Jesus said, “Now scoop some out and take it to the master of the feast.”

The servants did as they were told, and when the master of the feast tasted the water, it had been turned to wine. And he said, “People usually serve the best wine first, but you have kept the best wine till now.”

Why did Jesus choose to turn water into wine?

A singer is always careful when choosing the opening song for a concert because it gets people to sit up and focus on what is to come.

We don’t know if Jesus had planned this miracle before the wedding, or whether the Spirit led Him while He was there. We do know that He wasn’t going to be rushed into something that wasn’t God’s will (verse 4).

We would think that His first miracle would somehow show that He, the Son of God, had come to save the world. Yet Jesus did a miracle that simply helped someone out of an embarrassing situation. Although Jesus had come to save the world, He had also come to live with people. Jesus wanted to show that everyone is important to Him, and that He is interested in every detail of our lives.

Jesus took water, used for everyday things like washing dirty feet, and used it to bless people. As we allow Jesus to take complete control of our lives, He takes our ordinary, everyday situations and uses them to bless us and others.

Verse for today
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

07/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Monday, 7th of Sep 2015

Andrew
Matthew 4:18-22

“Follow Me”

After Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert to be tempted by the devil. There, in the heat of the desert, Jesus fasted for forty days. Every time the devil tempted Him, Jesus used Scripture to make the right choice — He never sinned.

Then Jesus began preaching to the people, telling them that the kingdom of heaven is near. As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew. Jesus said to them, “Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they followed Him.

Later, Jesus saw two other fishermen, James and John, and called them too. Immediately, they left their boat and also followed Him.

Did the disciples know what it would cost to follow Jesus?

When people join a team or a club, they usually want to know what’s in it for them. If they put effort or money into something, they usually expect something back, whether it is having fun, being honoured, or getting a reward.

When the time came for Jesus to begin His ministry, He started choosing a team of helpers. These first disciples had no idea what lay ahead — and they didn’t ask. Jesus simply said, “Follow Me,” and they followed. They didn’t know for how long, where they would sleep, or what they were expected to do. Even though they hadn’t known Jesus for long, they saw something in Him that helped them trust Him. They trusted Jesus enough to leave everything behind and follow Him — empty handed.

When Jesus calls you to follow Him — trust Him! Then you will also become a ‘fisher of men’ by bringing people to Him.

Verse for today
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Luke 9:58

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

06/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Sunday, 6th of Sep 2015

John the Baptist
Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus is baptised

While John was preaching, and baptising people in the Jordan River, Jesus came from His hometown of Nazareth to be baptised as well. But John said, “You should baptise me, yet You are wanting me to baptise You?”

Jesus replied, “Do what I have asked, for I must do everything that is right.” Then John baptised Jesus. As Jesus came up out of the water, heaven was opened, and the Spirit of God came down on Jesus like a dove. And a voice said from heaven, “This is my Son whom I love and with whom I am very pleased.”

Why did Jesus ask to be baptised?

By being baptised, people show that they have asked God to forgive their sins and have decided to live a life that is pleasing to God. John baptised the people by dipping them under the water (in this case, in the Jordan River).

It is easy to see why John thought it wasn’t right for him, an ordinary man, to baptise Jesus, who is sinless. Because Jesus had never sinned, He didn’t need to repent for His sin and be baptised.

Yet, this was the start of Jesus’ ministry and He wanted to obey the Law of God in every way — even if it meant doing what was expected of sinners.

Three years later, on the cross, Jesus took our sin on Himself. Although He was perfect, He died in our place as if He had done wrong.

From then on, the Law (the written rules of God) that condemned us as sinners was fulfilled (kept) by Jesus; and because His Spirit now lives in us, it is as if we have kept every part of the Law as well (Romans 8:1-4).

Jesus kept the Law for our part; that is why God sees us as perfect (Hebrews 10:12, 14).

Verse for today
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.”
Matthew 5:17

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

06/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Saturday, 5th of Sep 2015

John the Baptist
Mark 1:1-8

A preacher with camelhair clothes?

When the time came for Jesus to start His ministry, the Holy Spirit led His cousin John to the desert where he lived on locusts and wild honey, and he wore clothing made of camels’ hair.

Crowds went out to the desert to hear the word of the Lord. John told the people to turn from their sins so they would be forgiven. Those who owned up to their sin and asked for forgiveness, he baptised in the Jordan River.

He said to them, “There is someone coming after me who is more powerful than I am — someone whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

Why did John go live in the desert?

You may have heard people say that they can see and feel God by getting close to nature.

The peaceful mood of the beautiful countryside can help us feel close to God. However, this is not because God lives in the things He created, but rather, because the wonders of nature can help us to see how awesome God is.

Although a desert (or wilderness) may not be your idea of a beautiful surrounding, at least it is quiet out there. You would be excused for thinking that the desert is a strange place to preach to people, but here are possible reasons why John went there:
1. He preached in the desert because that’s the way God said it would be (Isaiah 40:3-5).
2. John wanted to get away from the noise and busyness of the city to hear God’s voice clearly in his heart and mind.
3. It was a good place for the people to hear John’s message. Because they had walked so far to get there, they weren’t likely to leave the moment John said something they didn’t agree with.

Verse for today
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.”
Malachi 3:1a

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

06/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Friday, 4th of Sep 2015

Mary
Luke 2:41-50

Jesus was a child

When Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast, as they had done every year.

When the feast was over, his parents returned home with a group of relatives and friends. They had traveled for a whole day before they realised that Jesus was not with the other children, as they thought.

So Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem and found Jesus sitting with the teachers in the Temple, listening to them and asking them questions.

Did Jesus need to learn about God and the Scriptures?

This is a mystery we cannot understand; that while Jesus was on earth, He was completely human and completely God. From the time He was born until He went back to His Father in heaven, He was the only person to live a completely sinless life.

Jesus grew from a tiny baby to a young boy, and from a teenager to a young man. He had to learn things just as you do. As a toddler, He learned to walk; as a boy, He learned to play with the other kids; as a teenager He learned to help His dad. He learned to read and write and get along with those who were mean. Nothing was easier for Jesus just because He is the Son of God.

Although the Bible doesn’t tell us much about the childhood of Jesus, we know that at the age of twelve, He knew enough about the Scriptures to be able to talk to the leaders in the Temple about the things of God. Even though by this time, Jesus knew that He was the Son of God (verse 49), it would seem that He didn’t know everything, because He listened carefully to the teachers and asked them many questions.

Never think that you are too young to understand things about God. If you are not quite sure about something or you would like to find out more, ask questions like Jesus did.

Verse for today
And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and men.
Luke 2:51

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

03/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Thursday, 3rd of Sep 2015

Mary
Matthew 2:13-23

Escape to Egypt

When the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord warned Joseph in a dream to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt.

So Joseph and Mary left the town of Bethlehem during the night and headed for Egypt with Jesus.

When Herod realised that he had been tricked by the wise men — who didn’t come back to tell him where the baby was — he was furious and ordered his soldiers to kill all the boys under two years of age in and around Bethlehem.

Meanwhile, Joseph and Mary stayed in Egypt where they lived in safety until Herod died. Then they returned to Judah, to the town of Nazareth where Jesus grew up.

Why was King Herod so afraid of a baby?

The wise men went to King Herod to find out about a newborn king, thinking that he was the most likely to know about the birth of a Jewish king. Meanwhile, Herod must have wondered if he had missed something. How had these wise men from the east found out about this baby while he knew nothing about Him? Why hadn’t anyone told him?

Herod had not been chosen by the Jews to be their king. The Romans who had conquered their country put him in charge. When he heard that a Jewish king had been born, he became jealous and he was afraid. Herod’s selfish attitude took away his peace. He became so afraid that someone would take his throne that he had many innocent babies killed.

How different Herod’s attitude was to that of the wise men: they left with hearts full of peace and joy; Herod’s heart was full of anger and fear. But Jesus had not come to take Herod’s throne; Jesus wanted his heart.

Verse for today
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
John 18:36

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

02/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Wednesday, 2nd of Sep 2015

Mary
Matthew 2:9-12

Gifts for the King

After the wise men had gone to King Herod to find out about the newborn king, the star they had first seen in the east went on ahead of them. The wise men’s discouragement turned to great joy when they saw the star leading them to Bethlehem and stop over the place where Jesus was.

They came to the house and found the small child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and gave Him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

Later, God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod to tell him about the child. So they returned to their country by another way.

Why did the Magi give Jesus such strange gifts?

If you were looking for a suitable gift for a toddler, you would probably go to a toy store or perhaps the kiddies section of a clothing store. Because you can’t really ask a baby what it would like, you would have to choose something you thought was suitable.

Let’s see why the wise men’s gifts were probably the best gifts they could have given Jesus.
• Gold is a fitting gift for a king. Gold reminds us that Jesus is the King of kings.
• Incense was used in the Temple. The sweet smell of incense reminds us that our prayers and worship are like a sweet smell to the Lord.
• Myrrh is a spice that was used when someone died. This might seem like the strangest gift of all, but it reminds us that Jesus came to earth to die for our sins (see John 3:16 and John 19:39-40).

If you would like to give Jesus the very best gift, let Him have all of you — just as you are.

Verse for today
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 4:11

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

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