Grace Church Kogarah
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Grace Church Kogarah is an independent evangelical church in Kogarah, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The church is located at the corner of Kensington and Premier Streets, near the St George Bank headquarters. The English service is one of several services run at Grace, at 9am every Sunday. Grace Church is also known as Grace Chinese Christian Church or GCCC.
Grace Church believes that the Bible as the inspired Word of God, and that it gives true answers to peoples’ deepest questions and needs. This church preaches the gospel, namely Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and that only through him can people experience forgiveness of sins and receive an eternal life and hope. Its vision is to be a Christ-centred church showing forth the living faith in Jesus, the desire for loving fellowship and the passion for reaching out to a lost world for God’s glory.
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[edit] History of Grace Church
A small group of Chinese Christians who had been meeting in the Kogarah area, organised the Chinese Christian Fellowship (1978) and was led by Rev. John Lu. In 1981 the Rev. Abel Chung commenced a long and fruitful full-time ministry. The church was renamed Grace Chinese Christian Church (1984) and started an English service. The service was served by visiting preachers each week, and by the late 80s the attendance had reached approximately 40. Rev. Keith Noldt started full-time service as a pastor in 1995, retiring on 1 April 2007. Grace Church is looking for a new pastor.
The English congregation has grown over the years and changed as God has graciously called a diverse group of people to faith in Jesus Christ. Today, approximately 130-140 people meet together each week to worship God and people of all nationalities are invited to share in service.
Grace Church's 30th year anniversary celebrations will be held throughout the weekend of 14 June 2008 to 15 June 2008, with a revival meeting to be held on the Saturday night and a combined service in St George Girls' on Sunday morning.
[edit] English Congregation at Grace
The English Congregation adopts the slogan "Reverent Worship – Bible Teaching – Warm Fellowship". In short, the gospel is preached in an environment that mixes the traditional and contemporary elements. It meets at the corner of Kensington & Premier Streets at 9am each Sunday. (Bi-yearly combined services at St George Girls' break the pattern, while Good Friday / Christmas Eve night services add to the pattern). People from all backgrounds are welcome.
[edit] English Congregation in the Community
The English Congregation has been involved in numerous community activities. These include past Kogarah Charity Bed Races, Information Nights such as Global Warming from the Christian Perspective, Picnics, Sports Days, Women's Craft & Food Making Afternoons, and an affiliate relationship with Heart 103.2 in Sydney.
[edit] English Congregation Groups
Many groups meet regularly. The default location is at church unless otherwise shown.
- Sunday School – 11.15am school term Sundays at the side hall.
- 2KOW for High School students – 7.30pm all Fridays during school term at the side hall. Link at the bottom.
- Insight for young adults, but aimed at the 18-24 years age group - 7.30pm all Fridays starting at the side hall, then moving to the recording room. Link at the bottom.
- Young Workers' Group for full-time workers who are yet to have kids - 8pm Thursdays (on/off basis) at the recording room. Come to church to find out which week is the "on" week.
- Home Fellowship Group 1 – 7pm 2nd & 4th Saturdays at peoples’ houses.
- Home Fellowship Group 2 – 8pm 1st & 3rd Fridays at peoples’ houses.
- Home Fellowship Group 4 – 8pm 1st & 3rd Fridays at peoples’ houses.
- GraceWomen – 5pm 2nd Saturdays (variable time).
[edit] Other Congregations at Grace
There are services at Grace to cater to people of different language backgrounds:
- Cantonese Service – 9am Sundays at Princes Highway, Banksia
- Mandarin Service – 9.30am Sundays up the road at St George Community Centre, Premier Street Kogarah
- Bilingual Service – 11.15am Sundays at church.
