2023
“Lake Macquarie Mayor’s Prayer Evening.”
On the 27 October 200 people from Lake Macquarie churches, charities, schools and businesses to share a meal with each other and the mayor of Lake Macquarie, Kay Fraser. It was the fourth Lake Macquarie Mayor’s Prayer Evening since the event was established in 2019. The theme of the night was ‘we are one’. Prayer, worship and generousity came together to bring the people of Lake Macquarie before the Lord and ask for His blessing over the region.
“How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, Flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.” Psalm 133: 1-3
JASON ALEXANDER
The master of ceremonies for the evening was Jason Alexander the Pastor of The Local Church. Jason brought the event together with a small team including Bel Lindgren from New Vine Lake Baptist Church.
CHARLTON CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Students from Charlton Christian College assisted in hosting the evening.
COMBINED CHURCHES WORSHIP TEAM
Worship was led by Joel Proctor from C3 Victory Church, supported by artists from Lake Mac churches. Songs included, ‘We Are One’, the National Anthem, and ‘What a Beautiful Name’.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
The Acknowledgement of Country was brought by Rev Canon Di Langham the Director of Reconciliation for the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.
GRACE & PRAYER FOR CHURCHES
Grace and prayers for the churches of Lake Macquarie was brought by Pastor Mindy Newsome from Macquarie Life Church. A prayer for unity over the churches of Lake Macquarie was brought.
Prayer for civic Leaders
Pastor Craig Sparrow from Gateway Church Pelican brought prayers for mayor Kay Fraser and all civic leaders that they might have unity in purpose to connect our city.
BENEFICIARY
Each year a beneficiary of the evening is chose by a group that includes church representatives, students and the mayor or her representative. In 2023 the chosen winner was Gateway Care and the award was accepted by the programs coordinators David and Roxanne Bower. Funds are donated by the guests on the evening, in 2023 they raised $8,645.
Total Gifts since 2019
Since 2019 a total of $44,490 has been donatedd by the guests of the event:
- 2019 – Survivors R Us received $10,000
- 2020 – Due to covid not held
- 2021 Healing Path to Wellness $9,445
- 2022 Our Backyard $16,400
- 2023 Gateway Care $8,645
PRAYER FOR BENEFICIARY
Pastor Matt Brown from Hunter Baptist Churches prayed for the beneficiary, the marginalised and charities that assist. His prayer was for unity in love for our neighbour and compassion to those in need.
Prayer for Community & Families
We are One!
The theme of the evening was ‘We are One”!
Special guest speaker Aunty Donna Meehan is respected and loved for her courage and grace through a life journey that has included being part of the ‘stolen generation’.
She shared how “truth telling” is an important part of being one.
She shared her pain and the challenges that she has faced to reach a place of forgiveness and reconciliation. Her testimony is one of absolute faith in the love and mercy of Jesus Christ in the midst of the struggle.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God’s favor to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of
heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
PRAYER FOR FAMILIES
Pastor Steve Troyer from New Vine Lakes Baptist Church led prayer for unity in our community and in families.
CORPORATE PRAYER OF DECLARATION & BLESSING
Mark Ash the Principal of Charlton Christian College led all those present in a corporate prayer of declaration and blessing for the people of Lake Macquarie.
BENEDICTION
Pastor Rick Prosser the founder of the breakfast and chairman of Kingdomworks closed the gathering in a benediction.
Prayer of Declaration & Blessing
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your great love for us and your heart for all your creation.
We thank you for your Holy Spirit that unites us and your grace that saves us.
We believe your heart for us is that we would be one,together in unity.
We believe you have a commanded blessing over the unity of your church.
We ask that our hearts would reflect your heart for our city& it’s people.
We ask that in unity we would be one with the compassionate heart of Jesus Christ.
Together in Unity to shine a light into every dark place.
Together in Unity to speak hope into every place of hopelessness.
Together in Unity in our hearts to stand together as one in this city.
Together in Unity to reflect and represent your Kingdom here on earth.
Together in Unity to pray and work together for thewelfare of our city.
We honour you over our place, this city! You, Lord, areforever exalted!
God be glorified in us and throughout this city.
In Jesus name
Amen
Aunty Donna & Pastor Roz Zaia
Aunty Donna & Charlton Students
Anglican Church Guests & Donna
2023 Gathering Snapshot (1 min)