WEST EPPING UNITING CHURCH · from the act of murder and terrorism. ... Daffodil Day Services,...
Transcript of WEST EPPING UNITING CHURCH · from the act of murder and terrorism. ... Daffodil Day Services,...
A QUOTE FOR TODAY
This is where I meet Love, Love given to me,
Agape. Love as a gift received. I am standing on
a barren cliff clothed in sorrow. This is the fight for
life against death. This is where east meets west,
north meets south. This is where the tree of life is
replanted. This is where the red blood of love flows,
and where the tree starts blooming again. A
place where love waters the parched earth. ’God
loved the world so much that he gave his only
Son.’ (John 3:16)
I look up to the tortured face of my Saviour, and
see love itself crucified for me. The suffering gaze
of my Saviour encompasses also me, a sinner. His
eyes tell me: Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace,
bless all that is alive. Live to free, reconcile and
heal. Agape’s mysterious expression is in the
Holy Communion the Holy Eucharist.
(Bishop Martin Lönnebo)
Our Vision: We are people sent to share the love,
hope and compassion of Jesus Christ with
all the world
WEST EPPING UNITING CHURCH
COLOUR OF LOVE
This morning as I was leaving home, I saw a very big love
heart drawn on the brick wall of my neighbour’s garage. One
of the children from the other residence was standing with
chalk in her hand using different colours to fill in each one of
the bricks inside the heart on the wall. I asked her why she
chose to use different colours rather than just one red chalk for
the whole heart. She said, “Well it’s a little silly to use one
colour for your heart. The trees are green, and the sea is blue.
They all have different coloured hearts.” As I reflected upon
her wise words. I thought about “Agape” the Greek word that
enables some expression of God’s love.
The term is popular in the vocabulary of the Christian church
but it does not mean it is properly understood. Both the Greek
and Latin attempts to translate what Agape stands to
represent, but they suffer from the lack of precise words to
encompass its idea. In the New Testament the term is
frequently used in different stages where its meaning will be
determined by the context of word in the sentence. The
depth of the concept of Agape for us today is fully seen in the
person of Jesus Christ. His birth, life and ministry, sacrificial
death and resurrection all of this cannot be explained apart
from the concept of Agape. Thinking about Jesus’ ministry in
the world he received all people for who they were, Jesus
didn’t need to change his views or to learn about a minority
group so that he could love them. But rather he loved them
because he is the very source of love.
Thinking back to my conversation with the young person this
morning she’s pointed out agape (God’s love), is about
giving/sacrificial love to others whether the colour of their heart
is blue or green. We love others the way they are rather than
the way we want them to be. My preference of a one
coloured heart may represent, that sometimes in life that’s
how we see things. My young neighbour and the trouble that
the New Testaments writers faced reminds us God’s love
cannot be encompassed into some precise terms nor can it
be tamed into one colour. “My command is this: Love each
other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi
Sunday 6 May 2018
Welcome 환영합니다
സവ്ാഗതം 欢迎 Ki ora Malo ē lelei
PRAYER POINTS
While the royal commission into the banks takes
place. Let us remember those who have been
affected by major corporations.
Pray for those in the corporation’s top roles who are
taking the fall for their organisations.
Pray for the housing crisis in Hobart and other
places.
Pray for world leaders to cancel all nuclear
programs.
Pray for the families of those who have lost their lives
from the act of murder and terrorism.
Remember those who are affected by climate
change.
Pray for the custodianship of the earth.
Pray for peace in our world.
Pray for West Epping Uniting Church and all other
denominations in our community.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which we gather, the Wallumedegal people of the
Eora nation and give thanks for their care of the land over many generations.
Sunday Morning Worship ~ 8am & 10am
Today, Ruth Budge will complete her service to this community as
our regular organist. Ruth and her husband Cliff (now deceased)
have served West Epping as our organists for many years. This year,
2018, marks Ruth’s 40th year as an organist in this congregation.
This is an extraordinary commitment!
Thank you, Ruth, for being here to play every Sunday, including the
Christmas–New Year holiday period, for playing during our
numerous Ecumenical Services, for Ash Wednesday, Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Mid-Week
Communion, Together Services, Daffodil Day Services, numerous
funeral services, weddings and all those other special times.
Paul writes to the people of Ephesus with these words: “Sing and
make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to
God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (Ephesians 5: 15-20).
Ruth, your exemplary contribution to this congregation has enabled
us all to do just this.
Thank you!
PRAYER GROUP ~ If you would like prayer for
yourself or for others please contact Lois Rees,
Helen Campbell, Annabelle Avern or Rev John
Barr who convene a weekly Prayer Group each
Thursday in the Cottage 12.15-1.00pm. During
this time we pray for all members of the West
Epping Community and for the
needs of others.
New members of the Prayer Group
are always welcome.
COTTAGE CAFE ~ Join us this Thursday, 10 May,
in the Cottage at 2pm for Cottage Café. This is
an informal gathering for everyone over
a cuppa. Come and join us for a good
chat, some excellent fellowship and
some nice food. Bring a friend!
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP ~ Monday 14 May at
6.30pm followed by speaker at 7.45pm
Speaker will be Oliver Fried, Program Technical
Director, Sydney Metro Product and Integration.
This is a very interesting time for Sydney Metro,
with North West Link on time and within budget,
Epping – Chatswood Conversion starting, and
Metro expansion around Sydney.
All welcome to hear the speaker at 7.45pm.
Dinner Bookings to: Bruce Elliott 0438 180 342 or
John Planner 0419 747 100
FRIDAY DISCOVERY ~ Group for Seniors
Friday 18 May, 10am. All welcome! Join us for
morning tea, followed by our speaker Rev Bruce
Noble, who will tell us stories of his interesting
ministry over many years.
Enquiries: Joan Ross 9873 3713
ASCENSION DAY
This coming Thursday, 10th May, is Ascension
Day. This important day marks the
celebration of Christ ascending into heaven
after his death, burial and resurrection. It
occurs on the Thursday 40 days after Easter.
The story of Jesus’ Ascension is told in Luke
24:49, Mark 16:19 and Acts 1:3, 9. Putting these accounts
together, we find that after his resurrection, Jesus appeared several
times to His disciples and others. During this time, Jesus spoke to
them further about the kingdom of God and the coming of the
Holy Spirit, for whom they were to wait. After 40 days of these
appearances, Jesus ascended. As the disciples watched him go,
two angels appeared and declared to them that, just as he
ascended, Jesus would return in glory.
In another ten days’ time we will encounter Pentecost. On this day,
Sunday 20th May, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit as
recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2.
LAST SUNDAY ~ Thank you to everyone who
contributed to last Sunday’s visit of the Moderator,
Rev Simon Hansford. This was a very worthwhile
time and Simon shared some challenging
insights with us.
A special thank you to the Welcome and
Hospitality Team and all those who organised the
morning tea. Well done!
NEXT SUNDAY ~ During the 10am Worship
Service next Sunday, 13th May, Adrian and
Radhika Sukumar-White will bring their new child,
Anna Priya, for Dedication and Blessing.
Please join us on this special occasion to support
Adrian and Radhika and to give thanks for Anna.
THANKS FROM STEPS WITH HOPE Our Mother’s Day High Tea held last weekend was once again a
great success and I would like to thank everyone on behalf of the
Steps with Hope team and the children at the Thai Cambodia
school for your attendance and support. For the first time we
received some financial donations and this helped to raise our
overall profits to approximately $9000 for the event. This will go a
long way to continuing our support of the school. Thanks to all who
helped make this happen – we are blessed with an amazingly
faithful team here at WEUC. I am so thankful.
Jen Spoor
Thanks to all for your prayers,
visits, cards and ‘phone calls
during my recent illness. They
are very much appreciated.
Dennis Rolinson
WEUC is committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abuse.
John 15:9-17
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you
keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept
my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these
things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be
complete.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you
servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master
is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to
you everything that I have heard from my Father.
You did not choose me but I chose you. And I
appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will
last, so that the Father will give you whatever you
ask him in my name. I am giving you these
commands so that you may love one another.
John 15:9-17
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH
During the month of May we are encouraged to consider issues around domestic
and family violence, to raise awareness of the social and personal impacts of this
issue and to highlight support that is available to those affected.
Last Tuesday Candlelight Vigils took place across Australia to remember women
and children who have lost their lives as a result of family violence. These vigils
also called on people to speak out and to seek support.
Australian women are most likely to experience physical and sexual violence
in their home, at the hands of a former or current male partner.
15% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence from an
ex-partner (the most likely type of known perpetrator for a female victim).
For 62% of the women who have experienced physical assault by a male
perpetrator, the most recent incident was in their home.
In 2016, a woman in Australia was killed by a current or former male partner
nearly every week.
For assistance:
1800 RESPECT: ph 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au
Domestic Violence Line: ph 1800 656 643 www.domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au/
Life Line: ph 13 11 14
“There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and
communities: violence against women and children is never acceptable,
never excusable, never tolerable.” (Former UN Sec-Gen, Ban Ki-moon)
WOMENS CONFERENCE BRISBANE ~ 27 September to 30 September
This conference is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather with other Uniting
Church Women from across Australia – from rural and city areas, and our own
indigenous women. It is hoped that this conference will be truly multicultural, and
reflect the diverse and wonderful membership of our Uniting Church.
The cut off for early-bird registrations is 31 May ~ Cost $249.
Cost $299 after 31 May. Let Lois or Erica know if you are interested.
How good it would be to have a large group from West Epping attend!
Please give this prayerful thought.
Lois Rees, Erica Harrison, Jan Dale
Ladies Fellowship request the
pleasure of your company at the
ROYAL WEDDING CELEBRATIONS
on Tuesday 15 May 7.45pm
Bring any Royal memorabilia or
special wedding photos to share on
the night
Dress: best wedding gear,
mother of the bride/groom outfits,
tiara’s lots of ‘bling’ or just come as
you are! It’s sure to be a fun night.
All ladies welcome.
Enquiries: Lyn MacGregor 9871
5701 President Ladies Fellowship
Thank you to everyone
who donated to our Lenten Journey
projects.
$1393.33 was received for The
Orphans & Vulnerable Children
Project in Mwandi
$1690.23 was received for
Steps with Hope
$863.34 was received for Syria –
Act for Peace
Ministry Team Rev John Barr 0457 879 099 Rev Radhika Sukumar-White (on maternity leave) Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi (Lofa) 0403 283 756
Office Administrator Helen Tattersall 9868 3574 Safe Church Contact Person Erica Harrison 9873 3989
Church Office 35 Orchard St Epping 2121 p: 9868 3574
Office Hours Monday to Thursday 8.30am—3.00pm Friday 8.30am—12.30pm Email [email protected] Website weppinguca.org.au Facebook facebook.com/weppinguniting WEUC Bank Account Westpac BSB 032 081 Account 961263
What’s on this week!
West Epping Uniting Church uses information and news provided by its members, adherents and officers for the
purposes of conducting its pastoral ministry. In the course of that ministry, material published in this bulletin may reach an audience wider than the membership of
the congregation.
Thursday 10 May ~ Ascension Day
Sunday 13 May ~ Mothers Day
Tuesday 15 May ~ Mid-week Communion, 10am
Sunday 20 May ~ Pentecost
Sunday 27 May ~ Trinity Sunday
Sunday 27 May ~ Service of Healing, 4pm
Wednesday 11 July ~ Lamington drive
Saturday 22 September ~ Mystery bus tour
Thursday 27 September—30 September ~ Uniting
Women’s Conference, Brisbane
Diary Dates
West Epping Uniting Church is a member of an Ecumenical Covenant
with the Anglican Parish of Epping,
the Catholic Parish of Epping and
Carlingford, Epping Baptist Church and
Epping Uniting Church.
For Pastoral Care needs
please contact:
Rev John Barr 0457 879 099
Serving next Sunday 13 May
Monday 7 May 10.00am 10.00am
English Conversation Classes KYB
Tuesday 8 May 9.30am Men’s Shed at Arrunga
Wednesday 9 May 9.30am 9.45am 7.30pm
Men’s Shed at Arrunga mainly music Aspergers Support Group
Thursday 10 May
9.30am 9.30am 10.00am 12.15pm 2.00pm
Men’s Shed at Arrunga Playgroup Thursday Craft Prayer Group Cottage Cafe
Saturday 12 May 4.00pm CSI
Sunday 13 May 8.00am 10.00am
Worship Worship : JAM for children
8.00am 10.00am
Welcomers Anne Jeffery, Jan
Watson, Lorraine Jones Joan Ross
Helen Elvery
Stewards Ralph Cadman Ian Tredinnick
George Esplin, Helen Davey Wes Gibbons
Ministers Assistant Margaret Leivesley Peter Brown
Reader Alison Anderson Phil Chapple
Prayer Ministry John Planner Helen Campbell
Prayers for Others Jan Venn-Brown Jan Venn-Brown
Sound/Computer Eric Lye Morris Ross, Mabel Li
Flowers Annabelle Avern
MELANOMA INFORMATION NIGHT Monday 14 May ~ 6pm to 7.30pm
A short information session aiming to bridge the gap ,
knowledge, and address questions and
misconceptions regarding melanoma. Many Doctors
and Professors will be taking part.
At Westmead Hospital
Lecture Theatre 2, Level 2 Education Block
RSVP 8890 5686 See flyer on notice board in foyer
A SERVICE OF HEALING will be held on Sunday
27 May at 4.00 pm in the Cottage.
You are warmly invited to attend as we seek God’s
wholeness together.
Worship and Faith Development Team