Gazette
Sunday 24th July 2016
“Experiencing the love and life of Christ through vibrant and life changing communities and creative partnerships.”
Rev Ann Simons conducted Sunday’s service with the theme “prayer”. She asked the congregation to talk to each other about when they pray. Who taught you how to pray was one of her questions. She also asked us if our prayers are not answered and why not. How do we feel about it? Ann told us her story of prayer. Her grandmother prayed each night and Ann began a life of prayer. In the Bible the Disciples see Jesus praying and ask him to teach them to pray. Jesus develops the prayer into a parable and taches them to call God Father. The words “Our Father” makes us all one family. Acknowledging God as the sovereign is important and then we are able to ask for our requests. We ask God to deliver us and save us. Jesus’ parable of a neighbour asking for bread, late at night shows the request for hospitality. Jesus says ask, seek, knock and it will be given to you. Sometimes in spite of prayers people around the world still are faced with hunger, disease, violence and disasters. There is no simple answers to this. Luke’s gospel tells us that we have to continue to trust God’s purpose in the world.
Thank you to all who helped in any way with Mary Bramley’s funeral service. A great joint effort.
Did you see the pictures of our Playgroup in last week’s Pakenham Gazette? Check them out.
Next Sunday Rev Paul Bartlett from Uniting World brings news of what we are doing in partnership with our sister churches throughout UnitingWorld. After morning tea a DVD will be shown and then we will have a shared lunch. Please bring a plate to share.
Congratulations to Nathaniel Atem who was ordained on Sunday July 24th at Springvale. He now awaits his placement at St Andrew’s Uniting Church Orbost.
Messy Church meets on Saturdays from 5.00 – 7.00pm. Future dates are August 27th, September 24th, October 22nd and November 19th.
Friendship Group will meet on Wednesday 3rd August at 1.30pm with Rev Ann joining to tell of her trip to Spain where she walked the El Camino trail.
SHARE Winter Appeal has started. This is a way of assisting local families and children who are hungry, homeless or in crisis. Every donation goes directly to help with no administration costs taken. Brochures available in the foyer.
Calendars 2017 available in the foyer from Cardinia Interfaith Network. Please take ONE.
A Legends Showcase night starring Mark Andrews Saturday September 10th 7.30pm This is a fundraiser for the John Mc Foundation, supporters of future projects at Pakenham Uniting.
In the foyer is a box for items for Operation Christmas Child who provide shoe boxes to children in undeveloped countries. There is a list on the box of the type of items to place in the box. You can also donate money as each box costs $9 to pack and send. Take a brochure which explains the program. To assist with funding the boxes a “Special Project Dollar Box” will be available to take any spare coins you may have.
Don’t forget the donation jars in the foyer for “Fellowship of the Least Coin”, “4Cs Combined Christian Churches” who support people locally and “Lexi Waters”. Also a tin for Asylum Seekers. If you have spare coins please consider these containers.
Pew sheet information can be left in the folder in the kitchen by Thursday pm, phoned to her 0407506662 or missglynis@bigpond.com
This week:
Wednesday 27th July 9.30am Elders meeting
Thursday 28th July 2.30pm Meadowvale Service (Baptist)
Friday 29th July 10.00am MECWA Drop In lunch Pauline Grey and Rieky Volders
Sunday 31st July 10.00am Pakenham Service: Rev. Paul Bartlett. Liturgist Margaret McKay
Sunday 31st July 11.00am Morning Tea: Bev Smith and Wilma Coleman. Washing up assistance always appreciated
Tuesday 2nd August 10.00 – Noon Beehive Craft
Tuesday 2nd August 10.00 – Noon Playgroup
Coming events
Wednesday 3rd August 1.30pm Singing Group Practice
Wednesday 3rd August 1.30pm Friendship Group
Saturday 27th August 5.00 – 7.00pm Messy Church
Saturday 10th September 7.30pm Legends Showcase.
“How wonderful it is, how pleasant for God’s people to live together in harmony.” Psalm 133 V1