Sunday 11th September 2016

“Experiencing the love and life of Christ through vibrant and life changing communities and creative partnerships.”

Sunday’s service was conducted by Rev. Ann Simons. This service included the Commissioning Adrienne Cathcart and Robyn Eastwood as Elders. The service theme was “to be found by God” and the story of the lost sheep was read. Ann told the story of her last parish where she had suggested change to the service – even going to the pub for a service and to the local market. In Luke (Chapter 15 V 1-10) Jesus is sitting and eats with sinners and people notice. The Pharisees say that “this fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them” Jesus shares the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. They raise questions of who is lost and what it means to be welcomed by Christ. We are lost, not knowing how much God seeks and comes to us. We are precious to God and he comes searching for us. Like the sheep and the coin we are continually found. The shepherd searches for one sheep and the woman searches for the one coin. As the church we are urged to join in the searching and our role is to be welcoming.

Please note that Beehive Craft, Playgroup, Homework Hub and Martha’s Mothers Group do not operate during school holidays. (Holidays are3 19^th September – 2^nd October.)

Rev. Ann has reported that she is chairing the Presbytery Mission Development Committee which is a challenging role. They are currently working on a resource to assist congregations in discerning their Mission. Ann is also a Presbytery Rep on BOMAR (Board of Mission and Resources). They are currently assessing applications for Debt Relief. We have applied for this as we would like to reduce our monthly repayments so that funds can be made available for other uses such as providing funds for the many programs we are now running in the church.

We welcome Rev. Ineke Giles as part of our Officer Pakenham Mission Area Council.

The Friendship Group met this week and packed 23 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. There is nearly enough money for the postage, but not quite so if you would still like to contribute please see Pauline. This is a great initiative. The boxes we send go to Cambodia.

Homework Hub is held each Tuesday 3.30 – 5.30pm. You are welcome to drop in at any time to assist with the meal or do some reading with the children. Kirsty Simons is organising this and really could do with some help. Please remember you will need a Working With Children Check. See Olive for assistance with this. The Safe Mothers, Safe Children program is also operating with Martha Mai leading this.

We are ordering new Uniting Church name tags. Please see Wendy if you would like one. Cost $11.

Confirmation classes for older youth Sunday 11th September. (Also 25/09, 9/10, 23/10. Confirmation service 6^th November) Please speak with Rev Ann or Julie if you would like to come. The response to these Confirmation Classes has been fabulous. Julie Waters and Tony (a parent) are preparing a “jam” session for each session. A generous donation from a parishioner means we are able to purchase some musical equipment. A meal is shared at the end of these sessions.

Messy Church meets on Saturdays from 5.00 – 7.00pm. Future dates are September 24^th, October 22^nd and November 19^th.

Donation jars are 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 14^th September 2.00pm               Singing group practice.

Friday 16th September 10.00am                     MECWA Drop In lunch Pauline Grey and Rieky Volders

Sunday 18^th September 8.45am                      Officer Service: Rev. Ann Simons

Sunday 18th September10.00am                    Pakenham Service: Rev Ann Simons

Sunday 18^th September 11.00am                    Morning Tea: Chris Mountford and Mary Hopkins . Washing up assistance always appreciated

Coming events

Wednesday 21^st September 10.00am              Messy Church meeting

Wednesday 21^st September 1.30pm               Millhaven service.

Saturday 24^th September 5.00 – 7.00pm         Messy Church

“O Lord you have searched me and known me” Psalm 139 V1