April – May Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
April – May 2024 Newsletter
EASTER’S SIGNIFICANCE
Dear Friends,
Easter has arrived earlier this year than normal and has likely caught some of us off guard. As I reflect on our society, I’m sad that so many people will miss out on seeing the significance and joy of that first Easter.
The Easter weekend has become a time for people to go on holiday, get jobs done around the house or go watch the footy. I find myself wondering if the same goes not only for non-believers but also believers too. These aren’t bad things to do of course, but it’s sad if they crowd out the greater joy that the cross and empty grave offer. Personally, I know that sometimes I’ve missed out on that too. Yet the simple things of going to church on Easter Sunday and reflecting on the Bible continue to remind me just what good news Easter is.
This last week I’ve been reflecting on Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians chapter 15, that astonishing chapter about Christ’s resurrection (and ours). In our Journey Through series on 1 Corinthians, David Gibbs writes that “the resurrection is not an optional extra, but essential to the faith. If there is no resurrection, that means Jesus is dead, not alive.” He goes on to write about the hope we can have today about our future bodies: “Our bodies, which are linked to Adam, ‘the first man’, are of the earth and will die. But, as we are now linked to Jesus, ‘the heavenly man’, we will inherit His spiritual nature and, ultimately, His resurrected body.”
Reflecting on these truths once more has been so encouraging to me. It’s made me realise the daily need to reflect on the truth of Christ’s resurrection and what it means to us. I imagine I’m not alone in failing to think about it enough.
This Easter let’s pray for the Lord to remind us of the wonder of the cross and resurrection and may we help others see the joy that’s on offer.
Let me close with these words from 1 Corinthians 15:52: “…in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
What a future we have in Christ!
Reflection by Terry Shearer
Executive Director Daily Bread Ministries
EASTER PRAYER
God of Resurrection, we believe in Your Love – Your Love created the world. We believe in Your Love – Your Love sent Jesus to live with us on earth. We believe in Your Love – Your Love sent the Holy Spirit to breathe life through us. Amen!
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
After many months the roof of the church building has finally been fixed! No more squeaks from the whirlybird and no more buckets to catch the drips. The ridge capping and the broken tiles have been replaced and the gutters cleaned. Also, our old hot water tanks were replaced with two new ones, free of charge by the initiative of the government.
The new tenants were responsible for the damage to the Manse fence, and they will repair it.
If you go onto the stage in the War Memorial Hall, you will see the baby grand piano of the piano teacher Lucine next door in the small hall. This will be used by the music students when they give their fundraising concerts later this year and we are free to use it free of charge and will be maintained by her with no obligations to us. The piano was first played to an audience, when Zela Margossian entertained us at the Annual AMAA Fundraising event on 17 March. This event was to raise funds for the ARTSAKH people who were forced out from their homes and are now refugees in Armenia. Please consider a donation to our own church appeal either by direct deposit or the Sunday offering plate.
We hope that we never have to administer CPR to another person, but we know it is truly lifesaving. On Friday 3 May there will be a refresher course conducted by Royal Life Saving NSW ACT Tas in our Hall. The course takes one hour 1:30 – 2:30 pm and is completely free. If you are interested in coming to this event, please add your name to the clipboard in the foyer. We will be inviting other congregations and there is a limit of 40.
It is lovely to have fresh flowers in the church on Sundays. There is not an official roster, but please think about offering to provide flowers to remember loved ones or for a special celebration. This can be noted in the Order of Service.
On 20 March, thanks to Rev. Gaby from Bankstown Uniting Church, we had a lovely day out on a bus trip to Wentworth Falls Lake. Morning Tea was at Jamisontown Trench Reserve Park beside the Nepean River. Krikor wore his Outback BBQ Chefs hat and apron when he cooked the sausages and onions at the lake, and we rounded off the day with coffee and cakes at a very good German Cafe called Shwartz in Wentworth Falls.
Mark will be on leave from 2 April until 28 May, back on duty at the organ on 9 June. We wish Mark and Barb a safe and wonderful trip across Canada.
Krikor will be on leave from 8 – 22 May with Dee to attend their daughter Lori’s graduation from New York University with a Masters Degree, in Health and Environment Journalism.
Before you ask – Market Morning will go ahead this year!
Penny Goodley
We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it!
TIME 4 U, Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Time 4U is held every Wednesday from 10-12 noon. We are pleased to continue viewing the excellent series Backroads and go to the Lane Cove Library once a month for a musical talk.
Cost: $5 for home-made morning tea and a welcoming and friendly time amongst friends.
PIZZA AND MOVIE NIGHT – First Tuesday of the month – since Dec 2011!
2 April. The movie will be The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society (2018). The film is based on the historical novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows that was published in 2008, featuring Lily James as Juliet Ashton and Matthew Goode as Sidney Stark. After the Second World War, Juliet Ashton, a writer, decides to write a book about the residents of Guernsey Island. However, Juliet’s life changes completely after she visits that island. (124 mins)
7 May. Hachi – A Dog’s Tale (2009). The true story of a professor and his devoted dog, starring Richard Gere and Joan Allen. (97mins)
4 June. Five flights Up (2014). An American comedy/drama about life, love and real estate, starring Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton. (92 mins)
Come along and enjoy what is the best value dinner and movie combo in town!
Cost $12. Please bring your own drinks.
Bookings essential: 9428 4287/9427 4740
MOTHER’S DAY FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
On Sunday 5 May 2024 at 12:00 noon we will have a Fellowship Lunch to remember our mothers and honour them. If you wish to attend, please register your name on the booking sheet. The cost of the food will be shared.
TRIP TO NOWRA
We have organised a trip to Nowra – Shoalhaven Heads 27 May to 3 June 2024. If interested put your name down and talk to Penny for more information.
LANE COVE MUSIC
The second concert for 2024, entitled Noël Coward Master of the Arts, will be held on Tuesday 14 May at 7:30 pm in Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church, 19 Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove. Join John Martin, an extraordinarily diverse musician – pianist, accompanist and composer as he combines acting, poetry, music and singing, to present a delicious glimpse into the world of Noël Coward, for an evening you will long remember.
Annual subscriptions are $90, or $55 for pensioners, or $30 for single tickets.
Further information about becoming a member and our 2024 concert season is available on our website: www.lanecovemusic.org.au
Enquiries: Chris Butters 9428 4287
OUR BANK DETAILS
Thank you for depositing money into the church bank account by EFT.
If convenient for you, you are welcome to continue. We bank with Westpac BSB 032 085, a/c 810147.
APRIL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Apr 2, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society””
Apr 3, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
Apr 7, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Apr 17, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
MAY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
May 1, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
May 3, Fri 1:30 pm – Senior Lifesaving Skills Refresher
May 5, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
May 5, Sun 12:00 noon – Mother’s Day Fellowship Meal
May 7, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night “Hachi–A Dog’s Tale”
May 8, Wed – Krikor on leave to 22 May
May 19, Sun 10:00 am – Pentecost Service at St. Aidan’s Anglican
May 27, Mon 8:00 am – Trip to Nowra
JUNE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
June 2, Sun 10:00 pm – Join Crows Nest Uniting for Worship
June 4, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night “Five Flights Up”
June 5, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
June 9, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
June 13, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
June 23, Sun 9:30 am – UCA Anniversary Combined Service with LCU
with Communion here at Longueville
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To contact Krikor call on 0418 417 411
standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740
Church Website
http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au