December 2021 – January 2022 Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
December 2021 – January 2022 Newsletter
Hope!
Advent is a season of waiting with hope. But what is hope? What makes hope explicitly a Christian thing to do? And what’s so important about hope?
It’s easy to use the word hope the way the world does: to mean a desire or a wishful expectation, but not a certainty. One might say: “I’m not sure what I am getting for Christmas, but I hope to get the latest phone or a certain kitchen appliance.” When used this way, hope signifies uncertainty. But in the Bible, the opposite is true: hope signifies and indicates absolute certainty. Theologian John Piper puts it this way: “Christian hope is a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised it will come to pass.”
Life is full of uncertainties. Will I remain healthy? Will I be able to accept the loss of my loved one? Will I lose my job? How will my kids and grandkids do in a world full of financial pressures? Will I reach my target or the goal I have set? Christians can be no more certain on these matters than anyone else can be. However, we can be certain of God’s promises: God loves us, gives us life through the sacrificial death of Jesus, will welcome us into His ultimate kingdom, will not let anything separate us from His love, works all things for good, will settle things once and for all someday, and the list can go on and on. As Christians, we walk through life with hope because we have confident certainty that God will keep His promises to us and to the entire world. In a world full of uncertainty, Christians rest on a deep foundation of hope.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first two months of 2020, when the world was hit by the deadly virus, we were in a very strange situation and the future was gloomy and full of uncertainties. Governments and political leaders started to talk about the possibility of several months of long pandemic and lockdowns, which caused panic and people started to store food and for some unknown reason, toilet paper. The world was at the brink of facing a great challenge of survival. People all over the world were bombarded with information about this virus and its deadly consequences. The information also talked about the possibility of several waves to hit the world. And so, the last two years, with the several lockdowns, imposed on people and us here in Australia, caused much pain, anxiety and uncertainty for the future.
In that uncertain reality, we needed to have a lifeline to be able to face this challenge. As Christians and people who believe and trust God, our only option to consider as a possible way to survive facing the pandemic, was to believe in God and have the hope, that somehow, we will be able to endure these uncertain times. With hope and anticipation, we kept the faith. And now, here we are emerging out of the despair and misery of the deadly pandemic, because God has promised, and we are ready once again to go into the Advent season, preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and looking forward to a better New Year. Amen!
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
As 2021 is drawing to a close it is timely to reflect on the year. It was a year of lockdowns, vaccinations and restrictions. Thanks to Krikor we could all ‘meet’ each week, sometimes in the church building but often in our own homes. It was the year that Krikor’s ministry with us was extended by another three years. It was the year of our Life and Witness exercise, which is ongoing. Thank you to all those who agreed to be interviewed about their life at St. Andrew’s. The consultation process should be finished before Christmas with a report early next year.
Krikor timed his leave perfectly with the safe arrival of the twins – Mieka and Luca. They arrived a little before the due date but that is quite normal for twins. We look forward to meeting them next year. Our congratulations to Mum, Dad, grandparents and aunties.
Our thanks to Rick and Bob for holding services in Krikor’s absence.
During the year church council was able to meet most months to plan ahead. Sadly, our outreach programs had to be cancelled and our regular hall rentals are still on hold until next year.
Our last movie and pizza evening will be on Tuesday December 14 so please come along and enjoy an evening of hospitality and friendship. There will be no movie in January, we will resume on the first Tuesday of the month, in February.
Local council elections are still on track for December 4. Bridget Kennedy, who is standing for election in Central Ward for the first time, met with us on Wednesday November 10 for a Q&A. We were pleased that 3 visitors came in response to the notice board.
We recently sent $3000 to support the Demirchian family in Artsakh. The family consists of the mother and 9 children, the father was killed in the war.
It’s time to prepare our annual gifts to the Exodus Foundation. Please bring unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food – not rice or pasta please – by December 12. Other options are food vouchers or a direct deposit to Exodus. With so many people are in need, every little bit helps.
Our Christmas services will be on Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm, Christmas Day at 9:00 am and a regular service on Boxing Day followed by a fellowship lunch. On Sunday 12 December Carols Service we will have a special collection to support Street Work. Any donations for the sausage sizzle will also go to Street Work.
Christmas greetings to all and very best wishes for a much brighter new year.
Penny Goodley
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.
THE FUTURE
We will rebuild and recreate a better version of Australia in the decade ahead. Just as generations of farmers, of bushfire-ravaged communities, of freedom-fighting Diggers have done previously. Let our determination to rebuild a better Australia be our legacy, our gift to future generations.
Bernard Salt, Demographer
OUR NATIVE BEE HIVE and THE FRONT GARDEN
The bees are doing well following the recent split of the hive. The other half of the hive has gone to a local school. The native plants have responded well to the tip prune, mulch and the recent rain. Chris, Frank and Penny have weeded and pruned the front garden.
LOCAL ELECTIONS, December 4
As usual our hall will become a polling place. We will have a sale table with jams, cakes and a few books. Donations of cakes, slices and biscuits are most welcome. Because of COVID it will be essential that all goods are securely wrapped or sealed. Please advise people to ‘bring their money with them’ when they come to vote as it will be cash sales only – no click and collect.
Stay well.
Virginia Knowles
LANE COVE MUSIC
We are looking forward to our final concert for the year, our annual Sydney Eisteddfod Pollard Awards, at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 7 December in Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church, Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove. As no tickets will be available at the door, ticket booking is available via the link in the Next Event section on the Home page of Lane Cove Music’s website
Please note that masks, QR code and proof of double vaccination are mandatory. Any enquiries, please phone Chris on 9428 4287.
MOVIE & PIZZA NIGHTS
Tuesday 14 December at 6:30 pm Downton Abbey (2019) – Historical drama set in 1927 following the storyline from the series with many of the original cast. Starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern (115 mins).
Next Movie Night – Tuesday 1 February at 6:30 pm – ‘Song for Marion’
DECEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Dec 2, Thur 7:30 pm – Lower North Shore Zone Uniting Churches
Study Series. The final session.
Dec 5, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Dec 7, Tue 7:30 pm – Lane Cove Music – at LCM Anglican Church –
Sydney Eisteddfod Pollard Awards.
Dec 14, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night ‘Downton Abbey’.
Dec 12, Sun 9:30 am – Carols Service
Dec 12, Sun – Exodus Foundation Food and Gifts all in
Dec 12, Sun – Street Work – Money donation in a bucket
Dec 24, Fri 7:00 pm – Christmas Eve Service on the Lawn
Followed by supper in the Hall
Dec 25, Sat 9:00 am – Christmas Day Service – No Morning Tea
Dec 26, Sun 11:00 am – Fellowship Meal after Morning Tea
JANUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Jan 2, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
FEBRUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Feb 1, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night ‘Song for Marion’
Feb 2, Wed 10:00 am – Time4U resumes and every Wednesday
Feb 6, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Feb 9, Wed 12:30 am – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Feb 13, Sun – NCLS Survey after Church service
Feb 27, Sun – Congregational Meeting after Church Service
To contact Krikor call on 0418 417 411
standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740
Church Website