February – March 2022 Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
February – March 2022 Newsletter
About Prayer
“Devote yourself to prayer”
Many of the Scriptures are occupied with the subject of prayer, either with providing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promise. We barely open the Bible before we read, “At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.” (Gen. 4:26) And just as we finish the Bible, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” greets our eyes (Rev. 22:20). Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and a David who called upon his God with all his heart. On the mountain we see Elias [Elijah], in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and innumerable promises. What do these teach us? —The sacred importance and necessity of prayer. We can be certain that whatever God made prominent in His Word, He intended to be obvious in our lives. A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Christ (1 Cor. 15:18). It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father’s face, and live in your Father’s love. Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that you may be an example and a blessing unto others, and that you may live more to the glory of your Master. The motto for this year must be: “Devote yourself to prayer”.
“Pray one for another” (James 5:16)
As an encouragement cheerfully to offer intercessory prayer, remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character. In all the incense, which our Great High Priest now puts into the golden container, there is not a single grain for Himself. His intercession must be the most acceptable of all supplications—and the more our prayer is as Christ’s, the sweeter it will be. Thus, while petitions for ourselves will be accepted, our pleadings for others, having in them more of the fruits of the Spirit, (Gal. 5:22) more love, more faith, more brotherly kindness will be the sweetest oblation that we can offer to God, the very fat of our sacrifice through the precious merits of Jesus. Remember, again, that intercessory prayer is exceedingly prevalent. What wonders it has wrought! The Word of God teems with its marvellous deeds. Believer, you have a mighty engine in your hand. Use it well. Use it constantly. Use it with faith, and you will surely be a benefactor to your brethren. When you have the King’s ear, speak to Him for the suffering members of His body. When you are favoured to draw very near to His throne, and the King says to you, “Ask, and I will give you what thou wilt,” let your petitions be not for yourself alone, but for the many who need His aid. If you have grace at all, and are not an intercessor, that grace must be small as a grain of mustard seed. You have just enough grace to float your soul clear from the quicksand, but you have no deep floods of grace, or else you would carry in your joyous bark a weighty cargo of the wants of others, and you would bring back from your Lord rich blessings for them, which, they might not have obtained had it not been for you.
“Oh, let my hands forget their skill,
My tongue be silent, cold, and still,
This bounding heart forget to beat,
If I forget the mercy-seat!”
Charles H. Spurgeon
From the books Morning by Morning – January 2 and Evening by Evening – February 6
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
Happy New Year to all, one that we sincerely hope and pray will be better than 2021. It will be wonderful when we can sing in church and resume our activities in the hall. Thanks to Krikor we could all ‘meet’ each week, sometimes in the church building but often in our own homes. Thanks once again to Bob for his words of wisdom during Krikor’s leave.
We were all distressed to learn that Krikor had contracted COVID in January, meaning that he took 2 weeks of sick leave and a further 2 weeks of annual leave. We have not heard of anyone else who has contracted this virus. Let’s hope it remains that way.
The Life and Witness exercise is not complete. Thank you to all those who agreed to be interviewed about their life at St. Andrew’s. The consultation process is almost finished, and we should have a report early this year.
The NCLS survey will take place on Sunday February 13, following the worship service.
Our interim congregation meeting will be held on Sunday February 27, following the worship service. At the meeting we will ask if you wish to continue supporting the Demirchian family in Artsakh or perhaps a different family.
Our first movie and pizza evening will be on Tuesday March 1, so please come along and enjoy an evening of hospitality and friendship. There was no movie in February as Krikor was on leave.
Thank you to those who donated gifts and food to the Exodus foundation. So many people are in need, every little bit helps.
Our Christmas services were on Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm, Christmas Day at 9:00 am and a regular service on Boxing Day followed by a most successful fellowship lunch. On Christmas Eve there was a special collection to support Street Work. $500 was sent to them in January.
Here’s to a much brighter 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.
PIZZA AND MOVIE NIGHT, First Tuesday of the month
Our first movie for 2022 on Tuesday 1 March will be Song for Marion (PG) (2013), A heart-warming story about living life to the full. A comedy-drama starring Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton, Christopher Eccleston & Vanessa Redgrave (90 mins).
Cost: $10. Bookings are essential for catering purposes on 9428 4287.
Please BYO drinks.
TIME 4 U, Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Time 4U is recommencing on Wednesday 2 March at 10:00 am. We look forward to welcoming our regulars and all newcomers.
If you need transport or have any questions, please call Frank on 9427 3215.
Cost: $5 for homemade morning tea and a welcoming and friendly morning amongst friends.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – March 4
World Day of Prayer will be held this year at St. Giles Anglican Church, Greenwich at 10:30 am on Friday 4 March. The Order of Service has been compiled by church women from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All welcome!
LANE COVE MUSIC
We are looking forward to a full year of 6 concerts following the last two difficult years. Fortunately, in 2021 we were able to hold 2 concerts which were ‘sold out’ and much enjoyed.
Our concert dates for 2022 are: 15 March, 10 May, 21 June, 9 August, 11 October and 29 November. Our first concert at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 15 March in Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church will feature pianist John Martin and violinist, Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich with an entertaining concert of music and anecdotes from classical to ragtime to contemporary. The subscription for a year of 6 concerts remains amazing value at $80, (Concession $50) or individual tickets at $25 each. Due to COVID seating numbers, subscriptions and bookings must be made in advance, via our website, as no tickets will be available at the door. https://lanecovemusic.org.au
LOCAL ELECTIONS – December 4
You will recall that Bridget Kennedy came to our hall for a Q&A prior to the elections. She is now our Deputy Mayor, so we have a friend on council.
OUR NATIVE BEEHIVE 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.
THOUGHT FOR THE LITTLE ONES
“My imagination was very much my toy chest”.
David Droga, highly successful advertising creative now living in New York.
THOUGHT FOR THE BIGGER ONES
“Cubans love people and we use things, here we love things and we use people”.
Oscar Valdes, 30, currently principal dancer with WA ballet.
v v v v v
FEBRUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Feb 6, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Feb 9, Wed 10:00 am – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Feb 13, Sun – NCLS Survey after Church service
Feb 27, Sun – Congregational Meeting after Church Service
MARCH DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Mar 1, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night ‘Song for Marion’
Mar 2, Wed 10:00 am – Time4U resumes and every Wednesday
Mar 4, Fri 10:30 am – World Day of Prayer – St. Giles Anglican Church, Greenwich
Mar 6, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Mar 9, Wed 12:30 am – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Mar 15, Tue 7:30 pm – Lane Cove Music – at LCM Anglican Church – Featuring pianist John Martin and violinist, Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich.
APRIL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Apr 3, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
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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