St. Andrew’s Longueville: What’s Happening?
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
February – March 2018 Newsletter
NOTE:
We sometimes receive “please pass this on” notes in our emails and usually we ignore them. This one says:
“If you believe in God, please pass this on, and may God bless you too.
Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought of you!
The following is an interesting one written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to ‘explain God.’ I wonder if any of us could have done as well.
[ …. And he had such an assignment, in California, and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen! … ]
I want to share it with you below, instead of my reflections.
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian
EXPLANATION OF GOD
‘One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn’t make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn’t have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.’
‘God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.’
‘God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn’t go wasting his time by going over your mum and dad’s head asking for something they said you couldn’t have.’
‘Atheists are people who don’t believe in God. I don’t think there are any in Chula Vista … At least there aren’t any who come to our church.’
‘Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn’t want to learn about God.. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn’t know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.’
‘His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn’t have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.’
‘You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.’
‘You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there’s anybody you want to make happy, it’s God!
Don’t skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn’t come out at the beach until noon anyway.’
‘If you don’t believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared, in the dark or when you can’t swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.’
‘But…..you shouldn’t just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And…that’s why I believe in God.’
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Thanks Penny for sharing this superb “Explanation of God” with us. I hope our readers will enjoy reading this eight years old’s assignment and know that God is with us.
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
We will have our half yearly general meeting in February, at which time we will present the financial report and let you know of any significant changes to our properties. If you would like to add an item to the agenda, please advise Krikor or me.
We are indeed fortunate that every member of this church contributes in some way to the chores that need to be done, but there are gaps that should be filled. For instance, there are only a few people who put their names on Juliana’s roster sheet to provide morning tea for TIME 4 U. When typing up the sheet I just add names, with no consultation! Providing morning tea means that Chris, Frank and I can concentrate on our visitors for the full two hours and not have to serve the tea. It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare a few hours to help on a Wednesday or Thursday, you would find it very much appreciated and very rewarding.
There are a lot of spaces in the 2018 flower roster. Please consider providing flowers to celebrate an event, or commemorate a family member or a friend. We have several different vases of artificial flowers but ‘fresh is best’ and you can take them home after the service. If you wish, Krikor will add a line in the order of service to acknowledge your gift. Just let him know early in the week of the service.
A timely reminder to everyone; please ensure the exterior doors are secured before you leave the church and/or the hall.
Penny Goodley
IN RETROSPECTIVE & LOOKING FORWARD
St. Andrew’s Day – Sunday November 26, 2017
A beautiful church service, as always, this time with a somewhat Scottish air by means of the hymn ‘Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind’ and the Gaelic Singers’ rendition of both Athchisinge and a Scottish version of the 23rd Psalm.
Then to the church hall to celebrate St. Andrew (Apostle and brother of Simon Peter) and his special day: through word, music, a delicious lunch and most importantly love and fellowship with each other.
Thank you to the following special contributors, very much indeed, those responsible for dressing up the hall and appropriately organising and providing the delicious food (including the haggis), the piper, Hamish Anderson, for piping it in, the Gaelic Choir, David Cant and his wonderful band, everyone who came bringing joy to the event and those who stayed to bring the hall and kitchen back to scratch. The beautiful table cloths, brought all the way from Armenia, to use for such special purposes – cut to size and stitched by Lena, added beauty to the scene. Last, but not least, Penny, using her leadership talents and deep feelings for our church community – presenter on the day.
Christmas International Service – Bankstown District Uniting Church, December 17, 2017
Ministers: Rev. Gaby Kobrossi (Leader), Rev. Simon Hansford (NSW & ACT Synod Moderator).
Special Guest: The Hon Gladys Berejiklian (Premier of NSW)
Bankstown has become an area of great international diversity, especially in recent years. (May I interrupt to say that, in 1957, my first year of Primary School teaching, was spent at Condell Park Public School. Most of the children there then had European names, not English. I suspect that their parents had settled there soon after the European war, seeking a safe, long-term place in which to live, work and bring up their children. I dearly hope that the wishes of these 1950s newcomers, as well as those more recent arrivals to a strange land, came and will come true.)
Thank you, Krikor, for arranging our church’s invitation to this event. Krikor was asked to say a prayer; our church choir sang Advance Australia Fair and then the Armenian National Anthem in Armenian. Thank you Ned and Mark for guiding our choir practices. Small groups of choirs and instrumentalists performed joyfully from several countries, including South Korea, Lebanon, Syria and Tonga. Wonderful!
Christmas Services
Christmas, indeed, was a joyful time for St. Andrew’s congregation and visitors. Warm thanks are due to so many special people – for bringing and arranging beautiful flowers, for providing supper for the Christmas Eve Services, for erecting and decorating the Christmas tree, for bringing gifts of both food stuffs and presents to be distributed by the Exodus Foundation to the poor and needy under its care.
Thanks, Krikor, for preparing three services, each in the spirit of Christmas and each with a special, individual message. Finally, on Christmas Day, the advent messages of peace, hope, joy and love were brought into our hearts and minds as one. Thank you, Mark and David, for accompanying our choir. Especially memorable was Christmas Eve’s outdoor service.
Juliana
The Uniting Church in NSW still collects used stamps
The money raised helps congregations throughout NSW and ACT to fund Community Kitchens, English Language learners, Children’s Ministry, Women’s Issues, Birthing Kits for Kiriwirnan Community in PNG and city/country church links for young people. The other states have similar projects helped through these used stamp collections. Sales for 2017 in Australia were: $19,518
Helen Martin spent years gathering St. Andrew’s used stamps. We now seek your help in 2018 to fill the box at the rear of the church as we are able to carry on this mission service despite the increase in the use of email.
Frank Knowles
Bible Studies
Fortnightly on Tuesday evenings (check date and time to be sure).
Tuesday February 13 at 7:00 pm. Topic: The Epistle of Jude
Rarely would one get to hear a study leader of Krikor’s calibre. He is both inspiring and encouraging.
Pizza and Movie Nights
In the Memorial Hall. 6:30 pm pizza, 7:15 pm movie starts
$10 per person, BYO drinks
Bookings required for catering purposes. 9427 4740 or 9428 4287
Tuesday 6 February. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
An inspirational, heart-warming and poignant true story starring Will Smith (117 mins)
Tuesday 6 March. The Pianist (2002)
A biographical drama based on the memories of a Polish-Jewish pianist/composer in Warsaw in occupied Poland during WW2 (Movie length 2 hrs. 30 mins)
TIME 4 U
Wednesdays and Thursdays 10:00 am -12 noon. $3 per person.
After a short break in January, time 4U will resume on February 7 and 8. The objective is to provide social interaction for people who live alone. If you know of someone who is lonely please encourage them to come along to this safe and friendly environment. Transport, within the local area, can be arranged. Please contact Krikor, Chris, Frank or Penny if you require further information.
Lane Cove Music
Our first concert for 2018 at 8:00 pm on Tuesday 13 March will present local legendary jazz trumpeter Billy Burton and his Band and Guest Vocalists. Our Annual Subscription for 6 concerts remains great value at $70 ($50 concession), or tickets are $25 at the door.
Everyone is welcome and assured of a year of six excellent and varied concerts!
Enquiries: Chris Butters 9428 4287
Culture Under Attack!
Customs House at Circular Quay, Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Saturday & Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm till the end of March.
Presented by the Australian Red Cross, this free exhibition highlights the impact of war on cultural heritage. The photographs illustrate the loss of buildings, monuments, objects and artefacts from WW2 to the recent devastation in Palmyra, Syria.
AMAA Centennial Celebrations
The Armenian Missionary Association of America is 100 years old and on this occasion several celebrations will be held around the world. The celebrations kicked off in October 2017 in New Jersey, USA. The second celebration will be held here in Sydney, Australia organised by the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia. One of the main programs is a Cultural Night Concert on Friday 16 March 2018 7:30 pm at The Concourse in Victoria Avenue Chatswood, performed by Armenian and non-Armenian artists. Admission is free. Come and enjoy!
FEBRUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Feb 4, Sun 9:30 am – Communion Service
Feb 6, Tue 6:30 pm Pizza/Movie Night ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’
Feb 7, Wed 10:00 – 12 noon – Time 4U – Resumes (every week)
Feb 8, Thur 10:00 – 12 noon – Time 4U – Resumes (every week)
Feb 13, Tue 7:00 pm – Bible Study – The Epistle of Jude
Feb 14, Wed 7:30 pm – Neutral Bay Uniting Church
Feb 27, Tue 7:00 pm – Bible Study – Titus
Feb 28, Wed 1:30 pm – Elders’ Meeting
2:00 pm – Church Council Meeting
MARCH DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Mar 2, Fri 10:00 am – World Day of Prayer Service
Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church
Mar 4, Sun 9:30 am – Communion Service
Mar 6, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night ‘The Pianist’
Mar 7, Wed 10:00 am – TIME 4U (every week)
Mar 8, Thur 10:00 am – TIME 4U (every week)
Mar 13, Tue 6:30 pm – Bible Study
8:00 pm – Lane Cove Music Concert
Mar 16, Fri 7:30 pm – Cultural Night – Chatswood the Concourse
Celebrating AMAA’s Centenary – Free
Mar 25, Sun 9:30 am – Palm Sunday Service
Mar 27, Tue 7:00 pm – Bible Study
Mar 28, Wed 1:30 pm – Elders’ Meeting
2:00 pm – Church Council Meeting
Mar 30, Fri 9:30 am – Good Friday Service
APRIL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Apr 1, Sun 9:30 am – Easter Day Service – Communion Service
Our Thoughts and Prayers
For dear Rick Stein, who died in December. Rick and Ann were long term parishioners of our church. In recent years Rick became the carer/visitor for Ann. Our lasting respect for you, your cheerful attitude will stay with those who knew you.
For Margery Mitchell, home after several weeks in hospital and rehab and for others (like Margaret and David Cant) suffering physical and/or emotional pain; those known and unknown; those at home and those far away, the Lord is aware of your suffering. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Giving and Sharing
The world as we know is full of surprises – these days many unpleasant ones. But, have a look on the left hand wall of the Memorial Hall foyer as you enter and you’ll be in for a wonderful surprise …. a hand-worked tapestry of “The Last Supper” a gift from Barry and Robyn Irwin. Ask Robyn to tell you its special story. We are honoured to have such a fine piece of art work so at home in our church. Many thanks Barry, Robyn and family.
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This newsletter is for everyone, you are welcome to contribute a few lines. Perhaps a word of thanks after a special church event or a funny story. From time to time Penny or Krikor drop in a poem, a prayer or a few sentences to make the rest of us think, or even chuckle. Contributions can be forwarded to Juliana, Krikor or Penny.
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To contact Krikor – telephone: 9453 0787 or 0418 417 411
– email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740
Church Website: http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au