Prayer Points
Give thanks for the wonderful
day of fun and fellowship at our
Christmas market stalls
yesterday.
Pray for Michael’s dear friend
Rev Peter Pereira in palliative
care, and for his wife and family
as they care for him. Pray for
Michael as he reaches out to his
friend.
For the ongoing Ebola crisis in
Africa and all those who work to
find a cure and healing for the
sick.
Pray for preparations being made
for the Elders/Church Council
retreat in February.
--------------------------------BAPTISM/CONFIRMATION
CLASSES
If you have not been Baptised or
Confirmed, or you would like
to have your membership at
Bowral/Kangaloon recognised
formally, or if you are interested
in exploring the Christian faith
further, please see Rev Michael.
Minister's Weekly Word:
George MacDonald, the
great Scottish writer and
poet once surmised
that the story of
Christianity was
something which was,
'...a grand thing which
ought to be true if it is
not.' He went on to say
that he would rather,
'...die forevermore
believing as Jesus believed, than live forevermore
believing as those that deny him.' This was his way
of saying that he would choose to hope, rather than
be sceptical. He would choose to love rather than
fear. He would chose the way of serving rather than
the way of taking, all because his Saviour had
called him there, and led the way before him. And
he had given himself over to live in this way by
faith, seeing it as a glorious vision of the truth of
things from which he could not avert his eyes. I
wonder if you have ever thought of it that way?
That the story of the self-giving God is so
compelling, that it ought to be true, even if it's not?
I find MacDonald's thought itself, compelling!!
Bowral/Kangaloon Uniting Church
“A church for all people…”
Sunday 14 December 2014
Our ministry focus
areas:
Worship & Discipleship
Children & Families
Seniors
Community engagement
You are most welcome at worship today, particularly if you are a
visitor or a new resident of the area. We would love to get to know
you, and help you feel at home.
Please make yourself known. Join us for coffee after the service!
Reverend Michael Earl
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS must be completed
before the end of the year for anyone who is on a roster of any kind who may
interact with children. Please see Kathy or Sharon as soon as possible.
We are aiming to have the first proper 'ringing' of our church
bells happen on Christmas day at around 8:30am. If you would
like to be in the church to hear them, come early!
Material for WEEKLY NEWS needs to be provided by noon each Wednesday to Rev
Michael Earl or Sharon Hoogland, 48711583 or [email protected]
For matters concerning the life of the
congregation, contact:
Reverend Michael Earl, on
(mobile 0422 433 569).
Office: 28 Bendooley Street
Telephone: (02) 4862 1350
Internet: bkuc.com.au
Readings Today:
Church Council Chairperson
Mrs Kathryn Searle
4872 1002
Church Council Secretary
Mrs Sharon Hoogland
4871 1583
Church Council Treasurer
Mr Graham Blackadder 4861 7385
Elders’ Convenor
Mr Jim Layton
4862 4623
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126;
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24;
John 1:6-8,19-28
A Hearing Loop is in place in the Church and Hall.
To access it, switch your hearing aid to the “T” position.
It is advisable not to sit right against the wall
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?
Monday 15 December
5.30pm Uniting Voices
Wednesday 17 December
10.00am
The
REFLECTIONS
GROUP @ the Bunkers’
Tuesday 16 December
12.30pm
Food & Fellowship
9.30am Pieces & Yarns
12.00 – 1.30pm Open Church
9.30am UnitingKids Playgroup
Thursday 18 December
###Christmas Party### see note 2.00pm Ladies CAMEO Coffee
opp.
Wednesday 24 December
10.00am MENS Coffee in the Grand 11.30am Mid week Holy Communion
Followed by special Food & Fellowship
Both Mittagong Bible Study
groups are in recess until Feb
2015.
8.00pm Kangaloon Carols & Lessons
Thank you to each of our volunteers for the gifts you contribute each week.
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Bible Readings for 21 December: 2 Sam 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:47-55 or Ps
89: 1-4,19-26; Rom 16: 25-27; Lk 1: 26-38
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Let me not wrap, stack, box, tie, tag, bundle seal, keep Christmas. Christmas kept is
liable to mould. Let me give Christmas away, unwrapped, by exuberant armfuls. Let
me share, dance, live Christmas unpretentiously, merrily, responsibly with overflowing
hands, tireless steps and sparkling eyes. Christmas given away will stay fresh—even
until it comes again." Linda Felver (born 1955) US Writer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------th
UnitingKids Christmas party Tues 16
Dec.
The playgroup has greatly valued all the help we have received this year
from our volunteers and we would like to invite all our helpers to join us for
some food and fun anytime from 10am.
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TODAY’S SERVICES (14 December – Advent 3)
9.00am Service of Holy Communion
7.00pm Evening Fellowship Time
NEXT SUNDAY (21 December – Advent 4)
9.00am Service of Worship
11.30am Uniting Families Connect Service Special Christmas Event
7.00pm Special Service of Carols, Readings and Lessons
@@@@@@ COMING EVENTS @@@@@@
21st December Uniting Families Connect
Family Christmas service. 11.30am.
The service will include a Children’s nativity play,
carols and a Christmas themed lunch. All welcome.
Please feel free to invite your friends, family to join us!
ROSTER
THIS WEEK:14 December
NEXT WEEK 21 December
Organ
PowerPoint
Elder
Stewards
Flowers
Ann Clipsham
Jon & Sharon Hoogland
Liz Pattinson
G & Rosemary Robinson
Ruth
Roberts,
Liz
Pattinson
Lucy Earl
Heather Tredinnick
Ian Prior
Jim Layton
Greg & Kathy Searle
Elaine Hills, Denise Layton
Kids Church
Morning Tea
Elizabeth & Ed Walker
CHRISTMAS BOWL APPEAL
Started on Christmas day 1949,
when the Reverend Frank Byatt of Victoria placed an empty bowl on the dinner table and
asked those present to give what they considered to be the cost of the meal. Frank urged
his guests to reflect on their good fortunes and encouraged them to do something selfless
to bring relief and hope to refugees who had fled the horrors of World War II.
65 years later and the Christmas Bowl appeal has grown to become a much-loved
ecumenical tradition. For the 2,000 churches from 19 denominations who now take part
each year, it is an essential part of our Christmas celebrations.
The Christmas Bowl appeal brings Christians together in solidarity with
communities threatened by conflict and disaster. Together, we came to the aid of those
starving during the 1985 Ethiopian famine. We gave comfort to people devastated by the
2004 Boxing Day tsunami. And today we are standing alongside the 50 million refugees,
asylum seekers and displaced people worldwide.
This is the highest number of displaced people since World War II, and since the
Christmas Bowl appeal began. Sadly, this shows us that the Christmas Bowl is needed as
much today as it ever has been, and remains a vital link between those who have enough
and those who are less fortunate.
OUR BUC CHRISTMAS TREE. Gifts left under the tree will
be distributed by the UnitingCare Brighter Futures Team to local
families or individuals.
THE UNITING CHURCH TARGET CHRISTMAS TREE .
Gifts donated at the local Target store will be distributed locally
by Stafford Cottage staff.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Service 11.30 am
Arthur/Jenny/Emma Alcorn
ROSTER FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
Organist: Heather Tredinnick, Elder: J Hoogland, Power Point: S Hoogland
Stewards: Ian & Diane Prior, Narelle Harwood, Ena Bell
CHRISTMAS SERVICES:
24 Dec 8.00pm Kangaloon Carols & Lessons
25 Dec 9.00am Bowral Christmas Day Service
28 December, 9.00am: Service of Worship. Please note…there will NOT be an
evening (7pm) Service