A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Loving Jesus, we remember how, a long time ago,
The people stood by the road and welcomed you.
We pray that we too will welcome you,
That we will be people who welcome
Goodness and kindness when we see it.
We pray for all people who need our love today:
People who feel that nobody knows
How hard their life is,
People who struggle for enough to live,
And people who are ill or sad.
As many church’s lay out palm leaves to
celebrate Palm Sunday,
We will remember the people and places who need our
care and the love of Jesus today.
We will also remember those people who are trying to
help.
We pray for the leaders at West Epping Uniting Church,
As they try to lay out palm leaves that will guide us
towards learning and growing,
We pray in Christ name. Amen.
(Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
Our Vision: We are people sent to share the love,
hope and compassion of Jesus Christ with
all the world
WEST EPPING UNITING CHURCH
WEAVERS OF THE CHURCH
Last week I was invited by the Friday Discovery group to give a
talk on Tonga. I would describe our session as one of
“Talanoa” with the group. “Talanoa is a generic term referring
to a conversation, chat, sharing of ideas and talking with
someone. It is a term that is shared by Tongans, Samoans,
and Fijians. Talanoa can be formal, as between chiefs and
his or her people, and it can be informal, as between friends
in a kava circle. Talanoa is also used for different purposes; to
teach a skill, to share ideas, to preach, to resolve problems, to
build and maintain relationships, and to gather information.”
Most of our talanoa with the Friday Discovery group was
around the mats and weaving. Many of you are curious
about the mats and kiekie or ta’ovala that I wear around my
waist every Sunday. Here is a quick explanation. A kiekie or
ta’ovala(ta’ovala) symbolises the whole country of Tonga;
when one wears the mat they are wearing the whole country
and tying it themselves. Wherever that person goes they wear
the country to give respect to those individuals and places
they encounter. The kiekie or ta’ovala is a sign of high respect.
We attempted to do some weaving. This was the part I
enjoyed the most because everyone participated. Although
most of the weavers in the group were finding the art very
difficult they were willing to give it a try. At the end I collected
the weavings, others quickly hid there’s, apologising for their
lack of artistic skills and there were some really good weavings
from the men.
Watching the groups effort to weave reminded me of our own
reality in being Multicultural. The strands for weaving
represented the diverse cultures of the Church. In weaving
each strand and learning where they sit well, we need to be
mindful about, which shift is okay. For each strands of the
church it will insensitive, and some strands are shorter and they
need to be strengthen by new ones. The weaver has a long
time to develop their skills. The Friday Discovery groups’
willingness to learn the Tongan weaving is where portion in the
Uniting Church may locate themselves, whilst others are still
deciding. At least we are giving it a try and even though we
are not very good at what it means to be part of a
multicultural Church. We will make mistakes but we have the
vision, we know this is part of us as a pilgrim people, journeying
to meet with Christ who is at the centre of many the strands.
Lofa Anga’aelangi
Sunday 25 March 2018
Welcome 환영합니다
സവ്ാഗതം 欢迎 Ki ora Malo elelei
PRAYER POINTS
Remember, the families, and owners of property’s
who have lost their home from the tragic bushfires in
Tathra and the rest of the communities affected by
the fires. Pray they may be helped, strengthened
and restored by the concern and practical care
they are receiving.
We pray for leaders and survivors of abuse in the
church who continues to be part of the
reconciliation process of healing.
Remember all those with special needs today. Pray
for families and friends grieving the loss of loved
ones.
Remember this West Epping congregation as we
continue to look forward and seek God’s guidance
in all that we do. Pray for wisdom and willingness to
listen to God’s voice and to be guided by God’s
Spirit.
Let us remember those members of the community,
who are struggling with finances, loss of jobs,
unexpected challenges and those who are trying to
get by each day.
Pray for those who are sick, lonely, and overworked,
may they find rest.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which we gather, the Wallumedegal people of the
Eora nation and give thanks for their care of the land over many generations.
Sunday Morning Worship
8am & 10am
QWEST ~ Sunday 25 March
in the Cottage at 5pm
Informal worship, good discussion and a meal together.
Discussion: “Abraham” – Jews, Christians and Muslims all
claim Abraham as a significant ancestor. What do these three
faiths have in common and why are they so divided. Is there a
possibility for reconciliation and peace?
ALL WELCOME
EASTER SERVICES @ West Epping
Maundy Thursday: Thursday 29
th March – 7.30pm
A reflective service with a celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Good Friday: Friday 30
th March – 9.00am
Remembering what Jesus did for us on the
cross.
Easter Day: Sunday 1
st April – 8.00am and 10.00am
Celebrating Christ’s victory over death.
COTTAGE CRAFTERS ~ Tuesday 27 March
Meet in the cottage at 9.45am for cuppa and
chat. This week please bring a sewing needle,
thread (several colours) and your scissors. If you
have a 'button tin or jar' it would be great if you
could bring that too – to swap and share as we
will be using buttons!
Enquiries: Margaret Wilson 9871 5649
PRAYER GROUP ~ If you would like prayer for
yourself or for others please contact Lois Rees,
Helen Campbell, Annabelle Avern or Rev John
Barr who convene a weekly Prayer Group each
Thursday in the Cottage 12.15-1.00pm. During
this time we pray for all members of the West
Epping Community and for the
needs of others.
New members of the Prayer Group
are always welcome.
PALM SUNDAY RALLY FOR REFUGEES
The Uniting Church has a strong
tradition of marching for peace and
justice on Palm Sunday, and of
welcoming refugees and defending
the rights and protection of people
seeking asylum in our community.
Our Moderator, Rev Simon Hansford,
will be the key faith speaker for the Sydney event, representing our
Church and speaking about why defending the rights of refugees
and people seeking asylum is a key part of our mission as a church
community.
Today, Palm Sunday, 2pm-4.30pm
Belmore Park (opp Central Station), Hay Street Haymarket (everyone
to meet at Belmore Park and then march to Victoria Park)
ARRUNGA ~ Our next ‘conversation and
afternoon tea’ will be on Tuesday 3 April at 2pm.
All welcome!
Phyll Bliss will be 89 on Thursday 29 April and
some folk will be going to Arrunga to celebrate
with her. If you would like to come, please
contact Lois (9876 1743) or Marg (9876 5842).
STEPS WITH HOPE MOTHER’S DAY HIGH TEA
Bookings are now open for this Mother’s Day High
Tea on 28 April. This year we are inviting guests to
arrive from 2pm for a great shopping experience
and to purchase Mother’s Day gifts. High Tea will
commence at 3pm. Cost $30pp. No paper
tickets will be issued. Contact Jen Spoor on
0414 230162 or [email protected] for more
information. Tickets will also be on sale following
some services over the next few weeks.
Thanks in advance for your support.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
A collaboration of Northmead Performing Arts High School, The
Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University
and Northmead Uniting Church, this art exhibition features the work
of some of Australia’s leading artists. Their engagement with the
Stations of the Cross provides fresh and unexpected insights into the
intersection of the Easter story with our lives today.
Where: Northmead Performing Arts High School,
end of Campbell Street, Northmead.
When: 22 March to 1 April 2018 from 10.00am to 4.00pm
Cost: $2pp
LENTEN JOURNEY DONATIONS
We pray that God’s Grace has encouraged you
to share a gift this Lent to support our brothers
and sisters in Africa, Cambodia and Syria. Please
fill in the donation slip, seal inside the provided
envelope and place in the offering plate. Your
donation will then give opportunities for children
to break the cycle of vulnerability and poverty.
Thank you.
EASTWOOD UC MUSICAL SOCIETY
Performance of ‘The Yoemen of the Guard’ is on
Friday 1 June at 8pm. Tickets $27 pp
Order your tickets now from Joan Ross 9873 3713.
Today is PALM SUNDAY, the
day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a
donkey as the crowd cheered
“hosanna” – “deliver us”!
On this most holy day we gather as
one community to worship together.
Following the worship service this
morning we will retire for morning tea ready to commence the
Congregational Meeting in the church promptly at 10.45am.
Please join us for a pot luck lunch following the Congregational
Meeting.
Mark 11:1-7
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the
Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village
ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that
has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you
doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here
immediately.” ’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the
street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are
you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they
allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks
on it; and he sat on it.
Mark 11:8
Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others
spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields.
Mark 11:9-11
Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked
around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the
twelve.
COMING EVENT
SUNDAY 29th APRIL The Moderator of the NSW/ACT Synod, Rev Simon
Hansford, will visit West Epping and preach at a
special 9am Together Service. Morning Tea will follow
with an opportunity to meet the moderator and learn
more about the work of the Synod. Please bring a
plate to share at Morning Tea.
COMING EVENT
SUNDAY 8th APRIL: Rev John Dacey, Community
Minister in Bidwill and Mt Druitt, will
be our guest preacher at 8am and
10am. John will share about the
work of the Bidwill Uniting Church
community in its ministry in a poor
area of Western Sydney. John will
also share about how we can
become involved in this outreach
through activities including Spring in
Action.
Last Sunday, 18th March, Rev Sujit Solomon David was
inducted as full-time minister with the CSI Sydney
Congregation in a moving service here in West
Epping. This service also farewelled Rev Vinod Victor
(based in Melbourne) who has been pastoring this
congregation on part-time basis during last three
years. A number of West Epping members, including
Phil Chapple and Rev John Barr, attended this service to offer hospitality and
support.
Rev Sujit David was born and brought up in Bangalore, South India, and has
served as a missionary among tribal and rural people in the state of Maharashtra,
as an evangelist and then as a deacon in the Church of South India Karnataka
Central Diocese. Rev David then served three congregations as a presbyter
(minister) in the same diocese. He and his family (wife, Sonu and two children,
Pranay and Prerana) arrived in Australia on 16th March and are living in South
Wentworthville.
Rev Sujit David’s appointment is a significant
development in the life and the witness of the CSI
Sydney Congregation. This congregation involves a
range of ministries including a growing youth group
and Sunday School. The CSI Sydney Congregation
worship here in West Epping every week.
We are now being challenged to develop new ways
of working together and to growing as one in God’s
mission in this area. Welcome to Rev Sujit, Sonu,
Pranay and Prerana!
Ministry Team Rev John Barr 0457 879 099 Rev Radhika Sukumar-White (on maternity leave) Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi (Lofa) 0403 283 756
Office Administrator Helen Tattersall 9868 3574 Safe Church Contact Person Erica Harrison 9873 3989
Church Office 35 Orchard St Epping 2121 p: 9868 3574
Office Hours Monday to Thursday 8.30am—3.00pm Friday 8.30am—12.30pm Email [email protected] Website weppinguca.org.au Facebook facebook.com/weppinguniting WEUC Bank Account Westpac BSB 032 081 Account 961263
What’s on this week!
West Epping Uniting Church uses information and news provided by its members, adherents and officers for the
purposes of conducting its pastoral ministry. In the course of that ministry, material published in this bulletin may reach an audience wider than the membership of
the congregation.
Sunday 25 March ~ Palm Sunday celebration,
Together Service, 9am ~ followed by
congregational meeting and lunch
Thursday 29 March ~ Maundy Thursday Service,
7.30pm with Communion
Friday 30 March ~ Good Friday Service, 9am
Sunday 1 April ~ Easter Day, 8am & 10am
Sunday 8 April ~ Guest Preacher Rev John Dacey,
Community Minister in Bidwill and Mt Druitt
Saturday 28 April ~ Steps with Hope High Tea
Sunday 29 April ~ Together Service, 9am
Visit by the Moderator of the Synod Rev Simon
Hansford
Diary Dates
West Epping Uniting Church is a member of an Ecumenical Covenant
with the Anglican Parish of Epping,
the Catholic Parish of Epping and
Carlingford, Epping Baptist Church and
Epping Uniting Church.
END DAYLIGHT SAVING Sunday 1 April Don’t forget to set your clocks
back one hour before going to
bed on Saturday night,
31 March.
For Pastoral Care needs
please contact:
Rev John Barr 0457 879 099
Serving next Sunday 1 April
Monday 26 March 10.00am English Conversation Classes
Tuesday 27 March 9.30am 10.00am
Men’s Shed at Arrunga Cottage Crafters
Wednesday 28 Mar 9.30am 9.45am
Men’s Shed at Arrunga mainly music
Thursday 30 March Maundy Thursday
9.30am 9.30am 10.00am 12.15pm 7.30pm 9.30pm
Men’s Shed at Arrunga Playgroup Thursday Craft Prayer Group Service—Lord’s Supper CSI
Friday 30 March Good Friday
9.00am
11.00am
Service—Remembering what Jesus did for us on the cross CSI
Easter Day Sunday 1 April
8.00am 10.00am 4.00pm
Worship : HC Worship : HC & JAM for children CSI
8.00am 10.00am
Welcomers Ron & Lurline
Watersaon Norman Perry Doreen Davies
Stewards John Planner John Norman
Morris Ross So Young Paik
Ministers Assistant Annabelle Aver Jean Chapple
Communion Assistants
Betty Taylor, John Norman Lurline Waterson
Julie Bullen, Ian West Jean Chapple
Reader June Blunden Jan Williams
Prayer Ministry John Planner Pete McAndrew
Prayers for Others Jan Venn-Brown Jan Venn-Brown
Sound/Computer Bruce Sheldrick Nick Ostle
Flowers Margaret Wilson