Hell friends,
For those of you who like to keep track of the lectionary readings, you can download a PDF copy here:
Lenten Reflection Opportunities
In all of the change that happens around us, one of the constant aspects of our faith journey at St Luke’s is the annual cycle of the liturgical calendar, marking the seasons of Jesus’ journey on earth.
Tomorrow we commence the period of Lent – 40 days of reflection and sacrifice as we imagine the time spent by Jesus in the desert, grappling with fears and temptations.
If you are looking for some resources to use as part of your devotional time during Lent, here are some suggestions:
Common Grace
Every year at Easter, Common Grace brings a Lent series based on the central teachings of Jesus. In 2021 they’ve put together a compilation series from Christian teachers, who show us what it looks like when justice overflows from following Jesus.
To sign up to their weekly Lenten emails, click here.
Uniting World’s Lent Event
UnitingWorld is the part of the Uniting Church with the privilege of nurturing relationships with our global church family, and we love the season of Lent! Through Lent Event, we provide a Bible Study series to help you think through what it means to be a global neighbour, and encourage you to take action with a 40-day challenge to give or take up something that helps make the world a better place. With stories that show how your prayers and gifts are building hope and ending poverty around the world, we aim to cultivate generosity, compassion and awareness of others.
If you’re ready to take a new look at Lent, go for a deep dive online to find resources, and check out www.lentevent.com.au for simple ways to get involved.
Messy Church in 2021
From Barbara and the Messy Church Team:
Welcome Back to Face-to Face Messy Church at St Luke’s Highton!
We really can’t wait to see you all again as it has been a while since we met in person and had fun at Messy Church! We are starting cautiously due to the ever-changing COVID restrictions regarding numbers allowed inside.
So ….here are our plans so far…………
Messy Church in February
Friday 19th February 5-7pm At Drewan Park
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS
Our first meeting will be outside at Drewan Park, City View Drive, Wandana Heights – just up the hill from St Luke’s and where we had our picnic last Sunday. It’s a great park with a good view and plenty of facilities.
Theme: The Good Samaritan- we will be planning our usual bundle of fun Messy Church activities outside amongst nature. BYO food and chairs.
Here’s a kid-friendly version of the story:
And here’s a perspective on the Good Samaritan parable from one of the First Nations Christian Leaders – Brooke Prentice of Common Grace – and where she sees the situation of Aboriginal people in this story.
Messy Church Dates for the remainder of 2021 – put these in your diary!
Friday 19th March– Back at St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm- Easter themes including a Labyrinth and New Life activities- sounds intriguing! Stay tuned!
Friday 16th April -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 21st May -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 18th June -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 16th July -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 20th August -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 17th September – St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm
Friday 15th October -St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm
Friday 19th November– St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm
See you soon!
Love from your Messy Church Team: Judy, Shaghek, Paul, Barbara, Jean and Robyn xxxxx
Upcoming Webinar: The Grandparenting Effect
Join author Trevecca Okholm as she shares about
The Grandparenting Effect and it’s implications for the Church and Intergenerational Connections
February 10th, 2021
10am-11:30am
Whatever life gives you and wherever life takes you, there is always a story. Life and relationships all begin and are sustained in the context of a story. This is not a how-to-do-it-right book as much as it is a book of stories–personal stories from the author, biblical stories, and stories of ordinary grandparents and grandchildren who have been willing to share their own stories with which you may be able to identify and be encouraged in your own adventures of grandparenting.
This is a book for everyone that either has biological grandchildren or has the potential to influence the lives of non-biological youth and children in the role of grandparenting. This is also a book for churches to consider while planning for ministry to bring generations together in meaningful interactions, and in doing so, to create space for generations to share their stories and share in God’s overarching Story of reconciling the world . . . one story at a time.
Lawnmowing Volunteers Needed – Short shifts available
The lawns at St Luke’s are very “hairy” at this time of year! Volunteers are needed to mow sections of the remaining lawn around the buildings. Some can be done by ride-on mower and other parts are push mower only.
Volunteers able to do the job saves the church hundreds of dollars per year, money that can be directed towards Ministry and Mission with refugees, and keeping our facilities affordable for community groups like choirs and Repair Cafe by subsidising venue hire fees.
Mowing can be done at times and frequency to suit our volunteers. If you are able to help on a regular, semi-regular or even a one-off basis, please contact Ken Anderson via the office on 5244 2997.
Mark this in your diaries! Uniting World’s 7 days of Solidarity with our Global Neighbours
Mark the 18th to the 25th of April in your calendars because we are invited to share in 7 days of solidarity with our partners from all over the world.
More here: https://donate.unitingworld.org.au/7dos/resources
Messy Church Picnic – Sunday 31 Jan at 12:30pm
Community
Fun
Sharing
Our Messy Church family and friends picnic (postponed from December) is to be held this weekend.
Where: Drewan Park near the Wandana Heights Lookout (which used to be known as the Ceres Lookout), just up the hill from St Luke’s church.
When: 12:30pm on Sunday 31 January 2021
What to bring: Everything for a picnic (food, drink, tables, chair, rugs, kid’s games…)
THE PARK HAS A PLAYGROUND, TOILETS, BBQS AND SHELTER
Who can come: Young and older – you just need to come with an open heart to have fun and be inspired.
NOTE: COVID SAFE REQUIREMENTS APPLY … PLEASE PLAN TO PHYSICALLY DISTANCE, AND WEAR MASKS WHEN THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. If you are feeling unwell, let us know and we’ll be thinking of you, but please don’t come – see your doctor or get tested if you have COVID symptoms.
Picnic
Worship – Sunday 24 January – Day of Mourning – Aboriginal Sunday
The Sunday Service at St Luke’s Highton will be at 10am and we hope to Livestream to our Youtube channel
This is the Sunday (before Australia Day) where we join with our sister churches in a Day of Mourning to reflect on how God is calling us to respond to the ongoing challenges faced by our First Australians – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We’ll be using the Uniting Church Assembly resources, with more from Common Grace who have provided resources to churches and faith groups around Australia to share in Aboriginal Sunday.
The Preamble to the Constition of the UCA helps set our approach to relationships between First and Second Australians.
There is also a prayer service of reconciliation on Monday night (25th Jan) at 7:30pm – Victorian time – led by Aunty Jean Phillips – see www.commongrace.org.au/tunein Some of us may gather at St Luke’s to participate.
Worship Sunday 20th December: Advent 4 – Love
Good Morning Friends ,
Due to the unavailability of producers, there will be no livestream from St Luke’s Highton this morning. A recording will be put up later.
However if you would like to join another congregation online for worship, here are some others:
Brunswick Uniting Church
Terrigal Uniting Church (NSW)
Christmas Lights at Horsham
Next service is Christmas Day Friday 25th at 9:30am
You can RSVP for that service here: https://stlukeschurchgeelong.churchcenter.com/people/forms/200445
See you then!
Robyn
