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This week's news from Merthyr Road Uniting Church
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Our Midday Prayer


Lord, may we grow in temperance,
that we may consume as we need, not as we are seduced to want; so that we can be free to be generous towards others.
Amen

Sunday Roster
Date Welcome Morning Tea Reading Worship Assistant Counting
Dec 17 Jess Fallon
Jean Mottershead		 Desley & Ross Garnett Mollie Jean Hunt Bruce Young Barbara McVeagh
Penelope Thomson
Dec 24 Penelope Thomson
Mollie Jean Hunt		 Desley & Ross Garnett John Ashton John Ashton Bruce Young
Phil Evans
Our next communion service is Sunday 7th January

 


Congratulations Jess on your baptism and confirmation day this Sunday 17th December.
Church office closure
 
The Church office will be closed from Monday 25th December to Tuesday 2nd January. 
Murray can still  be contacted on 0421 234 541. 
 
We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Christmas Carols Extravaganza

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday 17th December, 6:30pm for our Christmas Carols Extravaganza.  There are many members of Merthyr Road Uniting Church & Metropolitan Community Church who have been busily preparing for this event.
This year we'll be taking up an offering for Open Doors Youth Service, a charity that cares for homeless teens and youth.  The MCC is currently collecting tinned / packet foods, as well as $10 gift cards to be donated the charity and have invited us to be involved in this also.  
Please bring a salad or dessert on a disposable plate to share as part of the evening meal.

Christmas Decorations

Our front hedge has been decorated with Christmas decorations and messages to share with our community.  You are very welcome to take a decoration home with you.
Many thanks to Desley & Ross Garnett for their help with this.

Pastoral Statement Regarding The Royal Commission

Greetings,

The President of the Uniting Church has issued a pastoral statement regarding the Royal Commission. 

The pastoral statement is available here.

Kind regards,

Rev David Baker
Moderator
Queensland Synod

Name badges

Thank you to those who have already placed an order for a name badge.  There is still time to place your order.  If you would like a name badge similar to the top picture, there is an approximate cost of $10 per badge.  This can be ordered through the church office with either a clip or magnetic fastening.

Alternately if you would prefer a larger conference style name tag (similar to one at the bottom picture) this can be ordered through the church office at no cost.  

Empty Christmas Tree

During Advent we will have our Christmas tree in the church.  You are welcome to bring non-perishable items (food, toys, gift vouchers etc.) to place underneath the tree and these will be donated to charity.  

Coming Events

Monthly Service - Bolton Clarke Aged Care

Worship service on Tuesday 19th December at 10am at the Bolton Clarke Treetops Aged Care Facility, Sargent Street, New Farm.  
We are looking for volunteers to help with the service, join in singing and talk to the residents.  If you are able to help this month, please contact Debbie or Murray on 3358 6945 or office@mruca.org.au
 

Christmas Service

All are welcome to join us on Monday 25th December at 8:30am for our Christmas Service.

Breakfast Church

Join us for our next breakfast church on Sunday 7th January.  

Everything in Common Gift Stall

A gift catalogue with a difference

Everything in Common is the Uniting Church in Australia’s very own gift catalogue.  It’s a practical way for us to express our connection with our church partners in Asia, Africa and the Pacific, and to support those in our world living in poverty.
Every gift in the Catalogue directly supports the life-giving work of our partners overseas.  It’s all about following in the steps of Jesus, who modelled an alternative community based on simplicity, generosity and inclusion.
We will be hosting a gift stall this Sunday 17th December where you can purchase unique gifts like magic beans, goat’s poo for coffee (great fertilizer), chickens, school supplies, school fees, nutrition supplements, piglets, honey bees, goats, clean water ….. and the gifts go where they’re needed. Purchase a gift card, dedicate to a loved one and spread twice the joy!

There’s something for everyone, with gifts ranging from $10 to $100.  Ask Desley for a catalogue.
We would like to welcome and thank the following organisations for choosing to use our halls this week:
  • Brisbane Mindfulness Practice Group
  • Metropolitan Community Church
  • Weight Watchers

Coffee on the Street


Every Wednesday between 10 – 11am, Murray will be at Café 63, corner of Sydney & Brunswick Streets, New Farm. 
Have something you'd like to talk about?  No need to make an appointment just drop by and say hello.  

Giving to the work of the church

 

If you would like to give to the work of the church, you are encouraged to give via a direct credit.  This can be set up through your internet banking.  If you need any help to set this up, please contact John Ashton. 

The account details are:

BSB: 034-065     
Account Number: 264-563

Account Name: Merthyr Road Uniting Church
 

Envelopes are available for you regular giving if you prefer not to give via direct bank transfer.
Our Guest WiFi password details:

Name:  HALL HIRE     Password:  33586945guest

Murray's Reflection
Reading
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The Good News of Deliverance
61 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
    to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations.
8 For I the Lord love justice,
    I hate robbery and wrong-doing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
    and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
    and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
    that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
    my whole being shall exult in my God;



for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to spring up before all the nations.


Reflection

Today we hear several descriptions of the one who is coming, the one long-promised. Isaiah foretells of the one who binds the broken hearted, brings liberty to the captive, gives the oil of gladness to those who mourn, who restores ruins, loves justice and clothes us with salvation. Mary sings of the one who is ever merciful, who scatters the thoughts of the proud, brings down the powerful and lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry and sends the rich away empty. John speaks of the true light.

Such evocative language helps to describe the Christ with words used to break into the consciousness of those who heard them so all might see God more clearly. What words will we use and what deeds will we do this Advent so that God might break into our world?
Join us for Prayer and Worship each Sunday morning at 9:30am
or for Meditation each Wednesday evening 6pm.
52 Merthyr Road, New Farm, Qld 4005
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Our mailing address is:
Merthyr Road Uniting Church
P.O. Box 374
New Farm,   Qld   4005
Australia

Phone: 07 3358 6945
Murray's mobile: 0421 234 541

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Merthyr Road Uniting Church · 52 Merthyr Road · New Farm, Qld 4300 · Australia

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