Living Faith enews: 5 June 2020
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
GREETINGS FROM REV IRIS 
 
Dear Living Faith Uniting Church Family and Friends

Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker." Exodus 26:1

The photograph above is of an exact replica of the Tabernacle that God instructed the Israelites to build during their time in the wilderness. The Tabernacle served as a temporary place of worship until King Solomon built a new temple. This image got me thinking about how places of worship have transformed over time, yet God remains unchanging.

We are certainly in a time of great transformation yet again in Christianity. Thankfully we know that "church" is not a building, rather it is the people of God, locally and globally. It is comforting to know that even though we are not meeting in a building at this time, we are still part of one family, with Jesus as the Head of our international Christian "household".

We therefore move forward by faith, knowing that whether we are worshipping online, in our homes, or by any other means; we firmly remain part of the body of Christ. Jesus is the glue that holds us together individually and as a community of believers.

It has been heartening to receive messages from other countries about the impact our online ministry is having. Just this week, a Buddhist woman contacted me asking for access to our services, and then later let me know how meaningful it was to her. For months we have been praying for God to use Living Faith Uniting Church to reach those outside of our walls. God is using the situation we are in right now to answer our prayers!

Rev Dr John Frederick will be speaking to us this Sunday - be sure to "tune in" for his inspirational message. John's sermon is accompanied by an exhilarating worship experience of visual delight which has been put together in-house - we are in for a real treat! Let us spread this message of hope far and wide by emailing the link on to others. We will also share in an online communion service which will bind us together spiritually, even though we are physically apart.

Give yourself time over the coming days to lose yourself in the presence of God's Holy Spirit, who is always beckoning us to come to Jesus, just as we are. 

Your friend,
Iris
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHURCH MANSE RENTAL 
GO TO THE LINK BELOW FOR PROPERTY RENTAL DETAILS AND PHOTOS - PLEASE SEND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RENTAL TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS

https://drive.google.com/open?id=16BOspexIFet5bg7IC7F0k5qUfhAPU_Cs
WHEN CAN WE ATTEND CHURCH SERVICES IN THE BUILDING AGAIN?

We are so grateful to be living in Australia where infection rates due to COVID-19 have been low and controlled. Please keep our government in prayer as they continue to navigate our nation through this process. 

There is no clear answer as to when we will be able to meet again in our building. However, it is being reviewed by the church council in line with government, Synod and presbytery guidelines and we will keep you informed as the situation unfolds. The resources and guidelines available to us are extensive and they change regularly as the situation changes. Even though restrictions are being loosened, there are still limitations in place.

We will continue to "meet" online for the time-being. I would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who have been involved in creating our online services, worship and presence. We are so grateful that we've had the technology and resources to continue doing ministry in this way. 

Keep an eye out on our website, our Facebook page, our YouTube channel and weekly newsletter for updates and information.

Rev Iris Marais


 
 
Feel free to take at a look at Uniting World's End of Financial Year fundraiser campaign video https://youtu.be/SdrDhv50MFk


ARE YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IN NEED OF PRAYER?

Prayer requests can be emailed to either Norelle or Iris. If you would like, these will be shared with a confidential prayer chain that will pray for you. Alternatively, Norelle or Iris will pray for you without sharing your request with others - just let us know your preference. 

norelled@bigpond.com
irismarais@gmail.com or 0432 067 227

ONLINE GIVING 

Tithes and donations can be made through online banking during this season. 


Please contact TIM EAKIN or NORELLE DEETH for assistance with online banking if you are unsure of the process 

Tim   34timbo@gmail.com
Norelle    norelled@bigpond.com

Bank details: ANZ BANK; BSB: 014010   ACC NO. 191452412
HOUSE GUESTS - Meet the four beautiful new house guests Peter and Daphne recently acquired. They need to come up with names for these bantams. So far the following names are in the mix: Butter, Charcoal, Salt and Pepper... And did someone suggest Kentucky Fried!!!??? Hahaha  
Just for fun, if you would like to share a picture of a pet that is keeping you company while in self-isolation, send the photo to irismarais@gmail.com and we'll publish them in upcoming newsletters
Church Contact Details

For information on baptisms, weddings, funerals, pastoral care or other church matters please contact:

Rev Iris Marais
0432 067 227
irismarais@gmail.com

Please note Tuesdays are Iris' day off
Copyright © 2020 Living Faith Uniting Church, All rights reserved.


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