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A Contemplative Prayer Gathering for those who wish to meet the
Beloved in their home sacred space.
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Each week on Wednesdays at 6pm we invite you to light a candle, sit in your sacred space, and meditate with us via Facebook.
This week, our meditation is adapted from Flora Slosson Wuellner's book, "Beyond Death: What Jesus Revealed About Eternal Life".
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To access this week's meditation (and those from previous weeks) please click the link below. You can also find these on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
If you would like to be emailed the guided meditation, in advance, to accompany your contemplative practice, email Debbie at office@mruca.org.au Meditations from previous weeks can be viewed on our YouTube channel. Click the button below for access.
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If you would like to receive a pastoral visit, please contact Debbie in the church office via phone 3358 6945 or email office@mruca.org.au
In cases of an emergency, please get in touch with Murray directly, 0421 234 541.
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Giving to the work of the church
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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 speak with Anne Copeland.
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The account details are:
BSB: 034-065
Account Number: 264-563
Account Name: Merthyr Road Uniting Church
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On-line church resources for children
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In our transition to online services there has been one really important thing that has been missing... age appropriate content for our children. Children are just as much a part of our community as any of us. Here are some resources generously offered by Saddleback Church in California called Saddleback Kids. Click on the links below to access these resources.
Each week Saddleback Kids uploads new videos to their youtube channel. There are videos for early childhood and primary aged children. These resources are a tool for the whole family and can be a starting point for some great conversations. We recommend watching them together with your children, encouraging them to ask questions and to talk about what they have learnt. If there are parts of these resources that approach Christianity differently to you and your family take that as an opportunity to discuss with your children why you believe different.
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Please pray for Amber, Claire, Daphne K, Eugenie, Glen, Lisa Neill, Lindsay, Luke, Margaret G, Mervyn Thomas, Richard, Robyn, Rosemary H, Stewart, Vonda and the Bunting family.
We continue to pray for our parishioners each week. This week we pray for Desley & Ross, Tarnya, Helen P & Rachel.
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If you, or anyone you know, would appreciate our prayers or pastoral care, please contact
Murray on 0421 234 541, or Debbie in the church office on 3358 6945 or office@mruca.org.au
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To read the Uniting Church Qld Synod newsletter and the Moreton Rivers Presbytery newsletter, click on the buttons below.
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The black background of the Uniting Church emblem represents the world in need.
Many people’s lives are still shrouded
in the darkness of despair and hopelessness.
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The cross represents God’s offer of grace to forgive and renew the world through the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
We believe that God’s love is greater than our hate or rejection or anger, and that our love for one another has its source in Jesus praying that the love he shares with God – he shares with us.
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The dove symbolises the Holy Spirit and the red wings represent the flame that was the sign of authority and power given to the apostles at Pentecost.
We praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit – the
ongoing life and love of Christ within us, which is the transforming force in human relationships and the source of our mutual love.
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The white semi-circle is an unfinished “U” which
reminds us of the task of uniting people to God and to one another.
Jesus prays that the glory that God gave him may be in us, that we may be one as he and God are one.
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Reading
Mark 6:1-13
1He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
The Mission of the Twelve
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
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10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection
Jesus calls us to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to all. Our actions are to be welcoming, with generous hospitality, as we serve with humble hearts, healing hands, with justice and equity. In ancient times, when stepping on another’s land, generous hospitality treated the visitor as a cherished friend or as one of the family. As a visitor, you bring peace, and leave in peace. If you are not welcomed, you shake off the dust, and leave their ‘land’ with them, not carrying anything literally away with you, nor harbouring ill-will in your heart. ‘Shaking off the dust’ reminds us of two aspects of being people of peace – leaving behind ill-will and inhospitable or judging behaviour and neither adopting it; and acting with justice, equity, humility, kindness and unconditional love.
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