Our Mission is to
Connect with people in Jesus;
Build each other up in faith; and to
Become Like Jesus.
In today’s gospel reading, there are few stories of encounters that Jesus had with people as he prepares to go up to Jerusalem. In the first part of the reading, we can find that Jesus speaks a third time about his death to his disciples (8: 31-34). In the second: A blind beggar receives his sight by Jesus (8:35-43). Then in the third: Jesus encounters with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (19:1-10).
In these three stories, what we can find is when we encounter with Jesus we are immediately included and become one of Jesus’ followers. Our life is transformed, and we are saved. Think of the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus: Jesus himself, calling Zacchaeus down from the tree and going home with a short, hated tax collector! It was God’s acceptance and love that enabled Zacchaeus to change. Jesus believed in him and it absolutely changed his life. Naming Zacchaeus as a son of Abraham changes the crowd’s perspective, too. Christ’s inclusive love can move us from selfishness to charity, grumbling to awe, and a cast-out to be called by name.
It’s not just Zacchaeus, but it’s you and me; it’s all of us. What a difference it makes is to know that someone believes in us. But to know that God believes in us – that can make all the difference. Knowing that God believes in us, we can believe in God and ourselves, and we can experience a power that can absolutely change our lives. This is the grace; that is why we change. IL-WOONG.
Church Council Nominations — 2019/2: Following the close of nominations on Sunday 20 October 2019 for the nine (9) vacancies on the Church Council, nine (9) people accepted nomination. The names of the nominees and their terms were announced last Sunday 27 October 2019 in accordance with 3.3.2(b) of The Uniting Church in Australia Regulation and are listed below:
Nominee
|
Term (Years)
|
Lance Bexon
|
2
|
Jan Blewitt
|
2
|
Lawrie Bool
|
2
|
Josaiah Finau
|
2
|
Mele Finau
|
2
|
Lyn Garrard
|
3
|
Pamela Hanna
|
2
|
Victor Hau
|
1
|
Annette O’Neill
|
2
|
Voting will be conducted on Sundays 10 & 17 November 2019 and the mid-week service on Wednesday 20 November 2019.
Members are reminded that the nominees require a majority of the total votes cast, by those participating in the ballot, to be elected to Council. The names of the successful Councillors will be announced at the Annual General Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday 24 November 2019 and their terms will commence on 1 January 2020. Keith McLeod Returning Officer.
DVD of the Week:
Champion Superstar dirt racer Sean Weathers is at the top of his game …. An unstoppable career, thousands of fans, and an adoring daughter. Jack Reed is a successful businessman trying to reconnect with his estranged son. When a single mistake results in a tragic accident, the paths of the two men cross, and an unexpected bond forms between them. Together, they must make the painful and challenging journey towards healing. As secrets are brought to light that threaten to destroy Sean’s hopes of regaining custody of his daughter, can the two men put their faith in God and find redemption? Starring Andrew Cheney (Seasons of Gray), Robert Amaya (Courageous), Cameron Arnett (Overcomer), and Gary Graham, Champion beautifully illustrates the power of faith, love, and the true freedom found in forgiveness.
The annual Shamrock School fundraiser is on again. This year it’s a trivia night at Mortdale RSL on 16 November commencing at 7:30pm. Hopefully we can get a couple of LPUC tables together for a fun night out. There will be teams of 6-8 per table.
It’s a later start this year as there is no dinner included, however the room is available to us from 6:00pm so you can get your meals from the Bistro, bring them into the room and practice your trivia skills in the warm up.
Could you please let me know if you will be attending. Further details attached. Hope to see you there. Greg.
Luke 18:31-19:10, When we encounter with Jesus…