St Andrews Longueville: What’s Happening?
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
February – March 2021 Newsletter
EXPLANATION OF GOD
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third-grade homework assignment, to ‘explain God.’ I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
[ …. And he had such an assignment, in California, and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen! … ]
‘One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn’t make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn’t have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.’
‘God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off.’
‘God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So, you shouldn’t go wasting His time by going over your mom’s and dad’s head asking for something they said you couldn’t have.’
‘Atheists are people who don’t believe in God. I don’t think there are any in Chula Vista … At least there aren’t any who come to our church.’
‘Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn’t want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But he was good and kind, like His father, and He told His father that they didn’t know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.’
‘His dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth, so He told Him He didn’t have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So, He did. And now He helps His dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.’
‘You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.’
‘You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there’s anybody you want to make happy, it’s God!
Don’t skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn’t come out at the beach until noon anyway.’
‘If you don’t believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared, in the dark or when you can’t swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.’
‘But…..you shouldn’t just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases.
And…that’s why I believe in God.’
(If you believe in God, please pass this on, and may God bless you too.)
Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought of you!
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
Here’s to a happier New Year. On 31 January 2020 the WHO declared the coronavirus a global problem and there were 9 cases in Australia – what a lot has happened in a year and how thankful we are to be living in Australia.
There is nothing much for us to report but it is ‘business as usual’ at St Andrew’s. Our doors are still closed both for worship services and activities. Please be assured that thorough cleaning will take place before we open our doors again. We are advertising our Movie Nights in March and April, hoping that we will be able to proceed, it all depends on advice from our health experts. There will be no movie in February.
We are delighted that Krikor has agreed to take a much-needed holiday in February and we thank Bob Minton for helping with worship services. Church council members were very pleased to receive communion from Krikor at our February meeting.
As I write we have no feedback on the consultation meeting held with Presbytery representatives on 9 December.
Rental from the small hall and the manse have continued and jobkeeper from the government has been received with gratitude. Thank you for depositing money into the church bank account by EFT while our doors are closed. If convenient for you, you are welcome to continue. We bank with Westpac BSB 032 085, a/c 810147.
It is to be hoped that our prayers will be answered and that 2021 will be good for us all.
Penny Goodley
SAD NEWS
We are shocked and deeply saddened with the untimely passing away of our dear Esther Russell last Saturday afternoon. She was a caring, loving, passionate and an active member of the church. She will be sorely missed. Details in the next issue.
REMEMBERING BETTE GRAHAM
We are saddened by the passing of our much loved and long-term member of St. Andrew’s, Bette (Beatrice) Graham on 17 January at Blakehurst Nursing Home. Bette, with her late husband Keith, had been a faithful member of St. Andrew’s since coming to live in Richardson Street West. She was an Elder and served on the board of Kamilaroi/Lynvale Retirement Centres. Since Bette’s move from Lane Cove to be closer to her daughter, she has been greatly missed from the daily life of our church community. Our thoughts and prayers are with her children, Alison and Phillip, their partners David and Virginia and her granddaughters, Sophie and Laura. A celebration of her life was held on 29 January at Macquarie Park Crematorium.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2021
This year’s World Day of Prayer will be held at 10:00 am on Friday 5 March in St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, Longueville (COVID rules permitting). This year will celebrate the Republic of Vanuatu and the theme will be “Build on a Strong Foundation.”
GOOD NEWS
Congratulations to Margaret and David Cant, the new proud grandparents of another grandson, Forrest, born in December and baby brother to Nixon.
Happy birthday wishes to Win 93 and Hazel 94!
LANE COVE MUSIC
Our 75th Anniversary year, 2020, was unfortunately lost to the pandemic. COVID rules permitting, our first concert for 2021 at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 16 March at Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church will be “You are my Heart’s Delight” with tenor/pianist Glenn Amer and soprano Alison Robertson. They will delight us with the waltz favourites of Europe’s most famous romantic composers in a programme devised by Glenn and Melvyn Morrow, and written by Melvyn Morrow. Our Annual Subscription for 6 concerts remains at $80, concession $50. Enquiries: Chris Butters 9428 4287
TIME 4 U
With COVID restrictions, it was been impossible for this group to meet at our hall since March 2020. It is to be hoped that we can resume in February 2021, but that looks extremely unlikely.
MOVIE & PIZZA NIGHTS (If COVID rules permit)
Tuesday 2 March at 6:30 pm – Flash of Genius (PG) – A biographical drama about the man who invented the intermittent windscreen wiper, starring Greg Kennear, Lauren Graham and Alan Alda.
Tuesday 6 April at 6:30 pm – Beneath Hill 60 (M) – The extraordinary true story of Australian Oliver Woodward in France during WWI, starring Brendan Cowell, Gyton Grantley and Aden Young.
STAMP NEWS
It is reported that many more Christmas cards were sent last year. I hope you remembered to save your stamps!
From October 1977 to December 2020 the Stamp Committee raised: $834,497
Sales for 2020 are: $18,659
FEBRUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Feb 3, Wed 9:00 am – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Feb 5, Thur – Krikor’s Annual Leave starts
Feb 7, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service – At home
Feb 26, Fri – Krikor’s Annual Leave ends
MARCH DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Mar 2, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night ‘Flash of Genius’ (2008)
Mar 3, Wed 9:00 am – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Mar 5, Friday 10:00 am – World Day of Prayer – St. Aidan’s Anglican Church
Mar 7, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
APRIL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Apr 2, Fri 9:30 am – Good Friday Service
Apr 4, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service – Easter
Apr 6, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night ‘Beneath the Hill 60 (2010)
Apr 7, Wed 9:00 am – Elders/Church Council Meeting
LETTER
I received this letter from Douglas Cotton, a previous member and an Elder of Longueville Presbyterian Church, with a new hymn he has composed.
Krikor
Dear Pastor,
Longueville Presbyterian Church was the church of my youth and I was baptized by Rev. Louis Blanchard, married there, became an Elder in my 20’s and attended my parents’ (Drs. Frank and Marie Cotton) funeral there in August 2008. My mother was the daughter of Owen and Edna Patison and Owen used to play the organ and sing in the choir. We all lived in Stuart Street.
I composed the attached song for my church and it can be sung to “How Great Thou Art” melody or the one I composed.
You are welcome to use and/or distribute it to the other Uniting Churches. Please let me know if you do.
Blessings
Doug Cotton
“BY FAITH NOT WORKS
to tune “How Great Thou Art” .
- Our Father God who sent Your Son to perish
Upon the cross His life for us to give.
Help us Your love through all our lives to cherish,
So that with You in heaven we shall live.
Chorus
For ’its by faith that we have all been saved
And not by works so no one boasts.
In heav’n where paths with gold have all been paved
We’ll dwell with You and heav’nly hosts.
- Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God Who raised You
Up from the grave to sit at His right hand.
Love and save us and all of those who praised You,
No one shall snatch us then from Your right hand.
Chorus
- Spirit of truth Who’s been sent forth by Jesus,
Come and guide us in life forever more.
God knows the plans that He has made to please us.
Mem’ries of sin He says He’ll never store.
Chorus
- Now may Your Word that You inspired go forth Lord,
Throughout the world achieving what You planned.
Soften our hearts that we may have new birth Lord
And share Your Word in all this Great South Land.
Chorus
To contact Krikor call on 0418 417 411
standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740
Church Website
http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au