WELCOME! WHAT S ON TOOWONG UNITING CHURCH $18, $12, OCTOBER

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2 TOOWONG UNITING CHURCH WORSHIP INFORMATION 9.00am Sunday Morning Please join us afterwards for morning tea & a chat downstairs in the hall. You are also welcome to receive prayer ministry following worship at the front of the church. Offerings Monthly Budgeted Offerings: $18, Offerings received August*: $12, *This is the actual offerings received for August 2018, not an average. Please note there were 4 Sundays in August. Online Giving Details: BSB: A/c No: WHAT S ON OCTOBER 01 Mon: Queen s Birthday public holiday 08 Mon: first day term am English Conversation resumes 09 TUES: 7.00pm Pastorate 10 WED: 7.00pm Welcome Team meeting 11 THUR: 9.30am Thursday Playgroup resumes 12 FRI: 9.30am Friday Playgroup resumes 13 SAT: 6.30pm Senior Youth Group 16 TUES: 7.00pm Church Council meeting 17 WEd: 10.00am Morning Tea Under the Umbrellas 20 SAT: pm Working Bee at TUC 23 TUES: 7.00pm Pastorate 27 SAT: 6.30pm Senior Youth Group 28 SUN: Hospitality Sunday 30 TUES: 7.00pm Pastorate November 10 SAT: 6.30pm Senior Youth Group 13 TUES: 7.00pm Pastorate 18 SUN: 2.30pm Church Council meeting 21 WEd: 10.00am Morning Tea Under the Umbrellas 24 SAT: 6.30pm Senior Youth Group 27 TUES: 7.00pm Pastorate (Christmas Breakup) REGULAR EVENTS English Bible Study l 8.30am Sundays before worship Prayer Meetings English Classes Playgroup l 8.30am Mondays in the church house l 9.30am Mondays (during school term) l 9.30am Thursdays (during school term) l 9.30am Fridays (during school term) WELCOME! To really understand the theme each month here at TUC, I often find it helpful to look up the word in a thesaurus. This month, as we focus on Seek, I m reminded that this little word means so much more than to look for something. Rather, to seek is to explore, investigate and pursue. When we seek something we don t just casually glance around for it; we desire and long for it. We hunt for it and leave no stone unturned. Finally, the result of seeking is to find. There is a purpose and, hopefully, a resolution. There are many examples in the Bible where we are called to seek God in this manner. God gave the prophet Jeremiah these words for His people: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13). In the sermon on the mount, Jesus tells the people not to worry about the things of life, but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33). And there are many more examples, but they all work together to show us that God promises that He will be found when we seek Him, that we will know Him and that knowing Him will provide us with all we need. The truly amazing thing is that while we are called to seek God, we are told that He is seeking us. He is searching high and low, with fervour, to find us. Take the parable of the lost sheep: God is like the shepherd with 100 sheep who will leave the 99 to find the lost 1. He is not willing that anyone should perish. God is seeking us, even before we know that we need Him. And surely this is displayed completely in Jesus. Jesus lived, died and rose again to bring us back into relationship with God, so we can know Him. In Colossians we read that the fullness of God and the mystery of God is revealed to us in Christ. But sometimes we can get confused and think that knowing God, and being in relationship with Him, hinges on understanding Him completely. I often think if I can just understand how God works - why MATT SMITH LEAD MINISTER He does the things He does, why I m in whatever situation I m in - if I can just get this clear in my head then my heart will be ready to know Him and trust Him. Does this ring true for you as well? How often do we try to figure out why things are happening, and what God s reasoning is? Sometimes this thinking can lead to doubts: how can this gracious, compassionate God exist when there is such suffering in the world? Or if we don t doubt God s existence, then how is He working in these situations? What is the answer to these injustices, and what are we meant to do about it? This is not necessarily a bad thing; it shows our natural curiosity and a longing to understand. However, I find that when I start thinking like this, it can seem like I m trying to contain God and figure Him out in a way that makes Him just like me. This month at TUC, we re hoping to give voice to these questions and doubts many of us have; to grapple with them together, while keeping our focus on the truth of who God is and how this is revealed to us in Christ. We don t promise to come up with nice, discrete answers because God s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). However, we trust that God will answer us in this seeking, and we will get to know Him even more. Jesus brings each of us individually into relationship with God, but also draws us together as a community into relationship with Him. So I thank God for you, and hope that you also feel part of this community, whether you are new to TUC or have worshipped here all your life. May we give thanks to God together, and be joyful, celebrating our blessings. And when one is suffering, or in despair, and cannot seem to find God in any part of their situation, let s gather around them. Let s speak the truth of God into each other s hearts: that He loves us so much He sent His only son Jesus to die for us, that Jesus triumphed over sin and death, so we are free to know Him. - Lauren Murray Matt joined the ministry team in January and is very excited about being part of TUC. As an art lover, Matt enjoys being visually creative in worship. Please get in contact if you have any questions: Ph matt@toowongunititngchurch.org.au

3 NEW TO TUC? Welcome, it s great to have you HERE! Our desire is to live and explain the Christian faith with as much clarity, authenticity and relevance as we can. Please stick around if you can for morning tea after the 9am worship service; we d love to have a chat! Please let us know if we can be of service in any way. Here are a few other ways to connect with the TUC community: TOOWONG HOSPITALITY SUNDAY Get in touch Please don t hesitate to get in touch if there s anything we can help you with. All our contact details can be found inside the back page of this newsletter. Pastorate The Tuesday Pastorate is a great way to get to know people. Pastorate is held on fortnightly Tuesdays from 7-9pm in the church house. In October, it will be on the 9 th, 23 rd and 30 th. Connect Form Fill out the Connect form found in the Church foyer. Please hand this form to Matt, Clare, Garry, Lauren or any member of Church Council. Over a few Sundays in October, a number of people from TUC will open their homes for lunch. We re looking forward to this chance to get to know each other a little better! Most people are hosting lunch on Sunday 28 October, but a few people are hosting lunch, or dinner, on different Sundays in October. There are sign up sheets in the foyer for each host, including the date of their meal (also listed below). If you d like to come along, simply put your name down on the list with your chosen host. Please be in touch with Wendy for more information: wendy.g.browne@gmail.com Sign up in the foyer: Geoff & Renata Rankin: 14 October Warwick & Wendy Browne: 21 October Gary & Sue O Brien: 28 October Jane Trewern: 28 October Kelvin & Catherine Wuttke: 28 October

4 CLARE HANKAMER FAMILIES WORKER Clare oversees KATS, Junior Youth, Senior Youth and the Thursday Playgroup. Clare has a PhD in Horticulture with significant experience in both church and community youth work in the UK and Australia. CHILDREN S & YOUTH MINISTRY KATS (Toddlers - Year 5) KATS stands for Kids at Toowong on Sunday and is our Sunday morning children s program run during the school term. The children leave after the children s talk to gather in their Tiger, Leopard and Lion age groups. An enthusiastic group of volunteers lead these groups, teaching the children about God in a fun and friendly environment. Junior Youth (years 6-8) Junior Youth also gather on Sunday mornings after the children s talk in the church house for a time of bible study and fun activities. The Scripture Union Light curriculum is used for KATS and Junior Youth. Each session encourages the children to get to know God better through praying together, looking at the bible together and themed games and craft. Senior Youth (years 9-12) Senior Youth join in with the whole Sunday worship either in the morning or evening, and are encouraged to take on leadership roles in the church especially with children s ministry and worship. Senior Youth also meet together every second Saturday night during the school term for Youth Group. This involves games, bible study and prayer. Children s & Youth Events A number of children s and youth events are run during the year, such as the Junior Youth Sleepover, the Moonwalk and the Light Party. Keep checking the newsletter, enews and app for updates about these events. Safe Ministry with Children TUC has adopted the Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod s Safe Ministry with Children policy and believes that every person is precious to God and in following Jesus example, we are committed to providing a safe church for all, particularly those who are vulnerable. All volunteers working with children at TUC have up-to-date Blue Cards and have completed the Safe Ministry with Children training. SUNDAY ROSTER: OCTOBER 9am Worship 07 OCT 14 OCT 21 OCT 28 OCT Speaker Garry Matt Matt Matt Elder Dianne H Wayne M Will S Lauren M Reader Rob L Grace B Liz W Noah D Prayer (during service) Kim J Garry J Wendy B Will S Door Rob & Dianne H Wayne M & Jane T Lauren M & Garry O B Ross H & Kim J Counting Rob H & Ross H Wayne M & Jane T Rob J & Ray M Rob J & Rob M Morning Tea Rachel M & Brendan T Sandra H & Louise M Vanessa S & Dianne H Lijean B & Jane T Data Bill B Naomi H Rob M Luke R Sound Ryan O Ben H Tim O B Reuben B Prayer Ministry (after service) Jane T Rob H Kim J Lauren M Music Team Adrian, Lucy, Yohannes, Thadeus Renata, Geoff, Alice, Ryan, Graz, Gabe, Max Sue, Peter, Garry, Amelia, Luke, Brad Lucy, Hamish, Yohannes, Gabe, Thadeus TIGERS Toddlers - Preschool LEOPARDS Preschool - Year 2 LIONS Year 3 - Year 5

5 22-27 OCTOBER Inspired Disciples is a week of experiences to inspire your discipleship journey. Based in the surrounds of the Queensland Synod office in Auchenflower, this festival will include a number of workshops, forums and training events which focus on growing, building and inspiring disciples. With learning opportunities for both ministry agents and lay people, Inspired Disciples promises to inspire and reinvigorate the meaning of discipleship. In 2018, Inspired Disciples incorporates Chaplaincy Affirmation Days (24-26 October). Head to the website for more information, and to register:

6 Theological Conversation On Marriage WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER PM Broadwater Road Uniting Church 481 Broadwater Rd, Mansfield Rev. Dr Geoff Thompson Coordinator of studies: Systematic Theology, Centre for Theology and Ministry, Melbourne (Synod of Vic-Tas) Dr John Frederick Lecturer in New Testament, Trinity College Qld, Brisbane (Synod of Qld) Can marriage only be between a man and a woman, or may it include samegender couples? What are the biblical and theological arguments? Are there other considerations? Can a church hold both views as being equally valid? Join us for an intelligent, respectful, enquiring conversation between two respected theologians with different views. This event is organised by the South Moreton Presbytery: office@southmoreton.org.au Youth Moonwalk Saturday 20 October PM MT COOT-THA Junior Youth would like to invite all the Lions moving up to Junior Youth in 2019 (anyone going into grade 6 next year) to join us for the Moonwalk. The Moonwalk is a night time hike up Mt Coot-tha (head torches essential!). We will meet in the J.C. Slaughter Falls car park at 6.00pm, then walk up to the Summit where we will view the moon and stars through some amazing high tech telescopes. The evening ends with pizza and a time of worship back at the Slaughter Falls Picnic area. Please contact Clare for more information: c_hankamer@hotmail.com Get in Touch Matt Smith Lead Minister matt@toowongunitingchurch.org.au Clare Hankamer Families Worker/Playgroup c_hankamer@hotmail.com Wendy Browne Playgroup Coordinator wendy.g.browne@gmail.com Garry Jennings Office Manager info@toowongunitingchurch.org.au Lauren Murray Relationships Manager lauren@toowongunitingchurch.org.au WAYNE Middleton Chair of Church Council middletons.oz@googl .com Dianne Hubbard Church Council Secretary dianne.j.hubbard@gmail.com Jane Trewern Chair of Congregation jftrewern@gmail.com Sue O BRIEN Congregational Secretary sobrien868@gmail.com Church Details 82 Sherwood Road, Toowong, QLD, 4066 Office Details 11 Grove Street, Toowong, QLD, 4066 Phone: Hours: 9.30am 1.00pm Tues, Wed and Fri

7 Free TUC Mobile App Stay up-to-date with what s Happening Simply go to the App Store or Google Play and search Toowong Uniting Church. The App allows you to listen to sermons, find out about events, make prayer requests and more. To receive a fortnightly enews and weekly prayer , get in touch with Lauren: lauren@toowongunitingchurch.org.au You can also check out our website and Facebook page for more: