Merredin Uniting Church

Hello all,

Just a reminder about our two Christmas services/events.

This Sunday evening we have the Christmas Carols at the Old Civic Bowling Club that is located on Throssell Road. There is a sausage sizzle at 6.30pm and the Carols start at 7.00pm. Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit on.

Our Christmas Day service will be held at 9.00am at our church. Visitors are more than welcome to come along. We would love have to you join us.

God’s Richest Blessings,

Dave Q

Hello all, here is the second Advent reading from yesterday. It was read by Matt and Beth.

MATTHEW – Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent  Wreath, the Candle of Hope.  We light it again as we remember that Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, will come again to fulfil all of God’s promises to us. (relight the Candle of Hope)

BETH – The second candle of Advent is the Candle of Peace. Peace is a word that we hear a lot.  It is one of the things that we hope for.  Christ brought peace when he first came to us and he will bring everlasting peace when he comes again.

MATTHEW – The prophet Isaiah called Christ “the Prince of Peace”. When Jesus came he taught people the importance of being peace makers.  He said that those who make peace shall be called the children of God and the Bible teaches that we shall find peace through the repentance for our sin.

BETH – We light the candle of peace to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that through him peace is found. (light the Candle of Peace)

BETH – Peace is like a light shining in a dark place.  As we look at this candle we celebrate the peace we find in Jesus Christ.

MATTHEW – Let us pray: Thank you God for the peace you give us. We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us.  Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your peace with each other.  We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem.  Amen.

Hello all, here is a copy of our reading from yesterday. It explains a bit about Advent and why we light the candles…

Today is the first Sunday of Advent.  Advent means “coming” and in this season we prepare for the coming of Christ. One of the ways we prepare for his coming is by making an Advent wreath and lighting its candles to remind us of the gifts Christ brings to the world.

The Advent wreath includes many symbols to help us think about Christ and his gifts. The wreath itself is in the shape of a circle.  A circle has no beginning and no end.  This reminds us that there is no beginning and no end to God and that God’s love and caring are forever. The light from the candles – which grows stronger each Sunday in Advent, reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.

Today we light the candle of hope.  The people of Israel hoped in God’s promises and were not disappointed.  Again and again God delivered Israel from its enemies.  We too have the same experience of salvation.  That is why we believe in God’s promise to send Jesus to us once again to judge the world and establish his kingdom forever upon the earth. (Light the candle)

Hope is like a light shining in a dark place.  As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:  Thank you God for the hope you give us.  We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us.  Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your hope with each other.  We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem.  Amen.

Hello all,

Just a quick reminder that the church service will be at the Merredin Senior High School this week. We are meeting in the Performance Arts Centre (PAC) at 9.00am. The choir from Sing Australia will be with us for this service.

You can find the PAC on the railway side of the school. Entry can be made from the Throssle Rd side and parking is available in the carpark near the basketball/tennis courts.

This promises to be a great service. Hope to see you all there. Visitors are more than welcome to join us for this service too.

God’s Richest Blessings,

Dave Q

Just a reminder that this Sunday the 15th of November there will be no service at the Merredin Church or at Bruce Rock. Instead we will have a service at Merredin Senior High School in the Performing Arts Centre at 9am where we will be joined by 77 folk from the National Sing Australia Group and the local group as well.

Sing Australia Pty Ltd was established in 1985 by Colin Slater OAM, an accomplished singer and singing teacher, to promote singing, Australian compositions and Australian artists. High among the organisation’s priorities has been the encouragement of people to sing using a unique style of teaching for large groups.

Sing Australia community singing groups do not require people to audition or to attend regularly. They are groups that offer the opportunity to learn songs – be it in unison or in parts. The concept also accepts that not everyone can read music, not everyone can sing in tune, and not everyone has yet made contact with their singing voice.

Sing Australia also performs regular concerts and has a very extensive repertoire and there are songs for every occasion in their songbooks. Songs like Amazing Grace, Hallelujah Chorus (The Messiah), Oh what a beautiful morning, Hey Jude, That’s What Friends Are For and Aussie favourite Waltzing Matilda are all part of their song list.

We would love to have you come along this Sunday for the special event. The Performing Arts Centre is located on the railway side of the high school and can be accessed from Throssle Road. Parking is available right outside the door next to the Tennis/Basketball courts on Throssle Road. The event starts at 9.00am.

See you there!