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Sunday, The Day of
May 19, 2013 Pentecost
The Uniting Church in Australia
The Parish of Rockhampton South
-NEWSLETTER-
MOVING WITH GOD’S SPIRIT
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day on which the Church celebrates the invigorating energy of the Holy Spirit in its worship, witness and service. It is easy to forget that the crowd which gathered and which Peter addressed consisted of devout Jews from every nation under heaven who lived in Jerusalem (Acts 2:5). We do not know why they had come to live in Jerusalem, but the expectation created by various prophets like Isaiah (2:1-4) of what God would do in Jerusalem could not have been unnoticed. This crowd was expecting a divine encounter.
Daily Psalm: Psalm 8: “What are human beings that you are mindful of them?”
Daily Scripture Readings: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it -“
Mon: John 16:12-15: receiving the full truth about the historic Jesus as the Holy Spirit has revealed that to the Church in the teaching of the apostles.
Tues: Proverbs 8: 1-4, 22-31: seeking wisdom, which the Lord created at the beginning of his work, the first of God’s acts long ago.
Wed: Romans 5:1-5: rejoicing that God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Thurs: Isaiah 2:1-4: trusting in God’s commitment to teaching the nations the way that makes for peace.
Fri: Isaiah 2:5-16: knowing that when a nation becomes prosperous its people begin to worship its achievements and lose contact with God’s teachings.
Sat: Isaiah 2:17-22: ready to be humbled and to have pride brought low.
We extend a warm welcome to any visitors or newcomers
with us today. Please give us an opportunity to get to know
you after the Service.
Sunday, May 19
5.00pm Fellowship at Gracemere followed by fellowship tea – Rev Glenn.
Monday, May 20
6.30pm Craft Group in the small hall – Beaded Hanging Ball ($12).
Tuesday, May 21
9.15am Play Group in the small hall – Sock Puppets.
9.30am Indoor Bowls in the large hall – all welcome.
7.30pm Worship & Evangelism Committee meeting in Sagnol House.
Wednesday, May 22
7.00pm Stillness & Meditation in the South R’ton Church with Rev Jennifer.
7.00pm Indoor Bowls in the large hall – club night.
7.30pm Bible Study “Discipleship” at Ingram’s.
Thursday, May 23
10.30am Gracemere Aged Care Facility, Gracemere Gardens, Combined Service – Rev Glenn Ingram.
4.30pm Prayer Time at Ingram’s, Bishop Street. All are welcome to attend.
5.15pm Worship Band practice in the South R’ton UC.
7.00pm R’ton Churches Together meeting at Holy Family.
7.30pm Choir Practice in South R’ton Church.
Friday, May 24
7.00pm – 9.00pm Youth Group at South R’ton.
For Your Diary
Tuesday, May 28
9.15am Play Group in the small hall – Hawaiian Day.
9.30am Indoor Bowls in the large hall. – all welcome.
10.00am Pleasant Tuesday Morning at Gracemere Gardens in the Hostel Lounge.
Wednesday, May 29
7.00pm Stillness & Meditation in the South R’ton Church with Rev Jennifer.
7.00pm Indoor Bowls in the large hall – club night.
7.30pm Bible Study “Discipleship” at Ingram’s.
Friday, May 31
8.00am -12 noon R’ton South Fellowship Street Stall in East Street (please see separate notice).
9.30am CAMEO in the small hall.
Wednesday, June 5
11.30am R’ton South Fellowship Soup & Sandwich Luncheon in the large hall.
Prayers in response to John 14:8-17
We give thanks for –
· Philip’s request,
· Jesus’ words and works that demand faith,
· faith that Jesus is in the Father and the Father in him.
We pray for –
· people puzzled by Jesus’ talk about the Father,
· fresh understanding of Jesus’ words and works,
· congregational worship which draws us into the unity of the Father and Jesus.
We give thanks for –
· the promise that Jesus will do what we ask in his name,
· the gift of the Advocate, the Spirit of truth,
· the certainty that the Spirit abides in the Church.
We pray for –
· our prayers may be offered by minds that conform to Christ’s mind,
· the Spirit of truth may guide the leaders of the churches,
· congregations will be instructed by the Spirit that abides in them.
We give thanks for –
· biblical scholars, theologians and theological colleges,
· translators of the Scriptures,
· writers expounding the truth in the Scriptures.
We pray for –
· the members of the Queensland Synod returning to their congregations with new ideas and high hopes,
· the United Church in Papua New Guinea, a partner church of the Uniting Church in Australia,
· the people and churches in Malawi and Zambia.
Prayer: Eternal God,
called Father by our Lord Jesus Christ,
we praise you for your tireless patience
in giving understanding and energy
to both individuals and nations,
and, upon this day, we particularly rejoice
in your gift of the Spirit of truth
to abide within your holy church:
by this gift may your will be done on earth,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.