Services Next Sunday
In person and online (In person, see Covid notes opposite ⇒
9:30am Sunday 29th May (Easter 7)
Link
Lectionary Readings
Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
Online Services can be viewed
• Upcoming services (when available) on our
YouTube page
Link
• 29th May 2022 Recorded service
Link
• Recent videos and texts available on our Sermons page
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Minister's Message
A Beacon of Hope
I’m not sure how you feel about lighthouses, but I am fascinated by the architecture, the beauty of the surrounds, the ocean, and the light at the very top (called a beacon). The beacon is used by sailors to help guide their ship at night.
The Bible has much to say about light and shade and bright beacons that shine the way forward to safety. Jesus refers to himself as 'The Light of the world', and those who choose to follow him are called: ‘children of The Light’.
As Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, we are reminded of a woman whose beacon of faith in Jesus has held her strong in the face of all manner of storms; enabled her to endure every kind of loneliness and shone through her for the greater good. Seventy years of faithful service to people. Regardless of one’s views on monarchy, this is an achievement that ought to be recognised and for which we may thank God. Queen Elizabeth spoke of renewing her lifelong service to people, and closed her Jubilee statement with the words: Your Servant.
To commence Platinum Jubilee celebrations, on Thursday 2 June 2022, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon will be lit in Canberra. This lighting will coincide with other beacon lightings throughout the United Kingdom and capital cities of the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth once wrote:
'Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life,
Christ’s unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence
but simply that we should love one another.'
She has been referred to as the Servant Queen who follows the Beacon of Hope.
May we follow Jesus Christ our Beacon of Hope and shine the light of that love to all. May we serve the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
With prayers and blessings
Rev Carmel
Take Time Together resumes 2nd May
A 30-minute Meditation Session ...
Join Rev. Carmel Online via Zoom
Mondays 9:30am – 10am
Discover, in 30 minutes, a compassionate space with
Take Time Together Meditations.
Spirituality inspired by the stories of Jesus
No religious knowledge or background needed.
The meditations include a relaxation exercise, a meditation in the tradition of St Ignatius, and a guided time of silence.
A gentle piece of music helps to bring you back to the present moment.
Register your interest online at
https://uca-nswact.zoom.us/j/91697222049
or by contacting the Administrator - Karen Needs on
admin@wesleycastlehill.org.au or
Tel: 9894 8999
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Minister
Rev. Carmel Ieraci
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Student Minister
Akosita Tangi
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Contact Details:
Email Minister: minister@wesleycastlehill.org.au
Email Office: admin@wesleycastlehill.org.au
Telephone:
(02) 9894 8999
Tues - Fri, 9:30 - 2:30
Mail: PO Box 515, Castle Hill 1765
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Donations and Giving:
Wesley relies entirely on the generosity of its members and friends for financial support.
Many members now prefer to use regular online offerings.
Click here for details for giving online.
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Our NEWSLETTER
'Newscope', is being emailed to members, and recent issues are available here.
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View a simpler version of this page at
wesleycastlehill
.org.au/mobile/
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COVID SAFE WORSHIP AT WESLEY
We suggest that you dress warmly for church!
So far we do not have any record of virus transmission related to our church service on Sunday. One strategy we have used is cross ventilation. We will continue to do this as the weather gets cooler, so please keep this in mind as you choose clothing for Sunday mornings.
And wear a mask, please
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To this point in time, we have been very successful at Wesley in responding to the coronavirus pandemic that has been with us for more than two years.
The movement of air through a building substantially reduces the risk of cross-infection. By opening doors and windows around the church, we move air in and out of the building and reduce the risk of airborne transmission.
This was quite comfortable in the summer months, but with the approach of winter it has the potential to cause discomfort. While we will do all we can to manage this, it is recommended that you dress warmly for church. If you dress as you would for a service outside the building you can remain comfortable, even on cold days.
The other successful strategy is the wearing of a mask. This is no longer mandatory, but is highly recommended by NSW Health.
Bryan Mullan — Safe Church Team
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Thought of the Week:
‘Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”’ Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
What did Jesus mean when he said, “Take my yoke upon you.” ?
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In Jesus’ day often two oxen would be yoked together to plough a field. Jesus must have seen his father Joseph, a carpenter, making such yokes. And he probably made them himself. If one of the oxen was stronger than the other, that one would bear the heavier part of the yoke. Jesus says the yoke I put on you is easy to bear, the burden is light. Why? Because he carries the heavier part of the yoke; the burden is his.
However, we must allow that to happen. So often we try to carry the whole load. We want to sort it out ourselves, and the sooner the better. It is as if we allow the situation, whatever it is, to take control of us, and we forget that Jesus is standing by in the wings, just waiting for the invitation to help us carry the load, to be yoked to him. He says, “Let me teach you…...”
How it must trouble him when we get ourselves in a tizz, because we are simply ignoring the invitation to be yoked to him. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in……” So, just open the door, and, says Jesus, “Take my yoke upon you…..and you will find rest for your souls.” Truly, a heavenly partnership with the King.
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Current News
Take Time Together Meditation Sessions
resumed on 2nd May.
Rev Carmel's Monday morning meditation sessions are online, Mondays 9:30 to 10am.
⇐ See notice opposite.
Volunteers Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday 5th June at 9:30am. All Church volunteers are welcome to take part.
Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast
Saturday 2nd July 8am - 9:30
with Women@Wesley and a guest speaker
$10 per person. Invite a friend!
RSVP to Lesley or Helen or use the sign-up sheet.
Congregational Meeting and Elections will be on
Sunday 31st July after church. More details later.
Confirmation Classes
If you would like to learn more about the Christian faith, Rev. Carmel will be conducting classes over the next few months
- Children's Baptism Classes will be over four Wednesdays, 27th July to 17th August, at 4:30pm.
- Adult Confirmation Classes will be scheduled in consultation with those who are interested.
- A Confirmation Service will be held on
Sunday 11th Septermber at 9:30am.
Wesley supports Afghan Refugees
About 300 Afghan refugees were temporarily housed in apartments at Bella Vista before they were resettled. During November, Wesley collected items to help them settle in to their new home.
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Afghan refugee advocate Tamkin Hakim has thanked members of Wesley Church Castle Hill for reaching out to Afghan families who were staying at Bella Vista after being airlifted from Kabul.
Thanks also to the Wesley outreach team and their message to the congregation who gathered a huge collection of items for the refugees that she has been liaising with.
Many suitcases, clothing, foodstuffs and over $1000 worth of vouchers were given to families who had escaped the Taliban take-over in Afghanistan in the past few months.
Bev, who delivered the items to Tamkin, said that she was touched by how the church had responded.
Tamkin said that the families had been overwhelmed by the donations and passed on their gratitude to church members.
The locally-based advocate herself fled Afghanistan with her parents when she was seven years old during the Russian invasion in the 1980s.
She appealed for help after 300 Afghan refugees were temporarily housed at the Quest apartments at Bella Vista before they were resettled.
She said the suitcases were important as it meant that when they left Quest they felt like travellers rather than refugees.
Thank you so much to all who donated so generously
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Playgroups
Playgroups have been suspended during the restrictions on gatherings, and have not re-commenced yet.
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