MARCH 2017 II St. Matthew’s Monthly Newsletter Dear Friends Ash Wednesday Service – st Our Lenten Journey 1 March 7.30pm at the Church During the months of January and Ash Wednesday nn February, I have been reading and begins the period of prayerfully considering our Lenten Lent. Traditionally, and Easter Journey. I would like ash in the sign of the cross is placed to invite you to be a part of the on a person’s forehead, Lenten Journey at St Matthew’s symbolising a turning away from this year. the past and starting over again. the Cross it’s also a time to reflect on our journey as disciples and to act in solidarity with people of our F global church. Lent Event is F UnitingWorld’s call on the church to embrace simple living… setting aside material goods and donating the money saved to support projects that offer a better future to people living on the margins.” Lent begins on Ash Wednesday oo and ends at sunset on Easter Saturday. Lent Event - 40 days of worship, Traditionally the 40 days of Lent prayer and informed action excludes Sundays as these commemorate – 1st March – 15th April the resurrection of Christ. The Lent Event website asks us Get ready for Lent Event 2017 this question: Do you want to see and sign up now to receive your a different kind of world? Bread for the Road – daily devotions “Lent Event is … 40 days to live sent via email throughout Lent. cc These will offer reflections on what more simply, reflect on our faith and support people struggling to it means to rely on God and put free themselves from poverty. faith into action. You can sign up As Lent traces the journey of Jesus to online http://www.lentevent.com. Holy Week Services uu Palm Sunday 9 April 8am, 9.30am & 6.45pm Holy Thursday 13 April 7.30pm Good Friday 14 April 9am Easter Sunday 16 April 8.00am, 9.30am & 6.45pm I am so looking forward to sharing this journey with you all! ss Dirk Thursdays 10am to 12noon at St. Matthew’s 2 MARCH 9 MARCH 16 MARCH 23 MARCH Trip to the South Pole Gardening with Judy My Trip To South Africa Aussie bush Poetry Guest Hastings Pawsey Guest Guest Guest Speaker Hastings Pawsey Speaker Judy Horton Speaker Connie Scurr Speaker Graham Sims Hastings will share Judy, well known for her Connie will take us on As a former teacher of literature and a lover of our with us some of his expertise at Yates Seeds a trip to South Africa Limited and a regular own bush ballads and experience as a which will include poetry, Graham likes to presenter on gardening discuss and recite a tourist on an some of the highlights programs on Radio 2UE of Cape Town, personal selection of and 702, will give a Power Aussie poems, including amazing trip to Zimbabwe and Kenya. Point presentation on the both well known Antarctica in 2014. and some of the “History of Backyard lesser known. Gardening.” AFRICA AFRICA These informal morning gatherings include devotions, morning tea and guest speakers which cover a large range of interesting and informative topics. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ALL WELCOME* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You’re invited to Everyone is Resourced welcome by ChristChrist thethe HealerHealer by whether A DIFFERENT WAY TO PRAY The associated Healing with the Order church or HealingHealing ServicesServicesat St.Matthew’s of not. JACOB’S Jesus healed without Healing Services are held WELL setting any on the 3rd Thursday evening of each month (Aust) February to November at 7.30pm preconditions on who could NEXT SERVICE: THURSDAY 16 MARCH be healed. These are quiet reflective services opportunity for people to be prayed pray with them. The key to this ministry is that begin with some songs about for at their request. There is no need that it is focused on what God does God’s love, followed by a prayer, a to share more than they feel necessary as in the space prayerfully made open time to hear about healing that has to why they are seeking prayers. Any to him through the worship of the happened, a reading from scripture, request is confidential and there is group. It is a quiet and non intrusive and a message about Jesus amazing no follow-up unless the person requests service that meets in the church in healing ministry. There is then an it. Usually a person has two people front of the Cross. Events and Classes for MARCH 2017 POSTLINKS An adult support group providing fellowship CHRISTIAN MEDITATION and social opportunities for people whose life stage gives them You are invited to come along to the church on the freedom to do things they would like to do. Tuesdays at 9.15am The group will give you (us) a chance to centre and locate ourselves Next Event: Saturday 18 March in God’s presence, an opportunity to leave behind our often hectic Quarantine Station lifestyle and simply ‘be’. at North Head All are welcome to come and learn about this way of prayer. Please join us on a visit to the Quarantine Station at North Head for ‘The all important aim of Christian meditation is to allow God’s a private 2 hour history tour. mysterious presence within to become more and more not only We will meet at the Church for carpooling to leave at a reality, but the reality which gives meaning, shape and 11.00am. Please bring a picnic lunch which we will eat before going purpose to everything we do, to everything we are. John Main—OSB in. Coffee and snacks are available inside. Enquires: Katherine [email protected] Walk includes inclines and declines and enclosed flat comfortable walking shoes must be worn and a moderate fitness level is required. Please note Cost is $29 for seniors and $35 for non-seniors. Women’s Fellowship Please advise Jane/Peter Jenkyn if you are interested in have changed their Coming by 26th February as payment and final numbers must be meeting time from the made that week by emailing [email protected] or 9686.6914. evening to morning. They will now meet on the 2nd Wednesday morning of the each month from 10am to 12noon. In the upstairs hall and church. MEN’S MORNING TEA The next meeting is WEDNESDAY MORNING Wednesday 15 MARCH 2017 8 March 10am to 12noon. 10am to 12noon Games morning Bring along a plate of food to share. Please bring a board game Meet on the third Wednesday of the month in the lower church hall Enquiries Enquiries: Lorraine Harrington Warren Enjoy a fun morning of fellowship Arthur March Meeting Dates 1 , 15 & 29 2017 WEDNESDAYS 1st,3rd & 5th Wednesdays of the month in the upstairs church hall. 10am to 12noon Term 1 Class Times 1-2pm & 2-3pm Bring your craft along to do. Share fun and fellowship with other crafty ladies. Rouse Hill 8 Mar - 5 Apr Morning Tea supplied. Enquiries: Charmaine Rowe Term 2 Baulkham Hills 26 Apr - 24 May Rouse Hill 31 May - 28 Jun Term 3 Baulkham Hills 19 Jul - 16 Aug EremosEremos BookBook ClubClub Rouse Hill 23 Aug- 20 Sep Term 4 Thursday 2 MARCH at 7.30pm Baulkham Hills 11 Oct - 8 Nov 5 Woodlands St Baulkham Hills New members very welcome. St. Matthew’s U.C.—9686 3003 We invite you to come along to our monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month. Our book The Way of the Wind has much to offer and we enjoy good times in conversation, sharing and discussion. The author shares thoughtful and inspiring concepts very helpful to us individually as well as in our group setting. Contact Betty on phone 9639 3622 or email – [email protected] Calendar of Events for MARCH 2017 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 9am-2pm—Op Shop open 2 3 4 5 9.30am—Grandparents Play Group 9am-2pm—Op Shop open 9.30am—Play Group lower hall 8am—Worship 9am-12pm— lower hall includes 10am—Coffee and Discovery Op Shop open 10am—In Stitches Craft Group No Simpson's or Flourish Bible Study Holy Communion Speaker : Hastings Pawsey tonight upstairs hall “Trip to the South Pole” 9.30am—Worship 1pm—Intro to Computers Class 1 7.00-9.30pm—EMERGE includes Holy Communion 2.pm—Intro to Computers Class 2 7.30pm—Eremos Book Club and ALIVE Zone night meet offsite KUCA in the lower hall FINAL FOR SERIES 1 @ Castle Hill Wesley 5 Woodlands St B.H. Preschool, Years K-2 & Years 3-6 7.30pm— Details page 3 12noon—Korean Fellowship Ash Wednesday Service 7.45pm-9pm—Choir practice 6.45pm—Worship in the church in the Church includes Holy Communion 12 6 7 8 9 10 11 KUCA 9am-2pm—Op Shop open 9am-2pm—Op Shop open 9am—Garage Sale Pricing 9.30am—Play Group lower hall Campout 9am-2pm—Op Shop open KUCA lower hall 9.15am—Christian Meditation in the Community Room 9.30am—Grandparents Play Group 5.45pm—Simpson’s Brotherhood Campout 8am— lower hall 10am—Coffee and Discovery Worship 7.30pm—Christian Meditation Bible Study upstairs hall 10am—Christian Meditation Speaker : Judy Horton 11am-4.30pm— at Betty’s 5 Woodlands St Baulkham Hills 9am—Worship @ the Willow’s Catholic Church, Canyon Rd B.H. 5.45pm—FLOURISH lower hall L.G.B. Club Train Day Details back page. Please note new location. 10am—Women's Fellowship “Gardening with Judy” Church and Upstairs Hall 9.30am—Worship — No KUCA upstairs hall and church.