Welcome

H ello and welcome all to worship this morning. We

extend a special welcome to all visitors to our Church today.

May your time of worship be a blessed one.

If you are a visitor, or newcomer, to our Church, please contact us via email gladuca@bigpond.com if you have any queries or we can be of assistance.

Gladstone Uniting Church

Interface Pentecost 23 8 November 2020

For the most up-to-date information on our church please remember

www.gladstoneuniting.org.au

Lectionary Bible Readings

This Week: Pentecost 23 Next Week: Pentecost 24

Joshua 24: 1-3a, 14-25 Judges 4: 1-7

Psalm 78: 1-7 Psalm 123

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11

Matthew 25: 1-13 Matthew 25: 14-30

Our Vision is for the Gladstone Region to be a

community where everyone experiences the

transforming love of Jesus.

Pentecost 23 Year A 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

To our modern day society, death seems so final but for those who are in Christ, Paul certainly asserts in this letter, death is not the end. As it says in the Uniting Church funeral service: death is “a glorious new beginning in the presence of God.”

I love the way Paul refers to those who have died as merely being asleep. Sleep is not usually the end, it is a transition from one day to the next—from one reality to the next—from the present reality of the world with all its joys, challenges and difficulties, to the reality of being present with God in his heavenly kingdom, however we understand that, free from the burdens of the past.

What a great encouragement this must have been for the early Christians who had once followed pagan philosophies—particularly in regard to those who were martyred for their faith. Death is not in vain—it leads to something much more wonderful than they could ever imagine. So too it ought to be an encouragement to us, particularly for those who are older, as we are faced with the reality of our own mortality. Lest we become complacent, however, while we are still awake to this present reality of our world, there are still things we need to do—both to fulfil God’s calling on our life in our witness and ministry and in preparation for the life that is to come.

The Scriptures tell us that one day, there will be a reckoning and that we will be called to account, not just for what we believe but for what we have done with our belief. We are, at all times, to be faithful stewards of all that God has given us. We are called to share God’s blessings with others and to be able to give an account of our faith to others even though at times it will mean pain and rejection—in some places, death. The hope that we have is not something based on our present existence, but in the hope of living for the rest of eternity with God. Grace and peace.

Allan

Bible League Bible Tree Project Share in the spirit of generosity this Christmas with our new Bible Tree! Our Bible Tree offers you the opportunity to give to someone you may never meet, but whose life will be transformed FOREVER! This Christmas we can satisfy that spiritual hunger with a life-changing gift of God’s Word.

Church Christmas Tree Once again our congregation can show its generosity to those in need this Christmas. The Church Christmas Tree will shortly be in place and every family in the congregation is invited to share in the true meaning of Christmas by placing gifts of new toys and non-perishable (and non-expired) food under our Church Christmas tree. The gifts will be distributed by Lifeline the week before Christmas.

Get Organised Early for Christmas…. More lovely gift ides and inspirations from the Bookshop. Take the time to pop in Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday 9am to 1pm. At this stage the Bookshop will be open EVERY DAY (Mon-Sat) from Tuesday 1 December to Saturday 19 December, but they NEED your help. If you can spare any time to volunteer please speak to Ros L, Tony or Frances. Thank you.

Adult Fellowship people, I’m very pleased to announce that the Rippingale’s (senior) have offered to let us have our Christmas morning tea at their place on Thursday 12 November. This will commence at 9.30, all to bring a small plate of Christmas goodies to share. As parking may be a problem, suggest car pooling from Ballantine St car park, or park in Wistari St. For more details, please contact me on 0408070611, or in person. Cheers, Pam

Colouring Page

Daily Lectionary Readings

Monday 9 November 2020

9-10am Little Explorers - Outside

Tuesday 10 November 2020

9am-1pm Bookshop Open

7.00pm Social Tennis

Wednesday 11 November 2020

9.00am Prayer Group

7.00pm Small Group @ Rippingale’s

Thursday 12 November 2020

9-10am Little Explorers - Outside

9am-1pm Bookshop Open

1pm Small Group @ Myrleen Jones’: In recess

Friday 13 November 2020

Saturday 14 November 2020

9am-1pm Bookshop Open

Sunday 15 November 2020

9.00am Worship Service: Rev Allan Smith

Monday November 9 Psalm 63

Amos 8:7-14 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Tuesday November 10 Psalm 63

Joel 1:1-14 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Wednesday November 11

Psalm 63 Joel 3:9-21

Matthew 24:29-35

Thursday November 12 Psalm 90:1-8, [9-11] 12

Ezekiel 6:1-14 Revelation 16:1-7

Friday November 13 Psalm 90:1-8, [9-11] 12

Ezekiel 7:1-9 Revelation 16:8-21

Saturday November 14 Psalm 90:1-8, [9-11] 12

Ezekiel 7:10-27 Matthew 12:43-45

15 November 2020

Preaching Rev Allan Smith

Worship Lead-in Rev Allan Smith

Notices & Prayers Rev Allan Smith

Vestry Elders G. Caird, J. Parnell

Bible Reader Ian McKay

Praise Songs Allan Smith

Back Up Singer Joy Duffield

Piano Chelsea Elvery

Church Steward/Valet Helper Please

Data Projector Liam Rippingale

Sound System Nathan Rippingale

Welcome Host Del Bambrick

Count Offering D. Smith, Helper Pls

Morning Tea NA

Next Week’s Roster & Church Activities

Fellowship Gatherings * Need to wait for further easing of restrictions New Auckland Place *New Auckland Place Worship 1 December (TBC) 2020 at 1pm (Rev Allan & 1 other ONLY)

ALLERGY ALERT Please be aware when preparing any food for Morning Tea, or possibly bringing snacks for yourself or your children, that the Gladstone Uniting Church is a Nut & Egg Free Church. Please note that Egg as an ingredient in cakes or biscuits is fine. Your assistance in this matter is much appreciated.

Direct EFT Giving This is an option for those who like the convenience of setting up a Direct Transfer from your own bank account to the church each week/month for your offering. Please use ‘Tithing” as the reference for regular offerings and ‘Spec Offering’ for a once off. BSB: 014010 A/C: 192134483 Account Name: UCA Gladstone Congregation Sermons and Interface Please remember that hard copies of Allan’s sermons are available at the door as you leave. Back copies of sermons and the weekly Interface are also available in the Narthex. Remember also that these can also be downloaded from the Gladstone UC website at: www.gladstoneuniting.org.au and on our Facebook page. DVD’s of the services are also available upon request.

Retiring Offering Mission of the Month

RI in schools

Address: Cnr Uniting Place & Dixon Dr (07) 4979 3323 Office Details: Open Tues & Thurs 9.00am—12.00pm (times subject to change in school holidays) Email: gladuca@bigpond.com Minister: Rev Allan Smith 13 Waratah Street Office: (07) 4979 3323 Mobile: 0427 289299 Email: pastoral007@gmail.com

EGG & NUT FREE