Next Week's Services
In person and online (In person, see Covid notes opposite) ⇒
Thursday 28th March 2024 7:30pm
Maundy Thursday
Lectionary Readings:
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Friday 29th March 2024 9:00am
Good Friday
Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22;
Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42
Sunday 31st March 2024 6:00am
Easter Sunrise Garden Service
Sunday 31st March 2024 9:30am
Easter Day
Lectionary Readings:
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24;
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
Available Recorded Services can be viewed on our
YouTube page
Link
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Minister's Message
Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Mark 11:9
Minister's Message
Hosanna!
'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'
Mark 11:9
Here at Wesley along with Christians around the world, the beginning of Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday. It’s a day that commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds waved palm branches and hailed Him as the Messiah.
Beyond its historical and religious significance, Palm Sunday carries profound messages of encouragement and hope that resonate with us today. Just as the crowds welcomed Jesus with excitement and hope, we too are reminded of the power of faith to lift our spirits and help us to persevere. The waving of palm branches symbolizes victory, resilience, and the promise of better days ahead.
In today's world, where global and personal challenges seem insurmountable, the spirit of Palm Sunday encourages us to remain steadfast in our beliefs and to trust in God’s divine guidance.
Palm Sunday unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous world, much like the one Jesus encountered two millennia ago. Despite facing imminent trials and persecution, Jesus entered Jerusalem with a sense of purpose and hope. His journey reminds us that even in our darkest hours, there is light on the horizon.
Palm Sunday calls us to embrace hope, to look beyond our present circumstances, and to envision a future filled with promise and possibility. It reminds us that just as autumn follows summer, hope springs eternal in the human heart.
As a community of faith, Wesley Uniting Church reflects the strength that comes from standing together in faith. Like the crowds who lined the streets of Jerusalem, we come together to celebrate our shared beliefs, to support one another in times of need, and to draw inspiration from the timeless message of love and redemption.
This week we also welcome the Wesley Preschool Families to celebrate the start of Holy Week and celebrate Easter.
May we carry the spirit of Palm Sunday in our hearts, ever mindful of the enduring message of love, redemption, and hope in Jesus it embodies.
Blessings Rev Carmel
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Minister
Rev. Carmel Ieraci
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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.
You will need to enter the church's account details:
• BSB Number 634-634, • Account Number 100027297, and
• Account Name Castle Hill Congregation,.• Reference: Offering (Surname optional)
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Our NEWSLETTER
'Newscope', is being emailed to members, and recent issues are available here.
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wesleycastlehill .org.au/mobile/
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Ongoing Activities
Kids and Youth Activities
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Play Group for young children, Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:30
Young Adults - Follow on Facebook
Youthgroup School years 8 to 11. Called 'Fuse', meets every 2 weeks on a Friday night
Kids@Wesley Ages 3 to 12. Meets during church service, with activities
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Life Teams (various times)
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Much of our pastoral care and fellowship at Wesley takes place primarily within the context of smaller cell groups, often meeting in homes. Some of these are structured around regular small group studies or specific bible study material, while others may form around common interests. These small groups provide a safe place to form friendships and explore faith matters.
Groups welcome new members and take place on many different days and various times.
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Tuesdays 1 - 3pm UFO Craft Group
(Un-Finished Objects)
each Tuesday, 1:00 to 3:30pm
Wednesdays
Taichi, Exercises, Hymn Singing, Relaxing Art, Seniors Lunch
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Each Wednesday 9am - 9:45 Taichi
Each Wednesday !0am Gentle Exercises
First Wednesday from 10am, Singing old favourite hymns, then morning tea
First Wednesday 10:30-12:30, Watercolour painting
First Wednesday, 1pm-3pm, Drawing
Third Wednesday 10:30-12:30, Relaxing Art, Acrylic Painting
Fourth Wednesday 12 noon, Seniors Lunch
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Thursdays, 1pm MahJongg
First Thursday, 10am-2pm, Book Club
Fourth Friday, 1-3pm, Rummikub
Fourth Saturday, 8am to 12 noon, Garden Sale
Fourth Saturday, 1-4pm, Art Workshop, learning new techniques
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COVID SAFE WORSHIP AT WESLEY
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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 three 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. Please wear warm clotihing 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:
After we had turned out the light a week or so ago I was quietly giving thanks to God when, in my spirit, I heard the words, “Are you really giving thanks?” After a very thoughtful moment I realised that I was only going through the motions of giving thanks – a kind of nightly ritual.
I had been reading from the prophet Isaiah, ‘The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.’ Isaiah 12:2a-30 (NIV)
Isaiah’s words, “with joy”, and “the Lord himself, is... my song”, suddenly resonated with me, and I realised that there was little joy in my giving thanks. I connected also to the words of Zephaniah, “He will take great delight in you; .........(he) will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
As I lay there, contemplating those Scripture passages, the Lord’s joy for me was fast becoming my companion, and I very briefly continued to give thanks, but with his joy in my heart.....and fell sleep. I learnt a lot from that. So often we learn things off by heart, and therein lies the trap. They can become so familiar that they lose their punch. Just going through the motions of giving thanks sometimes causes us to dwell on what is happening in our lives rather than on God, and that can lead to worry.
The joy of the Lord is my strength and song. Is it yours? So....how do we get in touch with that joy of the Lord?
Contemplating those Scriptures expressing God’s joy for me, helped me. Yes, I felt it that night. What might help you? Quietly breaking out in song perhaps? Saying thanks is so important, but let our thanks give rise to joy, God’s joy in our hearts and lives. Saying thanks will then take on a new dimension.
Grace peace and love to all — Bill Rosier
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Current News
Parramatta Mission Christmas Appeal and Mt Druitt Preschool
Over the past months, we have taken 166 bags of Christmas food, 187 bags of clothing, and 87 bags of beanies to the Mission, much of it collected in the Church and also contributed from the Community. We have received some lovely messages of thanks for all those who have contributed.
We have also contributed to the Aboriginal Community Precshool, 25 bags of children's clothing, 2 bags and 4 boxes of nappies, and many dollars in food vouchers.
Thanks to all those who contributed to these appeals.
AA Meeting Thursdays, at 12:30pm
Do you or someone you know have a Drinking problem?
AA can help
Seniors Lunch
Wednesday 27th March 12 noon
Wednesdays@Wesley Hymn Singing
10am 3rd April and on the first Wednesday of each month.
An hour of singing our favourite hymns, followed by morning tea and a chat.
Give Blood at Wesley
The Red Cross Blood Collection🔗 unit will be back at Wesley Church, in April.
Click What it means to give blood for 2 pages from the Red Cross (in a new window).
Garden Sale Saturday 26th April 8am - 12 noon
and the fourth Saturday each month.
Loads to choose from including Garden Ornaments and Pots
Cash and Eftpos facilities available
The Christian Life, Baptism and Confirmation
If you would like to learn more about the Christian faith, Rev. Carmel has been conducting classes over the past few months, and further classes will be available in future
Hindi Speaking Church at St Clair
Congratulations and abundant blessings from everyone at Wesley Castle Hill to Mike and Ann Kumar, who are leaders at the Hindi Speaking Church at St Clair.
This Church Fellowship was formally recognised as a Hindi speaking Faith Community by the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia and celebrated as such at the recent Presbytery meeting. Ann & Mike serve as the Church Leaders of this Community that has been worshipping for more than 15 years.
The Church is active in supporting:
- young people – with a young leader responding to God’s call to ministry.
- Upskilling and supporting elders in bilingual lay ministry
- The vulnerable
- provision of over 1400 Eye Sights to the marginalised community in Fiji
- offering pastoral care
This formal recognition as a “Faith Community” places them on a trajectory to becoming a Congregation in the near future.
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