Christmas Services
In person and online (In person, see Covid notes opposite) ⇒
Sunday 11th December 9:30am
Link (when available)
Third Sunday in Advent, All-Age Service
Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55;
James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
Online Services can be viewed
• Upcoming services (when available) on our
YouTube page
Link
• 4th December 2022 Recorded service
Link
• Recent videos and texts available on our Sermons page
Sunday 18th December 9:30am
Fourth Sunday in Advent, Carol Service
9:30am Service
5 pm Family Christmas Festival (See flyer in separate window)
Carols at 6:30 pm
Saturday 24th December 11pm
Christmas Eve, Holy Communion
Sunday 25th December 9:00am
Christmas Day Service
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Minister's Message
There is Room ... FOR ALL OF NATURE!
“… ask the animals what they think - let them teach you; let the birds tell you what's going on.
Put your ear to the earth - learn the basics. Listen - the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.
Isn't it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand -
Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature?
This is all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste.”
Job 12:7-11 The Message
The Bible verses above are part of Job’s dialogue to ‘friends’ as Job speaks of God’s Sovereignty over all of creation. He reminds them to look at animals and learn from them.
God’s story isn’t for a handful of special people. In fact, it’s not just for people. God is part of the whole cosmos. When you are hurting, God is hurting. When the world is hurting, God is hurting. God’s story is for the whole planet and the whole planet is telling the story of God.
When you look at the world around you, what might it be telling YOU about God?
There are lots of animals in the Christmas story. There are the animals around the feeding trough that became baby Jesus’ crib. Sheep probably followed the shepherds. The wise men may have travelled on horses or camels. Our lives are interwoven with the lives of the animals and plants which share our planet and whose fate is bound up with our own.
May we be a people who look, listen, learn and care for all of creation.
Blessings Rev Carmel
Market Day - REPORT FROM 4TH DECEMBER
Our community Market Day last Sunday saw many members of our Castle Hill community visiting Wesley and interacting with our volunteers, Life line, Rotary, Lions, Parramatta Mission and Hills community Aid.
Feedback from our community stall holders was very positive.
The use of credit card facilities was a success due to the volunteers who learned the new technology necessary. McPhail Cottage was beautifully presented thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers who spent many days there preparing and our garden stall was a picture.
Our coffee shop was enhanced by the sounds of clarinet and oboe playing carols live for our guests. The Community Market Day raised a little more than $3000.
It was a wonderful start to a new venture. Thanks to all who volunteered and all who donated to make our day successful.
Bryan M
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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
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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.
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: Peace
'That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”’ John 20:19-21 (NLT)
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Our Lord Jesus Christ is speaking those same words to each one of us personally. “Peace be with you.” Peace is a wonderful gift, but so often we find it elusive. Among other things Advent is a time when we think about peace. But why can it be so elusive? When we are agitated what gets our attention?
We so often move into an automatic mode without thinking - a mode which says, “I’ve got to fix this.” And so we get to work to fix whatever it is that is causing our agitation. I want to suggest to you that there are two words that go together - peace and cease. When we are agitated about something, this is the signal to stop, to cease whatever we are doing and centre on the Prince of Peace. (See Isaiah 9:6.)
In our ceasing we shall sense that this Prince of Peace is our constant companion, and suddenly, we shall find that we are no longer agitated. And because we are no longer agitated, we shall begin to see the way ahead. Is that a waste of time? No way! In fact, it will save time. Try it and see.
Just before he ascended into heaven Jesus gathered his disciples together, and said, “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (NLT)
As today’s disciples, let’s cease from whatever is causing a problem for us, and receive that beautiful gift of peace. It really is ours for the taking.
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Current News
December Rosters are now on the Roster page
Wednesdays@Wesley Hymn Singing is on at 10am, first Wednesday each month. Next 7th December.
Wesley Walkers Christmas Lunch
Saturday 17th December, meet at Showground Metro, 9:30 outside station, to go to Woolwich Pier Hotel.
Parramatta Mission Christmas Lunch Appeal
We are again partnering with the Parramatta Mission for its Christmas Lunch. You can buy a plate for $10, and write a personal message to someone.
We are also collecting items for Christmas Hampers, there are bags in the foyer for this.
Both these collections will run until 18th December.
We are also collecting for the Bill Crews Foundation (Exodus, Ashfield). There are flyers in the Church describing what is needed
Give Blood at Wesley
The Red Cross Blood Collection unit will be operating at Wesley Church on the following days in December,
- Monday 19 December: 8.30 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 20 December: 7 am-2 pm
- Wednesday 21 December: 8.30 am-5 pm
- Thursday 22 December: 7 am-2 pm
- Friday 23 December: 7 am-2 pm
- Saturday 24 December: 7 am-2 pm
Click What it means to give blood for 2 pages from the Red Cross (in a new window).
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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Ongoing Activities
Kids and Youth Activities
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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
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(Un-Finished Objects)
each Tuesday, 1:00 to 3:30pm
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Wednesdays@Wesley 1st, 3rd and 4th Wed each month
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First Wednesday from 10am, Singing the hymns that shaped our faith, followed by morning tea
Third Wednesday from 10am, Gathering and games, folllowed by a light lunch
Third Wednesday from 12:15 - 2:30pm, Relaxing Art for Beginners
Fourth Wednesday 12 noon, Seniors Lunch
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First Thursday, Book Club 10am-2pm
Fourth Friday, Rummikub 1-3pm
Third Saturday, Wesley Walkers, usually a full day outing
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