Hi everyone,
This week our staff team and volunteers have really enjoyed working together to organise Sunday’s worship service. Of course we enjoy this every week, but after having some time off last week, it’s been good to come back together again with freshness and new ideas. We’re excited to see a couple of videos this Sunday created by Eli Gearing. Eli, one of our Junior Youth members, has collaborated with his Dad, Adrian Gearing, as well as Geoff and Renata Rankin, to lay down music tracks and edit together a couple of worship music videos for us to sing and play along with. I probably haven't explained this very well, but join in with worship this Sunday to see what I mean! The creativity and chance to work together on these kind of projects has been one great positive to come out of the COVID-19 situation for us as a church. But with each positive that I’m thankful for, I’m aware there are so many negatives that are significantly impacting the lives of others. For example, we can be incredibly thankful that Australia has not seen the mass loss of life and overwhelm of hospitals that other countries are struggling with, but this comes with the knowledge that other people around the world are really hurting right now. And the sense of helplessness that comes with this is very real. So what else can we do but keep helping out where we can and keep praying to God to give Him all of these concerns. So, let’s keep praying for our world right now. May governments and individuals be able to make good decisions, and may all those suffering be comforted. Let’s hold on, together, to the hope that our God provides us; that His promises will be fulfilled and all of His creation is being brought back into order. And let’s keep sharing this hope with all those around us, through our words and actions.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
A hope rainbow stone left outside the TUC building.
This Sunday
9.30 am 26 April
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 7:21-24
Songs:
How Great is Our God (in G)
Hosanna (in D)
This is Amazing Grace (in D)
Desert Song (in D)
Are you having fun playing and singing along at home? Why not take a photo or video of this and send it to us to share? You can upload photos and videos in the comments of the Facebook post we upload each Sunday, or email them to us.
Passing the Peace:
Video Project
Since going online, we’re aware that people are joining with us in worship from all around Brisbane, Australia and the world. We’d love to see all your faces, so that’s why we’re making a “Passing the Peace” video!
All you have to do is record yourself saying “Peace be with you from (your location)”. If you live in Brisbane, you can use your suburb as your location. If you are from further afield, use your city or country. Please share this with your friends or family who are tuning in from different places. You might also like to record your video using your native language.
Upload your videos here by Tuesday, 28 April.
We hope to show the finished product during worship on Sunday 3 May.
The Garden Brisbane
A few weeks ago, we heard from Carly Kies, who is serving at a university ministry called The Garden. If you would like to find out more about what The Garden does and how God is working there, sign up here to get in touch with Carly or to receive her prayer newsletters. If you would like to partner with Carly and The Garden, you can give through the tithely account.
During this time of social isolation, Carly and the team are connecting online via Zoom with all the students on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Each Garden team member also connects individually with a number of students each week.
Online Community at TUC
We just wanted to let you know about a few great things that are happening online at TUC:
While our Playgroups can no longer meet in person, Clare and Rui have been holding weekly Zoom catch ups with the Playgroup families. These have provided an opportunity to share with each other while enjoying some songs and stories. Clare and Rui have said it’s great to see the families again, and we’re sure the families are loving it, too! They have also started a Playgroup “group” on Facebook to share resources with the families and further facilitate online community.
Zac, our Uni Chaplain, has been busy connecting via Zoom with international students for discipleship and bible study. Some of the students Zac was discipling have headed back to China during this time, but he is still able to meet with them weekly - another great advantage of doing this work online!
Thank you, Clare, Rui and Zac, for all your work and care.
