Waranga Uniting Churches
Colbinabbin, Murchison, Rushworth, Tatura
FAITH | HOPE | MEANING | GRACE | COMMUNITY
Advent 3: Joy
Sunday 15th December- Streaming from Murchison- Led by Brian Spencer
On Zoom at Rushworth, Tatura, Colbinabbin, and for folk at home.
This Advent, we are invited to join in “The Song of Christ’s Coming”—a melody that begins softly with a note of hope and crescendos into the harmony of love. Through the lighting of candles and the telling of ancient stories, we listen for this sacred song that echoes through history, preparing our hearts to welcome Christ anew.
Each week, the song grows stronger:
- Advent 1: We begin with the note of hope, a spark that pierces the silence.
- Advent 2: Then comes the chord of courage, calling us to prepare the way for Christ.
- Advent 3: Joy joins the melody, swelling into a chorus of gladness at the good news of His coming.
- Advent 4: Finally, the song finds its fullness in the harmony of love, as we marvel at the gift of Emmanuel, God with us.
This week -Advent 3 – the song swells into a joyful chorus as we hear the good news of God’s kingdom. This week, we celebrate the deep joy that comes from knowing Christ is near, bringing healing and restoration. As we light the candle of joy, we rejoice in God’s faithful love and the hope of new life.
Advent is a season of waiting and preparation, but this Sunday we pause to celebrate the deep and abiding joy that comes from knowing God is with us.
This joy is not the fleeting happiness of perfect circumstances, but the assurance of God’s presence and promises, even in the midst of life’s challenges. As the prophet Isaiah declares, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).
We will light the candle of Joy, remembering that Christ’s coming brings light to the darkness and gladness to our hearts. May this joy strengthen us as we await the fulfilment of God’s kingdom.
Join us as we sing, pray, and reflect together on these stories. Let us open our hearts to the ways God is transforming our lives and the world around us. And remember, the most important things in the world are not things at all; they are love, hope, joy, courage, grace, faith, peace, perseverance, and friendship.
The live Zoom “room” will be open for you to log-in to from 9.00am. Log-in, chat to others, be the church!
Watch on Facebook Live Streaming
Watch the service here on Facebook
Watch the recorded service later
Facebook records the service and it will be available to watch later or share with others in your family and friendship circle.
Rather stay anonymous?
We understand that you may prefer to remain anonymous. It may have been a while since you went to church, maybe you’ve never been to church and are just curious. We understand that you don’t want to be hassled just because you were curious.
If you want to remain anonymous there are four ways you can do it.
- Choose the “Join without video” option. You will be able to see, hear (and talk if you want to)
- Your name also appears in the bottom left of their picture in Zoom. This name will be the one you entered at sign-up. At any time in the meeting you can right-mouse click on your name and change or delete it.
- You can choose to attend via the Livestream option.
- You can watch the recorded service later on the website
Our church needs your support.
Please consider donating your offering online via the button below
or by direct bank transfer:
Account name:
Waranga Uniting Churches.
Bendigo Bank:
BSB 633-000
Account No:162 446 371.
ABC Radio Shepparton
Matt Dowling interviews Brian Spencer. Monday 5th July.
About us
The Waranga Uniting Churches comprise congregations from the towns of Colbinabbin, Murchison, Rushworth, and Tatura.
You are welcome to join us at any of our worship services or activities.
Many faces… Many places… Many forms
Our congregations throughout the district are caring communities to which all people can belong.
Some of our congregations may be a tiny community of a dozen people, but they are warm vibrant and alive.
They have many faces. There are older people and young, families and single people, people of one culture or many.
While our congregations can be different, each aims to embrace all people… to unite them with each other and with God. This is expressed in part by our having an open table for Holy Communion, to which all baptised people are invited, welcoming children for baptism and being willing to marry those who are divorced.
We are by no means perfect, but we know that God loves us as we are and as we grow. Our congregations are communities in which people seek to follow Jesus, learn about God, share their faith, care for each other, serve the local community, and seek to live faithfully and with real joy. This is the kind of engaging church to which we belong.
Quixote Thinking Blog
Quixote Thinking “sees things different” I live my life by it
When a friend dies
Reflections on loss and life. The price we pay for love is grief. The death of a long-term friend raises lots of questions and challenges. Although I am now in the “My Aged Care” generation, I like to think of myself as being in midlife, provided I live to be 140! As...
Sleeping Rough
It’s a long time since I tried to sleep the night sitting up in the front seat of my car. Actually, I had no intention of doing so. It was just one of those occasions when one hour leads to two, two hours leads to four, and so it went on, until, in the early hours, I...
“And the roof fell in.”
If I received ten dollars every time someone said to me, “The roof will fall in if I come to church.” I’d have no fear for the future finances of the little congregations that I care for. I hear the statement many times every year during my work as a minister, or when...
The underwear trap.
We were sitting around having a cuppa after church, when the conversation among some of the men turned to the subject of underwear. One chap announcing he had just re-stocked his supply of underwear, saying it had been a difficult decision as the old underpants were...
The Gospel According to Neale
I’m 30000 ft above the Great Australian Bight, flying to Western Australia on my way to visit my best friend. I’m listening to Neale Daniher’s audio book “When all is said and done.” Neale has spearheaded the fight against Motor Neuron Disease (MND). He, along with...
Walk a mile in my shoes
I’ve been buying the same style of shoes for the last twenty-five years. It’s now 40 years since my knee reconstruction and comfortable, shock absorbing shoes are a necessity. I’ve settled on ‘Rockport Walking Classic shoes as my go to footwear, when I’m not wearing...
