Welcome to Waranga Uniting Churches
I think I can. I think I can. I think I can!
Lessons on Advent Hope from the “Little Engine that Could”
Sunday 28th November 9.30am streaming via Zoom from Tatura
Led by Brian Spencer
Hopeful people are “like the little engine that could, [because] they keep telling themselves “I think I can, I think I can. I think I can” Such positive thinking bears fruit when based on a realistic sense of optimism, not on a naïve and “false hope”. – Barbara Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology
In the Old Testament the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed words of hope to a nation facing defeat and years of exile and desolation.
“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise…
In those days…
In those days.”
Jeremiah 33:14-16
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his worried and frightened followers that while persecution and trouble awaits them, they should look for signs of of God’s coming and not lose hope.
“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28
Hope, with faith and love, are three key Christian virtues (1 Corinthians 13). In the Bible, “Hope” means “a strong and confident expectation” of future reward (Titus 1:2).
In contemporary terms, hope is akin to trust and a confident expectation. The Apostle Paul argued that Christ was a source of hope for Christians: “For in this hope we have been saved.” (Romans 8:24)
In John Bunyan’s book, ‘Pilgrim’s Progress,’ it is Hopeful who comforts Christian in Doubting Castle; conversely at the entrance to Dante’s Hell were the words, “Lay down all hope, you that go in by me.“
As we enter the new Christian Year we celebrate Advent. Advent is a time of anticipation, waiting, watching and beholding. We have done our share of waiting and hoping during the pandemic.
Over the next four Sundays in the lead up to Christmas Day we will reflect on the virtues of hope, courage, joy and love.
Join us this Sunday as we reflect on hope and the importance of the Little Engine that Could’s self-talk.
The service which will start at 9.30am. 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.
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