Advent/Christmas Services at GUC
Music Team Roster
God with Humanity – BE GLAD AND CELEBRATE!
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate!
Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures
and the fields to rejoice with all of their crops.
Then every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs to the LORD.
He is coming to judge all people on earth with fairness and truth.
Psalm 96: 11-13
Reflect on the word PRAISE for a few moments.
My pulses join in a dance of praise! My senses feel celebration! Excitement makes me smile!
The North wind dances through wattle and gum.
The dry red earth sends spirals of dust whirling
The Kangaroo and the dingo forage for food.
The sight of birds flying to nest for the night brings me peace.
There is a calmness in the air as parrots and cockatoos, billabongs and bushlands, gardens and paddocks settle down for the night. There is the sound of traffic carrying people home. Tempting smells from a BBQ. A dad calling his children in for dinner. The burst of myriads of colours from fireworks. The year draws to a close.
I will welcome the New Year and rejoice!
I will reach out to opportunities and experiences with joy!
I will know that God walks with me!
Whether I am alone or in a crowd I worship you and celebrate all that you are to me. Thank you God!
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.
God with Humanity – I HAVE GUIDED YOU
My child, if you listen and obey my teachings, you will live a long time. I have shown you the way that makes sense; I have guided you along the right path. Your road won’t be blocked, and you won’t stumble when you run. Hold firmly to my teaching and never let go. It will mean life for you.
Proverbs 4: 10-13
Reflect on the words A JOURNEY for a few moments.
Another year draws to a close. Sometimes it’s been a smooth journey and sometimes it has taken me over rocky places, detours and hidden pathways. There have been days of excitement and celebration. And then there were days when storm clouds shut out the sun and the song of the birds was lost in the sound of thunder.
I can recall travelling alone at times, but then memory brings to mind family and friends who accompanied me. I can recall different points in my journey over the year, experiences and events that were different, yet were necessary to bring me to where I am today.
Spend a few more moments reflecting on what you brought along on your journey and what you remember leaving behind.
Pause to ponder and marvel at the ways God has walked with you through the past year.
Could this be a moment of Epiphany – or an ‘ahha’ moment – for you?
God of my life’s journey, I reach out my hands to you and invite you to continue journeying with me into the year ahead.
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.
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