Mens Breakfast Christmas Celebration

Men (and women) join us for the last men's breakfast for the year as we gather for a mixed gathering to celebrate Christmas together. Led by the Rev Ian Smallbone we will share over a hearty breakfast with cereal, toast, and a full cooked breakfast, and enjoy singing, games and entertainment together. The date is Saturday 10 December with starting from 7am. Come and enjoy with your church family. Everyone is welcome.

Costs $10 Single $15 Couple $5 6-18yo Free under 6

You can register here

Christmas is not always a happy, joyful time for everyone. It can be difficult for all sorts of reasons - loss of someone you have loved, broken relationships, loss of health, loneliness, expectations of others.

Come and share with us in a gentle, reflective, comforting service - a safe space to acknowledge pain and experience the hope that the Christmas Story offers.

Join us for a Journey to Joy Christmas Art Event

Saturday 17 December, 9:00am - 11:30am

A morning of fun, friendship, food, story-telling, song, and creative art.

Bring two photos of your family, or just of you. Pop them into your fabulous creative Christmas creations and you will have two gifts ready to give to someone you love this Christmas.

Everyone will decorate and take home two photo frames. All materials and morning tea will be provided. $10 per person, max $30 per family.

Please register before the day to ensure we have enough supplies and food. Payment can be made by Cash or Eftpos at the door in the morning.

Feel free to bring your own painting shirt or smock.

For more information please contact Claire, 0417 244 939 or claire@hooleonline.com

Come celebrate the Christmas Story with us...

8am, Sunday 18 December

Emmanuel Uniting Church

92 Laurel St, Enoggera

This service will be similar in style to a traditional 8am service featuring the same message as the 6pm Carols service on this day.

Advent is almost here and we as a church will be joining churches across Queensland on a Journey to Joy.

A suite of resources has been created by a collaborative team from across the Qld Synod of the Uniting Church to help congregations, communities, and families celebrate Advent together intergenerationally. We will be using the worship resources for the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day.

There are also five weeks of materials that have been designed for Families, singles, couples, and groups in congregations and the community which contain discussion questions on the weekly themes, Reflections on Characters of the nativity, challenges, and links to additional resources, including videos and songs, to help young and old to engage and go further in their discipleship journey this advent.

Printed materials will be available this and next week for you to collect and start to use in your homes and small groups. Materials are also available online at https://emmanueluca.org.au/dig-in-at-home.

We would love for you to use and share these with family and friends, and people you are relationship with, in the community as we all Journey to Joy this Christmas.

Chapter 10: Standing Tall, Falling Hard

Timeless Truth: God uses willing hearts to serve him.

Bible Basis: 1 Samuel 1, 3, 8-10:9

Key Verse: “The Lord has filled my heart with joy. He has made me strong” (1 Samuel 2:1).

Resource: The Story: Teen Edition, The Story for Kids/Children/Little Ones: Chapter 10

Parent Tips:

Use the Table Talk questions to start a discussion around the dinner table during the week. The Living Faith activity will help your family learn to listen for God. The Extra Mile has your family watch a video about God’s lost ark and understand that the Bible isn’t filled with stories—it’s filled with truth.

Get the Point:

Preschool: God answered Hannah's prayer. God hears me pray, too.

Elementary: God answered Hannah's prayer. God hears me pray, too.

Middle School: With God on the throne of your life, you’ll be able to avoid a multitude of sin and live for Him.

High School: Knowing about God leads to failure. Knowing God helps you stand tall.

Table Talk

Preschool/Elementary

- Hannah made a very big promise to God by telling him and she would give her first son to serve him. When Samuel was born, do you think it was hard for Hannah to hand over her son to Eli at the temple?

- Have you ever made a promise so big that you didn’t want to keep it? What did you do?

- How did God reward Hannah? (She had three more sons and two daughters. Plus, she got to see Samuel grow up to mightily serve the Lord.)

- Later in chapter 10, it says the people of Israel wanted a king, even though God was supposed to be their king. God let Samuel anoint Saul to be king. If you were king, what decisions would you make? Would you order dessert to be eaten before dinner? Would you outlaw tests at school?

Middle/High School

- Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas grew up in the temple, but didn’t honor God. They took for themselves what was God’s. Is there an area of your life that you’re holding onto, instead of giving it to God?

- Hophni and Phinehas knew a lot about God, but didn’t truly know, love and fear him. How can you show God that you know, love and fear him?

- What do you think it means in 1 Samuel 10:9 when it says, “God changed Saul’s heart?” How has God changed your heart?

- Saul was 30 years old when he became king of Israel. Is that too young to be king? Do you think his age played a part in Saul sinning against God?

Living Faith

God calling Samuel in the middle of the night is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. When Eli finally figures out that it’s the Lord speaking to Samuel, he tells Samuel to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). What great advice! The Lord wants us to be ready and eager to hear him anytime—day or night.

Construct an old-school “telephone” by using plastic or paper cups, string and tape. Kite string or yarn works well. Once you gather the needed materials, poke a small hole in the bottom of each cup with a pencil. Thread the string through each hole, tie a large knot and then tape the knot on the bottom of the inside of the cups. When you pull the string tight, you’ll be able to hear each other when one person speaks softly into the cup and another person listens with the cup to his ear. See if you can say special messages to each other around the corner of a wall or down the stairs. Put the string under furniture or through the banister and see if it works. How long can you make the string and still communicate with each other?

When you’re done experimenting, ask:

- What was the hardest part of communicating using the old-fashioned telephone?

- God doesn’t speak to us through cups (although he could). What ways does God speak to us today? (Through the Bible; through godly advice from parents or pastors; through our prayers; through circumstances.)

- Because of the way that God communicates with us today, does it make reading the Bible and going to church more important? How can you make these two activities more of a priority in your life?

- What do you think you’d do if you heard a voice in the night calling your name?

- What do you think God wants you to do for him?

Extra Mile

In this part of The Story, the Philistines defeat Israel in battle, kill 30,000 soldiers (including Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas) and capture the Ark of God (1 Samuel 4:10-11). Although King David brought the Ark back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), it was eventually lost. Movies, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, have been made regarding the quest to find God’s lost ark. To see what the ark may have looked like, go to youtube.com and look up “Ark of the Covenant,” and watch the video by Howard Conder that is 2:01 long. For older children, the 5:46 long video on youtube.com called “Ark of the Covenant -- Lost or Hidden Away” discusses where the Ark is now. Discuss as a family what you learn. Does this video give you more faith that what the Bible says is real?

Chapter 9: The Faith of a Foreign Woman

Timeless Truth: God rewards unselfish love.

Bible Basis: Ruth 1-4:17

Key Verse: “May the Lord reward you for what you have done. May the God of Israel bless you richly” (Ruth 2:12).

Resource: The Story: Teen Edition, The Story for Kids/Children/Little Ones: Chapter 9

Parent Tips:

Use the Table Talk questions to start a discussion around the dinner table during the week. The Living Faith activity is designed to show your family the benefits of being kind, even when nobody knows about it. The Extra Mile will get your family involved in the life of a child who’s having a difficult time.

Get the Point:

Preschool: Boaz and Ruth were kind to others. I please God when I am kind.

Elementary: Boaz and Ruth are kind to others. I please God when I am kind.

Middle School: By loving God first, you can better love your family.

High School: God calls us to go beyond ourselves to serve other people, even when it appears that it won’t profit us.

Table Talk

Preschool/Elementary

- When Naomi’s husband and sons died, why did she want to move to Bethlehem? (That’s where she was from. She had family there and had heard the Lord was helping his people.)

- Did Naomi want Ruth and Orpah to come with her? (No, she encouraged them to go back to their parents’ homes and marry different men.)

- Why did Ruth stay? (She loved Naomi and wanted to serve her and her God.)

- How did God bless Ruth’s actions? (He provided food for her and Naomi. He allowed her to marry Boaz.)

- How does God bless us when we do nice things for people?

Middle/High School

- Boaz and Ruth’s relationship teaches a lot about dating and the characteristics of a future spouse. What first attracted Boaz to Ruth? (She was hard-working. He had heard about the kindness she showed Naomi.)

- What attracted Ruth to Boaz? Was it his awesome biceps? (No. He offered her protection by having her glean in his field. He provided for her.)

- As parents, tell your children what first attracted you to your spouse. Ask them what characteristics are most important to them in a future mate.

- How does Boaz marrying and redeeming Ruth mirror what Jesus did for us?

Living Faith

Have a kindness competition. Depending on the ages of your children, you may have to make teams of two. If every family member is old enough, make it an individual competition. The idea behind this game is to show kindness to each other without expecting anything in return. Ruth showed great love and kindness toward Naomi, even though she couldn’t give her anything in return. In a similar way, Boaz showed amazing kindness toward Ruth. God blessed both Ruth and Boaz for their actions.

Encourage your family to show kindness to each other in tangible ways. Maybe it’s a kind word or a back rub. Maybe it’s something done in secret. You can tape special notes to the mirror in your kids’ bathroom. Your daughter can organize the garage. Your son could offer to baby-sit for free or drive a younger sibling somewhere without complaining. A child could clean up the family room or vacuum without being asked. A husband could buy flowers for his wife. The ideas are endless. At the end of a week, reconvene as a family and talk about what meant the most. Discuss what it was like being the giver and what it was like being on the receiving end of the kindness.

- Did being kind to each other change any family dynamics?

- What was the best part?

- How can kindness and unconditional love be shown all the time?

- How does intentionally showing kindness improve family relationships?

- Read Ephesians 4:32. What does it teach about kindness and how we should treat each other?

Extra Mile

Get together as a family and look at the lives of your neighbors and your children’s friends. Chances are you know another family that’s going through a difficult time, whether it’s divorce, serious illness, job layoff or death. If you can’t think of anybody who’s struggling, call your church and ask for the name of a child who needs to feel loved and encouraged. Once you find a child who’s going through a hard time, come up with a plan to show him love and acceptance—just like Boaz showed Ruth love and acceptance. Invite this child over for dinner. Offer to pick him or her up and pay for him to join a sports team or club with your child. Bring her to the amusement park with your family. Make him a consistent part of your family during a difficult time in his life. Be Jesus with skin on for this child. Boaz changed Ruth’s life forever, and your family can do the same thing!

Playgroup is meeting again face to face with COVID Safe measures in place as addressed in the COVID safe plan here.

We plan to meet every week in the Hall with different themed activities and crafts each week. Our weekly thematic program is here.

Before attending Playgroup, all participants including children and adults MUST complete an online enrolment form here.

Playgroup will send regular updates via email to all participants and also via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/emmanuelplaygroup

Playgroup offers a safe place for children 0-5 to play and develop social skills. It is a great place to make new friends, learn new things, and become part of a community. We welcome all young children and their carers including stay-at-home, work-from-home, and work outside the home; mums, dads, grandparents, and nannies.

Join us each Friday 9:30 - 11:30am during school terms. Each week we have a different theme and activities to engage children. A large range of toys and helps provide new experiences every week.

Cost: gold coin donation per child, per session. Bring your own food and drink.

Emmanuel Girls' Brigade is meeting again face to face with COVID Safe measures in place as addressed in the COVID safe plan here.

Before attending Girls' Brigade, all participants including children and adults MUST complete an online enrolment form here, and must check-in every week.

Girls' Brigade is great for primary and high school-aged girls looking for fun and friendship in a safe and supported environment.

We meet Thursday nights during school terms at Emmanuel Uniting Church

Prep - Grade 2 (Cadets) 6pm - 7:30pm

Grade 3-5 (Juniors) 6pm - 8pm

Grade 6-8 (Seniors) 6pm - 8pm

Grade 9-11 (Pioneers) 6pm - 8pm

All girls have the opportunity to earn awards and participate in leadership development appropriate to their age in smaller groups:

Girls' Brigade empowers girls and young women to be themselves, to develop and use their gifts and skills, and to discover what it means to have life to the full in their generation. Our weekly program includes a wide range of activities that supports the spiritual, physical, and emotional growth of girls and is committed to the values of:

- Living: We live our lives with God at the centre. Our relationships are centred on Him and rely on His word and direction.

- Community: We promote a sense of Community and belonging within Companies

- Partnering: We partner with churches to reach local communities with the good news of Jesus Christ

- Uniqueness: We accept the uniqueness of each girl & leader, using our individual talents to serve others as we grow

- Safety: We require safety for all girls and leaders

- Fun: We have fun in everything we do!

We would love to welcome you to Girls' Brigade soon.

Emmanuel Boys' Brigade is meeting again face to face with COVID Safe measures in place as addressed in the COVID safe plan here.

Before attending Boys' Brigade, all participants including children and adults MUST complete an online enrolment form here, and must check-in every week.

Boys' Brigade provides Fun, Challenge and Adventure for boys aged 5-18 years

We meet Wednesday nights during school terms at Emmanuel Uniting Church

5-7 years (Anchors) 6:30pm-8pm

8-11 years (Juniors) 6:30pm-8pm

12-18 years (Seniors) 6:30pm-8:30pm

We offer a weekly program that challenges Boys spiritually, physically, socially, and educationally. Our focus is on friendships, leadership, the self-discipline needed to achieve excellence, and understanding the Christian faith. All Boys have the opportunity to earn awards, badges, and participate in leadership training, working towards their Queen's badge (the highest award a boy can receive).

Our company also participates in other activities such as camping and inter-company competitions.

We would love to welcome you to Boys' Brigade soon.

Sunday School at Emmanuel is again meeting face to face with COVID Safe measures in place as addressed in the COVID safe plan here.

Before you or your family attend Sunday School you MUST complete an online enrolment form here

We are also still encouraging households to continue with Faith at Home practices whether they attend weekly Worship and Sunday School or not. Dig in at Home resources that match and complement worship and Sunday School are available at www.emmanueluca.org.au/dig-in-at-home

Sunday School runs during school terms within our 9:30am Sunday Service and provides a time where children can share in fun, faith, friendships, and learn about Jesus.

Our leaders provide a range of varying experiences to help children draw closer to God through music, bible teaching, prayer, games, and creative activities. All our leaders are screened and trained and will love your kids almost as much as you do.

All children aged 3 - 12 are welcome and meet as one group in the Church Hall. A range of activities including games, craft, challenges, and small group time are provided to enhance age- and developmental- appropriate learning and connection for all.

Children will start each service in the church auditorium with the congregation for songs, prayers, videos, communion, and announcements and will move to the hall with their leaders when advised. In 2022 we will continue to follow the same readings and themes as Sunday Worship, learning more about the heart of God, and how to follow him.

To enhance child learning and discipleship, weekly Dig In @ Home materials are available at www.emmanueluca.org.au/dig-in-at-home, and we encourage you to connect with and talk about life and faith with your children during the week.

We look forward to "digging in' and connecting with your family soon.

Community Helping Hand is one way we can connect with our local Community by offering Help, using our Hands and Hearts.

What we offer is not fancy gourmet food, but basic things: baked beans, rice, noodles, milk, tea bags, toothpaste, etc.

COMMUNITY HELPING HAND HOURS ARE

THURSDAY 9am - 12 noon only.

This is an emergency service only.

Due to the current Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic Community Helping Hand has had to reduce it's service hours and had to put other guidelines in place to try and keep everyone safe. We ask that if you are unwell that you do not come for a face to face consultation and call and we will try to deliver to you if we can. (this is will depend on volunteer capacity)

Youth Discipleship is an area we have identified for growth in our community. Our vision for the future is that it will look like a collection of young people who are connected to each other, the church, and God. Journeying together as the church these young people care for one another and are so excited by God working in their lives and being part of this community, that they invite others to join too.

We plan to have a regular time of discipleship where young people come together to share a meal, read the bible and hang out. At the moment, we will meet fortnightly on a Sunday from 5-7pm at the Church.

All participants and leaders must complete an enrollment form before attending.

For further information about participating or leading Youth Discipleship please connect with Dom Chan.

An Explore Group is an intentional gathering of people who meet to study the bible and apply it to their daily lives and to pray for and support each other. As expressed in Acts 2:42 – 47, Explore Groups meet to develop authentic Christian Community. Explore Groups meet weekly or fortnightly.

Each Explore Group is unique. Each group will have a time of bible study and discussion, where the passage being studied is understood and applied in our contemporary setting. In addition there will be a time of prayer. There may also be times of sharing and eating. Each Explore Group works out together how they will spend their time.

Due to the current Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic our Explore groups are meeting both face to face and in online modes to keep connected during this time.

If would like to join one of these Explore Groups and would like to know more information please contact the church office and we will get the group leader to give you a call.

Current Explore Groups

Solfa

2nd & 4th Mon 9:30am

KYB

Tues 9:45am

Wednesday Morning

Wed 9:15am

Bunnies Explore Group

Tues 7:00pm

Wednesday Wonderers

Fortnightly Thurs 7:00pm

Thursday Thinkers

2nd & 4th Thurs 7pm

Women’s Bible Study

Mon 12.45pm

If none of these times suit please also contact us there may be other like minded people and we can start a new group.

Uniting Early Learning Enoggera is a small and nurturing child care and kindergarten with mixed age, family style groupings of 2-5-year-olds. We accommodate up to 27 children daily at our Enoggera centre on the north side of Brisbane.

Our diverse team of experienced and qualified educators are dedicated to giving children the best educational start in life. They provide an inclusive, play-based, nature-based environment; encourage a sense of wonder and adventure; and create an understanding of lived Christian values. Here, children learn the meaning of love, forgiveness, respect, service to others, equality, inclusiveness, and care for the environment – ideals, important to healthy friendships, families, and society.

The centre was established in 1974 by the Uniting Church as one of our important outreach services, working to support our local Enoggera community and meet its increasing childcare and early childhood education needs. It remains one of the ways that we connect with and care for families in our community.

The Eisteddfod is back in 2022.

Entries have now closed and the programme will be emailed to entrants when it is complete

What is the Enoggera Eisteddfod

The Enoggera and District Eisteddfod has been an annual activity since its inception in 1960. It runs in August every year.

It provides an opportunity for young people up to 18 years of age to perform in front of an audience and to get feedback on their performance from highly qualified adjudicators in a friendly and safe environment.

Categories are

- PIANO

- VOCAL

- INSTRUMENTAL

- SPEECH AND DRAMA

The eisteddfod relies on volunteers and sponsors to remain viable and to keep entry fees as low as possible.

If you can help in either way, please contact the secretary Laurel Muirhead.

Please email the secretary at eisteddfod@emmanueluca.org.au with any questions.

Laurel Muirhead

(Secretary)