Walk in the newness of life…

[Public]
What’s On in July
Online Services
Our weekly services can be found online
on YouTube. A link is placed on Facebook
too so our usual 9am Sunday can be
viewed in the comfort of your home!
Simply put “Albert Street Uniting Church”
into the search bar on the YouTube page
and our channel will come up. Subscribe
to be notified when we post the next full
service, sermon or other video for you to
watch.
Social media & Email
Keep in touch with us via Email, Facebook
and Instagram - latest news, things to
read or listen to - while we’re all waiting
out the COVID-19 shut down.
Remember the Church is not about the
building – it’s the people. We are the
Church.
Our Cover
Our sermon series for June through to
September is called “Seasons of Grace –
the Life of Paul.” Join us in an exploration
of the impact of the life and times of the
apostle Paul. Cover Photo by Isaiah
Atkinson on Unsplash.com
[Public]
July 12
Return to Albert Street!
All going well we will return to worshiping
at Albert Street Uniting on Sunday, July 12
at 9am.
Please note the 9am service will be the
only service at Albert Street Uniting for
the rest of the year.
August 1
Congregational Meeting
Saturday, August 1 at 2pm
Notice is hereby given that a
congregational meeting will be held on
Saturday August 1 at 2pm. This meeting will
be held in the church with the only entry
being the Suncorp side cloister doors (i.e.
ramp side). The front doors will remain
closed. Further information will be
forthcoming in our weekly emails.
If you would like to attend but are unable
to because of COVID-19 concerns please
contact the office for alternative
arrangements for participation.
Albert Street Uniting
Our Call
In response to God’s faithfulness to us, we are
committed to:
• proclaiming the good news of Jesus the
Christ, Son of God;
• being a welcoming community of Christ;
• building faith and compassionately serving
in mission.
albertstreet.church
Returning to Albert Street for worship
By now you would have received the
WMQ Council’s letter on returning to
church on Sunday July 12 at 9am.
We highlight certain requests which will
greatly assist us in this process:
1. If you are unwell, have a temperature or
cold-like symptoms, please stay home.
2. If your health status is such that you are
vulnerable to infection, please stay home.
3. Please advise the church office if you are
intending to join us.
4. Protocols will be in place on your arrival at
church. These will be time consuming.
Please arrive before 8.45am if you are
joining us for worship.
Please take sensible precautions to ensure
you stay well.
Study Group experience
As a church we are engaging in an amazing
journey with Paul through Romans –
called “Seasons of Grace”. As part of this
you are invited to participate in a 6 study
small group experience. The groups will
meet fortnightly beginning the week of
the 5th July and are available at different
locations and times:
• Day time at Taringa (some transport
available) lead by Jenny Schultz
• Thurs morning at Albert St Church
led by Rev Graham Keech
• Thurs evening at Red Hill led by Ian
Chaseling and Natalie Madsen
• Thurs evening at Enoggera led by
Margaret Pollock
Please let the church office know which
group you are interested joining on 3071
3060 or email: albertstreet@wmq.org.au
[Public]
A meditation
As we face a world of change as we
emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown let
us remember that Jesus also wept for the
world.
Jesus weeps Malcolm Guite
Jesus comes near and he beholds the city
And looks on us with tears in his eyes,
And wells of mercy, streams of love and pity
Flow from the fountain whence all things arise.
He loved us into life and longs to gather
And meet with his beloved face to face.
How often has he called, a careful mother,
And wept for our refusals of his grace,
Wept for a world that, weary with its weeping,
Benumbed and stumbling, turns the other way;
Fatigued compassion is already sleeping
Whilst her worst nightmares stalk the light of day.
But we might waken yet, and face those fears,
If we could see ourselves through Jesus’ tears.
This sonnet is a meditation on a single
verse in Luke’s Gospel chapter 19 verse
41: ‘As he came near and saw the city, he
wept over it.’ It’s hard to see through
tears, but sometimes it’s the only way to
see. Tears can be the turning point, the
springs of renewal; to know you have
been wept for is to know that you are
loved…”
The Word in the Wilderness © Malcolm
Guite, 2014
Let us embrace the springs of renewal…
Let us walk in this newness of life…
Seasons of the Spirit
Pentecost 5: July 5, 2020
Thought for the week: A Love that Makes Us Neighbours
Focus Scripture: Romans 7:15–25a
There is a need to work hard, and constantly, to have an effortless display of hospitality
that we see in Rebekah (Genesis 24:34–38, 42–49, 58–67 ) and so many other biblical figures. If you
substitute the word “love” for “law” in Romans 7:15–25a, the passage reads as one in
which Paul is struggling to love. “I delight in the law (love) of God in my inmost self,” he
writes, “but I see in my members another law (love) at war in the law of my mind” (7:22–
23). Regardless of his desire to love, Paul feels like he cannot do so. He longs to listen to his
inner being, which prioritizes love. Each of this week’s readings builds on the theme of
hospitality – its transformative nature, its beauty, the difficulty we have expressing it, and
finally its complete attachment to the teachings of God and the living out of a life of true
faith. The action Rebekah takes is both simple and transformative – and it is also a hard one
to open ourselves to make, as Paul points out. Yet, a truly loving life of faith demands this
exact kind of courageous openness to others. How can we open our lives – our churches,
our communities, our own hearts – to this kind of radical compassion, courage, and trust?

Reflection
God of love and kindness, we thank you for your model of courageous love. We pray that you
will help us to make the stranger our friend each and every day of our lives, turning our lives
outward in an ever-expanding sense of connection and love. Amen.

Pentecost 6: July 12, 2020

Thought for the week: Love that Disrupts
Focus Scripture: Romans 8:1–11
In Romans 8:1–11, Paul contrasts life in the flesh and life in the Spirit.
Jesus invites us into life in the Spirit. Paul describes a tension between “flesh” and “spirit,”
not to designate two parts of human nature, but two ways of living. Living “in the flesh” is
to focus on the material world. To dwell “in the Spirit” is to focus on God’s ways. God’s
Spirit empowers people to live in harmonious relationships with God and neighbour.
The texts this week highlight how God challenges the ways of the world. They ask us to be
open to seeing and doing things differently to live more fully into our life with God. How
can we lead lives that disrupt injustice and open space for God’s love to enter the world?
Reflection
Disruptive God, your ways are not the ways of the world. Challenge us to see the world
according to your plan. Help us to seek justice, instead of resting in the comfort of tradition.
Guide us so that we too may disrupt the world with your love. Amen.

[Public]
 Pentecost 7: July 19, 2020
Thought for the week: Presence
Focus Scripture: Romans 8:12–25
God’s presence is felt throughout all of today’s readings. This presence is met with mixed
reactions, from fear and awe to a gained sense of belonging and being known. The texts ask
us to consider what it means to know God and to be known by God, as well as how this
knowledge shapes the way we live our lives.
In Romans 8:12–25, Paul demonstrates the relationality of God and God’s people through
the language of adoption. God offers believers a new familial structure in which they are
rightful heirs to God’s realm. This creates an alternate societal structure to that of the
Roman Empire and its paterfamilias. This new structure also invites believers into relation
with Earth. For both the children of God and Creation suffer under the present imperial
powers and wait with hope-filled anticipation for freedom and redemption.
Today’s texts paint images of the relationship between God and God’s people. God is ever-
present, all-knowing, and all revealing. What other images do you have for your
relationship with God?
Reflection
Loving God, you are with us throughout our lives. You know our dreams and desires, our
fears and failures. Help us to more fully welcome your presence into our lives and grant us
the courage to be more present in the lives of others. Amen.

Pentecost 4: July 26, 2020

Thought for the week: Subversive Silence
Focus Scripture: Matthew 10: 40 -42
Silence in the face of injustice is often portrayed as acquiesce, implicit acceptance,
weakness grounded in fear. This week’s scripture passages remind us that silence can be a
form of powerful resistance and subversion of imperial/patriarchal norms when the silence
is grounded in the redemptive work of God’s spirit. Romans 8:26–39 offers strong words of
comfort for all who suffer and who see little concrete evidence for hope. The
encouragement is to never give up because even in our weakness the Holy One is there to
strengthen us with a love from which we can never be separated. Silence in the face of
injustice is sometimes the prudent and only option. Rebecca and Leah (Genesis 29:15–28 ) had
little power or authority in a patriarchal world. Yet, silence is not the same as acceptance.
The sisters remain free to act when the time feels right. Their subversive silence enables
Rachel and Leah to play their part in God’s unfolding story of freedom, liberation, and
covenant. What keeps us from giving up in situations that seem overwhelming? How can
silence reflect a deep resistance to injustice?
Reflection
You whose voice thunders into the silence with the word of creative love, give us courage,
resilience, and trust to know that silence need never be submission or acceptance of
brokenness in our lives and in our world. May our actions be grounded in the power of
your spirit at work, bringing healing into all Creation. Amen.

[Public]
Reflection by Rev Peter Hobson

If everything goes according to plan – we hope to worshipping again at Albert Street Uniting
Church from July 12 onwards. But of course this will not be a return to how things used to
be. And even though this may be disappointing and frustrating for some of us – and perhaps
even a cause for lament for others – I would encourage us not be too disheartened. By all
accounts, Australia has done extremely well through this global pandemic. Some of us may
actually know people who have had COVID19, including loved ones who have died, but for
many of us in Australia COVID19 has been more of an inconvenience than a tragedy. Sadly
this is not the case elsewhere. Many of us have much to be thankful for.
Throughout the history of the Christian Church public worship has often been a privilege that
has come at great cost. There have been times when the church has suffered persecution
from authority, and there have been other times when the church has been seduced by
power and lost its way. When Jesus talks about worship in John 4, he prophecies that a time
is coming when we will worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Whether this includes a pipe organ
and hymn singing, whether this includes sanitized seating and social distancing, whether this
includes pre-recorded YouTube liturgies, or whether this includes exegesis and preaching,
none of these things seem to be the issue for Jesus. Jesus is more interested in the presence
of the Holy Spirit and the truthfulness that comes from intimacy with God.
So – whether we are gathering in person at Albert Street on July 12, or whether we continue
to participate with our worship service online – may the presence of God’s love enliven our
faith and equip our discipleship. The Kingdom of God is upon us and there is much to
celebrate. May God be with you.
Shalom
Peter H

[Public]
Prayers for troubled times…
A delegation from Lindisfarne once had to
travel far south by boat and bring back the
princess who was to marry Northumbria’s
king. The delegations’ leader, Utta, begged
Aiden to pray for their safe keeping during
this hazardous and significant
journey. Aidan gave them a jar of Art from the Margins
consecrated oil to take with them. He 136 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
predicted that they would encounter
storms, but that the winds would drop as Art from the Margins now has an online
soon as they poured the oil on the troubled store:
waters. https://artfromthemargins.myshopify.com/

On the return journey a storm did indeed
blow up. It was so fierce that the boat
began to sink and the frightened crew
thought they would perish – until they
remembered Aidan’s words and the
oil. They poured it over the pounding
waves and the storm subsided…
The world often seems to be a sea of
troubles. Let us learn, in our prayers, to
pour oil on troubled waters. Ray
Simpson “A Holy Island Prayer Book”
Listen…
to the fragile feelings, not to the
clashing fury
to the quiet sounds, not to the
loud clamour
to the steady heartbeat, not to
the noisy confusion
to the hidden voices, not to the
obvious chatter
to the deep harmonies, not to the
surface discord. Anonymous
Supporting AFTM helps people with little
means to create art and show their work.
They are providing workshops and
creative ideas via our Facebook group
AFTM Art Workshops @ Home, please feel
free to join.
Community Meal
316 St Paul’s Terrace, Fortitude Valley
Community Meal as a service operates
primarily through the use of volunteers.
Can you help on a Monday or Wednesday
night? Visit
https://www.wmq.org.au/get-
involved/volunteering-opportunities
to apply. Volunteers are always needed.
Take away meals continue to be served
and volunteers are still needed to help
prepare and package the meal. Please
pray for the vulnerable in our community.

[Public]
Your Church Contacts
Superintendent Minister: Elders Committee
Rev Dr Peter Hobson Dr Yvonne Burns AO (Secretary)
Office: 3071 3060 (Day off: Thursday) Congregation
Mobile : 0410 518 027 Mr Alan Grummitt (Chair)
Email: phobson@wmq.org.au Ms Natalie Madsen (Secretary)
Congregational Minister Sunday School
Supply Minister : Mrs Cathie Phillips
Rev Graham Keech Mrs Judy Ellerington
To organise a home visit please Safe Church Convenor
contact the office.
Ms Margaret Pollock
Open Church Convenor
WMQ Council
Mr Bill Porter
Dr Ian Airey OAM (Chairperson)
Dr Hanna Sidjabat (Secretary)
WMQ Board
Mr Paul Newman (Chairperson)
Organist: Albert Street Uniting Church is the
Mr Greg Hartay-Szabo spiritual home of Wesley Mission
Queensland.
Mobile: 0414 699 899
Email harybo@bigpond.com.au
Church Office Wesley House Building Manager
(Tuesday – Friday, 9.00am – 4pm) (Monday – Thursday, 8am – 4pm)
Mrs Susan Pietsch Mr Tye Shepherd
Office: 3071 3060 Office: 3071 3050
Email albertstreet@wmq.org.au Email albertstreet@wmq.org.au
Level 6, 140 Ann Street, Brisbane Level 6, 140 Ann Street, Brisbane

[Public]