Christmas Eve: Finding your missing PEACE

We’ve been looking at some of the names of the promised Messiah prophesied by Isaiah around 700 years before Jesus was born: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us… And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT)

Over the last three Sundays, we’ve seen how the first three names are a perfect fit for Jesus.  On Christmas Eve, we’ll see how Jesus is our Prince of Peace. 

Jesus brings us into God’s peace plan for his world.  The Prince of Peace comes to bring restoration – not devastation.  Whatever we pursue this Christmas, only in Jesus will we find our missing peace!

Bible Reading:  Luke 2:1-14

Christmas Day: Christmas…Why??
Why do we have Christmas? Why is it such a big event in the calendar?
And why has it become so commercialized?
Is it about human beings showing peace to each other?
Is it about family? Is it the season for giving? Why is it so important?

A lot of traditions have crept into our understanding of Christmas. While traditions may be helpful, sometimes they can diminish or distract us from the miracle of God coming to earth as one of us. 

Bible Readings:  Matthew 1:18-25 NLT; John 1:1-4, 10-14 NLT
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au 

Installation Service for Pastor Reid Matthias
One combined Sunday service:  9:30am Sunday January 22nd, 2017.  The service will be followed by a morning tea in the hall.  Good Shepherd people, please bring a disposable plate of yummy food to share!  

Kingdom Kids
We are on holidays. Activity folders will be available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.

Faith at Home
On the Kingdom Kids Display Board you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of December that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.

Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker

Youth Ministry
Last Friday night we had a great night celebrating our end of year.  Sausage sizzle was enjoyed by all.  We played cricket, played on the playground, played “human trouble” and then ran “The Gauntlet”!  It was fantastic to have some parents also join in the fun.  It was a great end for a fantastic year.  Feel free to check out the photos on the youth or church Facebook page.
Sadly we farewelled a couple of leaders as they move on to other ventures, we said goodbye to Heather Eckert, Aled Proeve and Ben McAleer.  Your time as leaders have been appreciated by myself and the youth alike.  God Bless in your future ventures and you are always welcome back to visit.

In saying goodbye to some we will be welcoming a whole new bunch of leaders as well, which is really exciting.  I will be taking all the leaders away for a weekend retreat in January for some training and planning for 2017.
 
It has been a great year with these awesome young people and their leaders and I am so excited for what lies ahead for 2017!  I look forward to journeying with your young people. 
Youth will recommence on Friday February 4th 2017. Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au

Wishing you all a safe Blessed Christmas and New Year.

Margot Mertin - Faith Formation Leader

Prayer Requests:
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

Office closure over Christmas 
The church office will be closed from 3.45pm 23rd Dec 2016 till 9.00am 9th January 2017.
For urgent contact during this time please call 8263 5087 and leave a message. 
Messages will be retrieved on working days over this time.

Thank you from Noel
Noel and Bethany were overwhelmed by the generosity of the congregation. Of the choices he had he chose to purchase a coffee machine. He is still experimenting with it to make the ideal coffee but I can testify it makes a great one.
JD

Have you an hour to spare
I am seeking several members who have an hour to spare once a month to help water the new plants in our front garden. Most of the 107 plants have survived but with the hot weather still to come it is important we get them through their first summer. If you can help contact John Dolling 8367 5296 or jdolling@bigpond.net.au

Maranatha Health Gala Dinner
Partnerships create possibilities
Come on a journey with us to discover the tastes, aromas, colours and sounds of Africa, and support Maranatha Health as we create bright new futures in Western Uganda. The evening will feature a delicious 3 course meal (including Ethiopian buffet), energetic African entertainment from Moore Black & the Organic Roots, a silent auction and fundraising fun, and all the latest updates from our in work Fort Portal, Uganda.

Special guests: Kimberley & Michael Findlay, MH Founders
MC: Kate Collins, from Channel Nine News
Guest speaker: Suren Krishnan, Associate Professor of Surgery at Adelaide University (who recently performed MH's first surgeries in Uganda)
  
Venue:
Furlan Centre - 69 Briar Road, Felixstow, SA 5070
Tickets: Tables of 10
1 ticket $100* pp
10 tickets $90* pp
Book tickets at www.trybooking.com/NDRM
Contact: RSVP 17 January, including dietary needs contact@maranathahealth.org

From the office

Christmas Whirlwind
Can you be available this Saturday 24th December at 9.00am to assist in giving the church grounds a bit of a dust off and the facility a bit of a spruce up?If yes, please bring along a petrol driven blow vac that needs a dust out with safety equip and join the group to create an inviting appearance to our church facility for Christmas. If you don’t have a blow vac and have the time, still come along as I have a few spare. Cobwebbing will also be completed so if you don’t have a competitive machine maybe you can compete for the longest broom handle.
.
A Parking blessing for Christmas
Please consider parking in either the Mattiske car park or on the school oval leaving the parks close to the entrance of the church as a blessing for our visitors.  These arrangements will be in place for all Christmas services.  Parking signs will be in place and your assistance in following directions is appreciated. 

Car parking attendants are still required to assist with traffic and parking on Christmas Eve from:
•    5.30pm till 6.30pm. 
•    7.00pm till 8.00pm
Please, contact Stephen on 0403 180 814 to assist.

Food hamper for Pastor Reid
Pastor Reid Matthias will be arriving around the 12th of January and as a gift we would like to put together a pantry of items so they feel welcomed.  Donations can be dropped off at the church office during office hours or left in the hall kitchen in the marked containers.  Please provide essential items that are in date and are not perishable.  Some examples are: Cereals, tined fruit & vegetables, dried fruits, sauce, toilet tissue, paper towel, spreads, flour, pasta, sugar, rice, oil, alfoil & gladwrap, dishwashing detergent and garbage bags.

Security
The pigeon-hole corridor door will be locked for the 5pm Christmas Eve service for child safety.  Please use the main or rear entrance during this time

“Today in the town of David

a Savior has been born to you;

he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:11 NIV

He will be called… Everlasting Father

During Advent, we’ve been looking at some of the names of the promised Messiah prophesied by Isaiah around 700 years before Jesus was born: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us… And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT)

Over the last two Sundays, we’ve looked at how Jesus is our Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty God. This Sunday we explore the name: Everlasting Father.   

Our picture of God is often shaped by the experiences of our earthly fathers. For some of us, our image of God as Father is a positive one because of the close and safe relationship with our dads. For others, that image has been damaged by negative experiences with our earthly fathers. 

If you ever want to know what God is like as a Father, then look at Jesus - and suddenly the picture becomes clear.  In Jesus, we meet this Father up close and personal.

Jesus is the perfect image of God, and the exact representation of his being. Jesus alone makes the Father known to us. Indeed, no one can come to the Father except through him (John 14:6).

Come along this Sunday and discover what sort of Father we meet in Jesus.  In Jesus we find our Everlasting Father’s heart goes out to us… and that he always wants to do us good! 

Bible Readings:  Psalm 103:8-13; John 14:1-11
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au 

Kingdom Kids
We are on holidays. Activity folders will be available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.

Faith at Home
On the Kingdom Kids Display Board you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of December that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.

Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker

Youth Ministry
This week we have our end of year celebration family BBQ where we meet the year 6s and hopefully some other new faces too.  Bring a salad or dessert to share.  A night of fun and fellowship guaranteed.  Hope to see a lot of you there.  I wonder who is game enough to take up the challenge and run “The Gauntlet”!! Don’t know what that is - come along and join in to see.

It has been a great year with these awesome young people and their leaders!
Youth will then recommence in February 2017. Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au

Margot Mertin - Faith Formation Leader

Prayer Requests:
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

Office closure over Christmas 
The church office will be closed from 3.45pm 23 Dec 2016 till 9.00am 9th January.
For urgent contact during this time please call 8263 5087 and leave a message. 
Messages will be retrieved on working days over this time.

Maranatha Health Gala Dinner
Partnerships create possibilities
Come on a journey with us to discover the tastes, aromas, colours and sounds of Africa, and support Maranatha Health as we create bright new futures in Western Uganda. The evening will feature a delicious 3 course meal (including Ethiopian buffet), energetic African entertainment from Moore Black & the Organic Roots, a silent auction and fundraising fun, and all the latest updates from our in work Fort Portal, Uganda.

Special guests: Kimberley & Michael Findlay, MH Founders
MC: Kate Collins, from Channel Nine News
Guest speaker: Suren Krishnan, Associate Professor of Surgery at Adelaide University (who recently performed MH's first surgeries in Uganda)
  
Venue:
Furlan Centre - 69 Briar Road, Felixstow, SA 5070
Tickets: Tables of 10
1 ticket $100* pp
10 tickets $90* pp
Book tickets at www.trybooking.com/NDRM
Contact: RSVP 17 January, including dietary needs contact@maranathahealth.org

From the office

Car parking this Sunday 18th December
We are expecting a large number of visitors for baptism this Sunday and would appreciate members parking on the school oval to allow our guests to park in allocated parking spaces. 

Car parking attendants are still required to assist with traffic and parking on Christmas Eve from:
•    5.30pm till 6.30pm. 
•    7.00pm till 8.00pm
Please mark your connect card with parking, contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087 to assist.

Food hamper for Pastor Reid
Pastor Reid Matthias will be arriving mid-January and as a gift we would like to put together a pantry of items so they feel welcomed.  Donations can be dropped off at the church office during office hours or left in the hall kitchen in the marked containers.  Please provide essential items that are in date and are not perishable.  Some examples are: Cereals, tinned fruit & vegetables, dried fruits, sauce, toilet tissue, paper towel, spreads, flour, pasta, sugar, rice, oil, alfoil & gladwrap, dishwashing detergent and garbage bags.

Anniversary wine
There is still a limited amount of both the red and white 50th anniversary wine available but stocks are fast disappearing. If you are interested in obtaining some of this never to be offered again wine contact John Dolling (83675296) or Andrea Brooks (0407 799 772)

Watering new plants
Before our 50th anniversary celebrations there were over 100 plants planted in our front garden. By this time next year our grounds will start to return to their former glory. To survive their first summer they need to be watered weekly. This task using a hose takes about an hour. If we can get 4 volunteers it would mean an hour a month for 4 months – a total of 4 hours for the year. If you can assist please contact John Dolling 83675296

Notice Board

Barossa: Position Vacant: Reception and Administration Worker
We are seeking applicants with experience in office administration and reception to join our team in supporting families and individuals in the Barossa.  This position is part time (2 days per week).  A Job Description with further details about the position can be found at www.lccare.org.au  For further information please contact Louise Mather
lmather@lccare.org.au or 8562 2688.  Applications close 15 December.

“When they saw the star,

they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

Matthew 2:10

He will be called… Mighty God

From ancient times, exalted names and titles have been used of Kings and Rulers.  Eg: Alexander the Great. William the Conqueror. Richard the Lionheart.

Around 1000 years before Jesus was born, the Lord promised King David that one of his descendants would establish an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7). 

God keeps his promise when the angel announces to Mary: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.   And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:31-33 (NLT)

About 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah tells us some names of this “son of David”:  For a child is born to us, a son is given to us… And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT)

Last Sunday we began with Wonderful Counsellor.  As our Wonderful Counsellor, Jesus knows what life is like for us, cares for us, and is always available.  We looked at how we can find healing with our Wonderful Counsellor.

This Sunday we explore the second name in Isaiah 9:6: Mighty God.  What comes to mind when the word “mighty” is used of someone?  Perhaps a mighty athlete, a mighty leader, or a “super-hero”? 

Come along this Sunday and discover the picture behind the name Mighty God – and how Jesus demonstrates through his mighty deeds that he is Mighty God who delivers us and makes us his! 

Bible Readings:  1 Chronicles 11:10-25, Mark 2:1-12
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Kingdom Kids
This Sunday at our 10.30am service our Kingdom Kids we will be having their final session for 2016 and celebrating Christmas! We would love for you to join us!

Activity folders will be available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.

Faith at Home
On the Kingdom Kids Display Board you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of December that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.

Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker

Youth Ministry
Last Friday we had our last actual Youth event.  We had a great night looking back over the past 12 months and Ben McAleer produced a great trip down memory lane for us via YouTube which can be viewed on our Facebook page or the Church’s Facebook page.  The youth wrote letters to their future selves for their hopes, dreams and faith growth for the next 12 months.  We then looked at what we want to learn about and how we want to grow over the next 12 months and wow – they really want to go into some great stuff.  These guys are really eager to grow their faith!!  With a whole heap of new leaders coming on board and potentially a lot of new youth 2017 is looking awesome.  Of course what would youth be without fellowship, food and fun!!!

Next week we have our end of year celebration family BBQ where we meet the year 6s and hopefully some other new faces too.  A night of fun and fellowship guaranteed.  Hope to see a lot of you there.  Youth will then recommence in February 2017.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au

Margot Mertin - Faith Formation Leader

Prayer Requests:
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

From the Freund family
We would like to thank you for your condolences on the passing of our dear mother and grandmother, Rita Niemz. We appreciate your caring concern and prayer support.  We are comforted knowing that Rita has been carried home in the arms of the Good Shepherd.

Julie, Lindsay, David and Kayla Freund

Maranatha Health Gala Dinner
Partnerships create possibilities
Come on a journey with us to discover the tastes, aromas, colours and sounds of Africa, and support Maranatha Health as we create bright new futures in Western Uganda. The evening will feature a delicious 3 course meal (including Ethiopian buffet), energetic African entertainment from Moore Black & the Organic Roots, a silent auction and fundraising fun, and all the latest updates from our in work Fort Portal, Uganda.

Special guests: Kimberley & Michael Findlay, MH Founders
MC: Kate Collins, from Channel Nine News
Guest speaker: Suren Krishnan, Associate Professor of Surgery at Adelaide University (who recently performed MH's first surgeries in Uganda)

Venue:
Furlan Centre - 69 Briar Road, Felixstow, SA 5070
Tickets: Tables of 10
1 ticket $100* pp
10 tickets $90* pp
Book tickets at www.trybooking.com/NDRM
Contact: RSVP 17 January, including dietary needs contact@maranathahealth.org

From the office

Time-Out Devotion Book
Yearly devotion books are now available to pick up from the office for a cost of $23.
The book provides Christian devotions by Australian writers for each day of the calendar year.
There are only 5 copies available, so get in quick to avoid disappointment.

Contact the church office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087 to get your copy.

Car parking attendants are required to assist with traffic and parking on Christmas Eve. Assistance would be required for three time slots.
•    4.30pm to 5.00pm
•    5.30pm till 6.30pm. 
•    7.00pm till 8.00pm
Please mark your connect card with parking, contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087 to assist.

Notice Board

LLL Interest rate change
Our congregation has received an “LLL Interest Rate change” notice advising us that the rate will be 2.50% from 1 December 2016. This notice has been placed on the church notice board for your information.

Christmas Appeal: Changing the Lives of Families
Thousands of families across Australia are struggling with abuse, neglect and poverty as we prepare for Christmas.  Lutheran Community Care provides caring support and walk with families to bring hope and joy this season.

You can change the life of a family through a donation of $75, which provides services tailored to meet the needs of each family.  If you have not already done so, could you help by giving a donation to support families struggling at Christmas?

Visit the LCC website at www.lccare.org.au or contact LCC at 08 8269 9333 to give a gift that will bring joy this Christmas.

Barossa: Position Vacant: Reception and Administration Worker
We are seeking applicants with experience in office administration and reception to join our team in supporting families and individuals in the Barossa.  This position is part time (2 days per week).  A Job Description with further details about the position can be found at www.lccare.org.au  For further information please contact Louise Mather
lmather@lccare.org.au or 8562 2688.  Applications close 15 December.

Adelaide: Emergency Relief Volunteer Needed
Lutheran Community Care are in need of an Emergency Relief Volunteer to join our friendly Blair Athol team on Mondays.  Volunteers interview and provide assistance to clients who present for emergency food and clothing.  Professional training is provided.  For more information, please contact Michelle on 8269 9300 or mbusto@lccare.org.au

“If we confess our sins,

He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

He will be called… Wonderful Counsellor

As soon as a child is born, everyone wants to know the baby’s name. One of the questions often asked of parents, “How did you come up with those names for your child?”

In Hebrew culture, one’s name reflects one’s character.  In first century Palestine, the name Jesus was relatively common.  It comes from the name Joshua meaning “The Lord saves.”  The Greek form is Yaysous which in English is Jesus.

Jesus’ name is his character.  As the angel said to Joseph: ‘You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ (Matthew 1:21 NIV)

There are many names for Jesus, but what do they really mean? Join us over the next few weeks as we discover why He is called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. You'll gain a new and relevant perspective on the Saviour who was born and laid in a manger over two thousand years ago.  

This Sunday we begin with Wonderful Counsellor.  After unpacking the meaning of those words in the original language, we will address two questions:
1.    How is Jesus our Wonderful Counsellor? 
2.    How can we find healing with the Wonderful Counsellor?

Bible Readings:  Isaiah 9:1-7 NLT,  Luke 5:27-32 NLT. 
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au 
 

Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids is on this Sunday at our 10.30am service.  This Sunday our Kingdom Youth - Year 5-7s will be having their final session for 2016.  Lunch will be shared afterwards in the hall.

Toddler Zone has finished for the year.

Activity folders will be available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.

WANTED!  Children for Christmas Eve 5pm Service
This year our children will be participating in the 5pm Christmas Eve service.  Non speaking parts are still available.  If your child would like to participate please contact Margot on 0401 850 814 or margot.mertin@paravista.org.au

Faith at Home
On the Kingdom Kids Display Board you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of December that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.

Little Lambs Playgroup
Come and join us for our final Playgroup session for 2016 this Wednesday morning at 9.15am in the church hall.  We will be celebrating Christmas!  Come on over straight after dropping off the kids at school.  Join other Mums and Dads and Grandies for a coffee and chat with activities for the little ones.

Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker

Youth Ministry
This Friday we have our last actual Youth event.  It is going to be a great night about looking over our spiritual journey over the past 12 months, and then looking towards the future and what God has in store for us.  It is going to be a great night of reminiscing and some great discussions on our future, and our growing relationship with God will be forthcoming I am sure.  Of course what would youth be without fellowship, food and fun!!!

Youth is a great way of being fed both spiritually and physically, with like-minded teens learning to own their own faith.  It’s never too late to start coming along and making some great friendships and connections with fellow young Christians. Then in two weeks we have our end of year celebration family BBQ where we meet the year 6s and hopefully some other new faces too. Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au

Margot Mertin - Faith Formation Leader

Prayer Requests:
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

From the office

Thank you
Thank you to everyone who contributed to Noel and Bethany’s farewell last Sunday – all involved in planning and running of the service, to the volunteers who served lunch and cleaned up, to all who contributed to the lunch, to the organizers and participants in the afternoon “roast”, to the contributors to the Book of Memories, and those who gave extra towards the farewell gift. It was a great team effort which made it a memorable last official Sunday at PV for Noel and Bethany.

Pascal candle
The Pascal candle stand was designed and constructed by Craig Pruszinski a member of Clovercrest Baptist Church.

The design represents our life as Christians with Jesus the light at the centre of our life (the candle). The twisted outer metal stripes represents our lives- some short, others long, parts of our lives going smoothly, others twisted with struggles, and intertwined with many others.
It is worth a close inspection as the design is not symmetrical.

Car parking attendants are required to assist with traffic and parking on Christmas Eve.
Assistance would be required for three time slots.
•    4.30pm to 5.00pm
•    5.30pm till 6.30pm. 
•    7.00pm till 8.00pm
Please mark your connect card with parking, contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087 to assist.

Notice Board

Thank You from LCC
Thank you for your gift to the work of Lutheran Community Care. Your contribution will make a real difference to those struggling in our community.

Your support helps people like Amy who struggled with depression after the birth of her baby. She was a young professional and found it very difficult to cope with the feeling of helplessness in raising her newborn. She was referred to our home visiting service and also attended a 'Being with Baby' support group at our Ingle Farm Family Zone Hub. Five years later and her child is at school and Amy is a regular volunteer at Ingle Farm, supporting new mums who come into the Hub.

Wishing you many blessings as you continue to serve.

Be completely humble and gentle;

be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2