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!
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
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
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.
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.
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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
