Daytime is when we wake up, get up, get dressed and get into life. Night time is when we sleep.
One day we will “fall asleep” and no family member will be able to wake us up. Instead, they will be arranging our funeral. And what will be next for you and me?
Death as always been regarded as a curse. For ancient peoples, death meant a descent into the shadowy underworld of darkness – a sleep from which no one would rise and shine... unless the Creator God stepped in.
Enter Jesus! His words have authority to wake dead people and restore life. As we reach the third Sunday of Advent, we recall that Jesus has rescued us from the darkness of death, and calls us to walk in his light. Rise and shine!
Paul reminds his Christian friends in Ephesus of a song that may have been sung at their baptisms: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)
Each day when we wake up, we can remember that we are God’s loved and forgiven people – set apart for his pleasure and purposes. We can put to death our attitude and acts of darkness, and walk in the light of Christ.
Bible scholar, William Barclay, puts it well: “A tree will be fruitless unless the light of the sun can get at it; and a life will be fruitless unless the light of Christ touches it.” (William Barclay, Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, 195)
In these days I encourage you to make some unhurried space for Jesus to infuse you with his light and love. Rise and shine!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Readings: Luke 8:40-42a, 49-56. Ephesians 5:13-20
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
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.
Advocacy
We’ve been given a truly biblical task – straight from the book of Jeremiah.
God instructs Jeremiah to go straight to the place of power, to the palace of Judah, where he is to say to authorities and the people in control, “This is what the LORD says: do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow…” Jeremiah 22:3
Throughout our country and community, there are new and beautiful people coming to the shores of this immensely blessed country seeking a new life, one of peace and safety. In the current state of our restlessly fearful world, our governments and society often try to exclude those from foreign shores.
We have a biblical responsibility to be an advocate for those who have been marginalised, especially those who seek refuge from the strain of a terrified life.
Into our community in the last week, we have had requests from Good Shepherd Lutheran School for some congregational members to be advocates – those who would walk with our brothers and sisters from foreign lands.
Some of the difficulties that have been encountered deal with the speed at which English speaking Australians communicate and this is very difficult when working with Centrelink payments, or working with the electric companies on the high costs of electricity bills.
If you have time to be part of an advocacy team to work with people, to create a relationship of trust so that the transition to Australian culture may be eased, please contact either Tim Oestmann at Good Shepherd Primary School, or let your name be known at the Good Shepherd Congregational office.
Thank you in advance for responding to God’s call to our brothers and sisters in need.
Pr Reid Matthias
Christmas Eve 5pm service
Last rehearsal this Sunday after the 10.30am service. Please bring lunch for your children.
Activity folders are available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during the services. Please help yourself to them in the Narthex.
Growing Faith at Home
Now available on our church Face Book page! To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
This Friday the 15th December we will be having our final SOUL Crew event. This will commence at 6pm with dinner and will then be followed with 2 hours of non-stop Laser Tag fun. The cost is $25 per person and this will cover both dinner and the Laser Tag. This will be the final event for SOUL Crew and youth on a Friday night as we know it. Youth Ministry will continue in 2018 in a new direction. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and allowing me the privilege and enjoyment of journeying with your youth for the past 2 years.
Celebrate this Christmas with Maranatha Health
Maranatha Health invites you to join us this Christmas as together we share Momentous News, Dynamic Hope, Boundless Joy and Fervent Love.
Read, reflect and share our four-part reflection series in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Our advent reflections are available in printed form from the church, or download them here Advent Reflections
We invite you to learn, share and donate - and give a gift that lasts long into the future. Plus, when you donate you'll receive a gift card so you can share your gift with your family, friends and colleagues.
May your Christmas be filled with delight as you share Momentous News, Dynamic Hope, Boundless Joy and Fervent Love with those around you! maranathahealth.org/give/christmas
From the Office
Office closure over Christmas
The office will be closed from 3pm on Friday 22nd December 2017 and re-open at 9am on Thursday 4th January 2018.
Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.
Ignite the Future building update
Great news! We have identified all the defects that need to be rectified and therefore have access to our new facilities. The café has been set up and can be used on Sunday. The brewed coffee urn will be set up on the café servery.
This means on Sunday we can use the courtyard for entering the Worship Centre. Worship hosts and welcomers rostered on this entrace please note this change.
The kitchen is not yet fully operation at the moment, but will become so as equipment is installed over the next week. Members will need to be trained before using some of the new equipment.
If you have any questions or comments please see a member of the Facilities Team – Jeff Eckermann, Eric Hofmanis, Merv Thiele, Lindsay Freund or John Dolling.
Christmas Whirlwind
It’s that time of the year when the competition heats up for the great blower challenge. Can you be available on 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?
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 you can put to the test.
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
Mattiske’s car park will be open. 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.
Notice Board
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“How different would life be if we all knew we were loved beyond our wildest imagination?”
Localy available from Debbie Wesselingh for $20.00 or from www.yourbooksonline.com.au or see Peter’s website: www.incrediblyloved.com
“For unto you is born this day
in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”
Luke 2:11
