And in one corner of the room was a large pine Christmas tree, decorated with baubles and real candles! With the aroma of pine needles, and burning candles shining light into the darkness, I hold a precious memory of generations gathering to celebrate when Jesus was born.
John presents Jesus as God’s light in our world of darkness: ‘The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.’ (John 1:4-5 NLT)
No one likes to be in darkness. Now that God has come up close and personal to us in Jesus, we are no longer in the dark about who God is, or God’s love for us!
Jesus promises that anyone who follows him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). In Jesus we see God clearly, and find ourselves loved. The light of Jesus brings healing, transformation, and hope. As we do life with Jesus, he guides us, grows us, and shines to others through us. Life lit up!
I invite you to come and be part of the generations who celebrate Jesus’ birth and worship him at our Christmas services. Christ in you is the hope of glory!
Pr Rolly Stahl
PS. On behalf of the Good Shepherd staff, thank you for your prayers and encouragement over this last year and your best wishes for our families in this festive season. May Jesus infuse you and your families with his light and love this Christmas!
Bible Readings: Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14, John 8:12
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Reminder
Christmas services this year are:
Christmas Eve 5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm, and Christmas Day at 9:30am
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.
Pastor Reid Matthias
As the school is now closed for the school holidays, please contact the Church office and leave your name to participate in this program.
We will be holding an information session at the end of January 2018.
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.
Christmas Whirlwind
Its’ that time of the year when the competition heats up for the great blower challenge. Can you be available on Saturday 23rd 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 you can still 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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A book by Peter Steicke
“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
Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.
“And this will be a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths
and lying in a manger”
Luke 2:12
