St John’s Weekly Bulletin – Sunday 17 December 2017

As I talked to some of the parents there, it was wonderful to hear how our Playgroup is a real blessing in the Newcastle community. It’s obviously a real place of welcome – a glorious multicultural mix of people from all around the world playing and sharing together. One of the mums told me how valuable the Playgroup community is to her, with her children’s grandparents on the other side of the world, and how our Playgroup leaders are such an important and loved part of her children’s lives.

Please pray for our Playgroup. Please ask God to bless the leaders, Ruth, Elizabeth, Jenny and (another) Ruth. They are real signs of God’s love here in the community of Newcastle. Playgroup is planned to resume on Wednesday 7 February 2018. If you are interested in being part of playgroup leadership for 2018, please contact Ruth on 0439 627 723!

Blessings, Murray

This bulletin was emailed to members of the parish on Saturday 16 December 2017 – if you would like to join the Weekly Bulletin email list, please call the church office on 02 4927 5399 and we will happily arrange this.

Judy was a much-loved member of our church – a woman of faith, hope and joy. Judy’s funeral will be in the church on Monday 18 December at 10.30am. It will be a time to honour Judy’s memory and renew our faith and trust in our Saviour Jesus Christ who was born, died and rose again to save us all.

The flowers in the Sanctuary on Sunday are given by the Women’s Guild in Judy’s memory, “a much loved and valued member of the Guild”

Sunday 24 December – Christmas Eve

9am Communion

5pm Children & Families Christmas Service with Nativity Play

7pm Informal Christmas Service with carols & modern worship music

11pm Carols 11.30pm Midnight Mass

(Note: no 10.45am service Christmas Eve)

Monday 25 December 2017

9am Christmas Celebration

Sunday 31 December 2017 – New Year’s Eve

10.45am Combined Worship followed by parish BBQ – tickets $5 per adult available now

(Note: no 9am or 5pm services on New Year’s Eve)

More info here: https://anglicanaid.org.au/tea&thread

Last Sunday’s candle on the 2nd Sunday in Advent represents love and is often called the “Bethlehem Candle” symbolizing Christ’s manger. It was lit in memory of Amy Margaret Benson aged 6 years.

We are nearly at the end of Advent and preparing to once again celebrate the birth of Jesus. This Sunday’s candle, the 3rd in Advent, is often called the “Shepherds Candle and it represent Joy. It is given in memory of James Barrington Benson aged 3 years.