20 th December, th Sunday of Advent

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1 Bethany 9:00am 86 Raceview Street, Raceview QLD 4305 Grace 10:00am 19 Ipswich Street, Riverview QLD 4303 St Johns 8:00am & 9:30am 32 Roderick Street, Ipswich QLD th December, th Sunday of Advent Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! Luke 1:46b-47 (NLT) Ipswich Lutheran House 32 Roderick Street, Ipswich Qld 4305 Telephone: Facsimile: Internet:

2 When Jesus loved, he loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas, we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When the Advent Conspiracy first began, four churches challenged this simple concept to their communities. The result raised more than half a million dollars to aid those in need. A Message From Pastor Ben One less gift. One unbelievable present in the name of Christ. We are being called to conspire with them. And with your help we truly can change the world. Ben Worship This Week Bethany 9am Service with Holy Communion No Children s Ministry during school holidays Grace 10am Service with Holy Communion Hymns LH 29 LH,.313 AT, 128 AT. 33 LH St Johns 8am Service with Holy Communion LHS page 58 Readings Micah 5: 2-5a,Luke1: 46b-55,Heb10: 5-10 Luke 1: 39-45, (46-55) Hymns 42 LH, 8 LH (Tune 107), 9.30am 903 LHS, 154 LH Contemporary Service without Holy Communion No Sunday School during school holidays St Marks 8.30am Service with Holy Communion 9.30am No Sunday School during school holidays Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar This Week Mon 21/ pm Bethany School Council Meeting (Admin Building) 7.00pm Faith Chest Ministry (Bethany Shed) Tue 22/ am Parish Office Staff Meeting Thu 24/ pm Parish Office closing Christmas Eve Fri 25/12 Parish Office Closed Christmas Day Coming Up Mon 28/12 Parish Office Closed Boxing Day Thu 31/ pm St John s New Year s Eve Service 2

3 Parish Office hours Christmas/New Year Parish Office will be closing at 12pm on Thursday, 24 th December (Christmas Eve) and the office will be closed Friday 25 th December (Christmas Day) and Monday 28 th December (Boxing Day public holiday) and Friday 1 st January 2016 (New Years Day). The office will be running the shortened office hours between Christmas and New Year of 9:00am 2:00pm. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, 4th January Happenings in our Parish Christmas Carolling in the Community Today at 4pm We will be meeting outside St John s at 4.00pm. Come along and share the love of Jesus and the reason for the season. For more information please call Paul Modra Tel: St John s Banking We would like to take this opportunity to thank Eileen Banks for her years of service in the role of assisting the treasurer with the banking. As Eileen is stepping out of this role we would like expressions of interest from a member of St John s who would be willing to volunteer to assist the treasurer Tim Krause and Helen Mibus with the St John s banking in the New Year. For further information please contact either Tim Krause or Helen Mibus. 3

4 Financial Support for the Mission and Vision of the Church Being Obedient in All Areas of Giving Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything all she had to live on. (Mark 12:41-44) In the Lord s eyes, this poor widow gave more than all the others put together, though her gift was by far the smallest. The value of a gift is not determined by its amount, but by the spirit in which it is given. A gift given grudgingly or for recognition loses its value. When you give, remember gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they are given out of gratitude and a spirit of generosity. What is REG? (Regular Electronic Giving) Regular Electronic Giving is a way that you can give: regularly and electronically (cashless). If you would like to give in this way to be able to easily give your first and your best to God, by being able to tithe in line with your pay period (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) please contact the office who can help set this up for you. For more info on REG (and other ways of giving) go to How is our Giving Going? See the graph below, and we pray that you can continue to give in order for our mission and ministry as a church to grow. 4

5 ALWS Advent Water Filter Appeal You have 3 more Opportunities to Give. Our current goal is to provide 100 water filters for communities in Indonesia to help provide clean drinking water and prevent disease and illness in these villages. The cost to make this happen is $6,900. So far we have raised $ just $ short of our target. But we have 3 more opportunities to give. Right now during worship you can give via the PIGS or special envelope to Advent Water Appeal. If you are not prepared to give right now that s ok! You have an opportunity to give on Christmas Eve at each of our locations, and also you can give online at anytime. Just go to and under what to do go to Gifts of Grace and find water filter and give towards that. Please let us know if you have given this way (send to ben.hentschke@ilp.org.au) so we can ensure we are on track to reach our target. Thank you for taking the opportunity to Spend Less, Give More and Love All this Advent/Christmas season as we bless those in real need, rather than giving to others wants. As you give may you be truly blessed by the giver of all things our gracious and loving God. Knowing Christ and Making Christ Known Seek first the KoG What is this KoG? The Kingdom of God to which Jesus referred in Matthew 6 is everything we do and say as they related to God. It does NOT mean only specific Christian activity such as Sunday worship, Bible study, family devotions and table grace. For Christians it is not a matter of some things are spiritual and other things are secular. For faithful disciples of Christ nothing is secular. ALL things are spiritual, whether prayer or painting, singing or sport, tithing or texting, witnessing or washing dishes. WHATEVER we do, we do to the glory of God (see 1 Corinthians 10:31). As we surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit, we want to walk with him in EVERYTHING we do (see Galatians 5:25) No exceptions! Thus we seek the KoG first and only. Nothing comes second. When we have a heart for God alone in every way every day, we become more like him and we share his passion for the lost. We too will not be willing that nay should perish, but that all should come to repentance (see 2 Peter 3:9b). We will also be glad and thankful for the privilege of having a part of his harvest as we seek to know Christ and make Christ known in our community, in our city and around the world. Available from your local Church foyer Current Bethany School Newsletter LLL 2014/15 Annual Report LLL Calendars for 2016 LLL Together in Mission Booklets Offering Envelopes 2016 Offering envelopes are now available from the back of the church. Collect your set now in readiness for the New Year. 5

6 Prayer Corner Church Prayer Time A time of prayer is held at Bethany every Sunday at 8.30am. Any and all are welcome to join in with these prayer times. Prayer Points for all Christians, that like Mary they may believe the word that is spoken to them for those who are caught up in the material preparations for Christmas for safe travel for those on holidays for expecting mothers (and fathers), for mothers who have lost children, and for women/couples who want a child but have not been able to have one for adoption agencies, orphanages, and those who take care of children for peace among families gathering together at Christmas Care Slip & General Parish Prayer Requests Thank you Lord for the rain that has fallen and we pray for more rain in the areas that it is needed For all to know the true meaning of Christmas the gift of Jesus For safe travel for those who are travelling during the holidays For healing for those who are sick Thanksgiving for those who take on volunteering roles in our community For the children who receive the Christmas Boxes that they will know Jesus cares for them For peace around the world General Prayers Please continue praying for o the pastors, office staff and leaders of the Parish and congregations. o the upcoming meetings of the parish and congregations (refer to the Coming Up section at the back of this bulletin). o the church services beforehand and as they take place o specific events as they arise i.e. funerals, weddings, baptisms, synod, studies undertaken across the parish 6

7 Next Week Rosters Bethany Grace St Johns St Johns 9am 10am 8am 9.30am Date Sun 27-Dec-15 Sun 27-Dec-15 Sun 27-Dec-15 Sun 27-Dec-15 Title 1st Sunday after 1st Sunday after 1st Sunday after 1st Sunday after Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Bible Readings 1 Samuel 2: 18-20,26 Psalm 148 Colossians 3: Luke 2:41-52 Altar Colour White White White White Service Time & Details Service Order LHS page 23 Contemporary 9.30am w/o HC Bible Readings Reader Gary J.Tjoeng K Clohessy S Wood Support Lay Leader Alissa? M Toft Ushers Nathan D / Cameron M Behrendorff R.Domrow D & D Riggs D J Stegemann Welcomers Eunice S / Ann HC Assist. xxxx J.Freiberg Prayer Leader Ross Prayers Gary / Eunice S / Malcolm / Val Organist / Musicians Doreen / Hallel L Holzheimer Kreis Jeremy Children s Ministry / No Children's SCHOOL HOLS. G.Fritsch Children's Activity Ministry PP Operator Kurt H Barron K Jungfer Sound Desk Rachel H S Grieger Video Operator Bethany Children s Talk/ Song/ St John s offering WARREN / Jenny T Dean counter PP Designer Alissa T Dean T Dean Morning Tea Dickson E&G / J Kreis E.Smith N Schultz, D Riggs Damm B Robke Cleaning Paid Kreis, Schultz, Kreis, Schultz, Stewart Stewart Flowers N Schultz N Schultz Mowing B Steinhardt B Steinhardt Altar linen: N Schultz / Brass clean: Greinke, Sippel, Smith / Altar paraments: C Barnett / Care slips/pencils: - / Activity bags: E Meier / Tract rack: L Stiller / Open Book: L Stiller / St John s Monthly Roster Funeral clean: F Overington / Usher: C Hoffmann, A Sephton, (emerg - M Oldfield) / Organist: D Gowell / Caterers: L Riggs, G Borchert, K Pike, M Smith / Wedding usher: C Hoffmann Any changes or corrections with the rosters please contact the congregation s roster coordinator Bethany Doreen Gowell/Gayle Green, Grace Errol Freiberg, St John s - 8am Claire Barnett, 9.30am Wayne Kreis 7

8 Want to know more about Jesus? Head to Next Steps on our website: nextsteps.ilp.org.au Or alternatively, speak to one of our pastors. We would love to hear from you and help you if you want to continue in your faith walk, learning more about our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Guests we trust that you have drawn closer to God in worship today. Our church is blessed by your presence today. Please stay and enjoy a cuppa with us after worship and make yourself known to us. We d love to answer any queries you may have. Help Us To Care - if you know of someone who has fallen ill or who is suffering in any way, please let the Pastoral Care Coordinator or one of the Pastors know by contacting the parish office so that appropriate care and follow up can occur. Thinking Of Joining This Church? We would love for you to make that commitment with us, as you make a conscious decision to be part of something bigger than simply yourself. If you have been worshipping here regularly and are not yet a member, the pastors would be happy to talk to you about making our Church home - your Church home. Ipswich Lutheran Parish Contact Details: Parish Office 32 Roderick Street, Ipswich, QLD, 4305 Open Mon - Fri, 9am - 4pm, Phone Fax admin@ilp.org.au Web Parish Staff Lead Pastor Milton Fritsch Associate Pastor Ben Hentschke Crisis Care Co-ordinator Betty Taylor Children & Youth Co-ordinator Leah Bricknell Ministry Support Karen Cotter & Michelle Yarrow Pastoral Care Support Vicki Park Professional Standards Michelle Yarrow Parish Worship Centres & Sunday Worship Times Bethany Grace St Johns 86 Raceview Street 19 Ipswich Street 32 Roderick Street Raceview Riverview Ipswich 9am 10am 8am 9:30am Bulletin notices and inserts deadline: Thursdays 2pm 8