EXODUS TIMES. Towards Faithful Presence : Holiday Reading: LUKE. 25th December 22nd January, 2014

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1 25th December 22nd January, 2014 Towards Faithful Presence : Holiday Reading: LUKE I love Christmas. I love it because of God s prefect answer in the presence of Jesus. I love it because we are given God with skin on and offered the richest, clearest and most profound testimony of the intention, passion, power, heart, hope and restoration of God for all that is fearful, lost and sinfully twisted. For many years now, however imperfectly I ve done it, I ve taken the Lord s Prayer as my model of faithful practise, expectation, hope, sustenance and sacramental relationship and in it I have found both God s presence and also the sustained encouragement to be present as a person of Heaven in a tender, troubled, broken, confusing, beautiful and forgetful world. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen Matthew 6:9b-13 (KJV) I have learnt from dwelling deeply in its rhythms that we are in fact like nerve endings of the Kingdom of God sensitized by the character of Christ and the indwelling and intimacy of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone, abandoned or neglected and we live viscerally through our connection in God and location in this time, this history, this space. We don t just live in our heads, by our thoughts, arguments, little wisdoms and careful observations we live by passion, by joy, pain and laughter and by the length and breadth of hope. When you get in tune with God everyone is interesting, every day, every place and every moment has an atmosphere of God s presence. Sometimes we avoid it, run from it, crowd it out, try to strangle it and even simply decide that our own will for living, goal setting, activity and pretentions are just enough. EXODUS TIMES (Continued over page)

2 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...We wish you every joy in this season. May there be tenderness, comfort, peace and hope in all of our homes. We are an ordinary people called into an extraordinary hope. * * * * * * * * * * * Night Church: Due to beach missions etc Night Church will take a break from December 25 th to January 29th. Note the 2 Youth/Young Adult Summer Sessions to connect on Jan 15 and 22. Pizza Boxes Pizza Boxes will be available for the children from 3yrs old to grade 6 during the 10.00am service - from next week.. These have recently been updated with new activities. Thank you: Thank you to the many people who have actively contributed to promote outreach and generosity over the Christmas period. (Continued from Front Page) Towards Faithful Presence:...The Lord s Prayer causes us to remember who we are and the mystery and wonder of where we live. We are often in grief and turmoil because we sense the deep disjunction between the behaviours here and the grace of the Kingdom and we can be completely and utterly elated when in the complexsimplicity of a flower, the lick of a dog or the meeting with a stranger, Heaven is manifest and felt in our being. It tingles in our hands, wells up in joyful tears, spills out in our speaking, our singing and in our purposeful actions is a year to press further into Faithful Presence. To welcome our calling in this time and be found active for God, joyful in service, open to interruption and ready to listen deeply and talk when we have heard the truth, felt the heart of Christ and entered the grace. John Sharpe Good News: Thank you to the church membership for your prayerful consideration and thoughtfulness in affirming the recommendation of the Eldership to reappoint Drew Nicholls as Associate Minister (Young Adults) for a further 2 years and to appoint Shannon Cheal as Church Secretary. Please continue to encourage, pray for and support these two gifted and called people.

3 EXODUS PRAYERS v Pray for the world for the community builders, the health workers, the educators, the engineers, the dancers, singers, the painters and poets, the writers and artisans, the gardeners and neighbourhood welcomers for the shop owners and merchants for children and playgrounds. v Give thanks for the significant relationships built over For strangers welcomed, for the generosity of spirit given and received, for our new friends in the wider community and for our open doors. Give thanks that our church can sometimes look beaten to death because it is used day and night for Kingdom purposes. v Give thanks for the Kingdom motivated people who have worshipped through meals ministry, op-shop, Time Out, Kids Hope, Family Nights, Mission engagement, office /ministry support, play groups and a vast often unseen pouring out of kind thoughtfulness and generosity. v Pray for your own hospitality over this season for the willingness to open your home, invite people for coffee, a games night or a walk or to fill up the car for a trip to the Zoo, the beach or the Yarra River. v Pray for those who have suffered acute bereavement and disjunction in their family lives over the year and particularly those who through the death of loved ones or abandonment have found the season to be bitter-sweet and have clung powerfully to the manger Christ in a lowly and messy place. v Uphold those taking new journeys in For the exited VCE year 12 students waiting for tertiary offers. For those changing jobs, moving state, looking for a new home, starting kinder or school for the first time, stepping in to secondary school, redirecting habits, outlook and intentions. And for those starting fresh with God. Pray for Cassie Moore as she heads off to work in Broken Hill as a pharmacist. v Uphold those expecting babies in early 2017 and for those marrying. Pray for Kaity Ludgater and Reuben Langerak as they are married in January. v Pray for those on Beach Mission and for Maddy and Danni Brown heading off to Mexico to build a home with Amore ministries. v Uphold John and Chris Sharpe, the Eldership and church as a year of leadership transition unfolds

4 SUNDAYS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON 8.30am service will be in recess from Sunday, 25 th December, resuming on Sunday, 5th February am service runs normally with a special emphasis on Family worship (noting no KidsZone program during school holidays, children s activity provided during the service. Kidszone program resumes on 5th February.) Night Church is taking a break - resuming on Sunday, 29th January, Note the 2 Youth/Young Adult Summer Sessions to connect on Jan 15 and a year of Team Leadership Transition: While we can t paint the entire picture yet, we want to encourage the church to continue to pray into the transitions that will occur during the course 2017 as John concludes over 25 years of Team Leadership at Ringwood. John continues to lead with purpose, passion and energy and will work creatively with the Eldership as the year unfolds. We anticipate that the most likely transitional arrangement will include the appointment of an Intentional Interim Minister when John concludes in order to assist us in navigating the future. (John and the Eldership) Christmas Offerings: COCOA and Christmas Bowl. Envelopes are available for the special Christmas day and early January offerings. The COCOA envelopes are included in this edition of Exodus Times, and if you would prefer to give to the Christmas Bowl, please find an envelope on the mailout table. If you have missed out on an envelope you can use any envelope and fill in your details and place them in the offering bowls. For the Diary: All in Gathered Prayer: Launching 2017 Faithful Presence Tuesday January 31 st 7.30pm-8.30pm DO YOU REQUIRE A GARDENER? Does your garden need a little sprucing up a little bit of weeding and pruning during the Summer months one of the Emmanuel Church members can help you out. Can you please phone Gerry Herft on for enquiries, to make a time.

5 NIGHT CHURCH over the holidays. Night Church is taking a recess until January 29th. Over the holiday season, we plan to have "All-Age" morning services that incorporate adults and children in worship. All of the usual important elements of worship will be there but approached in a different way. Parents and grandparents, please be encouraged to bring your children/ grandchildren along and worship as a family. *********************************** CHURCH OFFICE HOURS DURING CHRISTMAS/JANUARY The Church Office will be closed from December 25th - January 8th (inclusive) Various members of team will be taking leave over various times during Christmas/January, but if you need to be in touch with someone during this time, please contact the Church Office, or an Elder, for help. Office hours: pm Monday - Thursday *********************************** CHRISTMAS MAIL - Please feel free to use the Church mailbox system, but please understand that this mail needs to be collected, and will not be posted by the Church. Can you please check your mailbox for any mail, and help us save on postage. ************************************ Friday Night Youth Group Starts Friday 3rd February. ************************************* WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY Wednesday Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, 8th February, LIFE GROUPS 2017: Ric and Annie Cutler co-ordinating the Life Groups. If you are interested in finding out more please contact them. You can still keep in touch, even though the Breaking News is on Holidays for a few weeks. Log on to for more info.

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8 YOUTH / YOUNG ADULTS JANUARY 15 - MOVIE & PIZZA At the Murray House pm pm 506 Sheffield Road, North Montrose Contact Alex Murray: JANUARY 22 - HOUSE WORSHIP The Wilkins House pm pm 23 Montana Parade, Croydon Contact Drew Nicholls: Exciting News from YOUTH for Following a process of discernment and review Adrian Sinnatt has been recently reappointed by the Eldership to continue as Youth Minister for a further 2 years (2 days / week). We are thrilled with Adrian s inspirational leadership, vision, discipling heart and energy for seeing more of the Kingdom of God at work. YOUTH is thriving!!!! Adrian has been seriously reimagining the next stage of unleashing a nimble and responsive form of leadership development. For his own good reasons and following considerable discussion with John and the Elders, Adrian has desired to be voluntary in his role and we have accepted his wisdom. New Youth appointments: We are happy to also announce that Jordan Ludgater (who has just concluded a 1 year internship) and Cam Moss have both been set aside as Youth Coordinators (both paid 1 day /week) with specific areas of responsibility working under the direction and encouragement of Adrian.

9 The Legend of King Arty Some images from the 2016 Kids Production.

10 SOME DATES FOR YOUR 2017 DIARY: 15th January Young Adults - Movie & Pizza 22nd January 31st January 1st February 2nd February 5th February 7th February 8th & 9th Feb Young Adults - House Worship All in Gathered Prayer Op Shop resumes Oasis resumes Kids Program resumes 8.30am Church resumes Timeout for Mum s resumes Playgroup resumes A massive Thank you. A church in the end is the people the faithful who pray, dream and loan themselves out as expressions of hope, joy, delight and witnesses to salvation. It has been wonderful to see the delight of community connection as people contributed to and delivered Christmas hampers packed gift bags for the Maroondah Carols service, got behind Bec Murray and Linda Mill for the recent family night and special Christmas service (Dec 21 which was fantastic!!!). Those who prepared food for the Oasis Ministry and Seniors Christmas breakups the teams of happy and encouraging people working in op-shop ( Did you know I ended up supporting an Iranian family at an immigration hearing through contact made initially at op-shop) and to the many who release worship, hospitality, prepare communion and welcome week by week. God bless you all. OPPORTUNITY SHOP In recess until 1st February, 2017 OASIS - MEALS MINISTRY Re-opens: 2nd February 2017

11 My Regular Offering: The witness of the church doesn t stop. Many of us have holidays over the Christmas/January period and don't attend the services here during that time. Whilst this is fantastic for us who are on holidays, it is a hard on the finances of the church as our ministry and mission still continue, along with the receipt of regular bills such as electricity, gas etc... Many people give via regular credit card or direct debit each month so this helps alleviate the problem to some extent. However, there are a number who place their offering in the bowl at one of the services when they attend. We would like to encourage you to think about setting up your regular offering via credit card, direct debit or Pushpay to help us maintain the finances of the church and hence be able to continue to pay the bills on time. You can choose a once off offering or regular offering by credit card or by Direct Debit/Internet Banking. The details are below. Please place your slip in the offering bowl for processing or drop it in to the office. For further information please contact Anne Morley at the office on or by anne@ringwoodchurch.org.au. Worshipful, faithful and regular giving to God s work consider I authorise Ringwood Church of Christ, 13 Bedford Road, Ringwood to charge my credit card for $ being my offering for today. Or My regular offering amount of $ to be debited from my credit card each week/month. (Please circle the appropriate option) Card No: Visa Mastercard Direct Debit or Internet Banking Ringwood Church of Christ Inc. NAB BSB: Account No: Name on card: Signature: Card Expiry Date: / Contact No:

12 Birthday Greetings Dec. 26 Dorothy Close, Brian Tanfield 27 Owen Brown, Rosalene Nettelbeck 29 Natalie Robson 31 Alyssa Thornton, Tahlia Van Der Meer Jan. 1 Julie Waterhouse, Nancye Selwood, Toby White 2 Natasha Sonsie, Steven Wright, 3 Peta Guy, Margaret Kittelty 5 Ken Salmon, Janet Woodlock 6 Marta White 9 Gil Robinson 13 Jacob Carroll 15 Dean Smith, Noah Meng 16 Julia Fullerton 17 Malcolm Salmon 18 Nathan Kavanagh, Nicole White, Jeff Kepert 20 Matthew Moore 21 Aidan Salmon 22 Kathryn Moss, Jessica Armstrong 24 Rustin Ghods, Marg Nettelbeck 25 Shannon Cheal, Terry Snell 26 Ceinwyn Easdown 27 Tim Allred 28 Craig Broadbent, Narelle Gillespie, Jenny Waack 29 Luke Hall, Josh Allred Services Over Summer January 1st Preaching: John Sharpe Worship/Communion: M. Moody Song Leader: D Nicholls Reader: D. Brown Helpers: P. Alsop, B. Harrison, M. Spencer, P. Thomas, D. Wallace, D. Brewster, K. Davies Band: D. Wilkins, D. Nicholls, J. Sharpe Singers: M. Goddard, J. Newnham, J. Woodlock Audio: N. Glover Projection: A. Murray Morning Tea: M. Fluke (M), D. Birch Communion Prep: J. Carroll Flowers: Welcome & Lock-up: A & N Morley, S. Plakkat, S. Rosel Offering Counters: J. Lanaway, P. Joyce January 8th Preaching: Penny Martin Worship/Communion: W. & T. Twining Song Leader: C Sharpe Reader: J Carroll Helpers: T.Burch, G. Carroll, S. Rosel, M. Nettelbeck, K Easdown, G.Thomas, J. Woodlock Band: A. C. Sharpe, J. Sharpe Singers: C. Sharpe, J. Sharpe Audio: S. Drummond Projection: J. Drummond Morning Tea: J. Waack (M), N. James Communion Prep: S. Kay Flowers: L. Barry Welcome & Lock-Up: G. Wigney, M. Fluke, G.& B. Simpson Offering Counters: R. Cutler, K. Morton January 15th Preaching: Dave Moody Worship/Communion: L. Mill Song Leader: J. Woodlock Reader: B. Carter Helpers: J. Fullerton, M. Evans, D. Wallace, B. Joyce, J. Newnham, M.& R. Kemp Band: S. Punithan, H. Punithan, J. Sharpe, T. Allred Singers: C. Punithan, K. Alsop, G. Monro Audio: D. Wright Projection: J. Carroll Morning Tea: B. Harrison (M), J. Starkey Communion Prep: M. Davies Flowers: Welcome & Lock-up: D. Brewster, D. Birch, B.& B. Tanfield Offering Counters: P.& C.. Lomman January 22nd Preaching: D. Nicholls Worship/Communion: L. Nicholls Song Leader: N. Palmer Reader: K. Davies Helpers: E. Darbyshire, B. & B. Tanfield, F.& G. Collings, J.& J. Lanaway Band: N. Glover, A. Salmon, C. Palmer, L. Salmon, M. Salmon Singers: J. Fraser,,P. Fookes, C. Prentice Audio: M. Nettelbeck Projection: T. Twiining Morning Tea: W. Twining (M), K. Moss Communion Prep: J. Lanaway Flowers: Welcome & Lock-up: J. Campbell, A. Devenish, A.& R. Cutler Offering Counters: R. Cheal, A. Caubo SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES 8.30am Communion/Study (in recess) 10am Worship 4pm Rahab s Room