MESSENGER December 2018 & January 2019 GREENOCK LUTHERAN PARISH
Preparing to celebrate Christ s birth The word Advent means arrival, and it refers to the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world. The Advent season usually starts four weeks before Christmas and concludes with the celebration of Christ s birth. Some churches emphasize the Advent season more than others, but all Christians look forward to celebrating Christ s birth during this season of the year. Why was Jesus birth so important? The reason is because slightly over 2,000 years ago, God stooped down from Heaven and became a human being: Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). Think of it: God became a man! He did it because He loves us and that s what we should celebrate as Christmas approaches. Take time between now and Christmas to reflect on this great truth. Read Isaiah 9:6 In this Scripture we find the message and meaning of Christmas. Isaiah the prophet gave five awe-inspiring names of our Lord that encourage us, thrill us and fill us with hope at this Christmas season. 1. Wonderful. When He did His many miracles, the Scripture says, The people wondered. (Luke 11:14) 2. Counsellor. The officers said, No one ever spoke like this man! (John 7:46) 3. The Mighty God. He is the God-Man. He said that He and the Father are one. (John 10:30) 4. The Everlasting Father. It was by Him, the living Word, that all things were created. He is the designer of the whole universe. (John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3) 5. The Prince of Peace. There will never be lasting peace on earth until He comes again to reign in righteousness. But He is also the Prince of Peace in other ways. None can have peace with God apart from Him and the peace that He made through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:20) The full meaning of these words from Isaiah should give us enough strength, hope, and joy to face any crisis, endure any sorrow and meet any temptation. How has Jesus shown you recently that He is Wonderful, Counsellor the Prince of Peace? Do you need God s love in your life? Billy Graham
Parish Notes Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor 12:27 Welcome home to Pastor Detlev and Phyllis Vosgerau after their break overseas. Praise be to God that they had safe travels and enjoyed their time. Advent Evening: Sunday 2 nd December at St Peter s Greenock from 7.00pm. Reps from each congregation will present an item. Refreshments to follow. Come and usher in the Advent season with us! Manse Loan Appeal: Donations are greatly appreciated. Cash or cheque donations can be put in an envelope marked Manse project support and placed on the offering plate at a regular Sunday service. Alternatively, funds can be transferred electronically into the Greenock Parish manse account. The details are Account Name: Greenock Lutheran Parish Manse project, BSB: 704942, Account Number: 151767. Please contact Parish Treasurer Peter Neldner 0402 214 447 if you require any further information. Nain Notes Interchurch visit: On Sunday 21 st October, a beautiful Spring day, Nain members welcomed 14 members of St. John s Cambrai congregation joining us for a day of fellowship, commencing with a divine service in the church conducted by Pastor Ken Pfitzner. ALC student Joseph Theodorsen and his family and several of our past members were present on the day. Chairman Geoff Saegenschnitter presented a history of the Nain congregation. Following the service those present drove to the Nain picnic grounds for a BBQ lunch followed by fun and fellowship. Remembering: 25 th October 2015 the Pinery fire. We still all remember that day and the devastation it caused. We thank God that our church was not damaged and the Bethel church had minor damage. At this time our prayers and thoughts are with those who lost family members, property and livestock, those still recovering and whose lives have been changed forever. Retiring Offering for ALC student Joseph after service on 2 nd December. Please keep this family in your prayers as he continues his studies. Gnadenfrei St. Michael s, Marananga Marananga Carols will be held on Saturday 15 th Dec at Gnadenfrei church grounds. Light meal and refreshments from 6.00pm and programme from 7.00pm. Supper to follow. Message + items from Marananga Band, Steve Angel, Sandy Modra, church group/choir. All welcome. Come along and share some early Christmas cheer!
Marananga Community Bonfire: Another great evening on Sat 13 th Oct with an excellent attendance. Singer and guitar player Steve Angel provided entertainment and even got a portion of the gathering dancing (a first for this long-running annual event). Sincere thanks to all those who assisted with the meal, silent auction, mega raffle, little bonfire and braziers. Cathy and Grant Wills MC d the evening well done! Marianne Kroschel is a dynamo co-ordinator and brought the whole event together. Nett proceeds of $1,600 to Barossa Lutheran Community Care. Shaun Manning (pictured right), supported student at Australian Lutheran College, will be serving at St Petri Lutheran Church in Nuriootpa from this December. Pray for Shaun as he gets ready to take up Vicarage in this community. All thanks be to God! Gnadenfrei Home Group: Two get-togethers remain for this year Wed 28 th Nov at the church hall at 7.00pm (please note change of venue and time) - Ginny has something special planned so please try and come along. Ian and Ginny Jones will host a dinner for the group on Wed 12 th Dec at their home in Nuriootpa from 6.30pm. Please bring a salad and sweet plus refreshments. Ladies Fellowship Four ladies of the Gnadenfrei Ladies Fellowship plus numerous containers of beautifully baked/iced honey biscuits came together for a short time of work and fellowship. Twenty cellophane bags were filled with a biscuit mixture of shapes and patterns, and then were tied with twirling ribbons and a Christmas tract. This Christmas cheer is a project of the Lutheran Women of SA/NT. The end-product is distributed to Children's Homes, hospitals and jails where people may have no other form of such 'Christmas cheer'. Sincere thanks to the contributors of the biscuits: the extras will be used for the Carols Evening supper at Gnadenfrei on Sat 15 th Dec. Baptisms Parish Register William Pfeiffer, son of Josh and Ellen, and Isabella Stanbury Pfeiffer, daughter of Sam Pfeiffer and Kelsey Stanbury Pfeiffer, were welcomed into God s family through Holy Baptism on Saturday 17 th November. Pastor Detlev Vosgerau officiated. Grandchildren of Martin and Sally Pfeiffer, Marananga. Please pray for these little ones and their parents. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MESSENGER TO LYNETTE BY WEDNESDAY, 23 rd JANUARY, 2019 THANKS!
ST. PETER S GREENOCK Sharing the Love of Jesus and Building a Caring Christian Community Delays, diversions, distractions, interruptions. These are familiar concepts in our current day to day lives. How well do you deal with interruptions? Whether they are good or bad, sometimes they leave us feeling anxious, frustrated, panicked, uncertain and alone. We all face interruptions one of which was that first Christmas, when God tapped the world on the shoulder and reminded people throughout all the generations that He is indeed in control of all. God fully intends to interrupt our lives; commanding our attention, calling us to make room for Him in our hearts and lives. Our JAM children and teachers have begun preparing for our Christmas Eve presentation - The Divine Interruption When reluctant faith meets relentless grace. We would love you and anyone you know to join us, to reflect and remember that God interrupted the world with the precious gift of Jesus-may we all learn to let life s biggest interruptions bring us an even bigger faith. We would deeply love your prayers as we work with the children and organise our presentation to be shared with all those that come in through our church doors. Please pray that the hearts and lives of all those who witness and hear the message will be touched by the Holy Spirit, who is ready and able to work in them. It is always a busy and often draining time of year, so please pray that Pastor Detlev, our leaders and teachers will be blessed with strength, peace and energy to get through! Any assistance with providing snacks for the kids, setting up the stage and church, Christmas tree decoration and monetary donations for gifts would be greatly appreciated. We are looking to have a final practice on Friday 21 st December from 2-4pm. JAM families- please keep this date in your diary! Time of Christmas Eve presentation will be 6.30pm (please note earlier time).
LCC CHRISTMAS HAMPERS- Once again we are helping to support LCC with donation of goods for their Christmas Hampers. Again, they are calling for non-perishable item s families could use at Christmas time. Any children s or teenage gifts (in new condition) and hygiene products are also very welcome. Please leave your donations in the chat room over the next coming weeks, delivery to LCC will be in early December. Many thanks! YEAR 7 TRANSITION/ WELL BEING DAY-Special thanks to those who offered to help make savoury and sweet muffins for students attending the Year 7 transition/wellbeing day at Nuriootpa High School. Rose Hegarty- Pastoral Support Worker for NHS is once again seeking our support. The Well Being day will be held on December 7 th at Impact Church. Ali will contact those individuals who have volunteered their help with making muffins with details on where to deliver and how to package them. JAM BIBLE SOCIETY MORNING TEA- Thanks once again for the valuable support of JAM s annual Bible Society presentation and morning tea. It was a wonderful celebration and over $700 was raised to support sick children with cancer in Nicaragua. Please see below pictures.
PRAYER POINTS- Please pray for. Pastor Detlev and Phyllis Vosgerau Our church Pastors and Leaders, and ministry/mission opportunities JAM teachers and children and Christmas Eve preparations Those who have strayed from the faith that they will return to God s family Lutheran Community Care and other organisations as they minister and care for those in need during the Christmas season Greenock Primary Students as they hear the Christmas story on December 6th, Pastor Detlev, Heather Obst and her team of volunteers as they share with the kids.