22^nd November 2016

Christmas Resources Plus

ADVENT  PRAYER 

Lord God who lives and reigns for ever,

as we begin our journey towards Christmas

we thank you that the Living Word became flesh,

that in your great love you became one with us in Jesus Christ.

We thank you that you still come as the true light

to take our darkness and all that is crooked about our lives.

We thank you that you have opened a new and living way.

You have made the way straight and smooth.

You have opened the windows and doors of heaven

by destroying the threatening dark power of sin and death

so that as your forgiven people in this moment,

by the Holy Spirit, we have access to your presence,

and access to an assurance that flows from your everlasting promises.

Lord, in this moment come again and again,

reshape our lives,--- renew us in your love

and fill us with the joy and peace that comes from knowing you.

In Jesus name. Amen

 

The Christian Faith and Coming Century   Highly recommended.

For an informed, helpful and stirring message from Os Guinness at the Lausanne. Young Leaders Group YLG 2016. To benefit and enjoy, Google, Lausanne Movement, Content Library, multimedia.

Christmas Quotes

Augustine was a great scholar long before he became a Christian. It was Augustine who said that among the Greek philosophers he found a parallel to almost all the teaching of Christianity - but one thing he said he never found. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” To the thinking Greek the incarnation was a total impossibility. To people who thought like that it was incredible that one who had loved and sorrowed for men as Jesus had done, - could possibly be the Son of God.

William Barclay, “The letter to the Corinthians” p21.

The Church of the Annunciation is where Mary received the news that she would give birth to the one who in Christian history was worshipped as the Lord God himself. Just outside the church, for all to see a banner had been hung that bore a quotation from the Qur’an that said that God could not, and did not, take on flesh:

The banner asserted that the idea celebrated in the nearby church, that God became a man in Jesus of Nazareth was not true.

It tells us there is a profound difference between the Islamic and the Christian conceptions of God. To the Muslim, because of God’s majesty it is blasphemous to think of God being ‘diminished’ by taking on flesh and being part of creation.

For Christians “this belief that God would become a servant, giving himself for others is an exact expression of the beauty and majesty of God.” Source: Episode 2

Behind the life of Jesus Scripts.

The Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem was to inaugurate our salvation. The Death of Jesus at Calvary established it - forever. The resurrection of Jesus at Easter confirmed it. The Ascension of Jesus to heaven celebrated it. The Gift of the Spirit at Pentecost drove it worldwide. And sixthly will come the Return of Jesus at the world’s end - to consummate and complete it.  Source: Richard Bewes.

Purchase: THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS   Rick Warren---group resource.

Christmas is the most celebrated holiday of the year for billions of people but what is the purpose?

In three sessions Rick Warren leads you through a video based study for groups and families. It comes with DVD study guide. A Time of Celebration, A time for Salvation, A time for Reconciliation.

You will discover why Christmas is God’s idea and why Jesus is the greatest gift God gave the world.

Christmas Invitation.

Don’t let the season pass without taking the opportunity to share the good news story of Christmas with others.

Ask your minister to prepare a brief, friendly letter to the people of your community inviting them to join others over the Christmas period at your church. The wording needs to be brief, the layout attractive. You may like to offer newcomers the gift of a Gospel. Beyond letterbox dropping arrange a brief appointment to meet your local Mayor. Present a letter to him/her and personally invite him/her and his staff to a Christmas event or the Service on Christmas Day.

Biggest invitation to Alpha

Bear Grylls, the tough adventurer on TV is heading up an Alpha campaign aimed at boosting young men attending the course. Any Church that would like to get involved in “Join the Adventure” needs to Google inviteaustralia.com

SURRENDER:17   March 24-26 2017 Belgrave Heights Melbourne.

The Surrender Conference is a gathering of Christians from across Australia to share ideas, stories and hope on justice, discipleship and mission. For people from all walks of life—with workshops for first timers. Gathering spaces for the tribes, kids, youth, great music. Worth encouraging in your church. Visit Surrender.

Painting with God

Be part of a worship painting community. Subscribe online at Grace Bailey and get the digital book with video or phone 0432 608 195 for more information.

Global Recordings Network.

If you have any friends who speak a different language to you, help them download the 5fish app so they can hear about Jesus in their own language. Download on App Store or get it on Google Play. Download the 5fish app.

Toxic Sexuality Being Normalised

Children live in a culture where their well being is threatened by confusing ideologies about sexuality and gender identity. If you would like a few pointers on how to encourage a healthy understanding of sexuality then check out: Youth Wellbeing Project Solutions. This group conducts Holistic Relationships and Sexuality Education for Primary and Secondary Schools. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Children’s Advent Wreath and church news letter resource.

Available from Parish Pump - Children can colour in the green leaves and berries of an advent wreath and then hang up on ribbon.  Each Sunday in Advent colour in a candle and read the Bible verses. (See the sample - Used by permission.) For exploring Church news letter/ magazine resources  check out: deborah .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Parish Pump

The Messy Way to Belief

If your church is asking questions like, “How can our small church do mission or evangelism” and “How can we share what we have with the rest of the world”---the booklet “Messy Hospitality changing communities through fun, food, friendship and faith” provides great insights. Author: Lucy Moore. This resource helps us all to rethink the way we do church.

Other Christmas material as outreach gifts.

Christingle Celebration.

For many years churches around the world have gathered children together to celebrate Jesus as light coming into the world. Why not tell the story, make a Christingle, sing and celebrate God’s love for the world and people everywhere? Here we attach a few resources to get you started on creating your own celebration.

Plenty of resources are available on line when you Google: Christingle Hymns, Songs etc.

Adelaide’s Lutheran Layman League offers a range of quality print resources. You can view their catalogue by going to Lutheran tract Mission. Under headings Advent also Christmas you will find headings. Children’s, Resources, Greetings, Large-print, Teaching/Devotional, Text cards/ bookmarks.

Google: Bible Society Bookshop. Go to Categories, Mission, also Seasonal. The best thing about Christmas (Child) 30c, Best friend for ever. (Child) 30c, Good news for Christmas (adult) 30c, Bring Christ back into Christmas, $4.50.

Google: Challenge Good News. Go Distribution, Ideas sheet, for a range of distribution suggestions. email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)