Christmas Service Times
11pm Christmas Eve service: This is a Holy Communion service.
9am Christmas Day service: This is a family service, with Holy Communion.
Service Times
This Sunday the Bible teaching will be from Romans Chapter 1 verses 18-32, The Wrath of God.
8.30am Prayer Book and Holy Communion: This service is more traditional in music and service style. It has Holy Communion every week and the service is conducted from the Australian Prayer Book.
10am Family Service: This meeting is for everyone from the youngest babies to the grandpas and grandmas. It is a more relaxed service with a combination of modern and traditional music. It includes kid’s church (which is held once a fortnight during the service) and there is a babies room available for parents with babies and children up to four years old.
Op Shop
The church runs an Op Shop on Mondays and Thursdays from 9am-noon.
Marriages and Baptisms
St John’s has always been a popular place to hold weddings.
If you would like to make inquiries about having your wedding here, contact the office on 5944 3862 and leave a message. Any inquiries about baptisms should also be made to the office. For more information about weddings and baptisms look at our web site on Stjac.org.au
ADVENT Reconciliation second Rite.
There will be two priests at each celebration of reconciliation in preparation for Christmas, on Thursday, 15 December at 7.30pm, Friday 16 December at 11am and Tuesday, 20 December at 7.30pm. Should anyone need transport for Friday, please contact the presbytery.
Pakenham Picnic Racing Club, New Year’s day meeting: Celebrate New Year’s day at the Pakenham Picnic Races at Pakenham racecourse.
It is a wonderful social event, a chance to meet friends, relax and enjoy the racing. There will be a six-event program, with the first race at 1pm. All profits go to St Patrick’s School Development Program, so come along enjoy the day and support the school and parish.
Pastoral Associate’s Report: At the moment one person is inquiring about the Catholic faith.
Each Thursday the residents at the nursing home receive the Eucharist. On the third Thursday Mass is celebrated and parishioners are welcome to attend. Nine parishioners are rostered to take communion from the Sunday 9am Mass to Millhaven, Meadowvale and the sick in their own homes. Currently Maureen Cooke, Helen Vincent and Sister Christina are committed to teaching about 250 children in the local state schools each week. We teach from an asset syllabus based on scripture. Members of other church groups in Pakenham are also involved. This year Maureen Cooke prepared nine students for Confirmation, eight students for Eucharist and seven students for Reconciliation.
Present Rostered Helpers: Church and flower decoration 39 people, Reading 45, Ministers of the Eucharist 55 and Offertory Procession 38 families. We really appreciate the time, the effort and the talents that you expend on behalf of all parishioners. If any person would like to be involved in the ministry, please contact Sr Christina on 5941 1217.
Advent reflections in preparation for Christmas: If you would like to join a group to prepare for Christmas there are two possibilities, Monday 1.45pm at 23 Rogers Street, or, Thursday 7.30pm at the presbytery. The sessions will go for an hour, and will consist of reading the scripture for the following Sunday, reflecting on it together and prayer.
Christmas Choir Practice will be held each Wednesday from 7.30pm-8.30pm in the church. All are most welcome. St Patrick’s Bingo is held every Wednesday at Pakenham Racecourse – eyes down at 8pm.
Deepest sympathy is extended to the families of Vittorio Campana and Nell Bailey, who both passed away recently.
Community Church
AIM: To encourage us to love and serve others.
This week we celebrated the third week of Advent and our meeting was under the leadership of Candidate Peter McMaster. Peter is preparing to go into The Salvation Army Training College to be an officer in the new year.
As we count down to Christmas Day, people around are becoming very busy in their preparations. All around us we see both children and adults who are excited about this, but there are others who find this time of the year very distressing. These are the people who we need to be open to as we share with them the love of Christ.
This Sunday is our annual Carol Service with the Christmas Nativity Pageant, starting at 10am.
Why not come along with your friends and family? We would really love to welcome you to this meeting.Regular Weekly Events
Sunday, 10am, Sunday Worship; 10.20am, Children’s Church (school term only).
Tuesday, 9.30am, exercise group; 11am, Bible Study.
Wednesday, Corps Officers Visitation; 7.30pm, Bible Study.
Thursday, 9.30am-11.15am, playgroup (school term only).
Friday, 10am-noon, Christian Bookshop and Coffee Shop; 5.30pm, hotel ministry.
Saturday, Corps social events.
THE third Advent candle was lighted. It is the candle of courage. When faith deserts us or we have doubts we need to push ahead and move on.
Rev. Dick asked the congregation to imagine what it would be like if Jesus had never been born.
Little was reported about the Saviour’s birth – few saw it, but John’s Gospel retold the story of Jesus as the light of the world. The Greek word ‘kiaros’ means foretelling of the special birth, at an appointed time and place. Jesus was the light which came into the world. He had the courage to walk the faith all the way to the cross.
If you have not considered a donation to the Christmas Bowl its funds provide practical assistance to many people around the world.
Looking for the ideal Christmas gift? Grab a copy of the Uniting International Mission’s Gifts of Love catalogue. You could donate $65 for the purchase of a pregnant goat for AIDS-affected communities in Thailand, or $30 for the purchase of a chainsaw to help families run self-sufficient businesses in Papua New Guinea. Donating $250 would help the church of East Timor and Ambon pay for the theological education of it new leaders and ministers. Obtain copies by phoning the Uniting Church Assembly office on (02) 8267 4267.
The New Church Council representatives are Wendy Rouse, Pauline Grey and Edgar and Betty Trotter.
This week
Friday, 10.30am-1.30pm: Community Drop-in Centre.
Saturday, 1.30pm: Celebration for John Goff’s 90th birthday in the Church lounge. Join John and his family on this special occasion. If attending please tell Elsie Waters or Bruce Chappell.
Sunday, 6pm-7pm: Family Christmas Picnic Get-Together. Bring a picnic and enjoy fellowship in the church family while singing carols on the lawn beside the church.
Tuesday, 10am: Bible Study. 10am-noon: Beehive Craft Group.
Coming Events
Saturday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve gathering at the Grey’s. “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken, never be moved.” Psalm 125 V1.
A LARGE attendance of family and friends were delighted with the Christmas performance Little Drummer Boy on Sunday night.
Children form the choir Skidles, Super Twos and Threes, Rainbow Kids and Kids Church, together with many leaders, took part. Thanks to Megan Stock and all involved in costumes and rehearsals for such a large group of children.
A mum’s lunch is to be held at Sue Nicholls’ home tomorrow (Thursday). All mothers and their children, not just the young mums who normally attend, are welcome to this last gathering for the year. Come from 11am onwards. Bring a plate for morning tea or lunch. The phone number is 9796 1193 or 0403 822 324.
Six children will be baptised at 10am on Sunday. During the service, there will be a time for people to remember loved ones who have died during the year. The service is open to all who would like to take part.
At 6pm that night Carols Live @ the Chapel will include an indoor “park” complete with Christmas trees, which will be for sale after the service. Bring a picnic tea and enjoy Christmas Carols in a relaxed manner.
Carols by Twilight takes place on Christmas Eve in the Max Pawsey Reserve. The program officially starts at 8pm but there will be entertainment earlier. The Christmas Day service begins at 10am and will run for 60 minutes. The church office closes between 26 December and 3 January.
Gloria Hardy, current Masters Champion of Australia with more than 40 years’ teaching experience, is holding swimming lessons for all standards from 31 January to 10 March. The cost of six lessons at $54 will raise money for missions. Phone Beaconsfield Swim School on 9796 2288 and book into her sessions.
On New Year’s Eve, Gloria and daughter Liz invite people to their home from 6pm to 9.30pm.
Bring meat and salad or dessert for a barbecue, then join in a service at the church from 10pm to 12.30am with Catch the Fire Ministries.
Boys Brigade had a final night for the year with more than 60 boys and many proud family members in attendance. Several awards were presented.
FOR pastoral care leave a message on the church office phone, 5629 5355.
Regular Events
Mondays (second and fourth Monday, each month).
1pm: Lifeguide Bible Study – Ailsa Palmer’s Home, 4 Wattletree Road, Bunyip (Call Lois on 5629 4277).
Tuesdays, 10am: Garfield Craft & Friendship Group – Garfield Church Hall. Come for a cuppa, craft and chat. (Call Robyn on 5629 5541).
Wednesdays, 9am: Interchurch Know Your Bible – Ailsa Palmer’s Home, 4 Wattletree Road, Bunyip (Call Elma on 5629 5321).
Thursdays, 2pm: Interchurch Know Your Bible – Beryl Robertson’s Home, 2 Doran Road, Bunyip. (Call Shirley on 5629 5619).
Coming Events
Friday, 8pm: Carols at Bunyip (on the Hillview Hostel lawn) come along and enjoy your favourite carols and find the true joy of Christmas.
Saturday, 8pm: Longwarry Christmas Carols (in the Grounds of the Union Church) a fun program has been arranged for your entertainment. Come along to join in the singing and listen to the Warragul Salvation Army Band.
Sunday, 9.30am: Combined Worship for the Garfield and Bunyip Congregations at Bunyip Uniting Church, 9 Nash Road, Bunyip. Led by our Minister Dr Des Parker.
11am: Sunday Worship and Eucharist at Longwarry Union Church, 7 Drouin Road, Longwarry. Led by our Anglican Minister. 8pm: Nine Lessons at St Thomas’ Anglican Church Bunyip. Come along and enjoy traditional Christmas Carols and the Scripture readings leading up to Christmas.
Saturday, 24 December, 8pm: Christmas Eve Worship and Eucharist at Bunyip Uniting Church, 9 Nash Road, Bunyip. Led by Rev. Eric Smith.
Sunday, 25 December, 9.30am: Christmas Day Celebration at Longwarry Union Church, 7 Drouin Road, Longwarry. Led by our Minister Dr Des Parker.
Christmas 2005
CAROLS on the Hill: Sunday, 18 December at 8pm. Join us for a night of singing and praise while the Christmas story is performed on the hill outside the glass wall.
Children’s Christmas Eve Service: Saturday, 24 December at 7pm. Midnight Christmas Eve Service: Saturday, 24 December at 11pm. Join us to bring in Christmas morning with Christmas Carols and the Christmas message followed by champagne and strawberries. Christmas Day Service: Sunday, 25 December at 9.30am. Only one service on Christmas Day. We invite everyone to join us.
Every week Services
Sunday 8.30am: Holy Communion Service. A traditional Anglican Service of Holy Communion.
Sunday 10.15am: – Family-oriented Service. Please note the new time. A friendly worship time, ideally suited for families, both young and old, with modern music, followed by morning coffee/tea. BAC Kids and Youth Reloaded also held at this time.
Sunday Evening Services: Healing Service, first Sunday each month at 6pm. In recess until the new year.
BAC at 6: 6pm. In recess until the new year.
Thursday, 10am: Holy Communion, followed by morning coffee.
ST JAMES Anglican Church is at 41 Pakenham Road, Pakenham. Call on 5941 1013 or 5941 1654 for more information. Youth ministry website: www.sip.org.au. Sunday Services – 8am Traditional service of Holy Communion.
9.30am – 10.15am Family Church offers families of pre-school and primary school aged children the opportunity to worship together.
9.30am – 10.15am Morning tea.
10.15am. Contemporary service of Holy Communion.
10.15am. Children and Youth ministry – second Sunday each month 6pm. Youth evening service and supper.
This Week’s Events
Wednesday, 14 December: 7.30pm Prayer meeting at Church. Vestry meeting at the Vicarage.
Sunday, 18 December: 8am Holy Communion. 10.15am Holy Communion. 7pm Christmas Carols Service at St James. Come and listen to the Christmas story through the readings and enjoy the carols.
Christmas Services
Saturday, 24 December: 6.30pm A birthday party for Jesus at St James. A fabulously fun way to celebrate Christmas for families with pre-school and primary school aged children. Come dressed up as a character from the nativity story and take part in the Bethlehem Birthday Bash! 11pm Midnight Holy Communion.
Sunday, 25 December Christmas Day: 9.30pm: Christmas Holy Communion.
Monthly Events
Tuesday (first) 11am – 2pm Craft Group.
Wednesday (fourth) 11am – 2pm Bush Church Aid.
Friday (first) 7pm Men’s Dinner (Combined Churches).
On Christmas Day the Big House Communities will hold an Aussie Christmas Celebration Party at the Pakenham Hall at 1pm. Anyone interested in being involved can call Andre or Amy on either 5941 8147 or mobile 0400 002 172.
