Sydney Lutheran Parish 02 9331 1822 or 0418 303 406 [email protected] City Northern Beaches St Paul’s Redeemer 3 Stanley St Darlinghurst 48 Parr Parade Narraweena www.stpaulssydney.org www.redeemerlutheran.com.au we live to connect people with Welcome to the Sydney Lutheran Parish Whether you are a first time visitor, an occasional attendee or regular member, thank you for joining us. We pray that God blesses you in many ways through our worship time. We invite you to join with us afterwards for a chat, a cuppa and a bite to eat. If you would like to discuss anything, including joining us, please contact Pastor Richard 0418 303 406 or [email protected] 9 December 2018 conspiracy – spend thoughtfully Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 16 December 2018 Advent conspiracy – give more Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

Dear members & friends, Last week we began the season with Advent with the encouragement to worship Jesus fully throughout Advent, not just on Sunday morning, but in everything we say and do. This week the encouragement is for us is to spend less by spending thoughtfully, to take the time to consider how we can best use what God has given us so people can be loved and cared for in a way that truly blesses them. This is not an encouragement to be a miser or an excuse to find the cheapest item you can get away with, but an encouragement to listen to and to think about the people in your life and to spend our money where it will truly bless them and reveal more of God’s love to them. This is exactly what God does for us. He doesn't give us everything we desire, he gives us what we need so that we can see His love and grace. He also encourages us to use what we have to help and bless others, even people who don’t deserve it. May your be one where you bless others thoughtfully and in ways that connect them with the God who loves them greatly.

Pastor Richard Schwedes

The World • For cyber security, that important technological information be kept safe from cyber attacks. • Thanks for those leaders around the world who are seeking peace. • For Lutheran churches in Iceland. • For the growth in Christianity in Swaziland. • For all Christians who face persecution because of their faith, especially those in Djibouti

Australia and New South Wales • For people who work in Sydney’s cbd. • For any businesses that are struggling. • For Martin Luther Kirche. • For Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Sydney City Mayor Clover Moore and Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan.

Lutheran Church of Australia • For Church plants and congregations who are trying new ways of being churches. • For Lutheran schools as they conclude this year and prepare for 2019. • For Lutheran Education of Australia. • For Walla Walla St Paul's College. • For Armidale Worship Centre. • For LCA National Bishop John Henderson, LCA NSW Bishop Robert Bartholomeus and Sydney and Redeemer Pastor Richard Schwedes.

Our Congregation • For Cade Smiljevic, who is being baptised at St Paul’s on 16 December, and his parents Igor and Louise. • For children as they prepare to present the Christmas Story next week. • For St Paul’s Christmas lunch next Sunday. • Thanks to God for people who serve our congregation including those who serve us by welcoming and ushering each Sunday. • For Church Council members: Vincent Lam and Daniel Dias. • For those who need God's healing and comfort including Beryl and Clem Leske; Sophie Beh; Mercedes Vetisch; Beulah Briese; Barbara Rowse; Shane Rosenzweig; Sari Kilpinen; Rosemary Morris; Trudy Pahl; the Hammerton/ Salomon family; Myriam Rincón; Jacqui Bayliss; Heidi Nilssen & Gerhard Ulrich.

Prayer Perspective

Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon. M. Luther.

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What’s on this week

Sun 9 Dec 9am Redeemer Worship @ Redeemer Pastor Richard 10.30am St Paul’s Worship @ St Paul’s 0418 303406 1pm Finnish Worship @ St Paul’s Service

Mon 10 Dec 7.30pm Prayer Meeting @ St Paul’s Virginia 0419 637 753 7 .30pm Women’s CG @ Waverton Elaine 0425 337 149

Wed 12 Dec 12.20pm Advent Lunch @ St Paul’s Pastor Richard Reflections 7pm Inner West CG @ Drummoyne Virginia 0419 637 753

Fri 14 Dec 6.57am Men’s Brekky @ Milsons Point Tom 0402 419 159

Sun 16 Dec 9am Redeemer Worship @ Redeemer Pastor Richard 10.30am St Paul’s Worship @ St Paul’s 0418 303406 Service After worship St Paul’s Christmas @ the manse Lunch 5pm Finnish Christmas @ St Paul’s Service

Dates for your diary

Wed 12, 19 Dec 12.20pm Advent Lunch Reflections Pastor Richard

Sunday 16 Dec Christmas Lunch after Worship @ St Paul’s Veronica Schwedes Sunday 23 Dec 10.30am Worship Service @ St Paul’s 7pm Carol Service @ Redeemer Pastor Richard Monday 24 Dec 7pm Service – Carols & Pastor Richard Readings @ St Paul’s

Tues 25 Dec 9am Christmas Day Celebration @ Redeemer Pastor Richard 10.30am Christmas Day Celebration @ St P’s Sun 3 Feb 2019 Blessing of the backpacks, students and Pastor Richard teachers @ St Paul’s and Redeemer 3

Connect Groups in 2018 Women’s C G Mondays weekly @ Waverton Elaine 0425 337 149

St Paul’s Prayer Mondays weekly @ St Paul’s Virginia Group 0419 637 753 Prayer Group Tuesdays weekly @ Redeemer Jarmo 0466 999 062

Inner West C G Wed fortnightly @ Drummoyne Virginia 0419 637 753

Men’s Brekky Friday fortnightly @ Milsons Point Tom 0402 419 159

Canterbury Sat monthly @ Canterbury Pastor 0418 303 406 Connect Group

If you would like to start a connect group at your place or join a connect group please contact Pastor Richard.

Tired of meaningless mass-produced throwaway gifts? Then Gifts of Grace is for you! Now you can give gifts to those close to you that help someone far away. What a wonderful way to share your values and bring love to life! Gifts that you can give include learning posters, sanitary packs, chicken, school packs, seedlings, 50 hot meals, long drop loo, goat, frog farm, solar lantern, baby scales, riverbed farm, and lots more. To discover more visit: https://www.alws.org.au/what-you-can-do/gifts-of-grace/

Christmas Lunch @ St Paul’s Sunday 16 December 2018 after worship Join us for a Christmas lunch at St Paul’s. If you can, bring some food to share, but most importantly bring yourself and friends. Take some time to spend with others in the congregation to bless them and be blessed by them. For more information see Veronica 0416 246 872.

Advent Lunch Reflections @ St Paul’s

Please note the Advent Reflections are now starting on 12 December Wednesdays 12 and 19 December @ 12.20pm Bring your lunch and take some time out reflecting on the hope of Christmas . 4

Worship Fully Spend Thoughtfully Give More Love All

The Advent Conspiracy at St Paul’s and Redeemer Each Sunday we will focus on one of these tenets, discovering what they mean for us and how God uses them to bless and encourage our relationship. An Advent Conspiracy and Bible reading list is also being distributed, encouraging you to personally focus more closely on the Christmas story throughout the season of Advent. If you would like to receive a daily Advent Conspiracy Devotion via email please email [email protected] requesting a daily reading and devotion.

LLL

Calendars and Reports Are now available free!!. If you didn’t receive one last week, pick one up from the usher’s desk.

Kids present Christmas 16 December @ 10:30am worship

If your child would like to be in Kids present Christmas please contact Veronica 0416 246 872

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2019 Devotion Book – Time Out to Tune In Coming Soon – Order Yours Today Time Out to Tune In are daily Christian devotions for 2019, written by Australian authors, including Pastor Richard Schwedes. Each meditation is a 'time-out' of about 3 minutes, and consists of a Bible reading, some thoughts on that passage, and a short prayer. The meditation is based on the lectionary Bible reading for the day. The Devotion writers' thoughts are life-related and centred on the message of God's love for people shown in Jesus Christ. The devotions can be used for individuals, families and groups. With the help of the Holy Spirit, listen as the Shepherd speaks to you. Cost $25 including postage…..see Pastor or Annemarie Vu.

Your assistance is needed Serving Together @ St Paul’s for 2019 The church is people living and working together focused on God’s mission and ministry. Everyone in our congregation is encouraged to think and pray about how they can serve God and each other through our congregation. Last week we distributed the Serving Together Survey, and we encourage everyone in our congregation, who is over 12 years old, to complete the survey and return it to Pastor Richard or the message box. Register for First Communion and Confirmation in 2019 Pastor Richard is asking families to register their interest in both the First Communion and Confirmation formation programs.

First Communion – is for anyone 8 years old or older who wishes to receive Holy Communion in the Lutheran Church. We will explore the basics of faith, and Holy Communion. At least one parent or guardian should also participate. The program involves 10 elements and usually takes around 6 sessions. Confirmation – is for anyone at secondary school who wishes to confirm their faith in God in the Lutheran Church. We will explore the key stories of the Old and New Testament, Luther’s Small Catechism and healthy discipleship habits, with the view of confirming your faith. The Confirmation program has a spiritual formation focus, spanning 18-20 months, and involves gathering with other confirmees, some work at home and engagement with the congregations.

Car Parking A reminder that Car Parking is available at Wilson’s Car Park, 70 Riley St Darlinghurst. Cost is $8 for the day, however if you pre-book online it is $6.50. Visit Wilson’s Car Park web site to pre book. Please book early as possible as there is a limited number of pre-booking spaces and so there is still likely to be spaces available.

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The Lutheran Church of Australia (NSW) is inviting members of Sydney congregations to come together to develop a congregation and Sydney- wide plan for ministry. It will begin with two workshops: 30 March and 4 May 2019 in North Parramatta. If you are passionate about ministry in Sydney and the future of our congregation reserve these dates. Camps & Conferences for 2018 and 2019 Throughout the year there is a range of camps and conferences that help us grow in our faith: LCA camps and Conferences Leadership Camp (16yo+ - January 11-13 History Makers Camp (10-16yo) - January 14-18 Warrambui 50th Anniversary Work Camp—February 1-3 Young Adults Retreat—February 8-10 LWNSW Retreat—March 8-10 Warrmabui 50th Anniversary—Oct 4-6 NSW District Synod—Oct 11-13 To register for these camps visit www.tpm.org.au

Connecting with the Community Do you have an hour or two a fortnight to give? There is a great opportunity to connect with people from Vincentian Aged Care facility in Stanley St, as community carers. This opportunity will give individuals in our congregation the experience of meeting fortnightly with a resident at a time that suits both of you. Many of the residents of Vincentian Aged Care have few friends or family close by. If you are interested please speak to Marianne Hammerton or Pastor Richard. Need a visit or someone to talk to? If you would like a visit, would like Home Communion or need someone to talk to please feel free to call Pastor Richard 02 9331 1822 or one of our Pastoral Assistants: Bruce Arnold (St Paul’s) 0412 365 247 Virginia Milla (St Paul’s) 0419 637 753 Jimmy Hong Ning (St Paul’s) 0412 213 958 René van den Tol (Redeemer) 0404 815 662 Jarmo Roenneberg (Redeemer) 0466 999 062

Giving The New Testament encourages us to give weekly, a portion of our income, cheerfully, freely and to bless others. If you are paid or receive your income electronically consider giving electronically, direct into our REG offering accounts.

To give electronically to St Paul’s : BSB 704942 Account: 5397651 To give electronically to Redeemer: BSB062127 Account: 10019675 7

St Paul's Roster Morning Tea/ Date Bible Reader Steward/Welcomer Holy Communion Parking Flowers Today Jimmy Bruce Matthew/Bruce Tom/Vincent Matthew

Sun 16 Rhonda Rhonda Bikilia/Jacob Peter/Zack Elaine 23 Dec John John Bruce/Matthew TBA/Matthew TBA

St Paul's Roster continued

Kids’ Church Date Kids’ Talk Assistant Computer Sound Security Teacher

Today Bruce Mercedes Brooke Emilie Ian Tom

Sun 16 Everyone TBA Ian Milton

23 Dec Tom Zack John Roster Changes: If you are unable to do your rostered duty on any given Sunday, please make alternative arrangements and let Pastor know 02 9331 1822. Redeemer Roster Date Morning Tea/Flowers Vestment Colours Lector Steward

Today Seija Blue or Violet Jarmo Ruth

Sun 16 Belinda Blue or Violet Belinda TBA

Sun 23 7pm Everyone White Carols & Readings Service Times: Redeemer St Paul’s 9.00am (no morning service on 4th Sunday) Normally 10.30am Sundays 5.00pm on the 4th Sunday of the month 10am Finnish Service 4th Sunday of the month

St Paul’s - 3 Stanley Street Darlinghurst Redeemer - 48 Parr Parade Narraweena PO Box 416 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 PO Box 6157 Narraweena NSW 2099 www.stpaulssydney.org www.redeemerlutheran.com.au Pastor Richard Schwedes 0418 303 406 Pastor Richard Schwedes 0418 303 406

The Privacy Act regulates private sector organisations and the way these organisations handle personal information. The Church is required to comply with this Act. Individuals have a right to know why an organisation is collecting their information, what information it holds about them, how it will use the information, and who else will get the information. A copy of the Privacy Policy of the LCA is available from the LCA website www.lca.org.au Responding to Sexual Abuse Complaints: a confidential service for responding to complaints of sexual abuse/harassment by church employees has been set up. Trained advisors are available. Free Call 1800 644 628 or write to The Supervisor, PO Box 519, Marden SA 5070. 8