Church News 

WORSHIP SERVICES AT ST PAUL 

Everyone is welcome to attend the worship service held in the church each Sunday at 9.30am.  Tea and coffee are offered for an opportunity for fellowship after the service each week.

ADVENT

This Sunday is the first Sunday in the season of Advent.  Advent is the four weeks before Christmas and is a time for preparing, a time of waiting and watching.  We celebrate Advent with the colour blue as this communicates the message of hope. The Christian faith rests on the hope that one day Jesus will come again.  During this time, many people use Advent Calendars or Wreaths to mark the waiting period. 

You can find a short video exploring more about Advent here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC0FGQLBp7w

ADVENT CALENDARS

Advent calendars are very popular and a great way to help with the anticipation of Christmas.  You may have a favourite calendar that you use each year, or you may prefer the ones with a little chocolate hiding behind the window.  But if you’re looking for something a bit different, or an activity you can do as a family, 

why not consider making a paper chain calendar? Every morning you can remove a link from the chain and seeing it get shorter makes it a very visual project, so it’s great for smaller children.  Each link could have a different Bible verse of the Christmas story or a different Christmas activity to complete, like sing a Christmas song or do some Christmas baking.  Maybe it could include something you can all do together as a family, like playing a board game or going on a bike ride.  Why not grab some coloured paper and scissors and let your imagination run wild!

It is time to start your Advent calendar next week, beginning on 1 December!

ADVENT RESOURCES 

Lutheran Tract Mission’s new Advent devotional, Shine the Light, invites you to journey from Advent to Epiphany with daily Bible readings, reflections and prayers on the theme of God’s light. The free devotional is available to download or read as a digital flipbook on Lutheran Tract Mission's website. 

Messages of Hope’s ‘Hope for Kids’ has launched a brand-new interactive online Advent calendar designed especially for families, featuring a Nativity character each week and daily faith-filled crafts, puzzles and activities. Click here to begin the journey.

PLAYGROUP @ ST PAUL

Held every Tuesday during term time from 9-10.30am, Playgroup @ St Paul is for children aged 0-5 and a parent/caregiver. School families are more than welcome to come across after you have done the school drop-off. We won’t be completely set up, but you are still welcome to hang out with us.

Cost is $2 per family, and your first visit is free. 

Come and check out the play space, make a craft, play with playdough, explore the sensory play space, and join in with story and song time.

This week at the craft table we made colourful fish as we looked at things under the sea.

Next week it’s time to get our Christmas on with Christmas crafts and activities.

For more information about anything playgroup related contact Kylie Koelman in the Church Office on 8262 4690 or email at office@stpaul-church.org.au

SPY - ST PAUL YOUTH 

SPY is our gathering for young people in Year 6/7/8 and the last date for this year is Friday 5 December.

Join us in the St Paul Lutheran Church Hall, 44 Audrey Ave, Blair Athol at 7pm until 9pm, with a night of fun activities planned.

A reminder that all parents are required to come inside and register your attendance. Cost is $3 and cold drinks are available for $2 a can. 

Boys - please bring supper to share.

For further information contact Thomas Hall - 0401 475 718 or the St Paul Church Office 8262 4690 Tu, Th, F.

CAROLS IN THE PARK – THIS SUNDAY

The wait is almost over – you are warmly invited to join us in the park this Sunday evening.

GROWING FAITH AT HOME 

This resource is developed by the Lutheran Church of Australia and is intended to be a guide in sharing faith activities with members of your family.

Here are a few ways you could introduce faith discussions in your home and day-to-day life.

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

During the season of Advent, the Bible verses reflect upon waiting for the arrival of Jesus.

MEALTIME PRAYER

Lord Jesus, please bless our Advent eating and our Advent waiting. Give us hearts that are ready and faith that is steady. Amen.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, keep us awake in our faith, always ready for you to return. Amen.

BLESSING

(Name) May you wait and watch for Jesus. May your faith burn bright each and every day.  Amen.