In our Region Ministry & What’s On Christmas Services at Our NBUC! Christmas Eve • Freshwater 6:30–7:30pm Messy

Christmas Nativity • Balgowlah 6:30pm Sausage Sizzle,

7–8pm Christmas Carols • Cromer 7:15-8pm Lessons and Carols

Christmas Day • 9:30am Balgowlah • 9:00am Cromer • 9:00am Freshwater

Combined Service @ Balgowlah Please note this week is a combined serviced and our final before Christmas. We look forward to joining together in the celebrations of Christmas.

Reflective Sunday Evening Advent Services For many, Christmas is not about Christ. It is often far removed from thinking about faith at all. For some, it is hard to sing ‘Joy to the world’ and may even be a time of sadness. Four services are being held at Manly as an outreach to ‘unchurched’ people, creating an opportunity to locate what it means to celebrate Christmas. 6.30pm on 23rd December Candle lit, reflective and peaceful services

Lifeline Classic 2019 With 8 Australians attempting suicide every hour and 8 suicides occurring on our shores every single day, this is an issue that needs Australia’s attention. Our Northern Beaches UC is getting behind an upcoming event to raise funds for Lifeline Northern Beaches.

The Lifeline Classic is a ‘tag team’ surfing comp and fundraising challenge that aims to raise $5,000 per team. John has organised one team called 'Lifeline Legends NBUC' with some brave surfers in the 'older' age category, Josh and Zoe are heading up a much younger team from their community at 'Christian Surfers Northern Beaches'. We would really appreciate your support for this event as it unfolds #goodvibessavelives

All are welcome to Cromer UC for: Our Christmas Luncheon for Cromer Craft was a 'yummy' occasion. After 25 years it is still a welcoming (and talented!) group. We enjoyed the company of the Balgowlah Quillers for 3 terms this year and look forward to renewing friendships at our Open Craft Day on Tuesday 8th January between 10am – 2pm. Tea and coffee will be provided, please bring your lunch.

St Peters, Freshwater It is at this time of year being adorned with Christmas decorations to add to the celebration of the birth of our Saviour. Wishing all a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Youth Ministry What an incredible year it has been!!! And finishing it off with finding out we are pregnant! So many exciting things to look forward to next year. We are finishing the year with our Christian Surfers Youth Day Away on Saturday 22nd December.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Blessings, Zoe and Josh Howorth

Family Ministry Baptisms at Balgowlah On Christmas Day we celebrate Christ’s birth and an extra blessings of baptising baby Chantelle Louise Olivier, daughter of Jo & Jean here at NBUC, Balgowlah.

Littlefootsteps Playgroup Christmas Party This week we enjoyed our last playgroup, ending the year with a Christmas party and dress ups.

We look forward to seeing everyone when we resume on Monday 4th February 2019.

Uniting Care & Target Christmas Appeal Each year UnitingCare and Target partner in a national Christmas appeal to raise gifts and funds for children, youth and families in need. This will be the 27th year of the appeal. NBUC Balgowlah will receive these gifts for families in need from Warringah Mall Target and be distributing them within the Northern Beaches community.

If you are able to assist with sorting or distributing, please contact Rev. Mata on revmata.nbuc@gmail.com or 0434 418 592.

Leave Times Please note the Balgowlah office will be closed from 24th December to 2nd January.

For urgent Pastoral Care while the office is closed, please Max Blacker on 0423 986 279.

John Barker: 31/12- 21/1

Rev Mata Havea Hiliau: 8-22/1

Pastor Kaye Lewis: 28/12-1/2

Rev. Sisilia Tupou-Thomas: 17/1-30/1

Zoe & Josh Howorth: 27/12 to 5/1

Stephanie La Greca: 9 to 19/1

Sunday 23rd December | Advent Week 4 | LOVE Advent Lectionary Readings 23rd Dec: Mic 5:2-5a; Lk 1:47-55 or Ps 80:1-7; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45, (46-55) 24/25th Dec: Day 1: Is 9:2:7; Ps 96; Tit 2:11-14; LK 2:1-14, (15-20) 24/25th Dec: Day 2: Is 62:6-12; Ps 97; Tit 3:4-7; LK 2:(1-7), 8-20 24/25th Dec: Day 3: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98; Heb 1:1-4, (5-12; Jn 1:1-14