Parramatters - 19th November 2021

Hi everyone!

This week our youth are leading our service! We invite you to join us in prayer and support as our young people lead our live-streamed service this Sunday at 9:30am.

Don't forget to register for our Kids Ministry Sunday on the 28th - we're so excited to gather with you in person!

Bless you each as you continue to love and serve,

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Kids Ministry Sunday
Almost 80 people have registered for our Kids Ministry Sunday on Sunday 28 November at 9:30am.

Now that we are down to the 2sqm rule, we can have up to 250 people in our worship hall. So if you have been wondering if there will be space for you to join us, there certainly is! Even if you don't have children or family members involved in the day, we want to encourage you to come along in support of our young people as we celebrate our children at Parramatta Salvos and support our Jr Soldiers as they renew their promises. 

Please register here:
https://parramattasalvos.churchcenter.com/unproxy/registrations/events/1039567

CHURCH UPDATE - DECEMBER 
You will recall that from the 5^th December our plan throughout Advent had been to have two services again, 9.30am and 11am. However, with the changing of the government guidelines and the lifting of some restrictions now not happening until the 15^th December (or 95% fully vaccinated) we have made the decision to only have one service, 9.30am, during December and January.

Please note that this is not a final decision on how we will be moving forward with worship times for 2022, but rather a more practical way for us to gather with current limitations on the number of musicians we are permitted to have.

We are pleased that all fully vaccinated people will be able to sing, wearing masks, and that we will also be able to share in tea and coffee following the services. There will be no need to register your attendance in December.

Everyone is welcome to attend and we would encourage you to invite your friends and family to join with us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

Christmas Cheer
We are very excited to invite you to participate in our Christmas Cheer project in a variety of different ways. 
1. You can volunteer to help distribute toys/vouchers on our distribution days. We need volunteers on 20, 21 & 22 December from 9:30am-2:30pm. Lunch and morning tea will be provided to volunteers on these days. 
2. You can join us for our set up and toy unwrapping/sorting evening on Thursday 16 December at 7pm. A light supper will be provided. 
3. You can contribute to our 'Gift Card Offering' at our 'Carols by [electronic] Candlelight' event on Sunday 12 December at 6pm. Purchase one (or more) gift cards suitable for teenagers and bring them along on the night.

If you are interested in volunteering for items 1 or 2, please email Sarah at sarah.walker@salvationarmy.org.au with your availability. 

Christmas Calendar
As our December calendar begins to be filled, we invite you to check it out and save dates in your diary. The corps calendar can be found here: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/parramatta/calendar/

This is a live calendar and will be updated regularly!

Car Parking
As we return to Sundays in person at Parramatta Salvos, we are conscious of the capacity of our car park with only one service. If you are able-bodied, please consider parking on the street (free on Sundays) and walking across to 426 so that there is enough room in the car park. 

We would also love some volunteers to assist with the car park by helping direct traffic on Sunday mornings in December from 9am. If you are able to help out on a roster, please email Kylie at kylie.collinson@salvationarmy.org.au

Furlough
Lt. Sarah is on furlough from 18-27 November. If you need anything during this time, it is best to get in contact with the Office or with Mj. Kylie. 

Commissioning 2021
Once again, Commissioning in Australia will be online in 2021 as our cadets are dispersed around the country and unable to gather in one location. Nevertheless, these are significant events and we will mark them in both sacred and joyous ways.

You are invited to participate in the online premiere of Commissioning on Saturday 4 December at 7pm (AEDT) where you will be able to view the Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out of the Messengerss. A link will be provided shortly.

Hand Sanitiser
We have been gifted a very large quantity of hand sanitiser from a local business. We have been giving it away to local schools and other community groups, however we have plenty to spare. If you would like a box for your work place or community group, please contact the office at parramatta@salvationarmy.org.au 

Myer VIP Event
On Tuesday night, we kicked off the Christmas season with our first carolling gig at the Myer VIP Shopping Night at Parramatta Westfield. Thanks to our band members for their support - we raised over $300 from the VIP shoppers on the night which will contribute to our Community Services at Parramatta Salvos. It was also a great opportunity to connect with the community and share some Christmas hope. 

Thank you
Diane Hardy would like to express grateful thanks for all the prayers and support over the 8.5 weeks of Ken's hospitalisation, and your sympathy and prayers on his promotion to glory. Diane and Ken really felt the love and support from our church community over this time. Let's continue to pray for Diane at this difficult time. 

Kids
We invite you to pray for our children at Parramatta Salvos as they also prepare to lead us in worship in the coming weeks!

Church Welcome Roster
Before 9:30am Service
28/11/21 - Margaret Robinson & Dot Griffen
5/12/21 - Barbara Browning & Ann Lingard

Cafe Team
After 9:30am Service
28/11/21 - Jayne Combremont, Sarah Walker & Zoe Entwistle
5/12/21 - Caitlin Young, John Acocks & Kerrie Acocks

Car Park
20/11/21 - Sydney FC vs Wanderers from 6:15pm - Peter and Leanne West