Parramatters - 26th November 2021

Hi everyone!

This week our children are leading our service and we are looking forward to sharing a great morning together. We will also witness the Junior Soldiers renewing their promises with their Big Buds supporting them.Please remember to register your attendance- 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)

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. 

Kids Church & Mini God Squad
We are excited that Kids Church and Mini God Squad will be returning next Sunday 5th of December and again on the 12th of December. After this they will break until school returns in 2022. 

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

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.

Christmas
Throughout December we have many opportunities to be interacting with our wider community. Please pray for the many ways we will be engaging with people over this season. As we distribute Christmas Cheer, as our Band play carols, as we collect and gift wrap may we each shine the light of Jesus.

Kids
We invite you to pray for our children at Parramatta Salvos as they lead us in worship on Sunday.

Church Welcome Roster
Before 9:30am Service
28/11/21 - Margaret Robinson & Dot Griffin
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
Sunday 28th November, gates open at 5pm
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
Gordon Bowie and Martin Bust