Parramatters - 24th December 2021

Hi everyone!

We can't wait to join with you tomorrow to celebrate Christmas morning at 9:30am in person or online. It's going to be wonderful to join together after a long year and celebrate our FIRST EVER live Christmas meeting in our new building after last year's covid interruption over the summer break. 

Restrictions have eased over the past couple of weeks, however, everyone is still required to check in upon arrival at Parramatta Salvos and as of 24 December masks are once again mandatory indoors.

There is no need to register for Christmas Day, and all are welcome to join us!

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Christmas Day Offering
Money given in corps and mission expressions across Australia as part of this year’s Salvation Army Christmas Day ‘Overseas Appeal’ offering is to be used in Malawi to help replace unhygienic, unsanitary and rundown toilet facilities as part of the WASH project in Karonga District.

We invite you to consider contributing to our offering on Christmas Day as we join with Salvos across Australia in support of the Malawi Territory. You can bring a cash offering on Christmas Day, or you can give via credit card using the special envelops available in the foyer before the Christmas Day service. If you are watching online, a link will be given for electronic giving. 

Summer at Parramatta Salvos
Don't forget that there will be no Sunday service at 426 Church Street on Boxing Day (this Sunday 26 December), however, we will be releasing a pre-recorded service at 9:30am on Boxing Day.

This will kick off our new series - Summer in the Psalms. We hope that you can tune in at some point on Boxing Day and worship with us!

9:30am services will resume in person and online from 2 January - 30 January. 

Building Closure and Furlough
Aside from Sunday services on the 2nd and the 9th, our building and office at 426 Church Street will be closed following the Christmas Day service until Monday 10 January. If you need anything during this time, it is best to email parramatta@salvationarmy.org.au or get in touch with the CO Team.

Mj. Kylie will be taking leave after Christmas into early January, and Lt. Sarah will be away from mid-late January. Again, the best contact is via the Parramatta email address. 

Kids - Bring your favourite gift!
A reminder to all parents/kids to bring their favourite Christmas present to show us during our Christmas Day service at 9:30am. We can't wait to see your gifts!

Plastic Bags
We are excited to be partnering with Oz Harvest and Food Bank who have been providing free goods such as fresh fruit and veggies, meals and toiletries to community members. However, we are always in need of plastic shopping bags! If you would like to donate your recycled bags, please leave them behind the reception desk at any time. 

Christmas Cheer
We had a fantastic week this week distributing toys, gift cards, food and other donated items to people in need this Christmas. Privacy of our community members prevents us from showing picture of the building this week, but our site was absolutely buzzing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a full cafe and foyer of community members and volunteers. 

Thank you to our exceptional volunteers who unwrapped and sorted gifts, who gave the gifts out, made tea and coffee and had great conversation with our community members this week. It's a privilege to be able to serve our community in this way, and we are so proud of the way all our volunteers showed the love of Jesus this week to all they encountered. 

Betty Hazel
We want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our dear friend Betty who this week (28th December) turns 90! Betty, we hope you feel loved and celebrated by everyone at Parramatta Salvos!

Covid Impacts
As cases continue to escalate in NSW, we continue to see people in our church and wider community impacted by positive results. Let's pray that the cases stay under control and that the vaccines continue to protect people even upon testing positive. Pray for our hospital systems as they struggle with the amount of staff forced into isolation as close contacts over the coming days.

Church Welcome Roster
Before 9:30am Service
Christmas Day: 25/12 - Annette & David Duncan

Car Park