Greetings, friends, members, and supporters of our church in Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay, Orere Point, Conifer Grove, Takanini, and the southern part of Auckland—and beyond.  The Peace of Christ be with you!  Let us Pray Jesus, as you shared food and celebrated with the outcasts and unloved, Receive our thanks for those moments of celebration in our lives. The joy of sharing food and drink with friends and strangers. The laughter of companionship and welcome. And especially the coming together over this Christmas time, to celebrate your presence amongst us. In Christ’s name. AMEN A Church that Celebrates A highlight for this time of the year is the number of celebrations that are part of our church’s life and ministry. All our congregations have supported some wonderful events that have included our church members and also a great number of children, families and wider community. Some of the celebrations I have been enjoying: The end-of-year dinner for our Clevedon’s Men’s Group Our  Little One’s Christmas Service (the thorn between roses!) And the wonderful Choir that led our Carol Service on Sunday night Psalm 150 sums up the central place that celebration has in our life and witness. Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary;     praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;     praise him according to his surpassing greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound;     praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;     praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with clanging cymbals;     praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes, praise the Lord And our Christmas celebration where God’s gift in the birth of Jesus, is acknowledged:  10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12   Let Us Pray God of grace and love, We pray today for those who are feeling down, or sad. We pray for those who have forgotten what it means to feel joy, and for those who find no reason to celebrate. You are the One who takes our burden. The one who can even transform sadness into joy. Help us, we pray, to be your people of hope and thanksgiving, witnessing to your love, by our love. In Christ’s name. AMEN Our Notices Blue Christmas Service. 7 pm Tonight. A service especially for those who are sad or are missing someone this Christmas. Christmas Food Hampers Each year 80 families are given a Christmas food hamper full of the essential items, plus a few goodies. How can you help? ¨ Drop items of cans, spreads, toiletries, soft drinks, juice etc. into church foyer ¨ Donate any value towards the purchase of a hamper ($150 a complete hamper) Clevedon Community Trust account:  12-3031-0089128-00  Congregational Meeting – Voting Outcome. The following motions were voted on by our 3 congregations at our meetings after church on Sunday the 15th of December: “That the congregation of Clevedon Presbyterian Church approves the demolition of the old cottage at the Kawakawa Bay site and the construction of a new ministry building at a total project cost of no more than $500,000 + GST” 101 in Favour  1 Against  “That the Congregation of Clevedon Presbyterian Church approves the construction of new Early Childhood Education, Family Ministry, and worship facilities on the Clevedon Presbyterian Church site (as per the plans presented) at a total project cost of no more than $5.41m (+GST)"  98 in Favour  8 Against   Tuesday Evening Ladies Bible Study meets during the school term in locations in Ardmore and Conifer Grove. 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. If you would like to find out more, please give Geraldine Oosterbeek a call on 027-2704-904  Prayer Circle Requests. For anyone who is seeking prayer for any concern or situation: prayercircle.clevedonpresy@gmail.com or text: Cath at 021 349 417, Elaine 022 071 7201, or Nikki 021 973 799  AA - every Thursday at 7.30 pm at the Clevedon Church lounge. Friendly and supportive. For anyone with alcohol or drug problems.  https://aa.org.nz/ Sunday Services and activities: Clevedon Church Sunday morning service at 10 am. Join us in person or watch the live stream on our YouTube channel.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxBzxjBb3xU8ra2NHwvD_9A(the service can also be viewed at any time afterwards.) Prayer before the Service. Join us at 9:15 am every Sunday in Martin's office to pray for the church and community. The Reading for this Sunday comes from Luke 1:26-45 St Aidan’s Takanini (23 Walter Stevens Drive, Conifer Grove,) Sunday morning service at 10 am Playgroup - Every Monday and Tuesday morning in the school term.  Contact Brenda at 021 657 178. Wednesday Communion service 9.30 am. All welcome Women's friendship and study group Friday 10 am. Contact Lorraine Richmond at 027 476 1169 Know your Bible Women’s study group. Thursday 12.30-2.30 pm. Contact Susanna Ph. 027 450 1926 Men’s group. Thursdays at 7 pm in the St Aidan’s Church lounge. A time of sharing, fellowship, prayer and study together. Kawakawa Bay Sunday Worship: Join us for our special Christmas Carol service and celebration. At the Community Hall this Sunday at 10 am. (This will be our final service for the year - starting again on Sunday the 19th of January 2025)

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