The Motorbikes Are Coming!

Every year we are privileged at Newlife to be visited by the Gold Coast Cruisers Club as they complete their Christmas Toy Run.  These wonderful men and women buy and collect hundreds of toys to be included in our Newlife Care Christmas hampers.  They will visit us this Sunday at the conclusion of the 10.15am service at Robina. 

If the weather is fine, they will graciously offer short rides around the church property on the back of their Harleys.  If you are able, come to the 10.15am service, as we celebrate the Christmas season in a rather unique way!

Remembrance Service

The Christmas season is one of celebration but it can also be a reminder of that which we have lost.  Many of us grieve at this time the loss of a loved one, recently or years past.  Last year we held a Service of Remembrance for all those who wanted to take some time and space to lament, grieve and also celebrate.
Our Service of Remembrance this year will be held in the church this Wednesday November 30, commencing at 7.30pm.

Good News to the Poor

Last Sunday morning we began our Advent series at both Pacific Pines and at Robina. 

At Robina we commenced our exploration of the Jubilee that was announced in Jesus’ coming (Luke 4:16-21).  God is, was and will always be good news to the poor, and calls us to be the same.  You can download then manuscript and audio of my message here: http://www.stucameron.typepad.com/

Christmas Generosity

At Christmas we have the amazing opportunity to break with conspicuous consumption and instead mark our lives with radical generosity.  There are plenty of vehicles for you to do this.  You can give to our Acts 1:8 mission projects through our Christmas Tree project available in the office through the week and in the courtyard on Sundays.  You can contribute to Newlife Care’s Christmas Hamper program.  Or you could give through one of a number of Christian aid organizations that have Christmas programs to support the poorest of the poor.  I personally recommend you explore UnitingWorld’s Everything in Common gift shop: https://www.everythingincommon.com.au/index.php,

Healing and Deliverance @ 12two

Last Sunday evening at 12two Ralph wrapped up our Weapons of our Warfare series as he explored the gifts of healing and deliverance.  Ralph interviewed two remarkable people in our community, George and Dorothy Mathieson, who have a longstanding prayer ministry that reaches across our globe.  You can here Ralph’s interview of George and Dorothy here: http://www.thebeanbag.typepad.com/

This Sunday @ Newlife

This Sunday morning at Robina (8.30am and 10.15am), Melissa will continue our Jubilee series as she explores the Freedom for Prisoners that Jesus proclaims.  Melissa will be interviewing Rev Beatrice Skippen who works as a chaplain in our prisons.  We will also be celebrating communion.

At Pac Pines (9.30am), Orrell will continue to reflect on the role and message of the angels in the Christmas story.

At 12two (6pm), Ralph will begin a new Advent series called ‘The Naiveté Scene’, as we compare and contrast the message of Christmas with the culture of our consumer society.

Volunteers Needed

Every year we have the amazing privilege of serving our community AND raising much needed funds for Newlife Care Christmas Hampers through gift wrapping at Robina Town Centre.  If you can help us out by being one of our wrappers, please contact the Newlife Care office on 5593 3262.

In preparation for our Time to Build expansion, we will be painting the hall on Saturday January 14 2012.  The irrepressible Lew Born is coordinating this project.  If you would like to help, please call Lew on 5580 9338.

Prayer Points

Every week we want to provide you with some prayer points to help guide you as we partner together in bringing our thanks, praise, adoration and requests to God.

• We thank God for the approval we have received from the Synod (the state body of the Uniting Church) to establish the Isle of Capri Learning Centre.  We pray for the interviews that will now take place to appoint staff, including the Centre Director.
• We thank God that our Grade 12’s have returned safely from schoolie celebrations.  We pray for families who have tragically lost sons and daughters through this time.
• We pray for the Newlife Care gift wrapping and Christmas hamper projects – that they will be a blessing to hundreds of families and individuals in need in our community.  We also pray for an adequate number of volunteers to ensure the projects run smoothly.  We pray for Elizabeth Danes as she coordinates these ministries.
• We pray for our Op Shop team as they open for the last week before closing for the Christmas season to allow a refresh of the facilities.
• We pray for preparations for our 7 Christmas services – that they would with boldness and relevance proclaim the radical message of Good News that is at the heart of the Christmas story.