StAugustine's-Hamilton_Parish-Pulse-Nr3_Nov-2014

Wednesday 24 December 6pm Family Christmas service with participation of children Wednesday 24 December 11.30pm (Choral Carols from 11pm) Christmas Day 8am CHRISTMAS SERVICES COMMUNITY CAROLS – ARE WE ALL IN FINE VOICE? It’s so good that we are invited to ‘make a joyful noise unto the Lord’ – it doesn’t have to be a tuneful one – just joyful. Carols do give us all the opportunity to sing those songs we have grown up with and love, that tell us Christmas is here. Being in the open air, we can sing out even if we don’t think we are a singer because the chances are that nobody else will hear us – what an opportunity for the bathroom baritones! Carols on the lawn will be held on Friday 28 November. The barbecue will be fired up from 5pm so those coming from work can get something to eat and drink. Families may wish to picnic on the lawn – all is possible. BrisStyle Indi Markets will be there again this year so there is great choice for those wanting to do a little shopping. They do offer something a little different which is always welcome. The carolling will begin at 6pm. The Ascot State School Choir, conducted by Debbie Daley, will take their part in our festivities, as will Éncorah, the choir from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School. Their participation in this event is always happily anticipated by the community. Each year, we collect gifts for some people who may otherwise find themselves not remembered. This year we shall be collecting for women and children who are clients of Anglican Women’s Hostel, St Mary’s Support and Accommodation program which cares for single pregnant and parenting women aged between 16 and 25 years with children under four years of age, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and Alina, an Anglicare program working alongside families and women with intellectual disability and or learning difficulties within the Greater Brisbane Region. Whilst acknowledging that a great deal of pleasure derives to the giver by the careful wrapping of these gifts, could we ask that you maybe give the wrapping paper separately. Because of the particular circumstances behind the person’s involvement with Anglicare, some gifts may not be the right one for them. This is particularly true of children where great care has to be taken to ensure, for example, that a toy gun is not given to a child who has suffered in an abusive and violent home. There are many different backgrounds which have to be taken into consideration as the staff decide

which gifts are most helpful for each person. Pray that the rain holds off for the evening!

A little girl was sitting on her grandfather’s lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, “Grandpa, did God make you?” “Yes, sweetheart,” he answered, “God made me a long time ago.” “Oh,” she paused, “grandpa, did God make me too?” “Yes, indeed, honey,” he said, “God made you just a little while ago.” Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, “God’s getting better at it, isn’t he?”

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