The holiday season has definitely begun! Wednesday evening was our last all-music-team-meet of the year to look at next year's Jan-March roster, review the past year, and have a little Christmas party together! It was a great meeting and everyone seemed to enjoy the devotion, fellowship, and Christmas celebration together. Ken and I also had our last music team practice - we lead worship on Sunday, and that is the last time our whole team will be together! Lots of lasts...although I pray that these are only OUR lasts, and that the music team will continue next year with new leadership, and that the all-music-team-meets will also continue under Pastor Lee (the next one for roster April-June is already scheduled in for March!)
Thursday Ken went to dinner with one of the youth as well as prepared for the Friday evening "break-up" (that's what kiwis call end-of-the-year parties). He prepared lots of Christmas games, food, and had Elf the movie available to watch. There was a great turnout and all the youth seemed to have a really fun time!
Saturday we finished some last minute Christmas shopping for people here in the Manawatu, went to Trinity to practice for Sunday evening, and then ended the evening watching Elf again while decorating our gingerbread house!
The box of goodness!
Pepper relaxing with a Christmas bone
Laying the foundations
Ken about to enjoy his Christmas tree
Putting on the finishing touches to a yummy project!
Sunday morning our team play music, Ken lead worship, and after the service Lawrence and Judi took us to lunch with their family. That afternoon Trinity had a family advent craft event that we attended - unfortunately no families from St. Luke's came and there was low attendance from the Feilding community. Ken and I led music for the service and following that there was a bbq. It was neat to remember that last year my parents were here celebrating with us! Everyone at Trinity remembered that and asked how they were doing.
Trinity BBQ
Advent crafts
Monday we did some work in the office and began packing up some files. Ken is busy finishing up that World Religions book he is writing for the parish based on their last adult education study, as well as preparing for sermons/worship leading over the next two weeks. I am busy editing my last Olive Tree (we go to press sometime this week), and creating services up through February so that Pastor Lee has something to work with when he begins his minsitry. That evening we went to the LSM Christmas party, which was really nice! I got to use one of my new dishes from the wedding that I hadn't used yet. I felt like a real married woman (hahaha)!
Monday we did some work in the office and began packing up some files. Ken is busy finishing up that World Religions book he is writing for the parish based on their last adult education study, as well as preparing for sermons/worship leading over the next two weeks. I am busy editing my last Olive Tree (we go to press sometime this week), and creating services up through February so that Pastor Lee has something to work with when he begins his minsitry. That evening we went to the LSM Christmas party, which was really nice! I got to use one of my new dishes from the wedding that I hadn't used yet. I felt like a real married woman (hahaha)!
The LSM/Office party
Thank you for your prayers for Themba - this past week the Lord provided more donations from people in the Manawatu. We are now at 10% of our fundraising goal. Please continue to keep this in your thoughts and prayers. Also please keep one of our youth in your prayers as they are going through some difficult situations and emotions. Pray for their safety and that they would go back home.
This past Sunday we read Isaiah 61 in church - I suggest you take a few moments to read it too. It really spoke to us this week as Isaiah is speaking this about himself, but also as a prophecy about Christ. For us today, Christ fulfilled the reading, but also has commissioned us like Isaiah to go and bring His Good News to all! May this be a blessing to you this Christmas as you share the love of Christ with those around you.
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