MINISTRIES
Eldership Team - Pastors Tepa & Jo Faletoese,
believe
Rod & Sam Zimmermann, Nicole Gorzalka
belong
become
beyond
D ECEMBER N EWSLETTER
Missions - First Sunday of the Month -Tepa & Jo Faletoese, Robyn Lack,
Robbie Law
Hello Family,
Pastoral Care - Nicole Gorzalka
Service Co-ordinator—Sam Zimmermann
When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D.
353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today.
Sunday Kid’s Program - Jo Faletoese, (K-3) Nicole Gorzalka,
(4-6) Jason & Karena Durden
When Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832, who
would have ever thought that the decorations would become as elaborate as they are today.
Motiv8 / Revolution Youth - Jo Faletoese
It is a long time since 1832, longer still from 353, longer still from that dark night brightened by
a special star in which Jesus the king was born. Yet, as we approach December 25 again, it
gives us yet another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all the excitement and elaborate
decorations and expensive commercialization which surround Christmas today, to consider
again the event of Christmas and the person whose birth we celebrate.
Music Ministry—Tepa Faletoese
In New York's Hayden Planetarium a special Christmas holiday show was enhanced by an
added feature. A giant lollipop tree was projected onto the planetarium dome, surrounded by a
horizon filled with brilliantly coloured toys which came to life and cavorted to the tune of "Jingle
Bells." At the climax a huge figure of Santa Claus faded out in a snow storm, and the star of
Bethlehem broke through into a sky that produced exactly the Palestine sky on the night of the
nativity.
CONTACT US
Street: 1 Kerang Street, SURFSIDE Postal: PO Box 1113, BATEMANS BAY NSW 2536
Email: [email protected] Web: http:wearecrosscentral.com
The designer of this show may not have realized that he dramatically staged the supreme
Christmas message our world needs to understand: The recovery of the lost meaning of
Christmas.
Phone: 02 4472 9419
This is not said in any criticism of Santa Claus; the effect must have delighted the hearts of all
the children who saw it, without doing violence to their love of Bethlehem.
ONLINE GIVING
Cross Central Bank Details: BSB 062 650
But for adults it is a tragic loss to substitute "Jingle Bells" for "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,"
and a lollipop tree for the manger of Bethlehem. The instinct is right to fade out these things in
the light of the Christmas star. It is about God's incarnation that the angels sing--God with us.
Tithes & Offerings : a/c # 2800 0882
Mission Fund: a/c # 2801 0626
believe
belong
become
beyond
In Christ Alone,
Tepa & Jo
U
p
c
o
m
i
n
g
E
v
e
n
t
s
2016