A Happy New Year to One and All!

 Psalm 23 - A Paraphrase

You, LORD, are my guide in the wilderness;     ........there is nothing more I could need.

You set up camp in places of beauty and shelter;
........you lead the way on secluded tracks
................beside creeks of cool clean water.
I feel my spirit breathing freely again;
........your reputation puts me at ease;
................I leave the navigating to you, and follow.

Even if we hike through a perilous valley,
........where crows keep a menacing watch,
................fear will still not get the better of me.
As long as I stick with you
........I know I’ll make the distance;
with a knife and a bit of rope
........you seem able to tackle any challenge.

You cook up a feast for me,
........as those who wanted to feed on me watch, frustrated.
You pamper me like an honoured guest
........and constantly top up my glass.

My life feels charmed, each and every day.
........Love, mercy and all good things
................keep falling into my lap.

I’m with you for life, LORD,
........where you go, I’ll go;
................where you live, I’ll live.

Source: ©2001 Rev Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

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NOTE: Haven will recommence in term one 2025. We’re going to take this next while to prayerfully reflect on the journey so far and consider the best way forward. Stand by for the details for 2025. 

Christmas Benediction

By the tender mercy of our God love  has broken upon us!

Light is given where once there was darkness

and hope where there was only death.

We go into this season knowing

that God will guide our feet into the way of peace.

(Source: Carol Penner, Leading in Worship)

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NOTE: Haven will recommence early in term one 2025. We’re going to take this next while to prayerfully reflect on the journey so far and consider the best way forward. Stand by for the details for 2025. 

Third Sunday of Advent

The third Sunday of Advent is referred to as “Gaudete Sunday.” The name comes from the the Latin word -- "Rejoice!"

Paul writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4-6), and we we are reminded that while we wait, we rejoice for the Lord is near. He loves us, saves us, and leads us to life. 

Isaiah writes:

"The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendour of our God.

Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak,

Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared;

Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; They will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee."  – Is 35

Haven will recommence early in term one 2025. We’re going to take this next few weeks to prayerfully reflect on the journey so far and consider the best way forward. Stand by for the details about when we kick off for 2025. 

A JOYFUL & PEACE FILLED CHRISTMAS TO ONE & ALL!

We had our last meeting at Haven for year this last Sunday — the second Sunday of Advent.  The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are called ADVENT. Every Sunday, in many traditions, one of four candles is lit. Each candle has a meaning to remind us about Christmas 

The first candle represents the Hope we have in Christ. The second candle reminds us of the Prince of Peace who is in our midst. The third week’s candle speaks about the Joy of Jesus' coming, and the fourth candle points us to he Love of God in Christ.

This last Sunday we lit the second Advent candle and reflected on the Prince of
Peace born at Bethlehem.

The angelic host cried out to the shepherd in the fields: “…“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2: 14)

“Peace” would have been the Hebrew word “Shalom.” Shalom isn’t just the absence
of war -- it’s far richer than that. It speaks of wholeness and reconciliation. It’s about the shattered vase being put back together and restored. 

Walter Brueggemann puts it:“Shalom is about wholeness, prosperity, well-being, harmony, and goodness in the face of adversity. It is about when our world is as God would have it, everything is complete, all is as it should be, and nothing is missing.” (Living Toward A Vision: Biblical Reflections On Shalom, p. 19)

We believe, we have hope, that the Prince of Peace has come and one day this broken world will be put back together, and one day, the broken fragments of our lives will be made new.

Our prayer is that each would experience the peace and the power of the one born that first Christmas.

Haven will recommence early in term one 2025. We’re going to take this next few weeks to prayerfully reflect on the journey so far and consider the best way forward. Stand by for the details about when we kick off for 2025.

In the meantime may this beautiful blessing be true for you this Christmas!

Christmas Blessing

May God bless you, this Christmas, 

with discomfort at easy answers, hard hearts, 

half-truths,and superficial relationships. 

May God bless you so that you may live
from deep within your heart
where God's Spirit dwells.

May God bless you with anger...
at injustice, oppression,
and exploitation of people.

May God bless you so that you may work 

for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears 
to shed for those who suffer from 

pain, rejection, starvation and war.

May God bless you so that you
may reach out your hand
to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with
enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference
in this world, and in your neighbourhood,

so that you will courageously try
what you don't think you can do, but,
in Jesus Christ you'll have all the strength necessary.

May God bless you to fearlessly
speak out about injustice,
unjust laws, corrupt politicians,
unjust and cruel treatment of prisoners, 

and senseless wars,
genocides, starvations, 

and poverty that is so pervasive.

May God bless you that you remember 

we are all loved and called
We are blessed to be a blessing
for love and healing

in God's place, in and through God's name,
in God's Spirit, and through God’s forgiveness
and breathing new life and grace
into everything and everyone we touch. 

AMEN

A JOYFUL AND PEACE FILLED CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!