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!

⭐️ Final Haven for 2024 ⭐️ 4.30pm Sunday 8th December 2024. ⭐️

 Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that this coming Sunday afternoon will be our last gathering for the year.

It wouldn’t be a long or ‘heavy’ afternoon — We’ll celebrate together around some carols, some fun and some food!

See you soon!🎅🏼

Martin

Carol Services December 2024

          

If If you're interested in Community Carol Services around Mernda this year, here's just a few of the great options:

Diamond Creek Community Carols
FROM 5:30PM SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER, COVENTRY OVAL, DIAMOND CREEK

We love our carols in Diamond Creek! Every year, hundreds of locals gather at the Diamond Creek Community Carols to celebrate Christmas and all that it means. Featuring the Carols Band singing your favourite carols, and some new ones!

Come along and sing some special Diamond Creek Christmas Carols! We’re also excited to be offering an animal farm this year from 5:30pm along with other activities for families and children.

For more Information 

Whittlesea Carols by Candlelight
6:00PM - 9:00PM FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER 2024 
CIVIC CENTRE LAWNS, 25 FERRES BOULEVARD, SOUTH MORANG

Get ready as we light up the night with festive music to celebrate the holiday season with the whole community.  The night will kick off at 6pm, with over 40 market stalls selling local goodies to fill up those Christmas stockings.

Team Dream will be starting the show to get the kids up and dancing, followed by a meet and greet.  Santa will also be making a guest appearance between performances from the talented Diamond Valley Brass Band and Community Carols Choir.

Bring a picnic, great company and your best Mariah Carey or Michael Bublé singing voices for a night of Christmas cheer.  Get ready as we light up the night to celebrate the season with festive music and fun for the whole community.

For more information

Mernda Uniting Church
7:00PM SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2024 
97 SCHOTTERS ROAD MERNDA 

The True North Gospel Choir will perform at Mernda Uniting Church on Saturday night Dec 7th at 7pm Come for Gospel music and carols! Donation upon entry. RSVP via email to sierravoices.email@com.

For more information 

Doreen Community Carols
47:00PM SUNDAY 15TH OF DECEMBER 2024 
COLLINGROVE PARK, 165W HAZEL GLEN DRIVE, DOREEN

4:00pm Christmas festival. Featuring music from Mark Turner, Dom La Fertita and the Gami Gami Devils. Kids Activities include Face Painting, Pony Rides, Jumping Castle and Craft. Food available for purchase including Curly Spuds, Ice-Cream, BBQ Sausages & Pizza. 6:00pm Our Carols Service begins. Celebrating Christmas together with favourite carols and a Christmas message. Followed by a visit from the CFA and a close friend of theirs.

For more information

Christmas Joy!

It was Skyhooks, who fifty years ago sang:

Horror movie right there on my TV

Horror movie and it's blown a fuse

Horror movie, it's the six-thirty news

Horror movie, it's the six-thirty news

Shockin' me right outa my brain

I reckon the 24/7 news cycle in 2024 is even more shockin'. So many, never-ending challenges facing our old world, and anxiety levels are at an all time high for so many people!

And yet, the Christmas story is a story of great joy in the midst of chaos, disruption, despair and upheaval. Born in a cow-shed during a time of political and religious turmoil, the birth of Jesus is met with songs of joy by those who were thirsting for peace, the Shalom of God. 

The angels powerfully proclaim: "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those who he favours." (Luke 2:14)

The disruptive message of Christmas comes to give hope and courage; and Mary responds with a defiant affirmation of joy: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my Sprit rejoices in God my saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant!" (Luke 1:46-47)

Go and read again the story of Christmas, and allow the words to settle deep into your heart, challenging, strengthening and renewing you, drawing you closer to our foundational story -- that into this messy and uncertain world -- God entered in the form of a vulnerable child and lived amongst us. John puts it: "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood." (John 1:14 MSG)

May you have great joy and a deep sense of peace as you ponder the Christmas story!

Come and join us for our last Haven gathering of the year. We're going to have a Christmas meal together! 4.30pm Sunday 8th December 2024. 

If you are able to join us can you send me an SMS? 

The Kairos Circle

Our lives are made up of many moments – some big, some small, some good, some bad. These events can become opportunities for significant growth and development in our walk with Christ. The question is whether we will recognize these events as opportunities for growth or just let them pass by. When these events happen, we have an opportunity to listen for the leading of God, and then to respond in the way we believe the Spirit is leading.

The Circle is a tool to help remind and guide us in the process The key thing is to look for a “Kairos moment”: a significant event (positive or negative, never neutral, that leaves an impact on you, signalling an opportunity to grow spiritually and emotionally) and then (prayerfully) enter into the circle of learning.

In other words in a Kairos moment, we are being called up to take a step for the Kingdom: What is God saying to me? (repent, change mind, change thinking) -- What am I going to do about it? (faith, acting in faith, stepping out in faith).

Click on the picture to watch a short summary ...

Come and find out more, this next Sunday.
Haven — 4.30pm Sunday 24th November at the Mernda Uniting Church 

97 Schotters Rd, Mernda VIC.

Haven — 4.30pm Sunday 24th Nov 2024

Ever find yourself out in the bush and you get to a place where the path divides into two or three trails all heading in different directions? But the road-signs have gone missing and none of the trails look like the right one! What do you do? 

You know you have to choose an option or head back – but how do you decide?

Our lives are made up of many such moments – forks in the road – Sometimes the options look risky or uncomfortable or just like hard work – So what do we do? These times can become the BEST opportunities to grow!

These times are Kairos' moments — Significant times when we have to pause and listen for the Holy Spirit and then respond to the God's leading. How do we process such moments and respond in a way that sees us flourish?

NEXT week at Haven, we’re going to discover six powerful keys to effectively moving forward and flourishing -- Don’t miss it!

Haven — 4.30pm Sunday 24th November at the Mernda Uniting Church 97 Schotters Rd, Mernda VIC

We’re also gathering around the Communion table to draw strength for the coming week. 

Join us and stay for a chat over tea. We're having the BEST pulled-pork sliders ever! 🤤

Feel free to pass this on to any friends who might be interested.