Whānau News: 16 December
 

Join us at 10AM in-person or online.
 

For the Kids this Week...  
We are all in together today!  We will have some rugs and blankets set up at the front for kids to watch up close and also a play station for preschoolers by the couches at the back.  Come and enjoy the fun!

For those who want to be a part of the fun, there are some ways that the tamariki can be involved:
In the Show:  We are in need of a few kids to play sheep with Pastor Tim (wearing sheep ear Headbands and pretending to be sheep) and also some stars to sing twinkle twinkle little star
Before the show: It would be great to have some tamariki join the welcome team and help people feel at home
After the show: It would be great if some children would like to pass around some of the Christmas food that we will have on hand.
If your child would like to be involved in any of these things, please arrive at church at 9:30 so we can check costumes and give instructions.  See you on Sunday!

Christmas Day Service
On Christmas Day we will gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This service will start a little earlier than usual at 9:30am. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Carols Services in our Area
Carols by Candlelight — at Wrights Water Garden on the 18th Dec at 8pm. 
St James Presbyterian Church — Christmas Eve (24th) at 7pm.

Summer Services
Sunday 1st Jan — There will be no service on this Sunday. However, there will be an online resource, along with a booklet that can guide you from wherever you will be.

Sunday 8th Jan — There will be no formal service on this Sunday. This week will be a focused on small group gatherings. There will be a range of options that our church whānau can participate in:
1. Gathering in your Lifegroup.
2. Gathering with your whānau.
3. Connecting with a group of people while on holiday.
4. Small gathering in the cafe at church.

Sunday 15th Jan — Sunday morning service running as usual.

Christmas Offering for "Missions"
For many years FBC has allocated its Christmas Day Offering to a "Missions" project. Last year the funds went to help Kevin and Gillian Bird employ a local worker. This person has worked out really well and they would like to keep him employed for another year if possible. The GAT Team would like to recommend that we again allocate the traditional Christmas Offering to this cause. Click this link for more details. The appeal is open through to the end of Jan. Please deposit any funds via the church bank account 01 0403 0013842 00 including the Ref. Christmas Offering or click here, and donate under "Overseas Missions"

Covid Reminder/Update
Due to an increased level of Covid-19 in our local community, we would like to encourage you to join us online for the service if you are unwell. Please do not come to our church building if you are Covid positive.

Do you want to be Baptised?
If you love Jesus and you would like to be baptised, we would love to hear from you. In the new year we will be running a baptism conversation for any one who is interested. Please email: sacha@fbc.nz for more information.

Serving in Kids Church 2023
If you are looking for a place to serve in 2023, kids church might be your place!  Please contact Carol on carol@fbc.nz for more information.

Church Center Profile
Moved address or changed phone numbers? Please help us keep our records up-to-date by adapting your profile here. We print a phone list for those without access to technology. Please fill in the printed phone list permission form to have your details included.

Prayer Chain
If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Prayer Chain, please email Arlene Hutcheon on arlene@ps.gen.nz or send a text to 0274726198. All prayer requests are treated as confidential.

Giving
You can give online, by automatic payment or direct debit. Our church bank account: 01 0403 0013842 00 or click here to donate now.

As an encouragement to all of you while you're at home...check out some of the songs we're currently singing on Sundays and a few new ones we might sing in the future. If you have a Spotify account, this is the link to FBC Worship on Spotify