Christmas 2021 - Thanks & Praise

 Thank you to everyone who helped, visited and supported our Christmas Light display 5-24 December. It was a wonderful celebration of Jesus the light of the world. Thanks you to the Christmas Light team who work all year planning, fixing and preparing the displays, making decorations and items for the Bethlehem stall; and seeking to make the story of Jesus alive within the team but also for all those who will be part of the next Christmas celebrations.

Preparations for Christmas 2022 are already underway. If you would like to join the team please contact the ministry agent. We need people who can be part of a team, can create, paint, are electricians or have electricale experience, help out generally. You can come on most Tuesday mornings to meet the team.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse that Cleveland UC has helped support for over 11 years! Through Operation Christmas Child (OCC) thousands of children in need across the world, are blessed with the gift of a shoebox. Inside these shoeboxes are gifts of toys, hygiene items, school supplies and fun gifts. All the shoeboxes are collected and distributed in the name of Jesus Christ to children living in vulnerable situations. In some cases, these shoeboxes are some of the children’s first Christmas presents ever.

If you would like to join us in giving these amazing gifts to the children, please pick up a shoebox from the Foyer of the Church building which should have a flyer with more information about what to put in the boxes.  If you are unable to get to the shops at the moment but would still like to contribute, you can contribute financially.  Each shoebox cost $10 for shipping so you can cover the shipping for one or more shoeboxes. If you would like some more information, please contact Donna D. or Ann R. in the Church Office or see the Samaritans Purse Website: https://samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/  

Please Note: All shoeboxes and money need to be back by Sunday the 10th of October so they can be dedicated during our services on this day and sent off so the children can get their boxes by Christmas.    

Christmas Light

2021 Christmas Light reached a milestone of 20 years of Light! To commemorate this significant milestone, a new display was constructed to pay tribute to all who have been involved over the years and to continue to serve God in this place.

If you would like to financially support Christmas Light please contact Wendy R. or the Church office for more information.  

Bethlehem Stall

A vital part of Christmas Light is the Bethlehem Stall. You can be part of 2022 stall by making craft items - not only Christmas decorations and donating them to the Bethleham Stall. in the months before Christmas hand crafted items as well as other products will be available on the table in the Foyer of the Church Building for you to purchase. Payment for these items is via an “Honesty Box” by cash. Christmas Light continues to rely upon the sales of the products presented in the Bethlehem Stall to supplement maintenance expenses. For enquiries or for more information please contact Eunice P. or the Church Office.  

Angel Flock

did you see the Angel Flock for 2021 - it was amazing! Did you know that angels are mentioned 273 times in the bible? That’s 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.

At Cleveland UC, we’re going to be mentioning them even more times between now and Christmas!

We need you to help with making our knitted, sewn and crocheted Angels. All the Angels made will be distributed around our community as a Christmas gift to our community. Our aim is to have an even bigger flock than last year.

You can choose your own method of making the angels that you find the easiest (knitting, sewing or crocheting). Patterns, samples and wool are available in the Foyer of the Church Building.

If you have any troubles with making your Angels, please contact the Church Office and we can put you in touch with one of the expert Angel Makers for some help or advice.