No Services until 25th January January will be a quiet month. Services will be suspended until 25th January. There will also be no service on 1st February (as per normal practice of no service at Hurstville on the first Sunday of the month) and our normal schedule of services will recommence on the second Sunday in February. The first Friday Tea and Class will be on 6th February. Enjoy the holidays.

Christmas Services The services on Sunday evening 21st December and Christmas Day were both very successful and well attended family services. On the Sunday evening the service was on the story of the Wise Men. The children James and Emily Kermond, and Daniel and Cameron Walsh participated in the service by placing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh in front of the Word at the appropriate time during the story. Special thanks also to Patricia Walsh for doing the Nativity Scene in the church porch and decorating the church for the service. Special thanks also to Kerry and Mike Lockhart for their hospitality in inviting everyone to their house for refreshments afterwards. Also to Carolyn Heldon for the special musical items during the services.

Christmas Greetings On display for Christmas were a variety of cards received from the Adelaide Society, the Brisbane Society, the Roseville Society, the Perth Society, the Aurora Circle of the General Church in Perth, Rev John and Mary Teed, Shirley Taylor, Gai and Merv Kennedy, the Sandstroms, Huiling and Robert Cooper.

The Christmas Greetings also included the following news:
Peter and Stephanie Kennedy have a new addition to their family, a baby girl Ella Marie born on 8th December, a sister for Nathan. Grandparents Gai and Merv Kennedy are off to celebrate Christmas with Stuart and Sandy in the USA.

Huiling Sun reflects that it is already over two and a half years since she and Robert and Matthew left Australia for Bryn Athyn. They are back from a three month assignment working for the church in Florida. Matthew (Gengy) keeps her very busy (now two years and seven months). Huiling appreciates having had the internet installed in their house recently so she feels more connected to the world. Robert works very long hours on his studies.

A number of people will be making the trip to Phillip Island in Victoria for the annual Summer Camp. This will be from 10th to the 15th January. More news on this in the February newsletter.

Service on a DVD On Sunday 30th November with a sizable portion of the regular society out of town we took the opportunity to use one of the DVDs that Rev Julian Duckworth has produced for use in church services and small groups. It is pleasing to report that it was a success with quite a bit of discussion following the service. It is good to know that this is a viable option for occasions like this. Thanks to Mike and Kerry Lockhart for hosting the service in their home as the church does not have equipment to hold this type of service.

Norman Heldon has followed up his cochlear implant operation with a cataract operation on his left eye. This was successful and his long sight is now improved.

In town for Christmas with family were Margaret Heldon and her mother Grace Horner. Margaret took over her old duties and played for the church services on 21st and 25th.

Happy Birthday to Margaret Heldon (9th), Rachel Heldon (15th), Kerry Lockhart (24th), Kaye Macfarlane (30th),

Note: All events are located at the church at 22 Dudley St, Penshurst 2222 (off Hillcrest Ave) unless otherwise stated. Contact the Hurstville New Church on (02) 9580 1589 for more information or email us at newchurch@optusnet.com.au All are welcome and refreshments are served after church each Sunday.
Sunday	4th January	No Church at Hurstville (Service available at Roseville)
Sunday	11th January	No Church at Hurstville ( NO Service at Roseville)
	10th - 15th January	Summer Camp at Phillip Island in Victoria
Sunday	18th January	No Church at Hurstville ( NO Service at Roseville)
Sunday	25th January	10.00 a.m. Worship
Sunday	1st February	No Church at Hurstville (Service available at Roseville)