PewNews+ Advent 2 10 th December 2017 Baptism and Confirmation

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1 PewNews+ Advent 2 10 th December 2017 Baptism and Confirmation Welcome to The Church of the Resurrection and our Parish of Swanbourne- Mt. Claremont. We extend a warm welcome to those visiting or worshipping with us for the first time today. Sunday Services 9:00am Eucharist A service of Holy Communion, which is usually sung with hymns and a sermon. On the 4 th Sunday of the month the service is said. Children s Church meets in the meeting room at 9 am on the 1 st, 3 rd and 5 th Sundays of the month and at 5 pm on the 4 th Sunday. Children are encouraged to join us in Church on the 2 nd Sunday, when our music is led by the Junior Choir. 5:00pm 4 th Sunday of the month: Choral Mass with music led by the Mapstone Scholars Please join us after the service today for refreshments in the Pelican Centre. THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF SWANBOURNE MT. CLAREMONT Cnr. Shenton Road and Derby Street Swanbourne WA 6010 Tel Office hours Mon Thurs 9 a.m. 2 p.m. Midweek Services There is a said Eucharist at 9:00 am every week, which, on the first Wednesday of the month is a healing Eucharist. Today s Hymns and Music On Jordan s bank the Baptist s cry CP Love divine, all loves excelling CP Firmly I believe and truly CP Mass Setting... Dom Gregory Murray Communion 1... Be still for the presence Communion 2... O let the Son of God

2 From the Rector Today we hear the opening verses of St. Mark s gospel quoting words attributed to the prophet Isaiah (with a little bit of Malachi thrown in for good measure). Mark applies the fulfilment of these words to the enigmatic figure of John the Baptist. With his unkempt appearance and fiery, apocalyptic preaching, John attracted crowds of those who acknowledged their sins and were seeking forgiveness. His response was to proclaim a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Today, in baptism, Bishop Jeremy will pour water onto the heads of James, Sam, and Amanda, symbolically washing away their sins as they start their new lives as Christians. John the Baptist was a messenger. He diverted attention from himself to Jesus, and his ministry was not about himself but about the One mightier than I [who] is coming after me. He proclaimed repentance, prepared for Jesus, and died for his message. Jesus teaches us to follow a similar pattern, specifically to proclaim the gospel of repentance, prepare for Christ s coming again (last week s gospel passage), and to die to ourselves (i.e. put the needs of others first). By being baptised with the Holy Spirit we are enabled to do the work of God, for by baptism we are grafted onto Christ. In baptism we become heralds, like John, of Christ s redeeming Presence in our world. By our faithful Christian living we not only point to Christ, but we also make present Christ who dwells in us. As Christians, we are called to seek encounters with Christ, surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit, and cooperate with the divine Life within us. Once we are armed with this kind of divine Presence and power, then we, too, can be messengers, like John, of the Lord s coming for all we meet as we go about our daily lives. Have a great week. Fr. Nick 2

3 For your diary Every week Monday Tuesday Friday Wednesday This week 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 9 a.m. 5 p.m. 9 a.m. Junior Choir Practice (term time) Senior Choir Practice (term time) Morning Prayer (except Wednesday and Holy days) Evening Prayer Said Eucharist (with ministry of healing on the first Wednesday of the month) Sun 10 th Dec. 9 a.m. Baptism and Confirmation with Bishop Jeremy Tues 12 th Dec. 7 p.m. Eucharist followed by Church Council Wed 13 th Dec. 9 a.m. Said Eucharist S. Lucy Save the date! Sun 17 th Dec. 9 a.m. Sung Eucharist 5 p.m. Service of 9 Lesson and Carols Thurs 21 st Dec 2.30 p.m. Romily House Christmas Eucharist Sun 24th Dec. 9 a.m. 5 p.m. 11 p.m. Said Eucharist for the fourth Sunday of Advent Nativity Service (Children are invited to dress up as a Character from the Nativity story) Midnight Mass Mon 25 th Dec. 9 a.m. Choral Eucharist for Christmas Day (Children are invited to bring one of their Christmas presents) To arrange the Sacrament of Reconciliation, home or hospital visits, Baptisms, and Weddings please contact Fr. Nick Tel Fr. Nick@me.com 3

4 Holy Communion The Anglican Church of Australia offers the hospitality of the altar to all baptized Christians. Please come forward to receive from the Celebrant and then move to receive from one of the chalices. If you cannot come to the priest, please let one of the sides- people know and the sacrament will be brought to you. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please come forward, holding your Order of Service. Gluten free wafers are available. For your prayers this week... In the Diocese, we pray for the Parish of Beverley- Brookton; Anglican Messenger, Sarah Stirling and Editorial Committee; Koora Retreat Centre, Anna Killigrew, Peter Harrison; Bishop Jeremy and Bishop Kate. In the Province, we pray for the Diocese of Bunbury, Bishop Allan Ewing, clergy and people; The Diocese of North West Australia, Bishop Gary Nelson, clergy and people. In the Anglican Church of Australia we pray for the Primate of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier. In our Partner Diocese of Eldoret we pray for Bishop Christopher Rutto, clergy and people. In the Anglican Communion, we pray for Western North Carolina - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Right Reverend José Antonio McLoughlin; Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury Our parish those being baptised and confirmed today: James (Baptism) and Amanda and Sam (Baptism and Confirmation) Those who are sick, Ethel Kaye, Beryl Staunton, Fred Banyard, Helen McKenny, and Barbara Meys. The faithful departed, those who died recently, and all those whose anniversaries occur this week. 4

5 News Baptism and Confirmation We are delighted to welcome Bishop Jeremy James tssf, to preside and preach at today s service of baptism and confirmation. We also extend a warm welcome to James, Sam and Amanda, their families and friends. You are all invited to join us in the hall after the service for light refreshments. Christmas Baking Christmas goodies and handmade Christmas cards will be available for purchase after this morning s service. Thank you to everybody who has been making things for sale. Parish Office Jo is still recovering from her recent surgery and the office will only be lightly staffed for the foreseeable future. If you need something urgently, please call Fr. Nick on Thank you. Monthly service roster Can you help with readings, leading intercessions, welcoming, hospitality or serving? If you would like to find out what is involved, please speak to Fr. Nick. Training and support will be offered to new volunteers. Flowers Thank you to those ladies who gave their time for flower arrangements this past year. I would like to give special thanks to Heidi, a friend of the Church, for her resources and arrangements which was a great help in our time of need. Please help again next year, when you will be approached again. Thank you, Bobbie. 5

6 Music Foundation Work to establish a music foundation is now underway with the aim of generating c. $35,000 p.a. to fund the training of young musicians and provide them with opportunities to perform publicly. The intention is that once it has been established, donations to the fund will be tax deductable. The good news is that $8,000 has already been pledged and if you would be interested in pledging money (over and above your regular giving to the Church), it would be helpful if you could let Fr. Nick know so that we can ascertain whether this is going to be achievable. Thank you. Christmas Concert We enjoyed another excellent concert from the Mapstone Scholars last night. A big thank you to all of them and to everybody who helped make last night such a success. Service of Nine Lessons and Carols 17 th December at 5 p.m. If you would like to read at this service, please sign up using the sheet in the Narthex. Thank you. For sale Tables, red, yellow, green and blue, adjustable height. $125 each 6

7 Office desk $100 If you or someone you know would be interested in buying any of the above items, please speak to Fr. Nick or one of the Churchwardens. All offers considered. Thank you. Next week s readings The Third Sunday of Advent, 17 December. 9am Sung Mass with Fr. Nick preaching and presiding. 5pm Service of 9 Lessons and Carols with The Mapstone Scholars, and the Senior and Junior Choirs. Isaiah 61:1-4 & 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians and John 1:6-8 and The Service of 9 lessons and Carols has a separate reading list. Please send any items for next week s PewNews+ to the church office (office@resurrectionswanbourne.com.au) by Wednesday evening. Thank you. 7

8 Could you automate your giving? The most efficient way to give is by bank transfer. You can, of course, continue to give by other means but if you are able to switch to bank transfer you can set up a regular donation using the following bank details. BSB , Account No If you already use the Direct Debit system for your contribution, you are encouraged to place one of the laminated Direct Debit cards in the collection bowl as it passes you during the Offertory. You can collect a card from the welcomer as you enter the church. 8

9 Readings A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. A voice says, Cry out! And I said, What shall I cry? All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. 9

10 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, Here is your God! See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. Hear the Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God. Isaiah 40:

11 Psalm 85 Lord, you were gracious to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the offence of your people and covered all their sins. I will listen to what the Lord God will say, for he shall speak peace to his people and to the faithful, that they turn not again to folly. Truly, his salvation is near to those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other; Truth shall spring up from the earth and righteousness look down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give all that is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before him and direct his steps in the way. Psalm 85:1-2,

12 A Reading from the Second Letter of Peter But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, 2 Peter 3:8-15a Hear the Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God. 12

13 The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. Mark 1:1-8 13

14 Directory Name / Telephone Rector Fr. Nick Freeland fr.nick@me.com Honorary Associate Priest Fr. Rowan Strong Honorary Deacon and Prayer Chain Coordinator Revd. Eileen Warby Parish Administrator Jo Heptinstall (Office) Church Wardens Jim Gallagher Synod Representatives Sandra Hughes Peter Williams Vacant Judyth Williams Church Council Jill Strong Ross Easton Bernie Hird Anne Crevald Roger Winwood Director of Music Kate Oliver Children s Church Di Andrewartha We acknowledge Wadjuk Bibbulman people as the original owners and custodians of this Swan River Land we are meeting on today. 14