Christmas Connections

Transcription

1 Christmas Connections 24/25 December 2016 The Birth of our Lord Welcome to St Mark's community of faith. May God bless you richly over the Christmas season 5.30 pm Christmas Family Service 11.00pm Sung Eucharist Presider and Preacher Revd Peter Greenwood Readings Isaiah Jane Costello Psalm 96 Said antiphonally Titus Barbara Falloon Luke Assistant Intercessions Bruce Cooke Setting: Dudman Hymns 311; 292; 299; 309 (v 1,2,4) 8.00am Choral Eucharist Presider and Preacher Revd Peter Greenwood Prelude Hodie Christus Natus Est, adptd B Britten's Ceremony of Carols Introit Gloria Patri Setting: Dudman Readings Isaiah Barbara Ferguson Psalm 97 Anglican chant Titus 3.4-8a Steve Walker Luke Assistant Intercessions Alan Little Hymns 306; 309 (v 1,2,4); 304 (omit v 4); 303 Anthem Angels we have heard on high: arr J Althouse Congregational chorus: Gloria in excelsis Deo (repeat) Postlude Boellman: Menuet Gothique from Gothic Suite for organ 10.00am 10 Family Service Local church connecting with local community 1

2 We at St Mark's aim to grow in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and to welcome others into an open Christian community where we can experience and explore the reality of God in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust. Gathering Christmas Eucharist Hymn The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. And also with you. Welcome Advent Wreath During Advent we have been waiting to celebrate the coming of 'God with us' at Christmas, and were reminded of God's promise and of those who prepared the way the patriarchs and ancestors of Jesus, the prophets who foretold the birth of the Messiah, John the Baptist who proclaimed the Saviour, and the Virgin Mary obedient to your call and who bore him in her womb. We have lit candles on the Advent Wreath each week to remind us of these prophetic voices. And we recall that last Sunday night we dedicated the crib that we who see it may be strengthened in faith and receive the fullness of life Jesus came to bring. Tonight / Today we light the Christ candle on the Advent Wreath as we celebrate the coming of God with us, through the holy birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The Assistant lights the Christ candle in the Advent Wreath and says The light has come into the world and darkness will never overcome it. Presider Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, King of Peace; to you be all praise and glory for ever! The new light of your incarnate word gives gladness in our sorrow, and a presence in our isolation. Fill our lives with your light, until they overflow with gladness and praise. Blessed be God forever So let us praise God by saying (11pm) / singing (8am) the Gloria in Excelsis. Gloria in Excelsis (prayer book p 121), followed by the Collect and Readings (sheet) 2

3 Welcome Welcome to all worshippers, and especially visitors to St Mark's. Rector's reflection The Motorola DynaTAC 8000X Phone was the catchy name given to the first commercial hand-held phone. The talk time of this original cell-phone was minutes, with a charge time of 10 hours. But even with that ridiculously clunky name, our culture has been irreversibly changed. There is an inextricable connection between the name, the appearance of the mobile phones, and the impact on our society. We celebrate something orders of magnitude greater at Christmas time, for the person that burst onto the scene is given the name Jesus, which means God saves. And unlike the impact of the modern form of slavery that is the metaphorical handcuff to the mobile phone, the impact of the appearance of Jesus was to liberate God s people from their captivity to the slavery of sin. This child, was also given the name Emmanuel, which means God with us. Not only would God become flesh in this child, but in his death, resurrection and ascension of this man, God would be for us, as our advocate, our high priest, and the perfect sacrifice. As the Paul writes, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Titus NRSV) Receiving Communion All who seek God's mercy are welcome to receive the holy communion at St Mark's. Both normal and glutenfree wafers are available; as is wine from the common chalice and grape juice from individual cups. If you find it difficult to come to the chancel, communion can be brought to you in the pew. If you do not wish to receive, you are welcome to come to the communion rail for a blessing cross your arms on your chest. Offerings As well as your offering to the ministry of St Mark's, all are invited to use the envelopes to give a special offering to the Christmas Bowl an initiative of the National Council of Churches. Prayers Peace in Jerusalem; work of Christmas Bowl providing assistance to some of the 1.5 billion people affected by conflict and disaster around the world; Christmas celebrations around the world especially with the Anglican Church of Goma and the congregation at Mubambiro. Floral memorial Thanksgiving for the life of David Cartwright from Gwen Cartwright and family. Epiphany Combined Service 1 January 2017 Celebrate the new year with a 9am combined communion service using a contemporary liturgy in a familiar structure no 8am or 10am services this day. 3

4 St Mark s Worship & Activities St Mark s is the local Anglican church for South Hurstville, Connells Point and Kyle Bay. It draws a variety of people from the local area and the wider southern Sydney area. Although we are people of differing age ranges, stages in life, cultural backgrounds, and interests, we all follow Jesus Christ and seek to share his love with those around us. We seek to connect to the community in a number of ways, including through the activities we run from Story Time and Music Time for pre-schoolers through to study groups for adults. Most groups are in summer recess, and will recommence in February. Our primary time together is our Sunday services 8am Choral Eucharist and Family 10am. All are welcome: Sundays Wednesdays 8.00am Choral Eucharist Contemporary liturgical worship with choir (choir in recess in Jan) 10.00am 10 Family friendly with traditional & modern music (children's program) 3.30pm Seniors' Service Mary Andrews Village (in recess in Jan) 9.30am Holy Communion Wednesdays a short reflective communion (in recess in Jan) Activities for children Sunday Club Friday Club Bolt Friday Club Story Time Playgroup Music Time Baby Bounce Activities for adults Bible Study BookBusters Choir rehearsal Christian Meditation Friday@Home (social) Home Communion visits Needle & Thread Nursing Homes ministry Parish Council St Mark s Art Tai Chi Parish Prayers (Taizé) Meeting times Weekly on Sundays at 10.00am Weekly on Fridays at 4.00pm Weekly on Fridays at 7.00pm Weekly on Tuesdays at 9.15am Weekly on Tuesdays /Fridays 10.15am and 11.00pm; Weekly Fridays at 12.00pm Weekly on Mondays at 8.00pm Thursdays at 8.00pm (about 10 times / year) Weekly on Tuesdays at 7.30pm Weekly on Thursdays at 5.00pm 1st Friday of the month from 7.30pm 1st and 3rd Monday mornings Weekly on Thursdays at 9.30am Blakehurst (2nd Wed, 2.30pm); The Bay (3rd Thur, 10.30am); St Bede's Home (1st Thur, 11am); Mary Andrews Village (Sundays 3.30pm) 3rd Wednesday of month at 7.30pm Weekly on Thursdays at 9.30am Weekly on Fridays at 9.00am 3rd Monday of the month at 7.30pm Rector: The Reverend Peter Greenwood office@southhurstville.anglican.asn.au 4

5 Pygmy Child Care, DR Congo, Africa A project of the Global Development Group BUILDING BETTER LIVES FOR THE WORLD'S POOREST PEOPLE Pygmies, Bambuti, of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are among the most disadvantaged peoples in the world. They were always considered less than human and often enslaved by other tribes. Driven out of their traditional forest homes in the conflict which continues to ravage the region, they are now destitute, reduced to begging to survive, and vulnerable to every form of exploitation and abuse. In 2010 a group of local Congolese and an Australian volunteer, Barbara Ferguson PhD OAM, formed an alliance to help a group of 170 displaced Pygmy people. With financial assistance and professional help, they have secured land and set up their own village in a relatively safe place. However, their capacity to feed, provide medical care and education for their children remains limited. GDG project J893N Pygmy Child Care has been established in a substantial walled building in the village in response to the local community s request. Each week day, 72 Pygmy children aged 3-5 years engage in educational activities, games and singing designed to meet their physical, social and cognitive developmental needs and also receive a nutritious meal. Nurses from Goma City also make regular visits to check on their health and treat sick children and their mothers. J893N Pygmy Child Care Project aims to provide Pygmy children with the chance for a better life. To support the Pygmy Child Care project, visit 5 Rose gave birth to a Baby Boy no crib for a bed and he has only the pink blanket that Barbara Ferguson gave Rose in 2011 when the first of his 3 sisters was born proud father has called him Uriti, the Heir. He is the 7th baby to be born in the past 6 months since pregnant women have been receiving a daily meal and prenatal care a good start in life.

6 Bb3 Handbell dedication At the 2016 Christmas Sung Eucharist Standing Before we gather for this first Christmas Eucharist, I invite Judith Hague to present a new handbell for use at St Mark's Church. Judith Hague presents the bell I present this Bb3 handbell to be set apart for the service of Christ's holy church, in the memory of Peg Whyment, bellringer from I call to you, my people: my voice is to the children of God. Presider All things come from you, O Lord; and from your own gifts do we give to you. Prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork. Show your servants your works; and your splendour to their children. Glorious God, we thank you that you have put it into the hearts of your people to make offerings for your service, and have been pleased to accept their gifts. Accept the offering of this handbell in memory of Peg Whyment, that with the voice of music we may proclaim your praise and tell it abroad; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Eucharist continues with the Gathering Hymn 6