13 December 2015 Third Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 A member of the Central Highlands Cluster Ministry St George s, Trentham 9.00am St Mary s, Woodend 10.30am 13 December 2015 Third Sunday of Advent We acknowledge the Woi Wurrung & Dja Dja Wrung people, the traditional custodians of this land where we gather to worship.

2 HYMN 265 O come O come Emmanuel vv 1, 4 The service begins on page 119 of the green prayer book (APBA) The Lord be with you And also with you Do not fear, the LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love. Zephaniah 3:16-17 Prayer of preparation page 119 AAPB The Lord comes, bringing to light things now hidden in darkness, and disclosing the purposes of the heart (Silence is kept) Let us open our hearts and prepare for his coming, confessing our sins in penitence and faith Confession page 120 The Prayer of the Day Almighty God you sent your Son into a world where the wheat must be winnowed from the chaff and evil clings even to what is good: let the fire of your Spirit purge us of all corruption, so that, purified, we may wait eagerly for him whose coming is certain, whose Day draws near, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen A reading from the prophet Zephaniah (chapter 3 verse 14) Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he

3 will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD. hear the word of the Lord thanks be to God Lighting the Advent Candle HYMN 289 Christmas is coming v.1,2,3 The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke chapter 3 beginning at the 7th verse. Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages." As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you

4 with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. for the Gospel of the Lord praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ The Sermon The Nicene Creed page 123 APBA The Prayers of the People The Greeting of Peace HYMN 526 Lord Jesus Christ The Great Thanksgiving Prayers begin on page 128 APBA The Lord's Prayer is on page 141 APBA Regular communicants of all denominations are welcome to receive Holy Communion in this church. If you prefer to receive a blessing please ask the priest as you come to the communion rail. The final prayers God for whom we wait, we thank you that you have fed us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation. As we joyfully await your Son, keep us ever watchful that we may be ready to stand before him on the day of his coming. Most loving God you send us into the world you love. Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage in the power of your Spirit.

5 The Notices HYMN 272 Come thou long expected Jesus The Blessing and Dismissal Christ the Sun of righteousness shine upon you, and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory, and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen Jesus Christ is born in our country and our present day. Hope for the world is the gift he imparts, God is the One who has spoken words of liberty, Heard by our minds, understood in our hearts. Chorus: Christ in the outback, Christ in our cities, Christ in the country and Christ on the land. At his birth, it is God who partners our activity, Sharing the load, giving strength to withstand. Magpie and brolga, kookaburra, cockatoo Sing for the child who is born to be king. Waratah and wattle, banksia and eucalypt Join in the praise as they silently sing. Christ in the country and Christ on the land, At his birth, all creation is bonded in divinity, So we must care for the earth that was planned. Wombat and dingo, kangaroo and platypus, All have a place as they ponder the sight. Crocodile, koala, bandicoot and wallaby, Thrill at the birth of the child of light. Christ in the outback, Christ in the cities, Christ in the country and Christ on the land, At his birth, God discloses a presence in all living things, In every species and in every strand.

6 We your human family celebrate your holy birth, Families and singles, the short and the tall, Migrants and Kooris, disadvantaged refugees, Certain that God is inclusive to all. Christ in the outback, Christ in our cities, Christ in the country and Christ on the land At his birth God embraces our diff'rence and diversity, Loves with a love that we cannot understand. Christin the outback, Christ in our cities Christ in the country and Christ on the land, Christ is born again when we worship As we celebrate Jesus, this infant - the Lord of our land. Tune: Waltzing Matilda Words: George Stuart

7 What s happening and When Wednesday December 16 th Woodend Hostel Christmas Service 11am Do come along and share this service. The residents will make you welcome. Sunday 20 th December ADVENT 4 Morning services at 9am St George s Trentham: am St Mary s Woodend 7pm Nine Lessons & Carols at St Mary s Woodend Australian Anglican Church Calendar is now available from Derek or Bob - cost $15 each. Intercessions our prayers are asked for: Penny, Robyn, John, Sam, Jim, Andrea, Christine, Alison, Sylvia D, Fr. David, Ethan, Kirsten & Liz. NB Sunday 27 th December 10.30am St Mary s WOODEND A combined service for Trentham & Woodend folk to mark the end of Mother Heather s time as an Associate Priest in the parish of Woodend/Central Highlands Cluster. Bring and share lunch in the Norma Richardson Hall. CHRISTMAS SERVICE TIMES Sunday 20th December - Nine Lessons & Carols 7pm Christmas Eve - St Mary's Woodend, "Crib Service" 6pm St George s Trentham, Christmas Eucharist 8.30pm Christmas Eve St Mary's, Christmas Eucharist 10pm Christmas Day - St George s Trentham, Christmas Eucharist 9am St Mary's Christmas Eucharist 10.30am Sunday 27th December - St Mary s Eucharist 10.30am

8 St Mary's Woodend (1864) - St George's Trentham (1927) A member of The Central Highlands Cluster Ministry PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC Rector: Rev d. Ian Howarth / (St. Paul s, Kyneton) Assoc. Priest: Mother Heather Vander Reest / Hon. Assoc. Priest: Rev d Dr. Charles Sherlock Wardens: Stephen Dye Mark Horner John McLaren WELCOME! We extend a very warm welcome to all who are worshipping with us today, especially newcomers and visitors. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat after the service. Communicant members of other churches are also welcome to join with us in receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion.