THE LINK. 23rd December 2018 Fourth Sunday of Advent THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF PORT LINCOLN

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1 THE LINK 23rd December 2018 Fourth Sunday of Advent THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF PORT LINCOLN Parish Clergy: The Reverend Martin Bleby - Locum Priest phone: martin.bleby@gmail.com The Reverend Ruth Buxton phone: The Reverend Brian Bascombe phone: The Reverend Sonja Nugent phone: Office is open Wednesday & Thursday 10:00am to 1:00pm Parish Office phone: website: angparlincoln@bigpond.com Facebook: Anglican Church Port Lincoln Issue No:

2 Introit Tis 272 Tune Stuttgart Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C 23 rd December 2018 Violet God our Father, the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she was to be the mother of your Son. Though Mary was afraid, she responded to your call with joy. Help us, whom you call to serve you, to share like her in your great work of bringing to our world your love and healing. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the light who is coming into the world. Amen Prayer of the Day Gracious God, you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son: as we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your word, and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works. We ask this through 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 2

3 Advent Song Tis 289 v 1, 2, 3 & 4 A reading from the Prophet Micah, Chapter 5 beginning at Verse 2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. [NRSV Micah 5:2-5a] Hear the word of the Lord thanks be to God Psalm: Song of Mary My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord: my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, Who has looked with favour on his lowly servant: from this day all generations will call me blessed. The Almighty has done great things for me: and holy is his name. 3

4 God has mercy on those who fear him: from generation to generation. The Lord has shown strength with his arm: and scattered the proud in their conceit, Casting down the mighty from their thrones: and lifting up the lowly. God has filled the hungry with good things: and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel: to remember the promise of mercy, The promise made to our forebears: to Abraham and his children for ever. A reading from the Hebrews Chapter 10 beginning at Verse 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, See, God, I have come to do your will, O God (in the scroll of the book it is written of me). 4

5 When he said above, You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings (these are offered according to the law), then he added, See, I have come to do your will. He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [NRSV Hebrews 10:5-10] Hear the word of the Lord, thanks be to God. Gradual: Tis 302 The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke, Chapter 1 beginning at verse 39 Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed 5

6 is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. [NRSV Luke 1:39-45] This is the Gospel of the Lord, praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. Offertory: Tis 288 Final: Tis 273 A Prayer for the Parish of Port Lincoln Father help us to be a Church that is a welcoming, caring, and meaningful community. A community which enjoys the celebration of the sacraments and has a passion to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. A community which reaches out to others, sharing the love of God with them. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Prayer for the Appointment of a Parish Priest Bountiful God, give to this parish a faithful pastor who will Amen faithfully speak your word and minister your sacraments; an encourager who will equip your people for ministry and enable us to fulful our calling. Give to those who will choose, wisdom, discernment and patience, and to us give warm and generous hearts, for Jesus Christ s sake. Amen 6

7 Prayer of the Week O Lord, raise up your power and come among us, and with great might succor us, that, whereas through our sins and wickedness we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be honour and glory, now and forever. Amen The Link Submissions for the link accepted until 12:00 Wednesday. Thank you For those with an ongoing need: Peter Linn, Darren & Rachel, Arthur R, Joyce H, Brian L, Brooke, Ryan, David R, Donna, Kelly, Jan, Helen and Kimberly. Remembering those who have joined God in the eternal life: Bob Whittaker, Judy McFarlane 7

8 From A Worship and Prayer Book for MU Australia 2009: Holiness Almighty God, we ask that you will give us a vision of our holiness so that we come into your presence with awe and wonder. Fill us with a reverence for your great glory that we may worship and adore you, our God and life-giver. Amen This Week s Events Wednesday: 12-30pm - Prayers for the Community Thursday: am - Australian Prayer Book Friday 9 am to 3 pm - Op Shop open in the Parish Hall. Friday 4pm to 5 pm - Meditation in the church OP SHOP IN PARISH HALL Friday 9am to 3pm Fresh fruit and vegetables are welcome early in the day. Clean shopping bags, clean clothes, and household utensils, knickknacks etc welcome. For safety, please do not bring in electrical items. Offers to help in the shop on the roster, and to set out and put away, are always welcome. NEXT SUNDAY 30th December 2018, 9am St Thomas 8

9 WOMEN S SHELTER CHRISTMAS GIFTS The Christmas Tree goes up in St Thomas on December 21 st and you are invited to leave gifts under the tree on Sunday December 23 rd. Children s gifts should be gender neutral if possible, and small adult gifts are also welcome. GIFTS WILL BE TAKEN TO THE WOMEN S SHELTER ON MONDAY DECEMBER 24 TH SO THAT THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY CHRISTMAS DAY THE WOMEN S SHELTER ALWAYS GREATLY APPRECIATES THE GENEROSITY OF ST THOMAS AT CHRISTMAS 9

10 Notices Times when Martin will be in Port Lincoln: Dec 25 Jan 6 Jan Christmas Eve services Monday 24 th December at: St Andrews - Elliston at 5pm St Margaret Tumby Bay at 5pm St Simon and St Jude - Cummins at 8pm St Matthews - Poonindie at 6pm St Thomas Port Lincoln at 8pm Christmas Day services Tuesday 25 th December at: St Thomas - Port Lincoln at 9am St Matthias Wangary at 11am Church office will be reopening on January 9 th at 10am. Volunteer required to take out and bring in church bins each week. The bins go out for pick up each Wednesday morning. Christmas Bowl This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the theme for this week is Joy. Mary s Song, the Magnificat, records her joy that is obvious and overflowing, but is related strongly to problems and injustices of every age. Just as Mary received the divine promise and prepared herself, so also we can share in that spirit of concern through the Christmas Bowl. Additional envelopes at the back of the church. 10

11 BUSH CHURCH AID Yass Bookham Mrs Helena Painting (Husband Doug) Deepwater Bookham NSW 2582 Phone Mobile Praise God for the Carols services/events at Yass, Bowning and Bookham. Give thanks for these opportunities. The Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday 23 December 2018 Micah 5.2-5a; Either Song of Mary (Magnificat, Luke ) or Psalm ; Hebrews ; Luke (46-55) Is there greater witness to true discipleship than the deep and meaningful engagement of Mary through her words, My soul magnifies the Lord? Where would we be if she had said, No? What thoughts came to mind as she travelled the long distance from Nazareth to Ein Karem near Jerusalem to visit with Elizabeth? Did she have doubts? Did she have any regrets? Imagine her relief at hearing Elizabeth s greeting and the affirmation afforded by John the Baptist who leapt for joy within the womb! What reassurances do we need in our own discipleship? What affirmation do we seek? Pray that we may know how to say yes so that our souls might also magnify the Lord! Pray for the Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma), giving thanks for the work they do to further God s mission in the world. Text: The Rev Laurette Glasgow, Special Advisor for Government Relations for the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of Ottawa. Anglican Board of Mission,