Advent 1 December 1, 2013

Transcription

1 Collect Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN. Prayer over the Gifts God of love and power, your word stirs within us the expectation of the coming of your Son. Accept all we offer you this day, and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Prayer after Communion God for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life. Keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man. We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord. AMEN. Prayer Intentions for this week: Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Tri-Diocesan Intercessions: Those who are ill: AMEN. Pray for West Virginia (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt. Reverend William Michie Klusmeyer. Pray for Hospital Chaplains, University Chaplains and Canadian Forces Chaplaincies. Mark Marsh, Fred Russell, Ellie Lynch, Elsa Snow, Jason Parsons, Ernest Singleton, Jim Mercer, John Squires, Joyce Kelly, Hilda Parsons, Reverend Allan Fry. The Anglican Church of Canada The Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador Parish of Bay Roberts-Coley s Point (St. John the Evangelist St. Matthew s) Advent 1 December 1, 2013 Baptized. Fed. Sent. Diocesan Bishop Elect: +The Venerable Dr. Geoff Peddle Priest & Rector: The Reverend Amanda Taylor+ Parish Secretary: Mrs. Frances Hussey Wardens: Mr Wade. Clarke & Mr Bert Nash (St. Matthew s) Mr. John Dawe & Mr. Walter Perrault (St. John) Office Telephone: Reverend Amanda s Cell Office anglicanrectory@gmail.com Reverend Amanda s revamandataylor@gmail.com Parish Website: Our Congregational Offerings for: St. Matthew St. John November 17, 2013 $2, $1,034.00

2 Today s Bulletin is dedicated to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Father WILLIAM D. FRENCH from Alison, Paul & Janice Services for today December 1 Advent 1 Purple) 9:30 am St. Matthew Holy Eucharist 11:00 am St. John the Evangelist Holy Eucharist 7:00 pm Salvation Army Advent Ecummenical Service Readings for Today: First Reading (Isaiah 2:1-5 ); Psalm 122; Second Reading (Romans 13:11-14); Gospel (Matthew 24:36-44). Commentary on the Readings for Today: First Reading (Isaiah 2:1-5) Out of the house of the Lord shall come wisdom and instruction, and all nations will convert their weapons of war into implements for sustaining life. Psalm 122 Second Reading (Romans 13:11-14) Salvation draws ever nearer, so live in the fullness of Christ, freed from the power of sinful desires. The Gospel (Matthew 24:36-44) The coming of the Son of Man will be a surprise, so stay on the look out! ST. MATTHEW S DUTY LIST: Readers: Advent Wreath Barbara Crosbie, 1 st & 2 nd Readings - Neil Coffin Server: Eucharistic Assistants: Don Crane, Rosalind Olsen Elements Bearers: Gerald & Eliza French Sidespersons: Don Butler, Wade Clarke Counters: Don Butler, Wade Clarke ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST DUTY LIST: Readers: Advent Wreath Sandra Roach 1 st & Second Readings Brian Morris Server: Eucharistic Assistants: Edward Kelly, Paul Lawrence Elements Bearers: Harry & Sandra Roach Sidespersons: Roy Jones, Marie Drover, Everett French Counters: Roy Jones, Marie Drover Events this week: Sunday, December 1 7 pm Ecumenical Carol Service at Salvation Army Monday, December 2 7:30 pm Alpha at the Parish of the Resurrection - 8 pm St. Matthew s Band Practice Tuesday, December 3 7:30 pm St. John the Evangelist Vestry Meeting at the Hall Wednesday, December 4 10:30 am Bible Study at St. Matthew s - 12 noon St. John the Evangelist Annual ACW Christmas Outing at Restaurant 99-7:30 pm CLB meet at St. Luke s Hall, Port de Grave Thursday, December 5 12 noon Diocesan Finance Committee Meeting at Synod Office - 7 pm CLB meet at St. John Hall Friday, December 6 Saturday, December 7 7:30 pm Card Game at St. John Hall - 10 am Cluster Ministry Advent Quiet Day at St. Luke s, Port de Grave - 10 am Diocesan Executive Committee Meeting at Synod Office. The Consecration of Bishop Elect the Venerable Dr. Geoff Peddle will take place on Friday, January 17 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Further details will be made available as the date gets closer. Please remember Archdeacon Peddle, his family and our Diocese in your prayers. Parishioners are asked to note that offerings to be credited to the 2013 tax year should be received on or before Sunday, January 5, Any offering received after this will be credited to the 2014 tax year. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding of this matter.

3 A Note from the Helping Hand: As you are aware the Helping Hand is once again preparing for its annual Christmas Hamper initiative. As such, they are collecting winter hats and gloves/mittens. There is a particular need for teenage size hats and gloves. If you are able to make a donation for this very worthwhile ministry, you can drop it off directly at the Helping Hand or at the Church. Thank you for your generosity! Are you looking for a Christmas gift that expesses the true meaning of the Christmas Season? Our Diocesan Resource Center is located on 19 King s Bridge Road, St. John s and it is stocked with much Christmas giftware, cards, books and decorations that celebrate what Christmas is all about. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 am 4:30 pm (closed 12:30-1:30 for lunch). Hope to see you soon! Live Nativity Scene: The Salvation Army will be presenting a live Nativity Scene at the Church in Bay Roberts on Friday, December 20 at 7 pm. If the weather does not cooperate, it will go ahead on Saturday, December 21. Hope to see you there! Thank you to all who helped out with the First Annual Trinity Conception Archdeaconry Advent Family Fun Day! A great time was had by all! St. Matthew s Vestry is now receiving tenders for snow removal only. Expressions of interest may be made in writing to Mr. Bert Nash, c/o St. Matthew s Church P.O. Box 202 Bay Roberts, NL A0A 1G0. The deadline for tenders is Friday, December 6. ACW Christmas Outing: Wednesday, Dec. 4 th, 12 noon, at Restaurant 99. If you are planning on attending please call Doreen at by Tuesday. St. Matthew s will be holding a Memorial Hymn Sing on Sunday, December 8 at 11 am. Letters and Hymn request sheets are now available at the back of the church. If you know of someone who is unable to get out to the Church and would like one please take one for them. Thank you for your support. The cluster ministry of Bay Roberts Coley s Point, Port de Grave and the Resurrection will be holding an Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 7 from 10 am 1 pm at St. Luke s, Port de Grave. This day will be led by the Venerable Gerald Westcott and will be entitled, Going Deeper into God. The cost of this day is free, but for meal purposes please contact Reverend Amanda if you plan on attending. Please come along as we prepare ourselves for this journey to Christmas. St. John the Evangelist Vestry will meet on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:30 pm. Please mark your calendars! The Parish of Bay Roberts Coley s Point will be holding its Second Annual Parish Senior s Dinner on Saturday, December 14 at 5 pm. This year our seniors (65 years and over) will be catered to by the younger members of our Parish! Entertainment will be provided so mark your calendars! Invitations will be sent out soon. If you did not receive your invitation by now, please call the Parish Office ( ). If you have received an invitation don t forget to RSVP! Electronic Givers at St. Matthew s are asked to note that envelopes for your special Christmas Offering are available at the back of the Church. Please take one! Team Returns From Belize: We are pleased to report that our team of 15 volunteers has returned from a very successful mission to Belize. We were able to convert a shipping container to the Lorne Kirby Library with over 2000 books for St. Agnes School in the village of Mahogany Heights. In addition, we led two worship services, spent time visiting classes, helping teachers, made presentations on public health, gave out clothes to people, made repairs to the school, and spent time getting to know the people of Belize. It was a busy nine days. We thank everyone for your prayers and support! Christmas Memorial List in memory of Departed Loved Ones should be received by Friday, December 20, For St. Matthew s Betty Reid ( ) or Frances Hussey ( ); St. John the Evangelist Sandra Roach ( ) or Cynthia Boyd ( ). Advanced Notice Thursday, December 19 7:30 pm Blue Christmas Service at St. Matthew s Church

4 The Lighting of the Advent Wreath THE CANDLE OF HOPE Leader: Christians around the world begin this day to await the advent of Christ. We join with a joyous and hopeful throng in lighting the Advent candles, symbols of our faith and signs of God s love. People: We gather as a people of HOPE. Leader: Christian people around the world stand today in breathless anticipation of a miracle that has been repeated for hundreds of years, yet that astounds us anew each year. People: Our hope springs anew, from an ancient vision. Leader: As we light the first Advent candle, let it stand for hope based not on wishful thinking, but on deep conviction. We believe, we have seen, we have received the Promise and the Great Gift, and therefore, in the midst of darkness and imperfection, we hope. People: We gather expectantly, joyfully, and with deep commitment, for we have heard that a special Child is to come, that God is to be among us, and that soon we will see a new creation on earth. We are a people of hope. Lighting of the Candle of Hope. A Candle is Burning A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright, A candle of hope in December s dark night. While angels sing blessings from heaven s starry sky, Our hearts we prepare now, for Jesus is nigh. Week 1 of Advent Matthew 24:42-44 The central miracle asserted by Christianity is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this. Just as every natural event is the manifestation at a particular place and moment of Nature s total character, so every particular Christian miracle manifests at a particular place and moment the character and significance of the Incarnation In the Christian story God descends to reascend. He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time and space; down into humanity; down further still, if embryologists are right, to recapitulate in the womb ancient and pre-human phases of life; down to the very roots and sea-bed of the Nature He had created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world with Him. One has the picture of a strong man stooping lower and lower to get himself underneath some great complicated burden. He must stoop in order to lift, be must almost disappear under the load before he incredibly straightens his back and marches off with the whole mass swaying on his shoulders. Lord Jesus, you came into this world to save us from destruction. May I always accept your saving grace. Taken from: The World Awaits: Daily Reflections for Advent from the works of C.S. Lewis, 2013

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