REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICES

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1 REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday:8.00 am Traditional Holy Communion followed by morning tea 9.45 am Holy Communion with Sunday School and/or activities for children followed by morning tea. Wednesday:10.30 am Holy Communion (shorter than the Sunday Service) followed by morning tea. Saturday: On 2nd Sat. of the month during school term is Messy Saints All Age Worship its great fun for everyone especially if a traditional church service doesn t appeal! We start at 4.30 with a light meal in the hall, some craft then we go into the church for a story and holy communion as we learn about Jesus together. Everyone is welcome at all and any of these services and events! For Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals contact our Priest. IGNITE YOUTH GROUP YR S 5,6,7, & 8 (ecumenical) REGULAR EVENTS Craft, Coffee & Chat Parish Hall 1st, 3rd & 5th Wed. 10 Noon Fellowship Morning Tea Parish Hall 2nd Wed am Bible Study Groups varies contact the Parish Priest Belmont Men s Group meets in the Hall at 6pm on 1st Tuesday Evening Mothers Union meets at 6.30 pm on 3rd Tuesday of month Day MU Group meets on 4th Wednesday after am service. Cursillo (contact Bart Byrne ) Parish Council meets 2nd Wed at 7.00 pm ANGLICAN OP SHOP Shop 7/8, 600 Pacific Highway Belmont Op Shopping is ethical and environmentally friendly, great fun and good for the budget PARISH CONTACT DETAILS Parish Priest: The Reverend Canon Janet Killen mobile priest@belmontanglican.org.au Church Address: 24 Church St., Belmont NSW 2280 (PO Box 116, Belmont) Website: Anglican Church at Belmont CARING MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS 2018 caring for the communities of Belmont, Belmont South, Croudace Bay, Eleebana, Floraville, Marks Point & Valentine

2 TO MAKE YOU CHUCKLE CHRISTMAS SERVICES SUNDAY Dec 23 Advent am - Traditional Holy Communion followed by morning tea 9.45 am - Holy Communion with Sunday School followed by morning tea. Christmas Eve 6.00 pm All Age Worship with Holy Communion pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 8.00 am Holy Communion I can t get to the chocolates in my Advent calendar! Foiled again. What s the difference between Santa s reindeer and a knight? One slays the dragon and the others draggin the sleigh. How does Good King Wencesles like his pizza? One that s deep pan, crisp and even. What do you call a bunch of chess players bragging about their games in a hotel lobby? Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer. How did Mary and Joseph know that Jesus was 7lb 6oz when He was born? They had a weigh in a manger. The Big Boast! A Texan farmer went to Australia for a holiday. There he met an Australian farmer and got talking. The Aussie took him to see his big wheat field. Oh! We have wheat fields that are a least twice that large, the Texan said. They then walked around the farm a little and the Australian showed off his herd of cattle. The Texan says, We have longhorns that are a least twice as large as your cows. After a while the Texan saw a mob of kangaroos hopping through the paddock. What are those? he asked. Don t you have grasshoppers in Texas? the Aussie replied. 15

3 Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.' The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' 'That's just Shirley Goodnest, 'Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us? 'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!' In the delightful story of The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry writes of a little boy who comes to Earth from a tiny planet in space. Here he encounters a fox whom he wants to befriend. The shy fox suggests, 'Let us sit near each other and look at one another each day.' By so doing, Prince and fox can gain a fresh perspective. Then, says the fox, 'each day we can move a little closer. Then we can become friends.' It is a story that serves us well at the beginning of Advent. Advent is a time to both reflect and anticipate. We reflect on the familiarity of the nativity story the One who has come and we anticipate the 'One who will come' future. St Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, tells us of the 'One who will come'. He speaks of 'the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day'. Here, there is a sense of finality, a wrapping up of The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his history. The Book of Revelation puts it poetically: 'See the home of face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) from their eyes. Death will be no more: mourning and crying will 14 3

4 be no more, for the first things have passed away.' Each day in Advent, like the Little Prince, we are invited to move a little closer to the One who has, is and will come. Each day provides an opportunity to change our perspective. Each day provides an opportunity to deepen our friendship with the One who calls us friends. A prayer from World News This Week in Prayer As we journey deeper and deeper into Advent, O God, we find it harder and harder to wait. We are impatient. We want to experience your justice, your salvation, your love. And waiting is so very hard. When we look around the world we see the destruction of earthquakes and fires, of floods and droughts, of terror and malice, of apathy and greed. Yet, at the same time there are glimmers of hope and preludes of peace. New life springs forth in unexpected places. New opportunities surprise us and captivate our imagination. Living water and the bread of life are found in the parched deserts of our lives. Guide our hearts, our hands, our feet, our voices, our lives. So that we may actively work toward the kingdom for which we are waiting. A time where the promises of scripture are revealed in their fullness. While we wait, empower us as we labor to prepare the way, so your glory will be revealed for all to see. Amen. Christmas a special time of Worshiping Our King. May the blessing of knowing Christ enrich your life in the year 2019 from the Rev d Janet Killen. Amid the horrors of World War 1 there occurred a unique truce where for a few hours, enemies behaved like brothers. Christmas Eve in 1914 was all quiet on France s western front, from the English Channel to the Swiss Alps. Trenches came within fifty miles of Paris. The war was only five months old, and approximately eight hundred thousand men had been wounded or killed. Every soldier wondered whether Christmas Day would bring another round of fighting or killing, but something happened. British soldiers raised Merry Christmas signs, and soon carols were heard from German and British trenches alike. Christmas dawned with unarmed soldiers leaving their trenches, meeting in the middle of no-mans-land for songs and conversation. Exchanging small gifts mostly sweets and cigars they passed Christmas Day peacefully along miles of the front. At one spot the British played soccer with the Germans. In some places neither side willing to fire the first shot. Finally the war resumed when fresh troops arrived, and the high command of both armies ordered that further informal understandings with the enemy would be punishable as treason. We have just celebrated Armistice Day one hundred years since the end of World War 1 the war to end all wars! This certainly hasn t happened. When Christ was born, the angels declared to the of good wil frightened shepherds Glory to God and Peace on earth to people of good will Please pray for Peace fervently and be Peace makers 4 13 Contributed by Lesley Byrne

5 SOME CHRISTMAS QUOTES. The idea that there s a force of love and logic behind the universe is overwhelming to start with, if you believe it. Actually, maybe even far-fetched to start with, but the idea that that same love and logic would choose to describe itself as a baby born in straw and poverty is genius, and brings me to my knees, literally. To me, as a poet, I am just in awe of that. It makes some sort of poetic sense. It s the thing that makes me a believer, though it didn t dawn on me for many years. Bono You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift. John R. Rice Many observe Christmas but do not keep it. Observance lasts for a day, but keeping it in our hearts lasts through the year. The height of the church spire is not as important as how high church members aspire. Special Christmas Menu : Grace kindness Bread of Life Living Water Sweet thoughts tender memories whole heart Happiness (unmeasured) Cup of Joy (running over) -Charity (served with discretion) Fruits of the Spirit.AA THE GIFT Thanks be to God for His incredible gift! (2 Cor. 9:15) When a person gives a genuine gift, don t you cherish the presence of affection? The hand knitted jumper, the photo album from last summer, the personalised poem, the book from a favourite author. Such gifts convince you that someone planned, prepared, saved, searched. Last minute decision? No, this gift was just for you. Have you ever received such a gift? Yes, you have. Sorry to speak on your behalf but I know the answer. You have been given a perfect personal gift, one just for you. There has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11) An Angel spoke these words. Shepherds heard them first. But what the Angel said to them, God says to anyone who will listen! There has been born for you. 12 JESUS IS THE GIFT. 5

6 Shirley and Marcy A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbour if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbour and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbourhood girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two kids walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?' (con t on page 14) 6 Some will be mourning this Christmas... God of mercy and compassion, there are those among us who are grieving over what might have been. Death or loss or terrible hurt has changed our experience of Christmas. We remember that once it was a special day for us, too, but someone or something precious has gone away from us in this life. We have lost a beloved, a job, a goal, a cause, a dream. We find ourselves adrift and alone. We are weary from the journey, and we have found no room at the inn. We come to you seeking rest, and peace, and shelter from the storm. God of grace, in the spirit of the season, grant us all that we need to comfort us as we journey through this Christmas season. We ask that you shelter and sustain all those of us, both here and throughout the world, who wander or want or weep or are heavy laden, that we may be lifted up in courage and journey on in Thy peace. Amen. SOME CHRISTMAS QUOTES. The Wise Men sought Christ, which proves they were wise men. It was said that the Wise Men after visiting the babe in the manger went back another way. No one can really see Christ and go back the same way. Life becomes different from that hour. E. Stanley Jones. Christmas is the Season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. Washington Irving. 11

7 Gifts are not always wrapped in fancy paper & tied with a ribbon! - THE GIFT OF ORDINARY THINGS - I bless you, O Father for all the seemingly ordinary things A cup of tea at rising; A card through the post; A bunch of flowers for my vase. I would not take for granted any gift which brings me joy Health and strength and good food; A walk with another in the sunshine; A favourite book passed on by a friend. With Paul and people of every generation, I join in saying that there is nothing that can separate us Neither height nor depth; Neither life nor death... You are worthy of more love than I can bring please accept what I do bring. by Rita Snowden. If you want to contribute financially to the work and ministry of All Saints Belmont you can give electronically at any time using BSB , Acc. No (Belmont General Account) 7

8 The last quarter of the year has proved to be a very busy one. Happenings- As mentioned in our last magazine the two M.U. groups celebrated 76 years of Mothers Union in Belmont at the end of October. Guest speaker Lyn Wickham presented long service certificates to several members although none of them had been members for 76 years. Weird and Wonderful - Halloween with a Christian slant was once again cele brated on October 31st. This time Belmont North/ Redhead parish hosted the event which was enjoyed by a large crowd of participants. Celebration - Our All Saints patronal festival was celebrated with one combined Service at 9 am on November 4th. Our men folk treated us to a lovely brunch (superbly cooked) after the service. Fellowship - A pleasant social luncheon and get-together for the Melbourne Cup was enjoyed on the 6th. you are available even if its only once or twice a month. Ruth McFarlane would love to hear from you if you could gift a little of your time. Youth at All Saints Messy Saints continues on the 2nd Sat. of the month providing nurture and fellowship to all ages. This service is especially suited for younger families. On Saturday 8th December the group journeyed to Redhead Anglican for Very Messy Carols. The Ecumenical Ignite Youth Group is on Sunday evening from 5 7 pm for school years 5,6,7 & 8. Phone for info. Our S.R.E. teachers continue to do a sterling job taking God s love into the Marks Point, Belmont & Floraville schools. Our ecumenically funded teacher Kate Robertson takes classes at Belmont High. Sunday School welcomes young worshippers at 9:45 am. Remembrance - Our departed loved ones were remembered at special All Soul services on 7 November. Community Outreach - Our shop has continued to do well providing good quality goods and a warm welcome to its shoppers. The shop will close on December 20th and reopen in the New Year. A thank you luncheon will be held on the 21st for all volunteers. Speaking of volunteers, we need 4 volunteers each day (22 per week). Lately through illness and absences we have been a little short of volunteers at times. In the New Year please consider offering your services it is not an onerous task, it is very pleasant and rewarding you only do what you are physically able to do and say when Melba Stephens receives her 30 year membership certificate from the Rev'd Janet at the MU AGM eucharist. 9