ADVENT THREE. Sunday 16 th December Questions for reflection this week

Transcription

1 ADVENT THREE Sunday 16 th December 2018 Advent means coming or arrival and is a time of anticipation and journey towards the celebration of God entering human history in Jesus and the expectation of Jesus return or 2nd coming.. The Advent Wreath tradition first appeared in the Lutheran Church in Germany around Four candles representing the four Sundays of Advent are often nestled into evergreen foliage representing eternal life in the midst of the Euopean winter and death. The white candle lit on Christmas Day denotes the light of Christ. Pink is the liturgical colour for joy. A circular wreath represents the eternal God. Several variations on the theme are now used with the liturgical colour of either purple or blue. Questions for reflection this week The birth of children brings extraordinary joy. What is the same/different about the birth of Christ? What do you find the most joyous part of Christmas? How does joy differ from happiness or pleasure? In your experience, do Christians express the joy of their faith? Why/Why not? Consider whether there are specific obligations that come with living in a country like Australia, and pray how you might fulfil them. Source; Advent in Australia Anglican Overseas Aid stands on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung Nation. We acknowledge and pay our respect to their elders past, present and emerging.

2 Tuesday s Blue Christmas service was well supported by the community Rev Judy explained that the empty chair represented those who wouldn t be home for Christmas. Perhaps a relationship had ended, perhaps the people we loved would be far away, perhaps sickness or death had changed how things used to be. The empty chair also represented the pain and sadness that could come from other events that entered our lives, uninvited and unwanted leaving us reeling in pain and shock, unable to shake the feeling that it wasn t supposed to be like that. During the service, the Christ candle was lit to represent the hope and peace that comes when we know God s love for us Amidst verses of comfort and promise, songs expressing various emotions and video clips telling the Christmas story, four candles were lit to remember those we had loved and lost, other losses that we were faced with, the courage we needed, and those who had supported us in our pain. Prayers were offered and those present were invited to light candles as a way of remembering those no longer with them and giving their sadness to God in remembrance The service was followed by a time of fellowship over a cuppa January Services One Sunday service at 8am No Centre Church services Wednesday midweek resumes 16 Jan PRAYER CARDS AND CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS During Advent we are encouraged to enter more deeply into prayer for the world and for the coming of God s love amongst the poor, the sick, the lonely, the socially marginalised, and the oppressed. You are invited to use prayer cards for this purpose. Please take a card, write your prayer on it and attach it to the Christmas Tree. You are also invited to take a Christmas decoration from the box, make a donation to the Christmas Bowl and place the decoration on the tree. By the end of Advent the tree will be fully decorated, it will carry all our prayers and the Christmas Bowl will be full, ready to send! Please continue to pray for those little ones FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS Last Friday at 12 md, St Marks joined with other churches around Australia to ring the bell 10 times and will continue to do so every Friday once for each child remaining in detention on Nauru until we have no need to ring it again.

3 Isaiah Psalm nd Reading Titus Titus 3.4-8a Gospel Luke Luke December 30 Isaiah December 23 1 Samuel , 26 1st Reading December 16 Micah 5.2-5a 148 Christmas Day December 9 Zephaniah Song of Mary Colossians Christmas Eve December 2 Malachi Song of Isaiah Hebrews Luke Hey kids! A special invitation to our 5.30pm service on Christmas Eve, come dressed up as part of the Christmas story limited costumes available at the church Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Angels, Stars or Wise Men. 8am ONLY Jeremiah Song of Zechariah Philippians Luke Giving Envelopes are available at the back of the church 7 & 9am 1st Reading Philippians Luke Pray with an open and joyful heart that Christ s coming will herald a time of peace for all nations. Rejoice! 7 & 9am Psalm 1 Thessalonians Luke & 9am 2nd Reading Luke Gaudete Sunday! The third Sunday in Advent is one of joy with its continuous refrain, Rejoice! The coming is near. We are more than half-way there. Salvation is at hand. As we light the rosecoloured candle on the Advent Wreath and, in some places, don our rose-coloured vestments, we are transported to a new vision, one that is seen through rose-coloured glasses! 7 & 9am Gospel The Third Sunday of Advent Third Sunday of Advent

4 The Third Sunday of Advent 16 th December, 2018 Sentence 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 Collect 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. Diocesan Prayer God in whom we live and move and have our being, we thank you for Jesus Christ who is the good news. By the power of your Holy Spirit, enable us to be people who transform lives, make disciples and grow communities, that your glory may be revealed in all creation. We pray this through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen First Reading Zephaniah Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away the judgements against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. 17 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; he will exult over you with loud singing 18 as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.

5 19 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. 20 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. Psalm: A Song of Isaiah Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust and will not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and my song: and has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water: from the wells of salvation. On that day you will say: Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name; Make known his deeds among the nations: proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing God s praises, who has triumphed gloriously: let this be known in all the world. Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion: for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Second Reading Philippians Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Hear the word of the Lord, Thanks be to God. Gospel Luke The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ. 7 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? 8 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. Cont. Over page

6 From previous page 9 Even now the axe 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. 10 And the crowds asked him, What then should we do? 11 In reply he said to them, Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. 12 Even taxcollectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? 13 He said to them, Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. 14 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. 15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, I baptize you 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. 17 His winnowingfork 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. 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. This is the Gospel of the Lord, Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. Intercessions: Please pray for; Ted Mills, Jim Sullivan, Di Phelps, David Scofield, Del Vogt, Margaret Bowdon, June Codrington and Roy (Bonalbo,) Lorna & Barry, Grae Elphick, Margaret Byrnes.

7 Verla Hayes (Dec 16) Jessie Tracey (Dec 19) Warren Moules (Dec 22) CHRISTMAS ROSTER There are still vacancies on the Christmas roster. Please check your availability? Court Care If you are currently on the court care roster or would like to assist by joining the roster please contact Julie ASAP The Op Shop will close from Friday December 14 th and reopen Monday January 21 st A selection of Mothers Union Christmas Cards are available at the back of the church at a cost of 60 cents each, please place your monies in the envelopes marked MU. Anglican Parish of Casino, AGM Sunday February 24 th As we near the end of our church year (December 31 st ) once again it is time to think about the presentation of annual reports and audited financial reports. The following reports are required to be presented to the parish office by Thursday January 24 th 2019 Written Reports Rectors Report Parish Wardens Ministry to the Solomon Islands Ministry to Nursing Homes Mission Secretary Op Shop Catering Old Time Dance Club Singers Mothers Union Indoor Bowls Toy Library & TOT Time Ministry of Home Communion Friday Prayer Group Financial Reports Parish Treasurer Old Time Dance Club Indoor Bowls Clovass Women s Guild Casino Townsend Fellowship

8 Rosters for Week Commencing Friday December 21st Media SERVICES THIS WEEK Sunday, 16th December Upper Clarence Flowers 7.00am 9.00am 10.30am B Hendley Cleaning th Wednesday, 19 December G & F Miller, S McNaughton 10.30am Sunday, 23 Rappville rd December Court Care R & P Hodgkinson (December 19) 7.00am 9.00am 11.15am Morning Tea P Sullivan & R Adams The One Voice Choir that performed at last Sunday PARISH DIRECTORY Parish Priest Parish Office Postal Address Rev. Canon Judy Edwards Mon Fri Office Phone West Street Casino Parish Mobile P.O. Box 71, CASINO NSW office@casinoanglicanchurch.org St. Mark s Catering St. Mark s Op-Shop Annette Battistuzzi Cnr. Centre & Pratt Streets All cheques made out to St. Mark s should be made out to Casino Anglican Parish.