A member of the Central Highlands Cluster Ministry St George s, Trentham 9.00am St Mary s, Woodend 11.00am

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1 A member of the Central Highlands Cluster Ministry St George s, Trentham 9.00am St Mary s, Woodend 11.00am 18 th December, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Advent We acknowledge the Jaara Jaara people, the custodians of this land where we gather. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and pray for reconciliation.

2 GATHERING IN GOD S NAME Gathering Hymn 272 Come thou long expected Jesus In the name of God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit. Amen The Lord be with you. And also with you THE ADVENT WREATH. Celebrating past, present and future in one place The advent wreath is sprinkled with holy water and blessed: May this sprinkling of the waters of baptism remind us of our first sharing in grace that we may prepare for the Lord s coming among us today. The fourth advent candle is lit: See insert for words. The Confession The Lord comes, bringing to light things now hidden in darkness, and disclosing the purposes of the heart. Let us open our hearts and prepare for his coming, confessing our sins in penitence and faith. Holy God, long-suffering, full of grace and truth, You create us from nothing and give us life. You give your faithful people new life in the water of baptism. You do not turn your face from us, nor cast us aside. We confess that we have sinned against you and our neighbour. We have wounded your love and marred your image in us. Restore us for the sake of your Son, and bring us to heavenly joy, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Absolution

3 Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendour of the Father; Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. The Trisagion Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us Let us pray Gracious God, you chose the virgin Mary, by your grace, to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour: so fill us with your grace, that with her we may rejoice in your salvation, and in all things embrace your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. MINISTRY OF THE WORD A reading from the book of Isaiah chapter 7 verses Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

4 He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God Psalm 80 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that led Joseph like a flock: you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine out in glory; Before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh: stir up your power, and come to save us. Restore us again, O Lord of hosts: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. O Lord God of hosts: how long will you be angry at your people s prayer? You have fed them with the bread of tears: and given them tears to drink in good measure. You have made us the victim of our neighbours: and our enemies laugh us to scorn. Restore us again, O Lord of hosts: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Let your power rest on the man at your right hand: on that son of man whom you made so strong for yourself. And so we shall not turn back from you: give us life, and we will call upon your name. Restore us again, O Lord of hosts: show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

5 A reading from Saint Paul s letter to the Romans chapter 1 verses 1-7 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God Gospel Hymn 287 No Wind at the window Alleluia Alleluia Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew, chapter 1 beginning at the 18 th verse Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son,

6 and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, This means, God is with us. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. For the Gospel of the Lord praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ The Sermon The affirmation of faith (page 123 of the prayer book) The Prayers of the People The Greeting of Peace In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Offertory Hymn 283 Long ago prophets knew *a collection to assist the mission of God in this parish will be taken up during this hymn

7 THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Blessed are you..(we give thanks for the bread and wine) Blessed be God forever Blessed are you..(we give thanks for money and food offerings) Blessed be God forever During the season of Advent we use the preface on page 147 and then return to page 130 to continue the Eucharistic prayer, saying together Holy, holy, holy.. We say together The Breaking of the Bread and the Communion Jesus, wisdom and mighty Lord: You take away the sins of the world. Jesus, true branch of Jesse s tree: You take away the sins of the world. Key of David and Dayspring from on high You take away the sins of the world. Desire of nations, our Emmanuel You take away the sins of the world. Everyone is welcome to share God s great feast The Sending out of God s people 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

8 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. Final Hymn The ordinary is marvellous The Notices When we ponder on the Advent story, When we contemplate the wondrous birth, Let us sing of miracle and glory Bursting through our hist ry here on earth. Let us also prize the common, That which happens ev rywhere and often. For, although each human birth is special, It is also very commonplace. Jesus born in Bethlehem, quite normal. Numbered with us in the human race, Born as us, dependent child. Treasured infant, gently meek and mild. Joy, despair, adversity and pleasure; Nothing strange about this Jewish life. Yet in him is something that we treasure, He has shared our happiness and strife. God in Christ has friend and foe, God involved in everything we know. From the stable to the cross of sorrow, He uncovers God in everything. There he is an ordinary hero. Yet, the one proclaimed as Lord and King. Speck upon our history s page; Yet revered in every single age.

9 So we treasure all the common graces, Live each day as precious and unique. God is present at all times and places, On the plains, as on the mountain peak. Plain yet wondrous, every hour, God, within, enriches us with power. Lyrics by George Stuart Singing a New Song The Blessing and Dismissal Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, scatter the darkness from before your path, 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 the peace Christ Thanks be to God. ***some thoughts from Rev. Mel Over the course of the four Sundays of advent my reflections here have focused on peace, joy and love. This week I m going to reflect on light. Peace, joy, love and light are all words that we use at this time to talk about the coming into the world of God, in the form of a baby. Light can be beautiful. The light cutting across a dawn sky, the light of the sun warming your back as you work in the garden, the light of the moon that Ray and I watched as we walked along the beach at Point Lonsdale earlier this week. Light can be beautiful. Light can also be scary. The light of bushfire, the stark light of noisy and busy shopping centres, the light of bombs dropping. Light can be scary. I watched and read with horror this week as the people of Aleppo, particularly eastern Aleppo, posted goodbye messages to family and friends as the big push happened. Then the news reports that at least

10 80 people (including as many as 13 children) have been slaughtered by the Syrian army began to come through. How is it that we can sit in our beautiful town, under the same sky as these people and have such a starkly different existence? How is it that such horror can exist in the world in which we live? How is it that it has barely rated a mention in the commercial news? When we talk about Jesus being the light of the world we can become blinded by the wonder and beauty of such a thing. In much the same way when we come home at night, to a dark house, and switch on the lights, we are momentarily blinded, that s what it can be like to explore this faith that we share. Now, if we have this light so abundantly, and we are given this light so generously by God, surely we can use some of it to shine on places like Aleppo, where the horror and darkness of war is thick in the air. Surely we can use our light to show our neighbours that it is right to care for these people, regardless of what side of the fight they re on (either way they re victims of horror). Surely the light of Christ that we carry, especially at this time of year, can be turned in prayer and action that translates to love and joy and, most of all to peace. There is no such thing as a holy war, there is such a thing as holy peace though and that is what we pray will shine through right now. With hope in the light that we know can cut through darkness, Mel. A prayer for the fourth week of Advent Hail, holy Lady, Most holy Queen, Mary, Mother of God, Ever pure; Chosen by the most holy one in heaven Consecrated with the most holy beloved Son And the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. On you descended and in you still remains All the fullness of grace and every good. Advent with St Francis: Daily reflections. Diane M. Houdek

11 ************************** Pew Bulletin Every week Meditation Group Wednesday evenings from 6pm in St Mary s Conversations Tuesday at the rectory from 7pm Grant winners! Last week Rev. Mel heard from Bishop Andrew that we have been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Colliers Charitable Fund to assist with the new floor at St Mary s. We are now about half way to our $20,000 fund raising target. Garden party and picnic Thanks to everyone who supported the picnic last week, and especially thanks for Leonie and Andrew who opened their beautiful garden. We raised $1000 for our floor fund. Macedon Ranges Toy Shop Thanks to all who donated goods to the Toy Shop. The goods went to Kyneton on Wednesday and will help over 160 local families. Calendars Carol Barker is still selling the Anglican calendars for next year. They re $15 each and depict some really lovely churches throughout Australia. Red Cross call for help! The Red Cross are asking for volunteers to sew up knitted trauma teddies. The bodies are knitted and the stuffing will be supplied, if you can sew even a little bit, then you can help to make up the bears given to children who have survived natural disasters and other trauma. Christmas Services Come along to our celebration of the birth of our Lord. Trentham Today Carols at St Andrews from 7.30pm Woodend December 24 Family Service at 6pm Woodend December 24 Midnight Mass at 10pm Trentham December 25 Christmas Morning 9am Woodend December 25 Christmas Morning 11am

12 Intercessions our prayers are asked for: Penny, Keith, John, Sam, Jim, Andrea, Alison, Ethan, Kirsten, Claire, Barbara, Bernice, Valrie, Carole, Wendy, Judy, Dustin, Jonathan, Susie, Lynne, Jeanette, Trevor, Helen, Rudi, Trish, Kelly and Carmella. Birthdays! On Tuesday we celebrate Jenny Zimmerman, on Friday Peta Sherlock. Years Mind and those who have died recently On Thursday we remember Eric White. We give thanks this week for the life of Daryl Hely and pray for Helen as she mourns him. We give thanks for Ffyona and pray for Patrick and their children. Readings and Clergy for next week Rev. Mel will be looking after Trentham - Woodend Christmas Eve Isaiah Psalm 96 Titus Luke Christmas morning Isaiah Psalm 97 Titus 3.4-8a Luke PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC Rector: Rev d. Ian Howarth / Assistant Curate: Rev d Melissa Clark Deacon: Rev d Neil Fitzgerald Hon. Assoc. Priest: Rev d Dr. Charles Sherlock Wardens: Derek ; John Friday is Rev Mel s day off. If you need a priest on Fridays please contact Rev. Ian.