The Third Sunday of Advent

The Third Sunday of Advent 17 December, 2017

Welcome A very warm welcome to St. John s, Toorak. This is a wonderful and historic parish, founded in 1859, and is a vibrant part of the Toorak and Melbourne community. This parish is part of the Anglican Church of Australia and a member of the global Anglican Communion, which is comprised of some 80 million people. We worship God in the richness of the 1500 year old Anglican tradition, using A Prayer Book for Australia (1995) for all our services of worship. The Parish of St. John s welcomes everyone to all services and events, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race or background. Our service today can be found here in this printed booklet with hymns found in the red hymnal Together in Song in each pew. You are also very welcome to use the green prayer books, A Prayer Book for Australia, which are also found in each pew. The scripture readings come from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible and follow the Revised Common Lectionary, which sets the readings to be read each week, such that we, with Anglicans and other Christians around Australia and across the world, are reading together the same parts of scripture, emphasizing our unity as members of the one body of Christ. If you re visiting for the first time do please introduce yourself to a welcomer or member of the clergy, and fill out the brief information form found in the foyer so we can stay in touch with you. Welcome and God bless you. 2

During the season of Advent at the 10am service we sing the following movements for the Ordinary from Together in Song: Sanctus 762, Memorial Acclamations 757, and Agnus Dei 757. Please join in strongly, despite the more reserved nature of the season of Advent! The 8am service begins with the Introductory Rite, below. The 10am service begins with the processional hymn 270 INTRODUCTORY RITE All stand The Third Candle on the Advent Wreath is lit, using the following prayer God our Father, you gave to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age a son called John. He grew up strong in spirit, prepared the people for the coming of the Lord, and baptized them in the Jordan to wash away their sins. Help us, who have been baptized into Christ, to be ready to welcome him into our hearts, and to grow strong in faith by the power of the Spirit. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the light who is coming into the world. Amen. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Hymn 270 On Jordan's bank At the 8am service only the first and last verses are sung The Collect for Purity said together Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Kyrie Eleison Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison Christe eleison Christe eleison Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison 3

Confession The Lord comes, bringing to light things now hidden in darkness, and disclosing the purposes of the heart. Silence may be kept Let us open our hearts and prepare for his coming, confessing our sins in penitence and faith. Merciful God, our maker and our judge, we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, and in what we have failed to do: we have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves; we repent, and are sorry for all our sins. Father, forgive us. Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Absolution Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith: pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for The Third Sunday of Advent The celebrant prays the collect, after which all are seated The Children s Address At the 10am service children are invited to join together at the chancel step THE LITURGY OF THE WORD The Lesson Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11 Read at 8am by G. Horwood and at 10am by S. Maclarn 1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to 4

comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8 For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Hear the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalter Psalm 126 said at 8.00am, sung at 10.00am by the choir 1 When the Lord turned again the fortunes of Zion: then were we like those restored to life. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter: and our tongue with singing. 3 Then said they among the heathen: The Lord has done great things for them. 4 Truly the Lord has done great things for us: and therefore we rejoiced. 5 Turn again our fortunes, O Lord: as the streams return to the dry south. 6 Those who sow in tears: shall reap with songs of joy. 7 They that go out weeping, bearing the seed: shall come again in gladness, 5

bringing their sheaves with them. The Epistle 1 Thessalonians 5.12-28 Read at 8am by T. Craddock; and at 10am, by a volunteer reader 12But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. 25 Beloved, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Hear the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please stand for the Gradual Hymn Gradual Hymn at 10am 282 The voice of God goes out The Gospel John 1.6-8, 19-28 The Holy Gospel according to St. John, Chapter 1, commencing at the sixth verse. Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but 6

confessed, I am not the Messiah. 21 And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? He answered, No. 22 Then they said to him, Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord,as the prophet Isaiah said. 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? 26 John answered them, I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal. 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The Sermon The Vicar, The Revd Dr. Peter French Anthem Rejoice in the Lord alway Anon Nicene Creed said together, standing We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge 7

one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. The Prayers of the People kneeling Intercessor at 8am, C. Papageorge and at 10am J. Horan The Prayers end with the following Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers. Grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Greeting of Peace standing We are the body of Christ. His Spirit is with us. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. All share with each other the sign of peace, customarily shaking hands with those around them, and saying, Peace be with you Parish Notices given by a member of the parish clergy Offertory Hymn 265 O come, o come Immanuel During which a collection for the life and ministry of St. John s will be taken Prayer for Receiving the Offertory Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have these gifts to share. Accept and use our offerings for your glory and for the service of your kingdom. Blessed be God for ever. The Lord be with you. And also with you. THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer Lift up your hearts. 8

We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. The celebrant prays the Great Thanksgiving Prayer until the following Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The celebrant continues to pray the Great Thanksgiving Prayer until the following Let us proclaim the mystery of faith Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. The celebrant continues to pray the Great Thanksgiving Prayer, which ends with the following Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord s Prayer kneeling or standing Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. The Breaking of Bread We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread. Agnus Dei kneeling or standing Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us. 9

Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us your peace. Invitation to Communion kneeling or standing This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed. Administration of Holy Communion All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. If you do not wish to receive communion and would like a blessing, please come forward and indicate your desire to do so by keeping your arms behind your back. Communion This is the Record of John Orlando Gibbons (1539/40 or 1543 1623) Post Communion Prayers kneeling 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 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 the Spirit. Final Hymn 276 There's a light upon the mountains At the 8am service only the first and last verses are sung Blessing to which the response is Amen. Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord: In the name of Christ. Amen. Postlude from Sonata IV in Bb Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) 10

Order of Service from A Prayer Book for Australia 1995. Broughton Books by E.J. Dwyer (Australia) Pty Ltd, Unit 13, Perry Park, 33 Maddox Street, Alexandria, NSW 2015. 1995, The Anglican Church of Australia Trust Corporation. With the Liturgical Psalter, Inclusive Language Version English text 1995 by David L Frost, John A. Emerton, Andrew A. Macintosh. Used with permission. Breakfast, Morning Tea & Fellowship Join us for breakfast in the Guild Room following the 8am service and for morning tea and coffee immediately after the 10am service, in the Guild Room. All welcome. Cover Image Andrea del Castagno St John the Baptist 1442 Fresco San Zaccaria, Venice The Season of Advent Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming (Latin adventus) of Christ in his incarnation, and also looks ahead to his final advent as judge at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ s birth, they also challenge the modern reluctance to confront the theme of divine judgement: Every eye shall now behold him robed in dreadful majesty. (Charles Wesley) The Four Last Things Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell have been traditional themes for Advent meditation. The characteristic note of Advent is therefore expectation, rather than penitence, although the character of the season is easily coloured by an analogy with Lent. The anticipation of Christmas under commercial pressure has also made it harder to sustain the appropriate sense of alert watchfulness, but the fundamental Advent prayer remains Our Lord, come (1 Corinthians 16.22). Purple is the traditional liturgical colour, the colour of the first light at dawn. At St. John s the church is 11

decorated with purple and in preparation for Christmas. The tradition of lighting of candles on an Advent wreath was imported into Britain from northern Europe in the nineteenth century, and is now a common practice across the Anglican Communion. The Third Sunday of Advent was observed in medieval times as a splash of colour in the restrained atmosphere of Advent (Gaudete or Rose Sunday ), and the last days of Advent were marked by the sequence of Great O Antiphons, which continue to inspire modern Advent hymns and meditations. The Advent Wreath The Advent Wreath has three purple candles and one pink candle in a ring around a white candle. The three purple candles reflect the liturgical colour for Advent, with the pink candle for the Third Sunday ( gaudete Sunday), when rose-pink vestments are traditionally worn. The first candle is lit on Advent Sunday; additional ones are lit, one on each Sunday, and the white or gold one on Christmas Day. There are several traditions about the meaning or theme of each candle, the most popular (and indeed most helpful) is the following: On Advent 1 the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Church are remembered; on Advent 2, the Prophets; on Advent 3, John the Baptist; on Advent 4 The Virgin Mary and on Christmas Day, Jesus the Christ. Each of the four Sundays then reminds us of those who prepared for the coming of Christ. The Patriarchs can naturally focus on Abraham, our father in faith, and David, the ancestor in whose city Jesus was born. The Prophets gives an opportunity to reflect on the way the birth of the Messiah was foretold. John, who proclaimed the Saviour, and Mary, who bore him in her womb, complete the picture. 12

Parish Notices Brenda Williams Just to let everyone know, Brenda Williams is currently in the U.K, spending time with her critically ill father. She hopes to return early in the new year. Please keep her in your prayers. St. John s Toorak & All Saints, Kooyong On the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2017, a statutory meeting of All Saints, Kooyong, was conducted and chaired by the Vicar. At this meeting the All Saints community elected Wardens, a Parish Council, Treasurer and Incumbency Committee. This means that All Saints is now a parish of its own, and is no longer under the care of St. John s, which has cared for All Saints since 2012. This is the result of a major amount of work with the Archdeacon and Bishop and lays the foundation for a renewed church at All Saints. Three congregations will now call All Saints home: the regular Sunday 9am congregation, the monthly Urdu speaking congregation and a new congregation of Indonesian Anglicans worshipping each week at midday on Sundays. In the New Year financial and administrative ties will be severed and the two churches will be completely separate once more. In the meantime St. John s continues to offer All Saints support and assistance during this important transition period. All Saints, Kooyong Garden Party Today Today, Sunday 17 December, at All Saints Kooyong, 5.00pm Garden Party, followed by 7.00pm Carol Service. All are most welcome. Christmas service at Darnlee Aged Care Will be held on Wednesday 20 December at 2.00pm. All welcome. 13

Grief Support Group Please note that the next meeting on 26th December will not be running due to the public holiday. The next support group meeting will be on Tuesday 30th January 2018. The Sally Beddison Garden Work on the new garden will commence on January 15, 2018. Work will initially begin with the removal of small trees and then will progress to the planting of the gardens immediately outside the front of the church. Completion of the project is estimated to be in April. Looking for.. If anyone has a tape cassette audio player they are no longer using, Bishop Ian would be interested to buy or borrow it for a project he is pursuing. Please contact the Parish Office if you can assist. 14

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Worship Next Week, 24 December Fourth Sunday of Advent 8.00am Service of Holy Communion First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16, volunteer reader required Second Reading: Romans 16.25-27, read by L. Hosking Gospel Reading Luke 1.26-38 Intercessor: Volunteer required Celebrant: The Revd Dr Peter French Preacher: The Revd Elizabeth Murray 10.00am Service of Holy Communion First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16, read by A. Ankers Second Reading: Romans 16.25-27, read by D. Smith Gospel Reading: Luke 1.26-38 Celebrant: The Revd Dr Peter French Preacher: The Revd Elizabeth Murray Morning Tea J Anderson plus a volunteer Celebrant & Preacher at All Saints, Kooyong Emeritus Archdeacon Philip Newman Photography in the Church, Hall and Parish Grounds Please be aware that photographs of St. John s, the church, hall, gardens and congregation often take place to help us with our publicity and social media presence. If you do not wish to be photographed, please alert the photographer. Members and visitors to St. John s are reminded that photography of minors (people under the age of 18) is expressly forbidden. 16

For Your Prayers From the Anglican Cycle of Prayer We pray for Anglican Christians working for peace in all parts of the world. We pray this week for the Diocese of Wyoming, Episcopal Church, USA (Bp John Smylie); Diocese of North Queensland (Bp Bill Ray, Clergy & People); Ministries to Youth; Footscray Parish (Chaplain Soma, Siosifa Tongia, Duku Wolikare); St Matthew s, Prahran Pastoral Visit (Bp Genieve Blackwell); St Barnabas, Glen Waverley Pastoral Visit (Bp Paul Barker); Diamond Creek Episcopal visit to Yarrambat and St Helena (Bp Philip Huggins). Those celebrating birthdays: Michael Walshe on Sunday; Clive Wright on Thursday. For schools in our parish: Geelong Grammar School Toorak Campus (Glamorgan), Head of Campus Rachel George; St Catherine's School, Principal Michelle Carroll; Toorak Primary School, Principal Julie Manallack; Scotch College, Principal Tom Batty, and St. John s Kindergarten, Director Baiba Thompson. For those who lead us in the Anglican Church: Our Primate The Most Revd Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne, and our Bishop, The Right Revd Genieve Blackwell. The Toorak Ecumenical Movement: Our partner churches, St Peter s Roman Catholic Church, Toorak Uniting Church, and The Swedish Church. For Those in Mission Work: for The Anglican Board of Mission, and for parishioner Liz Hawthorne. For the sick and all in need: David; Matthew; John Saunders; Alan; Paul Dalton; Robert John; Kate; Grace; Rosemary Griffith; Geoff Clapp; Noriece Bradbury; Rhonda Cook; Olivia; Philip; Sam; Sandra, John; Charles; Julia Jones; Betty Britten; Faye Neville-Jones; Sarojini Maclarn; Keith Anderson. For those in aged care and those who are housebound: Randall Watt; Michael Moore; Don Sawers; Lynton Morgan, Teri Lawrence; Janet Field and Beverley Joyce. Give thanks for those whose Anniversary of Death is this week: Henry Karsz; Francine Shearman; Richard Court; Reginald Noye; Lyndy Tait; Robert Thomas. You are welcome to take this service booklet home with you or you may leave it in the church foyer, where it will be recycled. Large print copies of this service booklet are available, samples of which are in the church foyer. 17

Vicar The Revd Dr Peter French Curate The Revd Elizabeth Murray Ordinand Ms Brenda Williams vicar@saintjohnstoorak.org curate@saintjohnstoorak.org b.m.williams@optusnet.com.au Director of Music & Organist Mr Christopher Cook accook2001@yahoo.com.au Parish Administrator and PA to the Vicar Mrs Sally Robertson enquiries@saintjohnstoorak.org Prayer Chain Co-ordinator Mrs Annette Wilson 9822 8968 annettelouisewilson@gmail.com Sunday School Leaders Ms Jane Anderson, Mr Clive Wright, Mr Michael Morgan and Ms Jeanine Morgan Archivist Professor Geoff Quail OAM 0439 850 111 geoffrey.quail@monash.edu 86 Clendon Road, Toorak 3142 9826 1765 www.saintjohnstoorak.org 18