St Luke's Enmore with Stanmore           Click here to reflect last year's previous service

An Anglican Parish in the Diocese of Sydney.

Second Sunday after Christmas     3^rd January 2016

 Welcome to our worship this morning!
At St Luke's we seek to share God's unconditional love and acceptance of all people, regardless of age gender, race, marital or family status, sexual orientation disability or wealth.

Gluten free hosts are now available.  Please see our Sacristan, Andy Serafin, before the service if you need to receive a gluten free host.

On this second Sunday after Christmas – the season in which we celebrate the birth of Christ among us, we can remember the beautiful words of Saint John in his Gospel - “But to all who received him and believed on his name he has given power to become the Children of God”. Through baptism and in the power of the spirit of God we are made Children of the Father along with Jesus, and in this fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

• Pray that we might remember daily our closeness to God as his children in Christ.
• Give thanks for Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in Cairns, remembering especially the students who will begin their studies at the college in 2016.

Text:        The Rev Will Johnston, Assistant Curate,
St Peter’s, East Maitland, Diocese of Newcastle
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2016

Introit Hymn: TIS  – 291 Earth has many a noble city
                  

The Sentence
God has destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.                                                          Ephesians 1.15–16

 

The Collect:  
Almighty God,
you have filled us with the light of the Word,
who became flesh and lived among us:
let the light of faith shine in all that we do;
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.

First Reading                                                             Jeremiah 31.7-14

A reading from the book of prophet Jeremiah
For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.’ See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labour, together; a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord , O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.  I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
For the word of the Lord                                         Thanks be to God

Psalm 36.5-10

Psalm 147.12-20
12 Praise the | Lord, O Je-| rusalem:
sing | praises to your | God, O | Zion.

13 For he has strengthened the | bars of your | gates:
and | blessed your | children with-| in you.

14 He makes peace with-| in your | borders:
and satisfies you | with the | finest | wheat.

15 He sends his com-| mand to the | earth:
and his | word runs | very | swiftly.

16 He gives | snow like | wool:
and | scatters the | hoar-frost like | ashes.

17 He sprinkles his ice like | morsels of | bread:
and the waters | harden | at his | frost.

18 He sends out his | word and | melts them:
he blows with his | wind and the | waters | flow.

19 He made his word | known to | Jacob:
his | statutes and | judgements to | Israel.

†20 He has not dealt so with any | other | nation:
nor have they knowledge of his laws. | Praise | the | Lord.

Glo-| ry to | God; Father | Son and | Holy | Spirit.
As in the be |ginning so | now; and for | ever. | A-| men

Second Reading                                                         Ephesians 1.3-14
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
For the word of the Lord                                        Thanks be to God

Gospel Procession

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
The word of God became flesh and | dwelt a-| mong us.
He enabled those who accepted him to be-| come the | children of | God
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

 

The Gospel                                                                      John 1.1-18
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
X Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’ From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
For the Gospel of the Lord               Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

 

The Sermon

Hymn after Sermon:   TIS – 274 The people that in darkness walked

Prayers

Prayer for our Parish

God of Love,
God of Mission,
you alone bring growth to your Church,
send to us your Holy Spirit to give
vision for our planning,
wisdom in our actions,
and power to our witness.
Help our church to grow in numbers,
in spiritual commitment to you,
and in service to our local community.   Amen

Offertory Hymn:  TIS – 275 Hail to the Lord’s anointed

 

Hymn during Communion:   

 

Final Hymn: TIS – 447 Lord your Almighty Word

Let the bright seraphim sung by Katherine Oldfield, is a soprano aria from Samson (1742), an oratorio by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759)
Let the bright seraphim in burning row,
their loud uplifted angel trumpets blow.
Let the cherubic host, in tuneful choirs
touch their immortal harps with golden wires.
As this work is part of the service, please do not applaud.
Memorial of the Incarnation

 

Bible Readings for the Week 4th to 10th January 2016

MONDAY	1 John 3.7-10	Psalm 99	John 1.35-42
TUESDAY	1 John 3.11-12	Psalm 100	John 1.43-51
WEDNESDAY	1 John 4.13-21	Psalm 72.1-7	Mark 6.34-44
THURSDAY	1 John 3.22-4.6	Psalm 2.6-11	Matthew 4.12-17,23-25
FRIDAY	1 John 4.7-10	Psalm 72.1-7	Mark 6.47-56
SATURDAY	1 John 4.11-18	Psalm 72.8-14	Mark6.45-52

 

Next Sunday: The Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 43.1-7
Psalm:  29
Acts 8.14-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 3.15-22

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Notices
Happy Birthday to Mark Tangruthaitham; Mac Det-up; Andrew Reddy; Esther Kumar; Nol Tanyathep; Andrew Patterson.
A new BIG ROSTER is out today; please collect one from the table at the bookstall.  If you are able to join one of our teams please let Ruth know.
Tuesday 5 January at 10.30 a.m. – A reminder to PC members (and others) we meet in Emmaus Room with John Haly re our new website.
Epiphany in the Mountains – Saturday 9 January 12 noon at Lea MacNeal and Don Thomas’ home, 22 Albert St Leura.  Please see the flyer on next page.  All welcome.
Sunday 28 February after morning tea – Parish AGM (aka Annual Vestry Meeting)
Our Bookstall ….
A New Exile: The future of Anglicanism by Muriel Porter.
Flight, Nadia Wheatley’s new book.
Advent Colouring Books for adults.
A Man Called Johnny Mac: Selected writings of Bishop John McIntyre
Handmade greeting cards from Indonesia and our own St Luke’s cards.
Don’t forget to visit the Bookstall on your way to morning tea.

AN INTER-AGENCY ANGLICAN CONFERENCE - MELBOURNE
10–13 February 2016
LIFE IN ABUNDANCE
I came that they may have life  - John 10:10
An Anglican Conference on
MISSION & EVANGELISM
VENUE: Trinity College Parkville, Victoria
SPEAKERS include: Stephen Pickard; Dorothy Lee; Justin Duckworth; Stephen Bevans
For information email: theologyevents@trinity.edu.au

 

Please see Fr Philip, Ruth, Moya or Jennie W if you are interested!

 

St Luke’s Direct Transfer  If you want to ensure regular giving to St Luke’s, but find you never have the right amount in cash, or are sometimes unable to attend on Sundays, then St Luke’s Direct Transfer may work for you. Please put your name or the word Offertory as a reference.

 

Intercessions

Prayers for each day of the week Today: Diana Jefferies; Noel Jeffs; Linda Jensathit; Kenny Khoo; Eddy, Mint, Atom & Arty Kittirat. Monday: Joseph & Esther Kumar; Robert, Gillian, William & Benjamin Lamb; Ross Lehman & Kuna. Tuesday: Geoff Lindsay & Mandy Tibbey; Fabian LoSchiavo; Evelyn Maack; Amrit MacIntyre & Brett Davies. Wednesday: Donald Thomas & Lea MacNeil; Alex Maneekaew; Merrill & Georgie Martin; John M; Fr Ron Morris. Thursday: Fran Morris; Ron, Anthea, Ronan, Veronica & Rohan Nath; Pauline Newell; Johnny Nitchacoen & Darunee Friday: Mathias Oduro; Stuart Ogg; Katherine Oldfield; Julie & Philippa Olston; Ann & Rachel Petersen & Wolf. Saturday: Jenny Praisang; Simon, Annisa, Caitlin & Georgia Probets; Tony Purcell; Ramendra, Jo, Thomas & Lucy Raj.

Our Prayers for those in immediate need... Simon LoSchiavo, Leanne, Madeline, Bishop Ivan Lee, Bruce Sims, Ray Sommer, Judy Daniels.. The sick – Long term Barbara, Jade & Shirley Allen; Kuna Arjunan; Beth Armstrong; Hannah Ashton; Diane Badcock; Angela Bell; Ross Black; Fatima Begun; Jason Broadbridge, Paull Garrett; Ros Gee; Rhiannon Henry-Edwards; Josephine Jabbour; Ann Jeffs, Javen Khan; Joseph & Esther Kumar; Kylie Laughlin; Ross Lehman; Melissa, John & Baby Gerard; Marie McGrath; Jude & Isla; Marissa; Bp Ken Mason; Eve Moggs; Fr Ron Morris, John Naidu; Pauline Newell; John O’Grady; Peter Ogilvie; Bill & Poppy Prezios; Peter Purcell; Brian Rawnsley; Edward Reddy; Alex Regos; Joy Ree; Michael Andrew & Warren Ryan; Florence Shellard, Mary Sotiriadis; Sr Fiona CSC; Trier Family and Saria Sevilla and Antoun Recent Departed   Anniversaries of Deaths. Zena Thornton; Frances Welsh Saints and Commemorations 6th: The Epiphany of our Lord

 

Parish Information  

ABN.78 161 584 893.
SUNDAY WORSHIP:
Sung Eucharist and Children's Ministry at 9.30 am followed by hospitality in the hall.  Thai Community meets in the Chapel after morning tea.
WEEKDAY SERVICES:
Wednesday 9.30 a.m. - Morning Prayer;  10.00 a.m. Eucharist (followed by morning tea)
Friday 8.30a.m. – Morning Prayer
CONFESSIONS (Sacrament of Reconciliation) HOME COMMUNIONS, BAPTISMS, & MARRIAGES by arrangement.
Rector - Fr Philip Bradford.
Ph 9557 4219 - 0431 655 220 (Mob)
PO Box 64. Enmore NSW 2042
Parish email:  rector@stlukesenmore.org.au
Fr Philip:  bradford.pr@gmail.com