St Luke's Enmore with Stanmore           And the week Before this?

An Anglican Parish in the Diocese of Sydney.

Second Sunday of Advent       7^th December 2014

 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.

 

 

 

 

Today is our first of two encounters with John the Baptizer this season. His is a figure that has become almost routine to us in its strangeness. Yet his message is not routine at all: while wearing camel's hair clothing and eating locusts, he yells at us that someone is coming who will baptize us with fire. But this, we must remember, is the ‘beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ’ (1.1) – and the gospel of Jesus is so remarkable and contrary to expectations that it must be announced by a wild, uncommon figure.
Pray that God will open our eyes to all the people through whom the gospel is being revealed to us - people who are very like us, and people who are very different.
Pray for the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea, giving thanks for the work they do to further God’s mission in the world.
Text:    Mr Joe Woodfin, the School of Theology,  the University of the South (Sewanee, TN, USA) © Anglican Board of Mission, 2014

Congratulations to all who helped make the Christmas Market a success.
To everyone who provided/cooked/prepared/set-up/cleaned-up, served on the day and counted the money; a big thank you!  The Christmas Market raised a total of $5,282.20 (after we deducted the $300 cash float borrowed from the Opshop). The individual stall profits are as follows:-

Stall	Amount
Cakes & Preserves etc	$2,788.00
White Elephant	$399.60
Craft & Plants	$337.50
Hamper Raffle	$349.00
Books	$309.20
Sausage Sizzle	$234.00
Thai Food Assn Stalls	$271.30
Thai (St Luke's)	$270.60
Tea/Coffee Shoppe	$213.00
Laykum (Massage)	$110.00
Total:	$5,282.20

Introit Hymn: TiS  270   On Jordan’s bank, the Baptist’s cry

Advent Wreath Carol: TiS  286   Light one candle for hope.

Sentence: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.                                    Mark 1.15

Collect:  

God of all peoples,
whose servant John came baptizing and calling for repentance:
 help us to hear his voice of judgement,
that we may also rejoice in his word of promise,
and be found pure and blameless in that glorious Day
when Christ comes to rule the earth as Prince of Peace;
who lives and  reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and  for ever. Amen.

First Reading                          Isaiah 40.1-11

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

. For the Word of the Lord                   Thanks be to God

Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13

1.  1 O Lord you were gracious | to your | land:
        you re|stored the | fortunes of | Jacob.
   2 You forgave the iniquity | of your | people:
         and | covered | all their | sin.
   8 I will hear what the Lord | God will | speak:
         for he will speak peace to his people whose | hearts are | turned to | him.
   9 Truly his salvation is near to | those that | fear him:
        and his | glory shall | dwell in our | land.
   10 Mercy and truth are | met to|gether:
           righteousness and | peace have | kissed each | other;
   11 Truth shall flourish | out of the | earth:
          and righteousness | shall look | down from | heaven.
   12 The Lord will also give us | all that is | good:
           and our | land shall | yield its | plenty.
   13 For righteousness shall | go be|fore him:
           and tread the | path be|fore his | feet.
   Glo|ry to | God; Father | Son and | Holy | Spirit.
   As in the be|ginning so | now; and for | ever. | A|men.

Second Reading                2 Peter 3.8-15a

A reading from the second letter of Peter

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.  Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

For the Word of the Lord                            Thanks be to God

Gospel  Procession      TiS  688   Come to be our hope, O Jesus

Gospel Acclamation:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Prepare the way for the Lord, make | straight his | paths:
all people shall see the sal|vation | of our | God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

The Gospel  Mark 1.1-8

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
X Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
For the Gospel of the Lord                         Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Hymn after the Sermon, TiS 264   Hark! A herald voice is calling

Offertory Hymn, TiS 275   Hail to the Lord’s anointed.

Communion Chant,    

Hymn after the Blessing, TiS 265   O come, O come, Emmanuel

Please join us in the Hall afterwards for some refreshment fellowship.
At 12 noon, you are invited to lunch at the Warren View Hotel Bistro (it is child friendly, enter via Enmore Road)

 

Parish Prayer

Gracious God,
we pray for our Parish of St Luke,
for our rector and all who worship here.
At this time of change, we pray that this Parish
will always have a faithful pastor,
who will faithfully speak your word
and minister your Sacraments;
an encourager who will equip your people for ministry
and enable us to fulfil our calling.
Give to those who will choose a new rector,
wisdom, discernment and patience.
Give to us warm and generous hearts; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Notices for December 7th 2014

Happy Birthday to: His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand; Ross Lehman; Pauline Newell; Edward Reddy; Jeffrey Sheather; Raboom Takham; Christine Thurley; Belinda Reddy; Edward Benson; Kathy Drummond; Georgie Martin;  Fran Morris; Melinda Seed; Neville Daniels; Jennifer Bestel; Thomas Fleming & Brian Rawnsley.
Parish Council
The last Parish Council meeting for this year will be held on Tuesday 9 December at 7.00 p.m., followed by supper in the Rectory.  PC Members, please bring a plate to share.
Women’s Reading Group next meets on Wed 10 December at 7.30 p.m. at Pauline Newell’s home in Petersham. 

THE WORD MADE FLESH
The contemporary theologian David Ford has called the prologue to John's Gospel "the most influential short passage in the history of Christian theology."
“The Gospel for Christmas Day strips aside the manger, the mum, the donkey and the shepherds - and the rest of our traditional decorations - taking us straight to the heart of the astonishing consequences of the incarnation of Jesus.”
These three short studies will be shared by the communities of St Jospeh's Newtown and St Luke's Enmore.  Start 7pm; duration approximately 80 minutes.
Wednesday December 10: John 1.10-13, The true light [at St Luke's]
Wednesday Dec 17: John 1.14-18, Tabernacled among us [St Joseph’s]
The Christmas Bowl Appeal – Act for Peace 2014 – the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia.
It all started on Christmas day in 1949, when the Rev’d Frank Byatt of Victoria placed an empty bowl on the dinner table and asked those present to give what they considered to be the cost of the meal.
It is customary for us to contribute the approximate cost of our Christmas dinner.  Envelopes are provided and you may request a receipt, if you donate directly (you can also donate online).  However, you may prefer to put money each week in the envelopes provided and put them in with your offertory collection.  The money is recorded, banked and then the church sends a cheque for the total amount.  Please give what you can to this important work of the National Church.
Stanmore Nursing Home
On Sunday 21 December we will be going to the Stanmore Nursing Home to sing carols and distribute small gifts to each of the patients.  It is customary for us to give them sweets or chocolates and if you would like to make a donation, Ruth will purchase the gifts.  Please put your donation in an envelope marked “Nursing Home gift” and put it in the offertory bag over the next 2 Sundays; finishing on 14 December.  Thank you!
The Book Stall has Christmas cards! Speak to Jenny Winton if you want to buy some. Also, other Christmassy things are on sale.

Sunday 14 December 9.30am Sung Eucharist with visiting preacher, Bishop Keith Rayner, former Primate and Archbishop of Adelaide then Melbourne.
4.00p.m. Sung Advent Service with the Brabyn Singers and High Tea.
Christmas Play without Rehearsal
Saturday 20th December, at 7.00pm  in the church.
Every one who attends may play a part, especially Children. We start getting ready from 6.30pm, so be early to get a good costume (or bring your own)
Christmas Eve.From 8pm, Thai Community Christmas Party in the Hall
11.30pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day – 9.30am   Christmas Carols and Communion
Opshop
We are still looking for more people to help on Saturdays – please let Andy Serafin, Peter Seymour or Ruth Champion know if you can help.

 

Bible Readings for the Week 10th to 16th November 2014

Monday	Isaiah  35.1-10	Psalm 85.8-13	Luke 5.17-26
Tuesday	Isaiah 40.1-11	Psalm 96.7-13	Matthew 18.12-14
Wednesday	Isaiah 40.25-31	Psalm 103.1-5	Matthew 11.28-30
Thursday	Isaiah 41.13-20	Psalm  145.8-13	Matthew 11.11-15
Friday	Isaiah 48.17-19	Psalm  1	Matthew  11.16-19
Saturday	Sirach48.1-4, 9-11	Psalm 80.14-19	Matthew  17.10-13

The concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th Century.[7] However, it is not until three centuries later that the modern Advent wreath took shape.[8]

Research by Prof. Haemig of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, points to Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor as the inventor of the modern Advent wreath in the 19th century. During Advent, children at the mission school Rauhes Haus, founded by Wichern in Hamburg, would ask daily if Christmas had arrived. In 1839, he built a large wooden ring (made out of an old cartwheel) with 20 small red and 4 large white candles. A small candle was lit successively every weekday during Advent. On Sundays, a large white candle was lit. The custom gained ground among Protestant churches in Germany and evolved into the smaller wreath with four or five candles known today. Roman Catholics in Germany began to adopt the custom in the 1920s, and in the 1930s it spread to North America. Professor Haemig's research also indicates that the custom did not reach the United States until the 1930s, even among German Lutheran immigrants.

In Medieval times advent was a fast during which people's thoughts were directed to the expected second coming of Christ; but in modern times it has been seen as the lead up to Christmas, and in that context Advent Wreath serves as a reminder of the approach of the feast.

Next Week's readings,    Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11.  Psalm 126.  1 Thessalonians 5.12-28. John 1.6-8,19-28

Intercessions

Intercessions

Prayers for each day of the week Today;  Robert, Gillian, William & Benjamin Lamb;Ross Lehman & Kuna Arjunan. Monday; Geoff Lindsay & Mandy Tibbey. Fabian LoSchiavo; Blue Luangjai; Nan Luangjai. Tuesday;  Evelyn Maack; Amrit MacIntyre & Brett Davies; Lea MacNeil & Donald Thompson. Wednesday;  Mac Maitree; Alex Maneekaew; Merrill & Georgie Martin Ken Mason. Thursday; Michael McGrath, Jacqueline Hicks, Sam & Sophie; John Merchant; Ron Morris; Fran Morris. Friday; Meagan Morrison; Ron, Anthea, Ronan, Veronica & Rohan Nath; Pauline Newell. Saturday; John Nitcharoen; Mathias Oduro; Stuart Ogg; Katherine Oldfield; Julie & Philippa Olston.

Our Prayers for those in need... Antonieta Barrera; Todd Bassingthwaighte; Ross Black; Jason Broadbridge; Henry & Maureen Byers; Ken Harrison; Rhodri, Bonnie, Callum & Rhiannon Henry-Edwards; Joy Gander; Ross Lehman; Marie McGrath; Marissa; June Nash; Christopher Pitman; Bill &  Poppy Prezios; Brian Rawnsley Joy Ree, Alex Regos; Brenda Robinson;  Edward  Joyce & Eddie  & Bryson Reddy; Steve Rougellis; Maria Sevilla; Julie & Alex Wright. Anniversaries of Death Kathleen Anderson; Mary Crowther; James Gavin; Allen Wells Saints and Commemorations Monday 8th : The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saturday 13th :Lucy, martyr and virgin (d.304)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A note about the Intercessions. Our prayers for those in need are for people in serious difficulties. We pray regularly for all parishioners on each day of the week. Intercessors may like to use Christian names only on Sundays.

Parish Information                                              ABN.78 161 584 893.
SUNDAY WORSHIP    Sung Eucharist and Children's Ministry 9.30am Thai Worship in the Chapel 11.30am
WEEKDAY SERVICES: Morning Prayer Tuesday 8.30, Wednesday 9.30am followed by 10.00 a.m. Eucharist; Thursday 8.30am, Friday 8.30am.
CONFESSIONS (Sacrament of Reconciliation) HOME COMMUNIONS, BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES by arrangement.
RECTOR. Fr Gwilym Henry‑Edwards. (Ph 9557 4219 Mb 0418 641 189)
11 Stanmore Road, Enmore                            PO Box 64. Enmore NSW 2042