St Luke's Enmore with Stanmore           Click here to reflect on the Second Sunday of Advent

An Anglican Parish in the Diocese of Sydney.

Third Sunday of Advent      13^th December 2015

 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.

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 rose-coloured 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!

• Pray with an open and joyful heart that Christ’s coming will herald a time of peace for all nations. Rejoice!
• Pray for the Church of the Province of Central Africa, giving thanks for the work they do to further God’s mission in the world.

Text:               The Rev Laurette Glasgow, Special Advisor for Government Relations for the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of Ottawa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2015

Introit Hymn: TIS  454 - Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness  

                    Liturgy for Lighting the Advent Candle

3rd Sunday of Advent – Joy

The Minister greets the congregation:

The Lord be with you
All: And also with you

(The two candles are lit.)

Minister:                                                                                                         
We have re-lit the two candles in our Advent wreath,
               to remind us of God’s gifts of hope and peace.  
              Today we light the third candle, the candle of joy.  

              The Book of Isaiah describes the joy that will come with
        the dawning of God’s reign of peace.  
        Jesus came to bring good news to the poor,
        sight to the blind and to set the captives free.

All:         We light this candle of joy and thank God for the gift of Jesus who sets us free.

(The third candle is lit.)

All:         God of all compassion help us to remember that you are the source of all joy.   May your love flow through us into the world, giving birth to great joy.  
We pray this in Jesus’ name.   Amen

The 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 3.16–17

The 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

.

First Reading                                                           Zephaniah 3.14-20

A reading from the book of the prophet Zephaniah

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!  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. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak.  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 as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.  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.   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 .

For the word of the Lord                                        Thanks be to God  

Song of Zechariah

Behold, God is | my sal-| vation:
I will trust and | will not | be a-| fraid;

For the Lord God is my | strength and my | song:
and has be-| come | my sal-| vation.

With joy you | will draw | water:
from the | wells | of sal-| vation.

On that day | you will | say:
Give thanks to the Lord, | call u-| pon his | name;

Make known his deeds a-| mong the | nations:
proclaim that his | name | is e-| xalted.

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.

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

Second Reading                                                                  Philippians 4.4-7
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

.

For the word of the Lord                                         Thanks be to God

Gospel Procession

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
The Spirit of the | Lord is u-| pon me;
he sent me to | bring Good | News to the | poor.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

 

The Gospel                                                                    Luke 3.7-18
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

X Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

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? 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. 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.’ And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ 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.  As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answerer 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.  His winnowing-fork 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.’ So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

For the Gospel of the Lord                     Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

The Sermon

Hymn after Sermon:  TIS – 264 – Hark a herald voice is calling

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.

 

Offertory Hymn: TIS – 534 – Love is His Word…..

 

Hymn during Communion:   

 

Final Hymn:TIS – 283 – Long ago, prophets knew…

The Blessing

Memorial of the Incarnation

 

Next Sunday: Fourth  Sunday of Advent

Micah 5.2-5a: Song of Mary (APBA p. 425)
Hebrews 10.5-10: and Luke 1.39-45

Bible Readings for the Week 14th to 20th December2014

MONDAY	Numbers 24.2-7,15-17	Psalm 25.3-9	Matthew  21.23-27
TUESDAY	Zephaniah 3.1-2,9-13	Psalm 34.15-22	Matthew 21.28-32
WEDNESDAY	Isaiah 45.6-8,18,45.21-26	Psalm 85.8-13	Luke 7.19-23
THURSDAY	Genesis 49.2,8-10	Psalm 72.1-7	Matthew 1.1-17
FRIDAY	Jeremiah 23.5-8	Psalm 72.15-19	Matthew 1.18-24
SATURDAY	Judges 13.2-7,24-25	Psalm 71.17-21	Luke 1.5-25

 

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Notices for the Third week of November:

Stanmore Nursing Home Gifts – this Sunday is the last day we collect donations towards our purchase of a gift for each patient.  Please take one of the envelopes provided and put your donation into the offertory bag.  All donations large or small are gratefully received!
Please see that we have a plate at the side of the Advent Candle Wreath for your Christmas Bowl Appeal envelopes.  Please give generously to this annual appeal – we like to suggest an amount equal to the cost of your Christmas dinner.  This year your donation helps with clean water projects for Southern Sudan; water and sanitation project in Indonesia; recovery/rebuilding in Vanuatu and other projects for Zimbabwe and Myanmar.
Tuesday 15th December at 1.30 p.m. – Requiem Mass for the late Joy Gander.  St Luke’s parishioners are invited to come.
Wednesday 16th December – Women’s Reading Group will meet at 7.30 p.m. at Pauline Newell’s home.  All women are welcome to come and share in our last discussion on “Fields of Blood”- a new book will be chosen for next year.
Thursday 17th December 7 pm - Advent Bible Study at St Luke’s – it would be lovely to see a crowd of us in attendance - we have been well out numbered by the other two churches!.  See the notice board for details.
Sunday 20 December – 9.30 a.m. Presentation to Children at St Luke’s and a visit to Stanmore Nursing Home with gifts and carol singing after morning tea.
Sunday 20 December at 6.30 p.m. – Children’s Nativity – Play Without Rehearsal.  All children are invited to dress-up and come and participate in the play; refreshments will be in the hall after the play.

Christmas 2015:
Thursday 24 December – 9.00 a.m. - working bee; please help if you can.
Midnight Mass commences at 11.30 p.m.
Christmas Day – 9.30 a.m. Family Eucharist – morning tea following.
2016
Epiphany in the Mountains – Saturday 9 January 12 noon at Lea MacNeal and Don Thomas’ home, 22 Albert St Leura.  All welcome.

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, VIictoria
SPEAKERS include: Stephen Pickard; Dorothy Lee; Justin Duckworth; Stephen Bevans
For information email: theologyevents@trinity.edu.au

If you are interested in attending, please speak with Fr Philip, Moya, Jennie Winton or Ruth.

New on the Bookstall ….
A New Exile: The future of Anglicanism by Muriel Porter.
This is a ‘must read’; new stock in.
Flight, Nadia Wheatley’s new book.
Advent Colouring Books for adults.
Expected soon: A Man Called Johnny Mac: Selected writings of Bishop John McIntyre
Christmas Cards from various charities.
Handmade greeting cards from Indonesia.
Don’t forget to visit the Bookstall on your way to morning tea.

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: Ross Lehman & Kuna; Geoff Lindsay & Mandy Tibbey; Fabian LoSchiavo; Evelyn Maack. Monday: Amrit MacIntyre & Brett Davies; Donald Thomas & Lea MacNeil; Alex Maneekaew; Merrill & Georgie Martin. Tuesday: Bp Ken Mason; John M; Ron Morris; Fran Morris; Ron, Anthea, Ronan, Veronica & Rohan Nath. Wednesday: Pauline Newell; Johnny Pittaya & Darunee; Mathias Oduro; Stuart Ogg; Katherine Oldfield; Julie & Philippa Olston. Thursday: Ann, Rachel Petersen & Wolf; Jenny Praisang; Simon, Annisa, Caitlin & Georgia Probets; Tony Purcell. Friday: Ramendra, Jo, Thomas & Lucy Raj; Winnie Rakphong; Milk Raksajit; Brian Rawnsley & Janet Widmer. Saturday: Andrew, Rachel, Bianca, Bryson & Belinda; Eddie, Susan, Edwin & Stephanie; Edward & Joyce Reddy.

Our Prayers for those in immediate need... Simon LoSchiavo, Leanne, Madeline, Bishop Ivan Lee; Florence Shellard, 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; 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; Mary Sotiriadis; Sr Fiona CSC; Trier Family and Saria Sevilla and Antoun Recent Departed Joy Gander Anniversaries of Deaths. James Gavin; Allen Wells; Oswald Coombs; Florence Thomas; Sarah Kettlewell;Sidney Smith; Giuseppe Bruzzese. Saints and Commemorations 14th: John of the Cross, mystic & teacher (d.1591)

 

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