St Luke's Enmore with Stanmore
An Anglican Parish in the Diocese
of
Fourth Sunday of Advent 21st 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.
Celebrant & Preacher Fr. Gwilym Henry-Edwards
Welcomers Today: Ruth Champion & John Tonetti
Next week: Kevin Green & Mac Maitree
Readers Today Ann Petersen & Thai Community
Readers next week: David Dunlop and one other.
Intercessor: Ruth Champion Next week: Peter Gilbert
Hospitality: Katherine Oldfield & Sally Woellner
Next week: Les Carrington. Could you bring a plate for morning tea please as Ross Lehman is still recovering. Thank you
Cleaners Saturday 27th: Flowers Moya Holle & Ruth Champion
24th Christmas Eve Welcomers: Fabian LoSchiavo & Nadia Wheatley.
Readers: Susan Henry-Edwards & John Roe.
25th Readers: Susan Hill & Peter Gilbert
This week we begin to get the sense that the powerful coming of Jesus about which we have been hearing in the last three weeks might be in a surprising form. An angel comes to a young, powerless, marginalized woman in an outlying province of the world's largest empire and announces the birth of a son. Yet this story is full of surprising reversals: the powerful Messiah will come as a helpless baby, and at the same time, powerless Mary is filled with more power than anyone on earth when she consents to become the mother of our Lord.
- Pray that we may consent to God's work in us, however surprising it might be.
- Pray for the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, the Philippine Independent Church, 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
Introit Hymn: TiS 302 The angel Gabriel from heaven came
Advent Wreath Carol: TiS 286 Light one candle for hope.
Sentence: A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel: God with us. Matthew 1.23
Collect: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.
First Reading 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16
A reading from the second book of Samuel
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.’
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.
Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.
. For the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Psalm 89.1-4, 19-27
-
1 Lord I will sing for ever of your | loving-| kindnesses:
my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness through | out all | gener|ations.
2 I have said of your loving-kindness that it is | built for | ever:
you have established your | faithfulness | in the | heavens.
3 The Lord said ‘I have made a covenant | with my | chosen:
I have sworn on | oath to my | servant | David.
4 ‘I will establish your | line for | ever:
and build up your | throne for | all gener|ations.’
19 You spoke | once in a | vision:
and | said | to your | faithful one,
20 ‘I have set a youth a|bove a | warrior:
I have exalted a | young man | out of the | people.
21 ‘I have found my | servant | David:
and anointed him | with my | holy | oil.
22 ‘My hand | shall up|hold him:
and my | arm | shall | strengthen him.
23 ‘No enemy | shall de|ceive him:
no | evil | man shall | hurt him.
24 ‘I will crush his | adversaries be|fore him:
and | strike down | those that | hate him.
25 ‘My faithfulness and loving-kindness | shall be | with him:
and through my name his | head shall be | lifted | high.
26 ‘I will set the hand of his dominion upon the | Western | Sea:
and his right hand shall stretch to the | streams of | Mesopot|amia.
† 27 ‘He will call to me |'You are my | Father:
my God and the | Rock of | my sal|vation”
Glo|ry to | God; Father | Son and | Holy | Spirit.
As in the be|ginning so | now; and for | ever. | A|men.
Second Reading Romans 16.25-27
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.
For the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Procession 307 The virgin Mary had a baby boy
Gospel Acclamation:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
A virgin will give | birth to a | son;
his name will be Em|manuel | God is | with us..
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Gospel Luke 1.26-38
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
X Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
For the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Hymn after the Sermon, TiS 295 Saviour of the nations come
Tune; Monkland (TiS 83)
Offertory Hymn,
1 Father eternal, ruler of creation,
Spirit of life, which moved ere form was made,
through the thick darkness covering every nation,
light to man’s blindness, O be thou our aid.
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, thy will be done.
2 Races and peoples, lo, we stand divided
and, sharing not our griefs, no joy can share;
by wars and tumults Lpve is mocked, derided,
his conquering cross no kingdom wills to bear.
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, thy will be done.
3 Envious of heart, blind-eyed, with tongues confounded,
nation by nation still goes unforgiven;
in wrath and fear, by jealousies surrounded,
building proud towers which shall not reach to heaven.
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, thy will be done.
4 Lust of possession worketh desolations;
there is no meekness in the Sons of earth;
led by no star, the rulers of the nations
still fail to bring us to the blissful birth.
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, thy will be done.
5 How shall we love thee, holy, hidden Being,
if we love not the world which thou hast made?
O give us brother-love for better seeing
thy word made flesh and in a manger laid.
Thy kingdom come, O Lord, thy will be done.
Laurence Housman 1865-1959
This hymn was chosen by John Tonetti. Laurence Housman was the younger brother of the poet, A.E.Housman
Communion Chant,
Hymn after the Blessing, TiS 161 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
Please join us in the Hall afterwards for some refreshment and 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 21st 2014
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.
EVENTS IN THE ORDER THEY HAPPEN
Today after Church - Stanmore Nursing Home
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 Today. Thank you!
Donations for Christmas Flowers
Moya Holle and Ruth Champion would appreciate donations for flowers for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
The Book Stall has Christmas cards! Speak to Jenny Winton if you want to buy some. Also, other Christmassy things are on sale.
Christmas Eve. Wednesday 24th December
10am Eucharist in the chapel
From 8pm, Thai Community Christmas Party in the Hall
11.30pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day – 9.30am Christmas Carols and Communion
Sunday 28th December 2014 – Holy Innocents
Saturday 3rd January 2015
Epiphany Pilgrimage to the Blue Mountains.
Eucharist at 12 noon and Barbecue afterwards at Lea and Don’s house, 22 Albert Street, Leura
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.
Sunday 4th January. Epiphany in Enmore, St Luke’s 9.30am
Sunday 11th: Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday 18th:Second Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday 25th: Conversion of St Paul
Sunday 1st February: Candlemass. This is to be Fr Gwilym’s last Sunday in the Parish. There is to be a Farewell after the 9.30am Service
Bible Readings for the Week 15th to 21st December 2014
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Next Week's readings, Holy Innocents
Jeremiah 31.15-20. Psalm 124. 1 John 1.5-2.2. Matthew 2.13-18
Bible Readings for the Week 22nd to 28th December 2014
Intercessions
Prayers for each day of the week Today; John Tonetti; Stuart, Jo & Laurence Burton-Veitch; Nadia Wheatley. |
Our Prayers for those in need... Antonieta Barrera; Sr Ann-Mechtilde CSC; Todd Bassingthwaighte; Ross Black; Henry & Maureen Byers; Gillian Carpenter; Ken Harrison; Rhodri, Bonnie, Callum & Rhiannon Henry-Edwards; Joy Gander; Surrinder Kayla; Ross Lehman; Marie McGrath; Marissa; Kay Matthews; June Nash; Barbara Noble; Bill & Poppy Prezios; Brian Rawnsley; Joy Ree, Alex Regos; Brenda Robinson; Steve Rougellis; Maria Sevilla; Julie & Alex Wright; Sakorn & Waew Wongjam, Raboom Takham. Anniversaries of Death Bill Carter; Arthur Porter; Adrian Archimal; Ada Ferris; Nellie Potts. Saints and Commemorations Monday: Thomas, Apostle & martyr |
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
