PARISH NEWS REFLECTION – Luke 3:7-18.
Imagine a man, with a long scruffy beard, wearing a camel hair cloak with a leather belt around his waist. He is homeless and a man of the wilderness eating only locusts, honey and as he wanders he preaches, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”. I suppose this image of such a man would give us reminders of certain preachers we might see on street corners, yelling and preaching that, “The end is nigh!” Many of us wouldn’t pay much attention to such people, after all, God wouldn’t use such people to herald his message. Or would he?
John the Baptist was a wild man, in many peoples eyes he would have been seen as such, but despite his outward appearance, he is a man on mission. A man sent by God to proclaim and herald the way for the coming of God’s chosen one. A coming that is so important and eminent that it calls for intense exhortations and fiery preaching. 1. True Repentance 7-14 2. The Messiah 15-18
OUR HYMNS FOR THIS SUNDAY
TIS 265 Oh come O come Emmanuel
TIS 286 Light one candle for hope
TIS 647 Comfort, comfort all my people
TIS 276 Hail to the Lord’s anointed
TIS 231 At the name of Jesus
NOTICE OF SERVICES OVER CHRISTMAS
Christmas Eve Dec 24:
7pm Family Eucharist
11pm Traditional Christmas Eve Eucharist
Saturday Dec 25: 9am Christmas Day Eucharist with Bishop PaulBarker
Sunday Dec 26: 9am Service (Only ONE service in place of 8am & 10am)
Friday Dec 31: Watchnight Service
Sunday Jan 2: 8am & 10am services (no 6pm service)
WORKING BEE
Many thanks to all who helped tidy our Church grounds last Saturday. A great job.
GIFTS FOR OUR CHRISTMAS TREE
Please bring unwrapped toys and books for children and leave under the Christmas tree BY NO LATER THAN 19 DECEMBER. These will be distributed as usual by the Andrews Centre.
MONDAY MEALS CHRISTMAS – 13 December
Our final Monday meals for the year will be on 13 December, in the church garden. Our guests are already excited at the thought of sitting together at tables again. We would appreciate your prayers for the weather and for a meal together that is steeped in the joy of the gift of Jesus to us all. As always, any contributions from our St James community of wrapped sweets, chocolates, chips shortbreads or mince pies would be fantastic. There is a box at the back of the church to leave them. Last day to donate is TODAY. Thanks, Ros Daniel.
CHURCH SAUSAGE SIZZLE AND CAROLS – 6pm
On Sunday 19 December we want to gather the church community together for an evening Picnic/Sausage sizzle on the front lawn followed by a simple Carol Service in the church. For catering purposes could you please indicate on the notice in the porch if you are attending.
SUMMER UNDER THE SUN (SUTS)
CMS is again running ‘Summer Under the Sun’ (SUTS) from 13-15 January, 2022. Theme SOMETHING BIGGER. It will be a time of great teaching, fellowship, world mission and children's program. The gospel is a vision expander. It causes us to look up and look out. Our immediate existence is given an external perspective. That is Something Bigger. Watch this space for further details.
A WONDERFUL ARTICLE IN THIS WEEK’S JOURNAL/STAR NEWS
Rev Graeme has written a very inspiring Christmas ‘Message of Hope’ in this week’s local newspapers. It is well worth trying to get a copy.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
We pray for those who are sick or troubled in body or mind, or who have special needs: (Please email contact@stjamesdandenong.com or contact clergy for prayers for anyone who is in need of them). This week we continue to pray for: Mike; Mark; Hazel; Clovis; Rose; Rhonda; Tim. If you have placed a name in the Book for Prayers, please remove anyone who no longer needs them. Alternatively email the office. We also pray for: The Anglican Church of Canada; The Diocese of Ballarat; Defence Force Chaplains; St Mary’s Sunbury; St Luke’s Sydenham; Church of the Ascension Springvale; Archbishop Philip and all our Bishops in their ministry this week.
LAWN MOWING ROSTER:
18 December: Heinz & Vic
8 January 2022: Oyem & Rob
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY: 19 December, 4th Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:2-5a; Song of Mary; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-55.