Sunday 14th December 2025 - Third Sunday of Advent

REFLECTION: Isaiah 35:1-10 ‘Is he the one?’

John the Baptist was beginning to doubt himself. He had believed that Jesus was

the Messiah, the one that God had promised to send, but he was having second

thoughts so he sent some of his followers to ask Jesus directly, “Are you the one

who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Matthew 11:2.

Jesus’ answer draws strongly from our reading in Isaiah 35 and other parts of

Isaiah. He has given sight to the blind, healed the lame and preached good news to

the poor. He has fulfilled the signs that will accompany the coming of the Messiah.

See the outline of this Sunday’s message.

Israel’s Rescue – Israel’s Saviour (Isaiah 35:1-10)

1 “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and

blossom” (1-2)

a. The eyes of the blind shall be opened (3-6)

b. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert (6-7)

c. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called “The Holy Way” (8-10)

2. Our Rescue – Our Saviour.

a. “Are you the one who is to come?” (Matthew 11:1-2)

b. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk” (Matthew 11:4-5).

c. “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matthew 11:6).

d. “Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8).

To think About

Do you believe that Jesus is God’s Messiah?

Hymns:

TIS 446 Glorious thing of you are spoken

MP 1085 Let the weak say I am strong

MP 673 There is a redeemer

TIS 569 Guide me O thou great redeemer

CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND NIGHT MARET

Sunday December 21st. Keep the date free for a fun filled evening featuring our

Carol Service at 7pm including stalls selling Christmas treats like cakes, craft

items, jewellery, lucky dip and much more! The market starts at 5.30pm and goes

until 6.45pm. Stall will then close so we can all go in for the Carol Service where

hot food and drinks will be on sale for your culinary enjoyment. Join us for this

very special night of fun, food and music, bring your family and friends. Speak to

Naomi if you can help

NEW CARPARK NOW OPEN

We are now able to use our new carpark with entry off McCrae Street. Please try

and park in the bays marked by the white discs.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Flyers will be available for our Christmas program. Please take some and invite

friends and put the up around town. Let’s pack the place out this place out this

Christmas.

THE CMS SUITS CONFERENCE

Will be held for just 2 days on Thursday 8th until Friday 9th of January at Syndal

Baptist Church. It is always a great opportunity for fellowship, good bile teaching

and a chance to catch up with CMS Missionaries. Why not plan to go?

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

On December 24th there will be the usual 10am Wednesday service, a 7pm Family

Eucharist Christmas Service and at 11pm Traditional Eucharist service. There will

be a 9am Service on Christmas Day.

BAPTISM

Today Amber and James Bowen bring their baby girl Isla Grace for Holy

Baptism. A big welcome to all the family and friends who have come for this

baptism

WORKING BEE

We will have one last working bee for the year this Saturday morning planting out

the last plants and spreading mulch. If anyone is available to help with watering

our new plants over summer, please speak to Jane Peters.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS

Have been donated in loving memory of Gordon Cropp. Sadly missed and forever

remembered by his family.

THE FUNERAL OF FRED SULMAN

Will be held at St James on Monday Dec 29th at 10:30am.

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: St Stephen's Anglican Congregation-Karen

Community Werribee; The Anglican Church of Australia; Melbourne Anglican

diocesan schools commission; Anglican episcopal church of Brazil; Longbeach

Anglican parish: st chad’s–confirmation service; St Augustine’s Mentone–pastoral

service; Christ church Brunswick – pastoral service; Diocesan administrator bishop

Genieve and all our bishops in their ministry this week.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 14th December: Isaiah 7. 10-16; Psalm: 80. 1-7, 17-19; Romans 1.1-7; Matthew 1.18-25.

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Anthony, Mike, Cecil, Ruth,

Eva, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Natasha, Patty, Melenny, Noel, Dean, Amy, Chelsea, Paul,

Charles, Alan, Sally, Marla, Robert, Sherene, Shereen & Gay

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 13th December – Rusty