Sunday 21st December 2025 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

REFLECTION: Isaiah 7:10-16 – “Immanuel – God is with us”

Where is God when we are in trouble? Sometimes he just seems silent or even

absent. We start to wonder if we have got it all wrong with him.

You wouldn’t be the first to feel that God sometimes seems far away. At many

times in their history, the people of Israel felt alone and far from God and

wondered if they were about to be extinguished as a nation. They wondered if

God had abandoned them. They needed to know that he was still with them. In

today’s reading, Ahaz, the king of Judah asks God for a sign and the sign that God

gives is a virgin giving birth to boy whose name will be Immanuel, God is with us.

Here is an outline:

1. A miraculous sign:

a. Ahaz asks for a sign that God is with them

b. The young woman is with child and shall bear a son. Isaiah 7:14

c. Mary... was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18

d. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph. Matthew 1:20

2. A marvellous presence.

a. They will name him Immanuel (which means “God is with us”). Isaiah 7:14,

Matthew 1:23

3. A glorious salvation:

a. The lands of those two kings who terrify you will be deserted. Isaiah 7:16

b. Give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:22

To think About

What difference does it make to how you live, to know that God is with you?

HYMNS

TIS 268 Joy to the world

TIS 286 Light one candle

MP 749 What Child is this

MP 465 Meekness and Majesty

TIS 316 O little town of Bethlehem

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.

WEDNESDAY MORNING SERVICES

Will continue as usual over the next two weeks even though they fall on Christmas

Eve and New Year’s Eve.

WATCH NIGHT SERVICE

On December 31st at 11:00 pm.

WATERING

We have lots of new plants that we have planted at our working bees. If you can

help with the watering, please see Jane Peters

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 SUTS 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.

THE FUNERAL OF FRED SULMAN

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

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: St Silas and St Anselm, Albert Park; The Diocese

of Bunbury; Evangelism in the Diocese; The Anglican Church of Burundi; St

Thomas’ Langwarrin – Pastoral service; Melbourne Assessment Prison–Visit; St

Paul’s Kew – Pastoral visit; Diocesan administrator bishop Genieve and all our

bishops in their ministry this week.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 20th December – Heinz & Rusty

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 28th December: Isaiah 63. 7-9;

Psalm: 148. Hebrews 2.10-18; Matthew 2.13-23.

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR MELBOURNE ANGLICAN MAGAZINE

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