Sunday 7th December 2025 - Second Sunday of Advent

REFLECTION: Isaiah 11:1-10 “The Ministry of the Messiah - The Root of Jesse”

Advent is a time for hope. Today’s reading from Isaiah is a reading filled with hope,

firstly for Israel as they hope for their Messiah, but also for all nations, as the messiah

is not just the King of Israel, but the king of Kings & restorer & redeemer

of all things. They had waited for centuries for God’s promised Messiah. God had

promised King David that one of his sons would be called the Son of God and would

establish God’s eternal kingdom. However, one son after the other came and went

and none of them seemed to fulfil the prophecy. Finally, Jehoiachin, Israel’s last king

went into exile where he died. It seemed as though God’s promise would not be

fulfilled. The house of King David, the son of Jesse, was now a smouldering stump

cut down and burned by Babylon and there seemed no hope for the Messiah to ever

come. But a shoot what come from the apparently dead stump.

He is Jesus the Messiah. See outline.

1. The Promised Messiah.

a. A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse (1)

b. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest on him (2)

2. He will judge with righteousness

a. His delight will be in the fear of the Lord (3)

b. He shall decide with justice (3-4)

c. He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth (4-5)

3. He will make all things new (6-10)

a. Reconciling old enemies (6):

b. Transforming all things (7)

c. Lifting the curse (8-9)

d. Calling the nations to himself (10)

To Think About:

What do you most look forward to in the kingdom of the Messiah?

HYMNS

TIS 265 O come, O come Immanuel

TIS 738 Shout to the Lord

TIS 272 Come thou long expected Jesus

TIS 275 Hail to the Lord’s anointed

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.

MONDAY MEALS CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Our annual Monday Meals celebration will take place on 8th December. Just a little

over two Sundays away. As always, we would be very grateful to our parish

community for any donations before then of food like mince pies, wrapped sweets,

chocolates, biscuits or chips to add to our meal. There is a box at the back of the

church to place them in. We’re very grateful for your kindness. Thank you.

The normal December Monday Meal will be held this Monday Dec 1st.

THE CMS SUTS CONFERENCE

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

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

teaching, and a chance to catch up with CMS missionaries. Why not plan to go!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND NIGHT MARKET

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

Carol Service at 7pm and including stalls selling Christmas treats, cakes, craft items, jewellery, lucky dip and much more! The market starts at 5:30pm and goes

until 6:45pm. Stalls will then close so we can all go in for the Carol Service in the

church. The Christmas Market will continue after 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 and bring your friends and family. Speak to Naomi if

you can help.

LAST DAY FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND HAMPERS

Christmas gifts for the Andrews Centre must be in by this Sunday as well as

donations for the Monday Meals Christmas lunch.

NO WORKING BEE THIS SATURDAY

A huge thankyou to the faithful volunteers who have been coming week after week

to plant trees and bushes. We are going to have a break this Saturday but plan to

resume on the 13th for a final working bee for the year.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Flyers will be available this Sunday for our Christmas program. Please take some

and invite friends and put them up around town. Lets pack the place out this

Christmas!

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

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

Eucharist Christmas Service, and at 11pm Traditional Christmas Eucharist. There

will be a 9am Christmas Day service.

BAPTISM

Today, at the 10am service we welcome in Holy Baptism Morgan Elfadil Boali and

Ladu Mulai. May their baptism be for each of them a special moment in the walk of

faith.

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: Upper Yarra Anglican Parish (Luke Whiteside);

The Diocese of Wangaratta (Bp Clarence Bester, Clergy & People); Police Force

Chaplains (Drew Mellor & other Chaplains) and members of the Police Force; The

Church of Bangladesh (Bp Samuel Sunil Mankhin); St John’s Healesville with St

Paul’s Yarra Glen – Pastoral service (Bp Paul Barker); Glen Waverley Anglican –

Pastoral service (Bp Kate Prowd); St Michael’s North Carlton– Pastoral visit (Bp

Genieve Blackwell);

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 14th December: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm Song

of Mary; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.

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.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 13th December – Rusty

20th December – Heinz & Rusty