Sunday 7th December 2008 – 2nd Sunday of Advent
Today’s Officiant is Revd Dr Warren Huffa
WELCOME Please join us for breakfast in the hall after the 8am service or morning tea after the 10am service. At 10am please find all prayers and hymns projected onto the sanctuary walls.
THE PRAYER FOR TODAY Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
TODAY’S READINGS Isaiah 40:1-11 “Comfort for God’s people” by Margaret P
GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8 “John the Baptist prepares the way”
WARREN’S SERMON NOTES “The Durability of God’s Word”
Isaiah proper (chapters 1-39) ends on a note of destruction and despair. Israel's unfaithfulness will not go unpunished. (Isa 39:5-8) Judah will lose its king, city, temple and people; "... nothing shall be left, says the Lord." (39:6) Babylon snuffed out the kingdom of Judah in 586 BC, and took the people into exile as the Assyrians had done previously to the kingdom of Israel (2Kings 17:-6). And just as all seems lost for good, there comes a prophecy from God. 'Second Isaiah' speaks a word of comfort and grace to the people; God will come to them, their exile will end, and they will return home to the Promised Land. This "comfort" is more than consolation; rather it is God's solidarity and presence with the suffering of the people. Their exile is to end, and they will return home across the desert to the promised land.(Isa 40:1-5; see also Isa 35:8-10) The performative word of God (Isa 40:5,8) has cataclysmic implications for the empire of Babylon. It must fall to let the people go (Isa 40:10-11; Jeremiah 51:34-37; see also Exodus 5:1. The fall of pagan empire and the return home is not dependent on the strength of mere mortals but rests on God's resolve and decree. (Isa 40:6-8) God will do this. (Isa 40:9-11)
There is an excess in the prophecy of Isaiah 40 that finds its fulfilment in John the Baptist's preaching and ministry. (Mk 1:1-8; Lk 3) God is now acting decisively for all those who find themselves in exile and in need of homecoming. This includes the physical exiles and prisoners (see Matt 25:31-46; Lk 4:18-19), the excluded from society, those in need of healing, and all those who know their need and seek their true home. (Matt 11:28-30) The God of grace encountered by Israel now through Israel reaches out to the whole of humankind in Jesus.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Christophe for the 8th & Don for the 9th.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Pat & Graham and Danny & Christie for the 13th.
ORDINATION ON 29 NOVEMBER 2008
Our congratulations and best wishes to Lynda who was ordained Deacon at the service on 29 November. Lynda worked with our parish during 2007 and we greatly appreciated the special gift of her ministry. Lynda will be working at the Cathedral during 2009. Also Stephen , engaged to Adele (our previous Sunday "lap top" operator), was ordained Deacon. And of course, Brad Henley, our assistant next year, was ordained Deacon as well. Do keep these people in your prayers. Marg P
PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK’S SERVICE Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 “The year of the Lord’s favour”
Psalm 126 “A song of ascents”, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 “Final instructions”
GOSPEL John 1:6-8, 19-28 INTERCESSIONS by Max
FR RON’S PREPARATION FOR ADVENT READINGS
At 11.30 today and next Sunday, Fr Ron will be presenting sessions for preparation of the coming week’s services.
PRAYER CIRCLE meets noon on the 2nd Tuesday each month
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday
HOLY COMMUNION 9.30am every Thursday followed by morning tea in the hall.
HELPLINE
Part of being a Christian community is supporting each other in times of need. We offer short term delivery of food when required, local transport, phone calls, visits and numerous other types of assistance. It is our way of helping one another quietly and confidentially. Call Caroline or Christie.
THANK YOU to Craig and all those who are helping with the work in our garden.
EVENTS
BISHOP IAN GEORGE’S CHRISTMAS TOUR OF THE ART GALLERY OF SA
TODAY at 2PM Take this opportunity to approach Christmas through art.
ARCHBISHOP’S VISIT & BAPTISM OF KIRBY NEXT SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
19th December Children’s Service 6:30pm
POTTING PLANTS....remember our 2009 Church Treasure Market is only months away!
Everyone is looking for “water wise” plants... so when dividing up your favourite plants and succulents,
this Spring, why not pot a few extra so they are well rooted by next March ready for our Treasure
Market Plant Stall in March 2009. For more details speak to Marilyn
OUTREACH
ANGLICARE CHRISTMAS CARDS
There is a chart pinned up in the foyer on which you can write your name if you wish to order any of Anglicare's cards, which come in packs of ten. Prices $5, $6, $7, $8 and $10 per pack. Pay when you collect. Any queries phone Barbara C
ANGLICARE ENVELOPES on the table in foyer for donation toward their important work.
TOY APPEAL Joyce wishes to thank all those who helped to make this appeal so successful.
ITEMS FOR NEXT WEEK’S PEW SHEET
Forward to Wendy by 5pm Tuesdays
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