The Parish of Gisborne would like to acknowledge that we meet on Kulin Nation country. We pay our respects to Kulin Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to any First

Nations people who are present today. We acknowledge that Aboriginal sovereignty has not been ceded.

The Parish of Gisborne is committed to being a Child Safe organisation.The Parish of Gisborne is committed to being a Child Safe organisation.

Jesus looked at him and loved himwww.loveformyanmar.org

FOURTH SUNDAY of ADVENT Year C

Saturday 18th December 20215.30 pm St John’s, Riddells Creek

Sunday 19th December 20219 am St Paul’s, Gisborne

10.30 am Church of the Resurrection, Macedon

2

WelcomeWe extend a very warm welcome to everyone who joins us for worship. Whether you are a visitor or a regular parishioner of the Anglican Church, you are invited to join us in Holy Communion. Please make yourself known to us and if you would like more information about our community and ministry, then please take a copy of our welcome brochure, visit our website or ask one of our ushers.

Today’s worship:

ADVENT 4 Micah 5.2-5a Magnificat Hebrews 10.5-10 Luke 1.39-45 Feast of STEPHEN 2 Chronicles 24.17-22 Psalm 31.1-8 Acts 6.8-10; 7.54-60 Matthew 10.17-22 Parish Fire Policy.

If a code red day is declared [this is the most extreme rating] and this occurs on a Saturday or Sunday, then please note that all services and parish activities will be cancelled on that day. This policy will also apply during the week and to all our centres. For other fire danger ratings, it is important that everyone follows their own fire plan. Your own fire plan must always take precedence – even if you are on a rostered duty.

Texts from A Prayer Book for Australia © Broughton Publishing 1995 Reproduced with permission. Other liturgical material from Common Worship © The Church of England, and Celebrating the Christian Year, Alan Griffiths (2004). Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible,  NCCA (1990) and is used by permission.  Hymns licensed CCLI Licence 341440. Prayers based on leading Intercessions by Ray Chapman, Canterbury Press, Norwich 2006, or Janet L Nelson .Bible quotations are from the NRSV, NCCA (1990), used by permission.

At times, when stressed, the opportunity to raise our voices in praise to God may seem far from our minds. We cannot begin to fathom what it was like for the young Mary to have pondered all the things said to her by the angel Gabriel, and all seemed impossible, improbable, and full of risk.Having consented to the angel’s words, Mary immediately visited her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was already in her second trimester, carry-ing John the Baptist. Mary’s visit not only confirmed that the improbable news of Elizabeth being with child was true, but Elizabeth confirmed the words of the angel.Half-understood, a child to a young girl was to change the world, and for Mary, it changed her life immediately. The risk of being with child without a husband carries a potential death sentence or even a life of poverty and isolation. Yet, Mary, pondering all of this in her heart, raised her voice in praise to God. Could we, facing the same, appreciate the magnificence?

3

The Gathering of God’s PeoplePlease remain quiet once the music has stopped playing.

Meditation point: LOVE: family, community, withinPlease stand when the bell rings.The ministers process to the Advent Wreath during the singing.

The first, second and third candles, the Candles of Hope, Peace and Joy are lit.Joy, joy, joy,we praise you Christ with joy.Our peace our hope, our love and treasure,highest calling deepest pleasure.Joy, joy, joyWe praise You Christ with joy

We light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of love.Jesus, light of our world,we hope for change in our own lives and in your world.We watch and work and waittogether for love. Amen.

Love, love, love -The heart of Christ is love.On all who come He pours His presence, Life and love in holy essence.Love, love, love -The heart of Christ is love.

CCLI Song # 4663940Ken Bible

© 2006 LNWhymns.com (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)CCLI Licence # 341440

As a sign of our stewardship over creation, and our responsibility to care for the world, our candles in the Advent Wreath are recycled. Vines and leaves remind us of the fragility and rhythm of life that is our journey.

Hope, hope, hope,the light of Christ is hopeIn all our darkness Christ is shiningleading upward faith refining,Hope, hope, hope,the light of Christ is hope

Peace, peace, peace,the gift of Christ is peace.We walk with God our past forgiven.All in Him is life and heaven.Peace, peace, peace,The gift of Christ is peace.

4

The presider greets the people.

X The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of God:for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

Micah 5.4-5

God, through Jesus Christ,will judge the secret thoughts of all:Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’will enter the kingdom of heaven:Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Let anyone who has an earlisten to what the Spirit is saying to the churches:Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

The Presider pronounces The Absolution

Almighty God,who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith:X pardon you and set you free from all your sins,strengthen you in all goodnessand keep you in eternal life,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect of the DayLet us pray:

God of blessings,you ask nothing of usexcept to trust in your promise.Turn us wholly to yourself,and bestow on us the strength of willto pledge ourselves freely to your purposes,

5

that your name may be glorified to the end of the earth.We ask this through Jesus Christ,who is one with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

The Ministry of the WordAs we prepare to hear God’s holy word through the scriptures:

open our hearts and minds, Lord. Amen.

The Hebrew ScripturesMicah 5.2-5a

May your word live in usand bear much fruit to your glory.

Song of MaryResponse:

The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed;

the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.He has mercy on those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit,casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy,the promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children for ever.

6

The Epistle Hebrews 10.5-10

May your word live in usand bear much fruit to your glory.

All stand for the Gospel Reading.Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!The deacon or other reader may say

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.Luke 1.39-45

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.After the Gospel, the reader says

This is the Gospel of the Lord:praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Breaking Open the Word

An Affirmation of Faith

We believe in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with Godas something to be exploited,but emptied himself,taking the form of a slave,being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,he humbled himselfand became obedient to the point of death –even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted himand gave him the name that is above every name,so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue should confess to the glory of God:X Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.

(Philippians 2:5-11)

7

The Prayers of the PeopleThe minister says

The response to “Lord Jesus Christ, lover of all, come to us, and in your mercy,” is “hear our prayer.”

Let us pray to the Lord for the word of salvation to be made known to all people.

The intercessions may be placed on the altar as a symbol of our prayers being offered.

God, our deliverer,in the birth of Christyour Church has its beginning.Sustain us, as we waithis glorious coming to fulfil all thingsand bring the whole creation to unity in you.We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Greeting of PeaceGod will speak peace to his people,to those who turn to him in their hearts.The peace of the Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Offertory(The hymn is on the next page)

With this bread that we bringwe shall remember Jesus.

With this wine that we bringwe shall remember Jesus.

Bread for his body,wine for his blood,gifts from God to his table we bring.

Lord, let the Holy Spirit,who overshadowed the blessed Virgin Maryand made her womb fruitful,make this Eucharist bear abundant fruitin the service of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

8

My soul rejoices in God my Saviour.My spirit finds its joy in God, the living God.

My soul proclaims your mighty deeds.My spirit sings the greatness of your name.

Your mercy flows throughout the landand every generation knows your love.

You cast the mighty from their thronesand raise the poor and lowly to new life.

You fill the hungry with good things.With empty hands you send the rich away.

Just as you promised Abraham,you come to free your people Israel.

The Great ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.

And also with you.Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

9

We begin our praise

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,to praise and bless you, here and everywhere,creator God, the origin and end of all that is.

The story of God with us

Your eternal Wordadorned the face of heaven with splendourand in the glory of the Incarnationfilled the Virgin’s womb and made it fruitful,so that the radiance of new light might shine on all,and that from Mary, Virgin and Mother, salvation might come forth for the whole human race.

We look for his coming again

And so, throughout the heavens and the earth,all things adore you and sing a new song;as we, with all the angels, give you gloryin this their ever-joyful hymn of praise:

10

With this bread that we bring

And now, Lord Jesus Christ, we thank youfor the meal you shared with us on the night before you died.

You took the bread,blessed and broke itand gave it to your friends, saying:

“This is my body.Take it and eat itin memory of me.”

With this wine that we bring

Then you took the cup of wine,blessing it, you gave it to your friends to drink, saying:

“This is my blood.It is God’s guarantee that sins will be forgiven. Every time you drink it,do this in memory of me.”

We remember Jesus

So we do what you command us, and we rememberyou lived and died,you rose in glory,you sent your Holy Spirit, and you will come again at the end of timeto bring us home to God.

Epeclesis: the Sending of the Holy Spirit

Now, Holy Spirit, we praise you because you help us pray. Come to us in this celebration, and make us your holy people. Feed us at this tablewith the body and the blood of Christ.Make our faith grow.

11

Heralding the Gospel

Send us to be your messengers to the world. Spread the Good News of Jesusby our words, our actions and our love.Teach us to praise the living God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ, with every breath you give us:

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray,Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread and CommunionWe break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. We who are many are one body

for we all share in the one bread.

Either all say, or sing the Troped Agnus Dei on the following page.Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us your peace.

12

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.Happy are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

This is the table, not of the Church, but of the Lord.All are welcome at his supper. Come

At Church of the Resurrection, an anthem may be sungWatchet Auf

(Sleepers, awake)

Post Communion PrayerGod, our hope, grant that we, receiving the promise of redemption,may prepare ourselves well for the coming of Christmas,so as to celebrate worthily the mystery of your Son’s birth.

Be with us in the week ahead,that in our busy-ness, we may keep our hearts focussed on you.In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

13

Post Communion Hymn

There’s a light upon the mountains, and the day is at the spring,when our eyes shall see the beauty and the glory of the king;weary was our heart with waiting, and the night-watch seemed so long,but his triumph-day is breaking, and we hail it with a song.

There’s a hush of expectation, and a quiet in the air;and the breath of God is moving in the fervent breath of prayer;for the suffering, dying Jesus is the Christ upon the throne,and the travail of our spirit is the travail of his own.

He is breaking down the barriers, he is casting up the way;he is calling for his angels to build up the gates of day;but his angels here are human, not the shining hosts above,for the drum-beats of his army are the heart-beats of our love.

Hark, we hear a distant music, and it comes with fuller swell;the great triumph song of Jesus, of our King, Immanuel;Zion, go you forth to meet him, and my soul, be swift to bringall your finest and your dearest for the triumph of our King!

TIS 276Henry Burton1840-1930 alt

Blessing and DismissalThe God of hope, peace, joy and lovemake you perfect and holy,and keep you safe and blameless, in spirit, soul and body,for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;and the blessing of God almighty, X the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:in the name of Christ. Amen

Postlude at Church of the Resurrection.Toccata and Fugue, Anon. (Italian, 18th cent.)

14

TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS MARKET

CONGRATULATIONS!

$10,788.70 and still counting as leftover stock is sold and the raffle is finalised on Saturday.

Many thanks to the many parishioners who contributed to the running and stocking of our market stalls. We were blessed with fine weather and the sup-port of our friendly and generous community.

AlisonOn behalf of The Christmas Twilight Market Committee

CHANGES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY re COVID PRECAUTIONSAs anticipated, the State Government has rewound many of the mandatory rules. They have been part of our daily lives for most of the past two years. Restrictions on public gatherings, wearing masks, and checking vaccination status is revoked.Within the life of the Church, there is now no need to segregate congregations. Hymnbooks, the prayer book, passing the plate, and hospitality rules are simi-larly lessened. How this is to be administered in each Parish falls on the Parish priest’s re-sponsibility, acting vicariously (vicar!) for the Diocese. I thank the Parish Council and colleagues for their input at short notice. Until the end of January, the following will apply in the Parish.

15

• The booking system will be no longer operational. People attending Church will still need to check in, but details of the people attending and their vaccination status is not required.

• There is no longer any mandate on the compulsory wearing of masks in service. As such, that decision is firmly yours to make, but I ask you to con-sider the following.

• The virus is spread through airborne water droplets. Singing and commu-nal responses can lead to the spreading of the virus. Whilst it is not en-forceable, please consider others around you when singing or participating, and wear your mask if you are near others.

• Another form of transmission is through physical contact. The greeting of peace should remain a symbolic greeting, and there is no reason not to greet others of your household with a physical gesture.

• For the time being, the Parish will continue to print all resources in one pew bulletin. 95% of what is provided is from the Australian Prayer Book and Together in Song. Many have become accustomed to using one re-source only. Using the pew bulletin also will reduce the need to wipe down books after every service.

• The passing of the collection plate/bowl/bags will remain at the door as you enter and presented at the Offertory.

• The common cup is a contentious issue. With the rise of a new strain as the restrictions are lifted, I am not convinced nor comfortable with returning to the common cup at present. Currently, when the numbers are small, the wafers (host) are ‘intincted’ from the common cup (with some exceptions). I propose to continue this option until at least the end of January. If you do not wish to receive an ‘intincted’ wafer (that is, a drop of wine is placed on the host), please ask. Not all hosts are intincted, and a gluten-free option is also available.

• The Presider will also continue strict hygiene protocols. They will include using a FRESH mask before preparing the elements, multiple sanitizing, and minimal contact with the wafers.

• Communion will be administered as it has been: it is strongly advised to wear your mask coming up to communion, receive the host, and then move away before consuming.

• Hospitality rules have been considerably relaxed, although it is pointed out that non-vaccinated people are not receive food or drink indoors. This places an onus on the hospitality person to check. There are no restrictions to outdoor hospitality. Let’s look at the weather of each service!

• The people serving food and beverages must wear gloves and masks and use tongs when distributing food.

16

CHRISTMAS AND SUMMER SERVICES 2021-22

Christmas Eve 5.30 pm St John’s Riddells Creek 7 Melvins Road, Riddells Creek A service for the young at heart Carols, fun, Holy Communion “All Comers”

11.30 pm Church of the Resurrection cnr Mount Macedon Rd/Honour Ave The Midnight Mass preceded by Carols at 11 pmChristmas Day 9 am St Paul’s, Gisborne 32 Fisher Street, Gisborne Carols, Story and Holy CommunionBoxing Day 10 am St John’s Riddells Creek Feast of Stephen

ONE SUNDAY SERVICE ONLY UNTIL END OF JANUARY

January 2nd Epiphany at Macedon 10 am 9th Baptism of Jesus, Gisborne 10 am 16th Epiphany 2 at Riddells Creek 10 am 23rd Aboriginal Sunday at Gisborne 10 am 30 th Presentation of Christ, Macedon10 am

Wednesdays 10 am at St Paul’s midweek