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Both of our churches are equipped with an audio loop. If you use a hearing aid, use the ‘T’ switch to connect.

24 December 2017 4th Sunday of Advent

Weekly Bulletin

Welcome to everyone visiting our churches! Our services are all slightly different, but each offers a friendly space in which you can worship God and be part of God’s community.

St Andrew’s at 8am: Holy Communion is a less formal worship service.

St Luke’s at 10am: Holy Eucharist has a more formal style of worship. The Eucharist is also celebrated at St Luke’s on Thursdays at 8:30am.

St Andrew’s at 5pm: Sunday Night Live or 4:30pm: Messy Church (3rd Sunday of each month) is a space for families with children and the young at heart to join in informal and fun worship, discussion and activities.

At our Sunday morning services you will need the middle pages of this booklet to join in the prayers and the Psalm that we read together.

If you need a gluten-free wafer at Communion, please tell the person who welcomed you at the front door before the service.

In the coming week

Today 4.30pm Crib Service-St Andrew's 11.30pm Midnight Mass-St Luke's

Monday 25 December-Christmas Day 8.00am Communion-St Andrew's 10.00am Eucharist-St Luke's 11.15am Christmas Lunch-St Luke's Hall

Tuesday 26 December

Wednesday 27 December

Thursday 28 December

Saturday 30 December

Next Sunday 10.00am Parish Service-St Andrew's

Anglican Parish of Woy Woy

We pray in silence before worship

Before worship speak to God.

During worship let God speak to you.

After Worship speak to each other.

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From the Parish

Reflection Do not be afraid

News of a pregnancy can be terrifying for vulnerable women around the world. Support through the Christmas Bowl is showing these mothers they are not alone. In today’s reading from Luke, an angel of the Lord visits Mary, a young woman living in Nazareth. He tells her that she has found favour with God. However, this does not come with any of the things that we would think would show favour. She gains no status, riches or good fortune. Rather, Mary has been chosen as the mother of God’s own son. In that very instant, Mary’s world is turned upside down. What fear and uncertainty she must have faced. What would her fiancé say? How would her family react? What would people think of her? While we cannot understand how Mary must have felt in that moment, the news of a pregnancy can be terrifying for vulnerable women around the world who don’t have access to adequate medical care and maternal health programmes. This was true for Souzan, a refugee in Jordan, who at nine months pregnant was in fear for not only her own life, but the life of her baby.

"I couldn’t get enough nutrition to grow my baby. As a pregnant woman I didn’t have enough food or intake to grown the baby and keep it healthy. There was no medical insurance and we couldn’t afford to go to private medical care. I was two weeks away from delivering and it needed to be a C-section. I still did not know what I could do except hope that my baby and I would not die during the birth.” Thanks to the generous gifts of Christmas Bowl supporters, Souzan received the care needed for the operation and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. However, there are still thousands of expectant mothers just like Souzan who don’t have access to basic medical care.. Through the Christmas Bowl, you are not only providing lifesaving medical support for pregnant women and their babies, but you are helping to take the fear away from an expectant mother, who may be feeling scared, alone or vulnerable. Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel was “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”. As we approach advent, we too must heed God’s call in our own lives.

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From the Parish

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve, 24th December ST ANDREW'S

4.30pm Family Crib Service with Traditional Carols

ST LUKE'S

11.30pm Midnight Mass

Christmas Day, 25th December ST ANDREW'S

8.00am Christmas Communion

ST LUKE'S

10.00am Christmas Eucharist

Sunday after Christmas, 31st December ST ANDREW'S

10.00am Combined Parish Service

On your own this Christmas

Come to Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day in St Luke's Hall from 11.15am onwards…. Bring a plate of cold food to share with others! Drinks provided. Please put your name on the sign-up sheet @ the back or Ring Elizabeth for more information 0405 714 168.

Advance Notice Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held on 25th February 2018 and the Annual Report needs to be available by 4th February. It would be appreciated if all reports could be received in the Parish Office by 25th January.

Women's Weekend Away

Nattering, knitting and nonsense. Reflection, re- creation and rest.Morning and Evening Prayer. chatting, giggling, storytelling, crafting, painting, sleeeeping, eating, drinking, enjoying God's gifts ……… What more could you ask for in a weekend? Need to know more? Want to book in? Phone Elizabeth Corah 0405 714 168

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We pray in silence before worship As you prepare for this morning’s service please pray for yourself and those around you. You might like to reflect on this thought for the week:

This child will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1.32–33

The prayer of the day Gracious God, whose eternal Word took flesh among us when Mary placed her life at the service of your will: prepare our hearts for his coming again and keep us steadfast in hope, that we may be ready for the coming of his kingdom; for his sake, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen..

Today’s readings 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16 Song of Mary Romans 16.25-27 Luke 1.26-38 8.00am Keith King Jacky King 10.00am Ann Compton Martin Bill Gates

This morning’s hymns 294 Behold, a rose is growing 272 Come thou long expected 218 Jesus! the name high over all 302 The Angel Gabriel 265 O come, O come, Emmanuel

For our prayers this week Please pray for: Social Welfare and Justice Ministries at work.

Wider Community: The First Peoples of the Diocese. Authors, poets and musicians.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer The Diocese of Guadalcanal. The Church of Pakistan. Diocese of Wangaratta. National Council of Churches in Australia.

In the Diocese of Newcastle: Our Bishop Elect, Peter. The priests and people of Nelson Bay and Stockton.

In the Parish of Woy Woy: We pray for our ministry team, Fr Michael, Fr Peter and Anthea, and we pray for ourselves and the work we do in the mission of this parish.

For those seeking God’s help: Helen Baker, Gabriella Bulloch, Grace and Ernie Brand, Clare, Rex Crisp, Brett Donnelly, Carol Fraser, Jenny, Sandra Heath, Fr Ken Munns, Cecily Prentice, Elaine Rand, Lucy Roy, Mary, Heather Woodward.

Would those who wish to include names in the above list, please ensure that permission has been obtained from the person or their carer.

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Readings for this week

2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16

Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.’ But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my

people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.

Song of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord: my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, Who 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. God has mercy on those who fear him: from generation to generation. The Lord has shown strength with his arm: and scattered the proud in their conceit, Casting down the mighty from their thrones: and lifting up the lowly. God 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 the promise of mercy, The promise made to our forebears: to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to God; Father Son, and Holy Spirit: as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.

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Romans 16.25-27

Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.

The Gospel: Luke 1.26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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For next week The Epiphany of our Lord Isaiah 60.1-6 Psalm 72.1-7, 10-14 Ephesians 3.1-12 Matthew 2.1-12 Hymns 309 Angels from the realms of glory 301 The first nowell 314 As with gladness men of old 293 Unto us a boy is born! 303 Hark! the herald angels sing

Notices

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The Collect is from A Prayer Book for Australia © 1995 Anglican Church of Australia Trust Corporation, published under the imprint Broughton Books.

Generosity

Thank you This week we say thank you to Rosemary Gillham, the coordinators and members of the Parish Partners. We appreciate how their ministry makes people in our churches feel welcomed and cared for.

Samaritans Please remember to bring non-perishable food items and place them in the baskets provided near the door of the church for the work of the Samaritans organisation in our diocese.

Direct giving Thank you for your generous financial giving to the mission of our parish. We encourage parishioners to give directly to the ‘Anglican Parish of Woy Woy’ account: BSB 032-527 ACCOUNT 228059.

Reminder If you would like a notice in the bulletin please give information to office staff by Thursday for inclusion in the bulletin the following Sunday.

Parish Churches St Luke's: 151 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy(opposite Park Rd) St Andrew's 360 Ocean Beach Rd,Umina(near Albion St)

Ministry Team Parish Priest: Rev Canon Michael Davies Mobile phone: 0417 650 805 Email: mdavies0968@gmail.com Day off Monday. Associate Priest: Fr Peter Mumford Phone: (02) 4322 9121 Email: ptierm@gmail.com Normally available Sundays and Wednesdays Children & Families Minister: Anthea Haughain Mobile phone: 0421 779 305 Email: ahaughain@gmail.com

The Cottage: parish office, op-shop and community space 151 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy 2256 PO Box 709, Woy Woy 2256 Phone: (02) 4344 1347 Website: www.woywoyanglican.org E-mail: woywoyanglican@gmail.com 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday

Refreshments are served after each of the services. We would love you to join us! At St Andrew’s, refreshments are served in the foyer, and at St Lukes in the church hall.

At the end of the service, please introduce yourself so that we can welcome you properly. Ask for our Welcome Pack, which offers more information about who we are and what we do.