Father George’s Weekly for 11 December 2022

Dear People of God

Grace and peace to you.

It was pleasing to see more than a dozen of our people at the Roman Catholic Church last Sunday evening. I had a bit of a “deja-vu” moment when the other priest greeted me before the service, saying “Fr George? Hello and welcome”. I was about to ask his name when he repeated “Fr George.” We share the same Christian name! At the conclusion of the service he invited the other clergy present, which was only Gail and me, to come and share the blessing and it was a moving moment for me to be able to sign the cross over the congregation in company with a priest from another tradition. May there be more of it! (When I worked I the ecumenical industrial chaplaincy organisation we had many such moments when our common allegiance to Jesus Christ over-ruled all of our denominational differences!) We look forward to the time when Gail will be able to share the priestly ministry.

Thanks to all the people involved in the Thornton Market last weekend. Over $800 was raised. Some people who had booked stalls failed to show and although trading was quieter than usual, perhaps reflecting less discretionary spending capacity by many people, the stall-holders I spoke to said that they always looked forward to our market days. I did note that some offerings were absent: plants, fruit and vegetables being two categories. In future markets I think that we should make a point of having a “Spirituality Centre”, keeping the church open (note to self: remember to do this!) as I had a couple of conversations with people who, I guess seeing the collar, sought to discuss issues of faith and practice.

Bishop Sonia advises that there were four excellent expressions of interest in funding grants for a Youth Worker and that the Diocese is seeking some auxiliary funding sources to try to meet as much of the demand as possible. Further information has been requested from the applicant parishes, outlining the job description, proposed program and the budget. Our E of I was lodged as a joint submission by ourselves, Raymond Terrace, and Morpeth parishes, so the next step to get a working party together to develop this. Everyone seems to be going into hibernation mode for January and before I enter that state of suspended animation myself I will try to get a skeleton completed for this.

I’d like to hear some suggestions for how we might revive some joint activity with the Uniting Church parish. I’d like to think that we might actually be able to formalise some mutual activity with the other Christian churches in the area. (herding cats might be easier!) We might propose that the Ecumenical Carol Service be held at St Paul’s next year, and a joint service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Kim Langford is the Lay Pastor working very much part-time with the UCA congregation (she is also UCA Chaplain at the University, a registered Counsellor, and one of the panel of Professional Supervisors for clergy of our Diocese)

See you in Church

The Lord be with you

Fr George

gmainprize@bigpond.com 0410 586 119

Propers and Readings for Advent 3

Sentence

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God!” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

Collect

Sustain us, O God, with the power of your love on our journey to meet the One who is coming: strengthen the weak hands, make firm the feeble knees, and open the blind eyes to the dawning of your kingdom, so that our hearts may rejoice as we behold the majesty of our God, We ask this trough your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Readings

Isaiah 35:1-10 The return of the redeemed to Zion

For the Psalm The Song of Mary (The Magnificat)

James 5:7-10 Patience in suffering

Matthew 11:2-11 Messengers form John the Baptist

Sermon (Deacon Gail)

In the Name of God. Amen

This week is the second week when we concentrate on John the Baptist and the important part that he plays in the foretelling of the Ministry of Jesus. This is also the 3rd Sunday of the Advent season when we light the candle of Joy. The passage that we have today from Matthew deals with the hopes of the Jewish people for the coming of the Messiah and their feeling of Joy in the belief that he had truly come to them at this time.

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you long for it to arrive? What about an item that you have hinted to close family and friends that is absolutely a must have and you wait for it to arrive? Anticipation always leads to a sense of when will it arrive? At this time of year, I think we can all associate this with items on our “Christmas wish list”. When the gift duly arrives the joy of seeing it, unwrapping the item is something that we all have experienced. Occasionally what we receive is not what we were expecting and even if it is the correct item, it can sometimes be a total let down when it arrives.

This I think mirrors some of the frustration that is indicated in the Gospel reading for today when John the Baptist sent his disciples to see Jesus. Jesus definitely did not fit the mould of what the Jews had expected their Messiah would do, would act, or indeed do to liberate them from the Roman oppressors. Jesus came on the scene as one who proclaims the kingdom of God, calls upon people to trust in God, heals the sick, and befriends tax collectors. Is it any wonder that John, now sitting in prison with time to think, would question whether he was the one to come or not. Jesus fits neither the expectations of the Jewish population in general, relating to the Messiah, or John’s expectations for that matter. John’s question is totally understandable – “Are you the one to come, or are we to wait for someone else?” Jesus in his reply simply stated that people were to look at the signs and they would know for themselves whether he was the Messiah or not.

It is encouraging that john the Baptist, had his doubts and needed reassurance. He had prepared the way for Jesus. His understanding was that Jesus would bring judgement on those in Israel who did not repent. Instead of brooding he sent friends to Jesus, seeking reassurance. The response of Jesus to these messengers asking them to see for themselves the answers amongst what was happening, and not just give reassurance is also encouraging. This probably indicates for us that we should do likewise in a similar situation. Jesus wanted to assure both John and his disciples that he was the Messiah, but he also wanted to remind them that his power would be evident in humble acts of service, and not in spectacular views of political deliverance.

The prevailing view of the Messiah was one that would be a powerful ruler, who would bring about a new era of peace. The Messianic texts also indicated that the Messiah would bring healing and good news to the poor. As a result of this many people, not just John, found Jesus to be an enigma.

As we know Jesus came to serve people, bringing life. He encouraged the people who the polite society tried to discourage and hide away to come into his kingdom and be saved. As we all know this was totally not what was expected. How radical could he be!!!! Are we prepared to move easily with change, be alert to the signs of God in our world and enjoy doing new things.

The season of Advent encourages us to participate in the preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. We are asked to seek to open ourselves to new ways of thinking and acting through the mood, the hymns, and the prayers of this season. We are in a time of expectation, a time of waiting for the coming of the Saviour into the world. When he comes to us, what does he do? He challenges us to get involved in his work amongst those who are left out, on the margins of society, and who are in need. What will you do this Christmas to honour that expectation? Are we seeing the signs as Jesus told his disciples? May our eyes be open to the signs of God’s presence in the world today.

As the words of our Candle Liturgy this morning says there is joy in the anticipation of the Advent season. Just as Mary waited for the birth of her son, we count the weeks and days to celebrate Christmas. Waiting makes space for imagination and preparation, and joy fills our hearts in that waiting. We are joyful as we hear the promise that the holy one is coming.

The Lord be with you

Intercessions (Deacon Gail)

Response to our prayers: You came to rescue us, Come, Lord our Saviour.

Almighty God, who through the prophets promised that light would conquer the darkness, shine in our hearts and in our minds, and so use us that we may lead others to your splendour and the greatness of your power which is revealed in your Son Jesus Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever. Amen.

Come, Lord God, give strength to the hands that are tired and to the knees that tremble with weakness. You are the God who cares for all who are down, you come down to where we are to uplift us. You are the God who gives us hope.

You come to rescue us, Come, Lord our Saviour.

We remember before you the discouraged and fearful, all whose freedom is limited by tyranny, all whose lives are restricted by poverty, all who are abused by those in power, all whose dreams are destroyed by mockery. You are the God who gives us hope. We pray for the countries of the Middle East, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Myanmar where there is war and hardship. We pray for the regions of the war disrupted by natural disasters at the time.

You come to rescue us, Come, Lord our Saviour.

Lord, may your church travel the road of holiness, may we grow in faith, grow in love, and grow in number. We pray for the church to which we belong and for the church in the Diocese of Guadacanal; the Anglican Church of the Central American Region and The Anglican Church of Uganda. In the Australian Church we pray for the General Synod Office. In this Diocese we pray for our Bishops Peter, Charlie, and Sonia; for Anglican Schools Corporation, Anglican Women and Mothers Union. We pray for the parishes of Wyong and Wyoming with their priests and people. In our parish for our clergy George and Gail with their families and for Charlotte, Hannah, Mathew and Melissa as they prepare for Confirmation. We pray for our welcomers, Bible and prayer readers and for the members of H2O Church. May your good news be preached to the poor; May the gospel be proclaimed in all places. Lord, we need your help and your strength.

We pray for the time when the lame will leap for joy, when the deaf will hear, when the blind will be able to see, when the dumb will shout your praise, when the handicapped will find freedom, when sorrow and grief are done away, and all will sing and shout for joy. We remember all who long for this time. We pray for friends and loved ones in sickness remembering especially Betty, Sammy-Jo and Noah, Christine, Ben, Coral, Stephanie, Anne, Heidi , Fr Ray Manuel and Jill who have asked for our prayers. In a moment of silence we pray for those known only to us [ PAUSE

You come to rescue us, Come, Lord our Saviour.

You are the Lord and giver of life, you give life which is eternal. We give you thanks for the saints in glory. We remember before you all who have served this community in the past. We remember loved ones departed this life. We pray for Anne Atkins, and Alick Redman whose anniversary of death occurs at this time.

+Rest eternal, grant to them O Lord; and let your light perpetual shine upon them.

Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers: Grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Some suggestions for your Advent devotions …..

The Great Advent Antiphons are set for the days from 16 to 23 December and each day they focus they focus on one of the titles of the Messiah. They are known as the “O Antiphons” and were originally sung in the Monastic Offices. In our hymn “O come, o come Emmanuel” each verse represents a paraphrase of these titles

16 December O Sapientia O Wisdom, which came from the Most High and reaches from one end of Creation to another, mightily ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence.

17 December O Adonai O Lord, and Leader of the house of Israel, who appeared in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gave him the Law in Sinai: come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.

18 December O Radix Jesse O Root of Jesse, which stands as a standard f the people, before whom kings shall fall silent and whom the Gentiles will seek: come and deliver us, do not delay

19 December O Clavis David O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel; who opens and no man can close, and closes and no man can open: come and bring the prisoner out of the prison-house and him who sits in darkness and the shadow of death

20 December O Oriens O Day-spring, Brightness of the Everlasting Light and Sun of Righteousness: come and enlighten him who sits I darkness and the shadow of death

21 December O Rex gentium O King of the Nations and their desire; the Cornerstone who joins both in one: come and rescue humankind, whom you formed of the earth

22 December O Emmanuel O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations and their salvation: come and save us, O Lord our God

23 December O Virgo virginium O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before you nor after shall be any like you. Daughters of Jerusalem, why do you marvel at me? The thing which you see is a mystery.