Welcome to the Anglican Parish of

CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCERailway Square, Sydney

PLEASE TAKE HOME

Left: The Advent Wreath, showing the purple Angels’ Candle, which is lit today, and the white Christ Candle, which will be lit on Christmas Eve.

24 DECEMBER 2017The Fourth Sunday of Advent

7.00am Morning Prayer

7.30am Eucharist

9.00am Sung Eucharist & Nativity PlayHymns: 6 7 22 161 (T. 385)Setting: Mass in E (Smith)

10.30am Litany in Procession & Solemn High MassPreacher: Fr John SandersonHymns: 11 (Desc. Wilson) 161 (T. 385) 7Setting: Missa O magnum mysterium (Victoria)Motet: Est ist ein ros ‘entsprungen (Praetorius arr. Cashmore)Postlude: Es ist ein ros ‘entsprungen (Brahms)

No Evensong

10:30pm First Matins of Christmas

11:30pm Midnight Mass

MORNING SERVICE SHEET

THIS WEEK AT CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCE

Christ Church St Laurence is an inner city parish committed to the spread of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. As a congregation and as the Church we are committed to the support of the underprivileged, the persecuted and the socially marginalised. We are an Anglican church in the Anglican Catholic tradition.

WELCOME TO CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCE

MON 25 DECEMBERChristmas Day

7:30am9:00am10:30am

EucharistSung EucharistProcession & Solemn High Mass

TUE 26 DECEMBERStephen, Deacon & First Martyr

Daily Services (7.30am, 8.00am)

WED 27 DECEMBERJohn, Apostle & Evangelist 12.15pm

Daily Services (7.30am, 8.00am, 5.30pm)Healing Eucharist

THU 28 DECEMBERHoly Innocents

Daily Services (7.30am, 8.00am, 5.30pm)

FRI 29 DECEMBERThomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, martyr (d. 1170)

6.00pmDaily Services (7.30am, 8.00am, 5.30pm)Eucharist

SAT 30 DECEMBERJosephine Butler, social reformer (d. 1905)

Daily Services (7.30am, 8.00am, 5.30pm)

SUN 31 DECEMBERFirst Sunday after Christmas 7.00am

7.30am9.00am

10.30am

Isa 61.10-62.3; Ps 148; Gal 4.4-7; Luke 2.22-40Morning PrayerEucharistSung EucharistPreacher: Ryan Austin-EamesSetting: Eucharist (Dudman)Solemn High MassPreacher: Ryan Austin EamesSetting: Missa O magnum mysterium (Victoria)Motet: O magnum mysterium (Victoria)No Evensong

Readings: The Revised Common Lectionary in NRSV (1997), Mowbray, London. Introit, Collect and Psalm: A Prayer Book for Australia (1995), Broughton Books, Sydney. Propers: The Roman Missal (1969 & 1983), E.J.Dwyer (Aust.). Reproduced with permission.

MASS READINGS

SENTENCELuke 1:32-33

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.

At Solemn High Mass the choir will sing the Introit O Emmanuel:O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations, and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord, our God.

COLLECTGracious 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.

FIRST READING 2 Samuel 7.1-11,16Now when David, 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 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, David, 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.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Please use these readings in conjunction with the coloured service booklet.Breakfast is served after the 7.30am Eucharist today. Refreshments are served after the 9.00am Sung Eucharist and the 10.30am Solemn High Mass, all in the Parish Hall. All are welcome. If you are a visitor please ask a sidesperson for directions.

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MASS READINGSVerses of the psalm are read alternately by a single reader and the congregation. A pause is observed at the colon for reflection. At Solemn High Mass, the choir sings the psalm.PSALM 891. Lord, I will sing for ever of your loving

kindnesses:my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness throughout all generations.

2. I have said of your loving kindness that it is built for ever:

you have established your faithfulness in the heavens.

3. The Lord said ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen:

I have sworn an oath to my servant David.4. ‘I will establish your line for ever: and build up your throne for all

generations.19. You spoke once in a vision: and said to your faithful one,20. ‘I have set a youth above a warrior:

I have exalted a young man out of the people.

21. ‘I have found my servant David: and anointed him with my holy oil.22. ‘My hand shall uphold him: and my arm shall strengthen him.23. ‘No enemy shall deceive him: nor shall the wicked hurt him.24. ‘I will crush his adversaries before him: and strike down those that hate him.25. ‘My faithfulness and loving kindness

shall be with him: and through my name his head shall

be lifted high.26. ‘I will set the hand of his dominion

upon the Western Sea: and his right hand shall stretch to the

streams of Mesopotamia.27. ‘He will call to me “You are my Father: my God, and the rock of my salvation.”

SECOND READING Romans 16.25-27To 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 word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia.I am the servant of the Lord: may his will for me be done. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Luke 1.26-38The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.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

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MASS READINGSyour 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.

This is the gospel of the Lord,Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

OFFERTORY SENTENCELord may the power of the Spirit which sanctified Mary the mother of your Son, make holy the gifts we place upon this altar.

COMMUNION SENTENCEThe Virgin is with child: and shall bear a son, and she will call him Emmanuel.

COMMUNION MOTET

Est ist ein ros ‘entsprungenDonald Cashmore (1926-2013)

Es ist ein Ros’ entsprugen aus einer Wurzel zart; wie uns die Alten sungen von Jesse kan die Art und hat ein Blümlein bracht mitten im kalten Winter wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Das Röslein, das ich meine, davon Jesaias sagt; hat uns gebracht alleine Marie, die reine Magd: aus Gottes ew’gem Rat hat sie ein Kind geboren wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Das Blümelein so kleine, das duftet uns so süs; mit seinem hellen Scheine vertreibts die Finsternis. Wahr’r Mensch und wahrer Gott, hilft uns aus allem Leide rettet von Sünd’ und Tod.

A rose there is a-springing from tender roots on earth; As ancient men were singing, fro Jesse came its birth And now this little flow’r Appears in coldest winter At this, the midnight hour.

A rose there is a-springing from tender roots on earth; As ancient men were singing, fro Jesse came its birth And now this little flow’r Appears in coldest winter At this, the midnight hour.

The Flow’r so small and slender shines thro’ with radiance bright; To us so sweet and tender dispels the darkest night. True Man with God’s true pow’r, helps us from all our suff ’ring, saves us from death’s dark hour.

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SUNDAY NOTICESParish Office Hours

The Parish office will be closed from Christmas until 2 January. During January, Peter Bruce, the Parish Administrator, will be on leave. Unless otherwise advised, the Parish Office will be open during usual office hours throughout January. Francesca Jones and Hayley Rush will be the acting Parish Administrators.

Clergy LeaveFr Daniel will be on leave from 26 to 29 December. Fr John will be on leave from 29 December until 11 January.

The Feast of the EpiphanyThe Feast of the Epiphany will be celebrated on Friday 5 January with a Procession & Solemn High Mass at 6pm. The preacher will be Fr Michael Bowie, former Rector of CCSL. On Sunday 7 January, we will observe the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord at the morning services. At 6:30pm on Sunday 7 January we will hold the annual Service of Lessons & Carols for Epiphany.

Meditation GroupThe Christian Meditation Group has concluded meeting for the year and will recommence at 6.00pm in the St Laurence Chapel on Monday 15 January. Beginners are most welcome to join us. Enquiries to Ann Bergman a.bergman@ccsl.org.au.

Belltower BooksVisit Belltower Books for your last minute Christmas gifts. There is a wide range of books, including some new arrivals in Children’s books, CDs, our popular 2018 Calendar $9 large or $6 small - and now also The Deacon’s Treasure Christmas is-sue for only $7.

Save the DateMany parishioners will fondly remember CCSL rail pilgrimages that took place more than 10 years ago. Parishioners are encouraged to save the date of Saturday 26 May 2018 for a rail pilgrimage to Bathurst, which will include a Mass at Bathurst Cathedral. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

Discount ParkingCCSL has secured a discounted rate for parking on Sundays at Wilson Parking 169-179 Thomas Street (adjacent to the Novotel Hotel). Pre-booking online is a must in order to secure your spot; however, once this is done you will only pay $12.50 – a significant discount from the usual $20.50 for the day. You must use the aptly named promocode CHURCH when making your booking. Further details can be found on the flyer at the west door.

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SUNDAY NOTICES

Lessons & Carols for the Epiphany

Sunday 7 January at 6.30pm

The Anglican Parish of

CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCERailway Suare, Sydney Consecraed 1845

CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCERailway Square, Sydney 7

Christmas EveSunday 24 December

Fourth Sunday of Advent Eucharists at 7.30am, 9.00am & 10.30am

10.30pm First Matins of Christmas11.30pm Midnight Mass

Christmas DayMonday 25 December

7.30am Eucharist9.00am Sung Eucharist

10.30am Solemn High Mass

Christmas Services

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