The Auburn Newsletter Hawthorn Uniting Parish

Sunday 10th

December 2017 Service Today 10am Worship Service Rev Ivan Poole

Next Sunday 10am Communion Service Rev Ivan Poole

Welcome to all who worship at Auburn today. Please remain for tea or coffee in the church after the service.

Sunday Service

10 am weekly

Holy Communion:

monthly:

10 am: 3rd Sunday

Music in Liturgy:

monthly:

10 am: 4th Sunday

Church Council:

7.45 pm monthly

1st Wed in the

Pawsey Room

Church Lunch:

12 noon in the Hall

monthly 3rd Sunday NB: Dates and times may occasionally change documented in the pew sheet notices

Minister: Bertram Mather 0469 295 162; 9818 2119 email: mather_bertram@hotmail.com

Organist: Margaret Pettitt. 9077 0467 Director of Music: Bruce Macrae 9443 7063

Email address: mail@auburnuc.org.au website: www.auburnuc.org.au

Advent 2

In all the Gospels, the preacher Jesus is introduced by John the Baptist. In his introduction of Jesus, John tells us just enough about Jesus to set the stage for God's great move on the world in the Incarnation. John the Baptist prepares us for the onslaught of divine love and mercy that encounters us in Jesus.

THE PEOPLE GATHER ORGAN PRELUDE INTROIT: Prepare the way of the Lord,

and all people will see the salvation of our God (Taize community)

NOTICES

Christmas Bowl Envelopes are available for contribution to Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia Today 10th December: 7.30 pm Carols by Candlelight with Anne Williams and the choir of Eltham East Primary School. Consultation Report : A revised report from the presbytery, following the consultation on August 6, is being prepared for distribution to the congregation and should be available next Sunday. Minister’s study leave: The Rev Bertram Mather is presently on study leave and is engaged in a course of clinical pastoral education until the end of January. The ‘Food for Families Appeal in 2017’ will reach even more families and individuals in need across Melbourne. Wesley Mission Victoria is now part of a new organisation called Uniting. Auburn has registered for boxes or bags to fill with non-perishable food items and household essentials. Please bring donations to the church before Christmas.

Sunday 17th December at 3pm: Christmas with the Australian Boys Choir Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. Friday 22nd December 5 - 7pm "Come to the Stable" at East Kew Uniting Church, 142 Normanby Road - Live animals, crafts, stories, face painting, manger scene photo opportunity, sausages, lots of family fun for Christmas (children need to bring an adult) Christmas Eve 10am: a service of Nine Lessons and Carols Christmas Day 10am: Rev Bertram Mather

Reader: Anne Friend Flowers: Pat Rogerson Next week: Vicky Rose Next week: Daphne Arthur

Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 1 Thes 5: 16-24 John 1: 6-8, 19-25

LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE

Today we light the second candle of the Advent wreath.

This is the candle of PEACE

With Christians around the world, we use this light to help us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of God's Son Jesus Christ.

May we receive God's light as we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined."

(Isaiah 9:2) CALL TO WORSHIP Listen, listen for the voice in the wilderness for it may be the one chosen by God. Listen, listen for the vision of a new world, whether the voice is near or from afar , that we may hear the word for our times. For the path of justice and truth may be stretched out before us calling us on towards a journey of faith beyond where we have never been. WE SHARE THE PEACE

HYMN 275: Hail to the Lord's anointed

PRAYER OF ADORATION AND CONFESSION ANTHEM: The King will come

The King will come at dawn day when light triumphant breaks when beauty gilds the eastern hills, and life to joy awakes.. Not as of old, little child, to live and fight and die, but crowned with glory, as the sun that lights the morning sky. Far brighter than the glorious dawn shall that fair morning be; When Christ, Our Lord, in glory comes, and we his face shall see. The King will come at dawn of day, and light and glory brings; "HAIL CHRIST OUR LORD” your people pray, “COME QUICKLY, KING OF KINGS.”

(Adapted by Anthony Green from the folk tune Newbury)

THE SERVICE OF THE WORD READINGS

Malachi 3:1-4 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord. All flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia (Luke 3:4,6) Luke 1:68-79

Luke 3:1-18 SERMON: Shub HYMN 305: Let earth and heaven combine

RESPONSE TO THE WORD AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Faithful is God, who has called us, and who will not fail us. Faithful is Jesus Christ, who gathers us into a community of hope;

to worship God with wonder and praise, to witness to God's love in word and deed, to seek God's justice in the world.

Faithful is the Holy Spirit, who releases us;

to listen to God's word in scripture and prayer, to cherish the ministry of all God's people,

and moves us; to risk telling the story of Jesus, to take our part in God's action in the world.

Faithful is God, who has called us, and who will also do all this.

HYMN 270: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry OFFERING AND DEDICATION PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE ..... THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE SENDING FORTH OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN 315: Mine eyes have seen the glory BENEDICTION POSTLUDE (You are invited to remain seated unt il the end)