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PARISH OFFICE

2 Walkers Drive Maleny

P.O. Box 265 Maleny 4552

Ph. 54999130

Office hours:

Thursday and Friday: 9.00am - 1.00pm

email: angmaleny@westnet.com.au

Website: malenyanglicanparish.com.au

Parish Priest: Fr Harry Reuss - 0428 187 625

Please pray for:

Maleny: Heather Bolton Roger Byrne Mabel Crosby Finn Jones

Montville: Christine Long Robert Weber Regina Gould

CHURCH WARDENS Jim Atkinson Ph: 5494 3064 email: jimako4@bigpond.com June Allison Ph: 5435 2941 email: jeallisona@gmail.com

Jocelyn Bannister Ph: 5442 9207 email: jbannister@iprimus.com.au

DISTRICT WARDENS Montville Paula Randall Ph: 5478 6181 Kenilworth Garry Richter Ph. 0457 909 842

Parish Minute Secretary Parish Honorary Treasurer Margaret Walker Ph:5494 2028 Susan Myring Ph: 5494 4153 email: walkersmaleny@live.com email : susanmyring@iinet.net.au

RETIRED PRIESTS

The Very Rev’d Chris Whittall The Rev’d Derek Barrett The Rev’d Kaye Pitman

Prayer Chain Co-ordinators: Kenilworth: Yvonne Riedel 5446 0458 Montville: Margaret Young 5445 7550 Maleny: Patricia Jackson 5494 2583

Pastoral Care Co-ordinators: Carole Phillips 5445 7839 (Montville), Shirley Moreland 5446 0171 (Kenilworth) St Mary’s Memorial Garden Contact: Colleen Cliffe 0447 472 435

The Anglican Parish of Maleny in the Diocese of Brisbane is committed to protecting your privacy. The people on the list of the sick have personally

requested prayers.

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Maleny Anglican Parish

Our vision is to “Love one another as Jesus loves us“

Our mission is to obey Jesus’ commandment,

“Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

TODAY’S SERVICES

Services: Celebrants:

St. Mary’s Montville 7.30am Fr Harry Reuss

St George’s Maleny 9.00am Fr Harry Reuss

St Luke’s Kenilworth 9.00am Mr John Gratton-Caine

The Second Sunday of Advent 4th December 2016

WELCOME to our worship today.

Please stay for fellowship and refreshment

after the Service.

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Today’s Readings: Isaiah 11.1-10 Ps 72.1-7,18-19 Romans 15.4-13 Matthew 3.1-12

Readings for next Sunday: Isaiah 35.1-10 Song of Mary James 5.7-10 Matthew 11.2-11

READINGS FOR THE DAY

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH

CHAPTER 11.1-10:

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his

roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and

understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear

of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by

what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall

judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the

earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the

wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt

around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Voice: Today is the Second Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of

Peace. We light the second Candle on the Advent wreath to

remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that through him

peace is found. Peace is like a light shining in a dark place. As

we look at this candle we celebrate the peace we find in Jesus

Christ.

We now sing the first two verses of the hymn; “Christmas is Coming” No. 289

We are now in the season of Advent which marks the beginning of new cycles of daily and weekly readings (we are now in Year A) and also the beginning of the time of preparation for our remembrance of Jesus’ birth. As this is the time of preparation for the reception of a King, we change the liturgical colours in the church to penitential purple and we omit the Hymn of Praise, or Gloria, until Christmas morning. We also mark the passing of the weeks by lighting the candles on the Advent wreath.

The Sentence for the Day: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has

come near; repent, and believe in the good news. Mark 1.15

Prayer for the Day: God of all peoples, whose servant John came baptising and

calling for repentance; help us to hear his voice of judgement, that we may also

rejoice in his word of promise, and be found pure and blameless in that glorious

Day when Christ comes to rule the earth as Prince of Peace; who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

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WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS: As we enter Advent, we ask that we may use the coming weeks to

prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas.

For the Diocese of Karnataka North (S. India): +Prasana Samuel

For the Diocese of Armidale: +Rick Lewers, clergy and people

For our Archbishop Phillip and our Locum Bishop Godfrey and our

Bishop elect Jeremy and their families. For our Parish Priest and Honorary Clergy, and for our Parish Nominators in

their deliberations of finding a new priest for our parish, and all who worship

and minister in this place.

For the parish of Sunnybank: Stephen Hooper, Ron Dyson, Brian Darbyshire

We ask God to protect all our families and friends that live at a distance from

us and who we are unable to see regularly.

For people who are sick, in body, mind or spirit, for those whom we have

listed in our bulletin, and for those known to us personally.

For the faithful departed remembering all those whose years mind occurs at

this time — ’Rest Eternal Grant Unto Them O Lord and Let light

perpetual Shine upon Them.’

THE FESTIVAL OF 9 LESSONS AND CAROLS

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a format of

Christian worship celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Our Service will be held on Sunday, 18 December at

6.00pm at St George’s and will include a Nativity Tableau presented by the Messy

Church children. If your child or grandchild would like to be involved please bring

them dressed as a shepherd or an angel. This is a Parish Carol Service and it is

hoped that parishioners from all our centres will be able to attend.

The Service will be followed by a Parish Christmas Party when Father Christmas

will visit to give lollies to the children. If you could bring a plate of supper to share

this would be appreciated. BYO drinks. If you would like to do a reading at

the service can you please let the office know. It would be good to have

readers from each of our centres take part.

VISIT OF OUR LOCUM BISHOP GODFREY FRYAR: Bishop Godfrey will

be visiting the parish on Wednesday, 7th December and will be Baptising and

Confirming Susan Ball at midday at St Mary’s. Please keep Susan in your prayers

as she prepares for this special day.

The Christmas Bowl Appeal benefits developing countries. Make your gift in

the special envelopes available and place them on the offertory bowl. Thank

you.

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FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

at St George’s

6.00PM SUNDAY, 18th December with MESSY

CHURCH children’s nativity - followed by a visit from

santa and parish Christmas supper

CHRISTMAS EVE

ST LUKE’S KENILWORTH

4.30pm JOINT ANGLICAN AND UNITING

CHURCH COMMUNION AND CAROLS

St George’s Maleny:

6.30 pm Family Eucharist and Carols

ST Mary's Montville:

9.00pm family Eucharist and carols

Christmas day

St George's maleny:

9.00am family Eucharist and carols

St Mary's Montville:

9.00am family Eucharist and carols

ST LUKE’S Kenilworth:

8.00am family Eucharist and carols

Carols on the Night of Street Festival at Riverside Shopping Centre near the

Post Office. Friday, 9th December 6.30pm to 7.30 pm, supported by the Range

Christian Leaders.

MALENY HIGH SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY: Maleny State High School would like

to invite all interested school community members to a consultation so that ideas for

School Chaplaincy in 2017 and beyond can be discussed. Meeting Date: Tuesday,

6th December from 6.00pm-7.30pm

60TH WEDDING ANNIVERARY BLESSINGS to Patricia and

Roger Jackson who were married on the 1st December 1956 at St

David’s Church, Chelmer. Patricia and Roger celebrated the

occasion with family and friends yesterday. We give them our love

and best wishes from their parish family.

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the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead

them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the

lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,

and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or

destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the

LORD as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a

signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be

glorious.

HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

PSALM 72.1-7 AND 18-19: We say alternate verses:

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the king’s son;

that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice.

That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the little hills bring righteousness.

He shall defend the needy among the people;

he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.

He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth.

In his time shall the righteous flourish; there shall be abundance of peace

till the moon shall be no more.

Blessèd be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds!

And blessèd be his glorious name for ever!

and may all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. Amen.

THE EPISTLE IS WRITTEN IN THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE

ROMANS CHAPTER 15 VERSES 4-13:

Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by

steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May

the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one

another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice

glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another,

therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that

Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in

order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that

the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will

confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name’; and again he says,

‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; and again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,

and let all the peoples praise him’; and again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall

come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ May

the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound

in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

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THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST

MATTHEW CHAPTER 3 BEGINNING AT THE 1ST VERSE:

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,

‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the

prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”’ Now John wore clothing of

camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild

honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the

region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan,

confessing their sins. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for

baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the

wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to

yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from

these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root

of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and

thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more

powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will

baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he

will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the

chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

MESSY CHURCH: Is on today from 4.00-6.00pm. This is the last Messy Church

for this year. Come along and enjoy the fun of Messy Church,

invite others. Families are very welcome. Fun and fellowship

together with creating, sharing, singing, storytelling and sharing a

meal. Further details phone June on (07) 5435 2941. Our

thanks to everyone who has helped and supported Messy Church during the

year.

MOTHERS’ UNION: The final meeting of MU for this year will be our

Christmas break up, held at the home of Peter and Ruth Blackburn at 10am on

Wednesday, 7th December. Please note the change of time and location!

APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT BISHOP

Our Archdeacon, the Venerable Jeremy Greaves has been appointed Bishop of the

Northern Region. His Episcopal Ordination will be at 7.00pm on the 24th February

2017 in St John’s Cathedral. Please remember Jeremy and his wife Josie and chil-

dren Kate, Hannah and Thomas as he prepares to serve as a bishop in the Church of

God. Also the people of Buderim Parish as they begin the task to find a new parish

priest.

CHRISTMAS CARDS AVAILABLE FROM BCA AND MOTHERS’ UNION : See Ruth and Judy following the service.

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Rev’d Derek Barrett’s Commentary on the Readings:

Psalm 72 This was probably one of the so-called “royal “psalms. It is a prayer for the

Israelite King. These songs were sung at an enthronement, a marriage or on the day

their sovereign went into battle. The Jews believed that their king represented the

Almighty to the nation and was highly revered. In praying for his success they

were at the same time praying that their God would be both honoured and obeyed.

Christians have used this psalm as an act of praise for King Jesus, a prayer for the

nation and for all in authority in their land. Verses 2 and 4 are paraphrased in the

hymn, “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, Great David’s greater Son!, Hail, in the time

appointed, His reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, To set the

captive free, To take away transgression, And rule in equity”. This is most

appropriate for our Advent worship. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Romans 15 vv 4-13 On the second Sunday in Advent the tradition is that we should celebrate the Holy

Books, written for our edification and instruction and to lead us corporately and

individually into “a common mind according to King Jesus”. Above all they give

us HOPE which is the result of patient endurance. We are to be a welcoming

community, for Jesus Himself was genuinely friendly and open-handed, making

sure that despised and rejected people were neither marginalised nor excluded from

the company of His followers. This is the acid test for any congregation. In the

season of advent we hear again how the fathers of the Jewish race had been

promised a Messiah, and Romans underlines that Jesus is He and not just for Jews

but for all the nations. Paul would have us rejoice that the promise has been kept.

Jews are to rejoice in God’s faithfulness, Gentiles are to recognise that His grace

and mercy has been extended to them also. Therefore we are to work hard for

peace, harmony and justice, especially in our multi-racial, multi-cultural country

where asylum-seekers, refugees, homeless people are the equivalent of the man left

for dead in the parable.

Matthew 3 vv 1-12

John the Baptist has a prominent role in the season of Advent, because he paved

the way for the first advent and his call to repentance is highlighted in any

penitential season. There can be no royal progress until ways have been prepared

and paths straightened for His feet to traverse. It calls for prayer and effort in the

knowledge that the task is urgent for we do not know when “The End” will come.

For four centuries B.C. the voice of prophecy had been silent in the land of Israel.

“There was no voice, nor any that answered”, but suddenly the Baptist came to

the banks of the River Jordan from his desert home and he made sure that his

message from above was heard loud and clear. No half measures, no compromise

in his stern warnings that wheat is to be gathered in and chaff burned in the fire.

We do well to listen carefully to what John is saying to all of us today.