Christmas Bulletin
The Anglican Parish of Tamborine Mountain
PARISH BULLETIN
25th December 2021
Christmas
Midnight Mass
Sentence
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
for to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Isaiah 9.2, 6
Collect
Almighty God,
who gave your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him
and as at this time to be born of the virgin Mary:
grant that we being born again
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;
through the same our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit,
ever one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Christmas Day
Sentence
I bring you good news of great joy for all people: to you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour, Christ the Lord. Luke 2.10–11
Collect
All glory to you, gracious God,
for the gift of your Son,
whom you sent to save us.
With the angels, let us praise your name,
and tell the earth his story,
that all may believe, rejoice, and proclaim your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Liturgy: via PowerPoint + APBA Colour – White
Fr Peter writes:
Christmas is an important time for many, especially children. Unfortunately though, it can also be a difficult time. I think of those families who lost children in the jumping castle accident in Tasmania, those whose lives have been disrupted by COVID-19, the homeless, the refugees in detention or on limited visas or still trying to find a safe place to live, the unemployed and those facing other challenges in their lives. Jesus was born into an occupied country with a government which called a census requiring everyone to return to their place of origin to be counted and under a ruler who wanted to eliminate Jesus at birth.
Jesus came into the real world as we experience it. He was just as dependent on others at his birth as any other new-born. He completely identified with our humanity. He also came to bring hope, peace, joy and love for all. As we reflect on the state of the world, we are reminded that changes are necessary. We are imperfect people in an imperfect world. The Christian message is that God has given us the capacity to change and to work with others to change the world. COVID-19 has demonstrated that if resources are used to bring the best minds together and applied to the problem, vaccines can be developed in record time. If these are distributed for the benefit of all, progress can be made rapidly. But if we are selfish progress is delayed.
I pray that we can see the presence of God in our world and celebrate not just an historical event of over 2000 years ago but the presence of God in our lives today, in our Christmas celebrations and in our willingness to reach out to those in need.
Christians celebrate ‘God with us’, Emanuel. God in us, God in our community, God in the world. God helping us to see how we can make a difference as we allow God to guide our decisions, our actions, and our relationships with others, on a daily basis. God bless you and yours this Christmas and may you be a blessing to others in 2022. Yours in the household of God, Peter+
Meditation - a weekly thought Trust
Mary and Joseph’s consent to the divine initiative was offered in the thick of public disapproval, private confusion, painful risk, and gathering scandal. Being human, they struggled. If they had not come undone – if they had not broken open, even just a little – the words of the angel would not have had room to land and to grow in their hearts. They offered their lives to this mystery, trusting in its power to do more for them than they could ask or imagine. Br. Keith Nelson
Readings
24th December 2021 Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9.2-7 Psalm 96; Titus 2.11-14 Luke 2.1– 20
25th December 2021 Christmas Day
Isaiah 62.6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3.4 - 8; Luke 2.1-20
Hymns Midnight Mass
Welcome TIS 322
Introit TIS 311
Gradual: TIS 304
Offertory: TIS 312
Communion TIS 319
Missional: TIS 268
Hymns Christmas Day
Introit TIS 304
Gradual: TIS 292
Offertory: TIS 309
Communion TIS 293
Missional: TIS 303
Prayers of the people Prepared by Peta
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
We give thanks to you, our Heavenly Father, for the gift of your son, our saviour Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at this Christmas time. We pray that everyone is able to hear your story and feel the warmth of your love and forgiveness. We pray for your church in every land, and for all your faithful servants in this diocese, especially Archbishop Phillip, Regional Bishop John, Fr Peter, Fr John, and Fr Allan. We pray for Fr Tom and his family.
We give thanks to you, our Heavenly Father, for your gift of the earth and all its bounty. Help us to care for it and share in its resources with equity and justice.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
We give thanks to you, our Heavenly Father, for your gifts of loving families and neighbours, and for our parish family. We thank you for acts of kindness, generosity and forgiveness. We bring before you those who need kindness, generosity and forgiveness, and those who have asked for our prayers, whom we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts...( a period of silence for prayer).
We give thanks to you, our Heavenly Father, for your witnesses in every age; for Isaiah and Luke, for Mary and Joseph, for Thomas. We give thanks for all the saints who have felt your love and forgiveness and for all our loved ones who have died in your love. We pray for those who mourn. Bring us all into your heavenly kingdom.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Everlasting Father, receive the prayers we bring before you, and grant that what we have asked for in faith, we may, by your grace, receive.
Labyrinth Message
This week's labyrinth message for you to "walk with" is : I wonder how you react to the retelling of the Nativity this Christmas in the year of our Lord 2021 ? Is it a comfortable reminder of earlier retellings ? …was there a surprise or 2 ? [ I hadn't noticed that before .. ] or ... something different perhaps ?
The Gospel for this week jars us with just how "ordinary" the Messiah's birth was [ in humble surrounds, out of home, totally reliant upon someone's hospitality etc ] in some aspects… yet also how extraordinary it was too…[ virgin birth, angel visitations and choirs, shepherd's summoned, special announcements upon the presentation to the Temple etc ]. I wonder what Divine Christmas Invitation / Gift you will receive this Christmas ? Perhaps it may open your eyes to something extraordinary being birthed in the midst of your festive celebrations? A blessed Christmas to you and yours from the Anglican Labyrinth Resource Group:)
Covid Policy
All are welcomed to our services. We strongly recommend that masks be worn inside the church but once seated they can be removed.
Please do not shake hands and maintain 1.5 metre distancing wherever possible.
December Retiring Collection: Christmas Bowl
The Christmas Bowl provides a powerful mechanism for sharing God’s love, with those who need it, through practical Christian action.
Please Note: there will be No Morning Tea at St George’s on Sunday 26th December
Upcoming Events
Sunday 2nd January St Luke’s End of Year Fellowship
Australia Day celebrations are in the pipe line . The theme: INDIGENOUS .
Looking for new suggestions, ideas, covering the days events, will be most welcome . Games, food, BBQ, entertainment, presentations, art ??. Contact Delma 55451856
Christmas Service Times
24th December Christmas Eve Service on the Lawn - 5.30pm - St George’s
24th December Midnight Eucharist -11.00pm - St George’s
25th December - Christmas Eucharist - 8.00am - St Luke’s & 9.30am - St George’s
26th December - Christmas 1 Eucharist - 8.00am - St Luke’s & 9.30am - St George’s
REGULAR HAPPENING, SMALL GROUPS & DATE CLAIMERS
DGS Atrium/Footsteps Sun 9.20am @ St George’s In Recess
Little Lukies Mon 3:00pm @ St Luke’s In Recess
Meditation Tue 8:00am @ St George’s In Recess
Bible Study Wed 1.30pm @ St Luke’s In Recess
Emergency Relief Weekly @ St George’s by appointment
Friday Bible Study 1st/3rd Fri 10:00am In Recess
Evening Service Sat 5:00pm @ St George’s
Parish Directory
Locum Priest Fr Peter Moore 0429 679 011 peter.moore@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Churchwarden Delma McCrae 07 5545 1856 delma.mccrea@live com
Churchwarden Peta Tierney 04 1325 8332 peta.tierney@hotmail.com
Churchwarden Roy van Litsenborgh 07 5545 3032
Priests with Permission to Officiate:
The Rev’d John Corner, The Ven Allan Paulsen
Parish Office
Phone: 5545 2919 Thursday & Friday; Email: tamborinemountain@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Parish Bank Details: BSB 704-901 Account No. 00000450
Emergency Relief Bank Details: BSB 704-901 Account No. 00015232
Parish Nominators
Anne King 5543 4249 gullygumfarm7@bigpond.com
Peta Tierney 0413 258 332 peta.tierney@hotmail.com
John Noble 5545 4022 noblejw@bigpond.net.au
Readings for Next Week 2nd January 2021 Second Sunday after Christmas
Jeremiah 31.7-14; Ps 8; Ephesians 1.3-14 John 1.(1-9)10-18