Keppel Anglican Newsletter

Friday 4 December, 2020

A note from the Minister

Greetings to our Parish!

The lead up to Christmas is called Advent. Advent is a time where we look forward to the return of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Advent actually asks us what we are we doing as we wait for our Saviour. The Bible constantly reminds us to look forward to ‘The Day’, and to seek to live like Jesus and to draw others to him. I hope these words from Augustine are an encouragement to you as you reflect on the coming of our Saviour Jesus.

Augustine (AD 400) wondering out loud about the meaning of Christmas:

"He lies in a manger but He holds the world in His hand; he is nourished at the breast but He feeds the angels; He is wrapped in swaddling clothes but He clothes us with immortality; He is suckled but is adored; He does not find room in the inn but He makes a temple for Himself in the hearts of believers. For Strength took on weakness that weakness might become strong. Therefore, let us marvel at rather than despise His human birth; from it let us learn the lowliness which such loftiness assumed for our sake. Then let us enkindle our love so that we may come to His eternal day."

Augustine, Sermon 190, For the Feast of the Nativity.

Grace and peace.

Rob

Our Church Services

Sunday 6th December

Advent 2

Isaiah 40:1-11 ● Psalm 85:1-2,8-13 ● 2 Peter 3:8-15 ● Mark 1:1-8

St James Sat 6pm: Rob (HC)

St James Sun 7:30am: Rob (HC), 9:30: Rob (HC)

Emu Park Sun 8:30: Philip.vS (MP)

Sunday 13th December

Advent 3

Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11 ● Psalm 126 ● 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 ● John 1:6-8,19-28

St James Sat 6pm: Rob (HC)

St James Sun 7:30am: Rob (HC), 9:30: Rob (HC)

Emu Park Sun 8:30: William (Phil.W HC)

Sunday 20th December

Advent 4

Readings and Carols

2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 ● Psalm 89:1-4,19-27 ● Romans 16:25-2 7 ● Luke 1:26-38

St James Sat 6pm: Philip.vS (Rob HC)

St James Sun 7:30am: Philip.vS (Phil.W HC),

9:30: Philip.vS ("9 Readings and Carols")

Emu Park Sun 8:30: Rob (HC)

Livestreaming church services

Please note that we are now livestreaming church on Saturday night at 6pm and Sundays at 7:30am. This can be viewed on our facebook page and our youtube channel - Just search Keppel Anglican on either facebook.com or youtube.com

Any problems? Please let Philip van’t Spyker know: philipvs@keppelanglican.org

Prayers

For those known to us

Marion, Bill Carmichael, John Quaife, Mary Peacock, Graham McCamley, Barry Tennent, Del Winkelmann, John Provan, Anita Suthers, June Waymouth, Danny Daffey, Marcus Belot, Rebecca van Diem, John, Fay & Arthur Weston, Coralyn Johansen, Max, Marzley Baldwin, Jean McKinnon, Rhonda Argall, Gillian Busch & family, the family of Rene West.

Please pray for Gillian and her family upon the passing of Gwyneth. It is wonderful to know she is now with her Lord, and so we thank God for this hope that she had which has now been fulfilled. Amen!

Please pray for the family of Rene West. She is now with her Lord Jesus. Please keep Lee and the family in your prayers at this difficult time. The funeral is on Sat. 5/12 at 11am.

For Sunday 6 December, 2020

Sentence

Second Sunday of Advent

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. For the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together. Luke 3.4; Isaiah 40.5a

Prayer of the Day

Second Sunday of Advent

Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,

that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

Merciful God, who sent your messenger John the Baptist to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: give us grace to heed his warning and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sermon Outline

Philip van’t Spyker - Christ Church, Emu Park

Isaiah 40

How does God comfort his people in hard times?

1. Command 1

2. Prepare the way for the Lord.

3. Command 2

4. The Lord himself is coming.

How does God comfort his people in hard times?

Big idea: God comforts his people. He is coming to them with power and gentleness.

Sat. 6pm Service – Christmas Dinner

Saturday 5th December at 7:30pm after the service at the Happysun Chinese Restaurant. Please call the Church Office on Monday morning 30/11 if you want to join us.

Connect Groups

Monday 7pm with Di and Danny (2nd & 4th)

Wednesday 9.00am with Lyn at Emu Park

Wednesday 7:30pm with Rob

Thursday 7:30pm with Rob

Friday 1.30pm with Colleen at the Chapel (2nd & 4th)

Some of these groups have concluded for the year.

To join a CONNECT group, please contact our office.

Daily Office

8.30am Tues at St James Church [In recess until 2021.]

8am Wed via Zoom.

Time: This is a recurring meeting - Meet anytime.

Join Zoom Meeting on

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74049606265?pwd=cXByaVova2lNNUVUZ01vbG5SeUpoZz09

Meeting ID: 740 4960 6265

Passcode: 3aezi3

Generosity

All that happens in our parish is funded entirely by the generosity of our community. During this time it is helpful to give via

electronic means. Giving can be done in 3 ways:

ANFIN Parish Direct form mailed to ANFIN to set up electronic transfers
Direct transfer can occur via your bank
Traditional offertory envelope at church

Account name:

Anglican Parish of Keppel

BOQ BSB: 124180

Account: 21415102

Offering Plate:

Please note that we can no longer pass an offering plate around in the middle of the service, but you will be able to leave your envelope or cash gift in the bowl as you enter the church.

BCA boxes

Please collect your BCA boxes from the Foxwell Room.

2021 Lectionaries

For those who haven't yet paid for their lectionary, please put your money ($15) in an envelope clearly marked LECTIONARY MONEY and please include your NAME on the envelope. Please put the envelope in the collection box.