ORDER OF SERVICE Red p.404; Blue p.410; Yellow p.420 8.00am Service OPENING HYMN 74 Shepherds came, their praises bringing WELCOME GATHERING and Lighting of the fourth Advent Candle The Candle for Mary (See newsletter insert) SENTENCE When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, to redeem those who were under the law. Galatians 4: 4 COLLECT God of the Good News, with Mary we sing your praise. We proclaim to the world the coming birth of Emmanuel, God with us, the fulfilment of your promises. FIRST TESTAMENT Micah 5: 2-5a The Ruler of Bethlehem PSALM For Psalm : Luke 1: 47-55 Mary’s Song of Praise EPISTLE Hebrews 10: 5-10 Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All GOSPEL Luke 1: 39-55 Mary Visits Elizabeth SERMON Rev’d Dr. Kay Brightley: Sing CREED p. 410 (Blue Marker) INTERCESSIONS Leader : Jesus, Son of Mary Response: Dwell in us LORDS PRAYER p. 418 OFFERTORY HYMN 87 It came upon the midnight clear GREAT THANKSGIVING p. 420 (Yellow Marker) FINAL PRAYER God of love, as Christmas draws near, show us where your Good News most needs to be heard. Help us prepare room in the most unlikely places for the birth of Christ. CLOSING HYMN 42 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! DISMISSAL Go now to love and serve God. Go in the peace of Christmas. Amen. We go in the name of Christ.

Weekly Newsletter 23rd December, 2018

Vicar: Rev’d Stephen Baxter Phone / Fax 528 6212 Parish Office: Phone 528 5162 116 Selwyn Avenue Mobile 021 528 052 Fax 528 1155 Kohimarama Email. slbaxter@xtra.co.nz Email. standrewskohi@xtra.co.nz Auckland 1071 vicarsblogging.blogspot.com Website www.standrewskohi.org Priest Assistant: Rev’d Dr. Kay Brightley Phone 446 6981 Mobile 021 275 6763 Email: kdhbrightley@xtra.co.nz Peoples’ Warden: Ann Bone Phone 575 2709 Vicar’s Warden: David Wolfenden Phone 528 9274

This morning in our Gospel reading Mary shares her song with us and asks us to sing the Magnificat with her. She invites us to delight with her in the God who turns the world upside down, who saves us through this girl’s courage. Mary always points us to her Son, the one redeemer. Her existence reminds us that we can be as she is: the faithful disciple, the one who brings Christ to birth, the soul espoused to God. Without such joy, Christianity is ever in danger of becoming less than itself, falling into respectable dullness or mean-spirited fanaticism. However, where this joy of Mary singing the Magnificat is set free, Christianity becomes confident, the harbinger of an eternal springtime, rich with hope for this world and the next. We live in a time when people ache for such a hope. May we help them find it in the liberating God who is the subject of Mary’s song and the centre of Mary’s life.

Preparing for ChristmasAdvent 4, Year C

Anglican Missions Board You might be interested to know that our

parish gives $400.00 per month to the AMB

A combined services Morning Tea is held on the 1st Sunday of every month

following the 8:00 am service.

TODAY A special welcome to anyone visiting with us today. We hope that you will be able to stay and join us for morning tea which follows both of our services today. All Welcome!

Prayer & Anointing with Holy Oil

is available in the Martyrs’ Chapel following the service today. Please wait for one of the Clergy to join you

THIS WEEK

NOTICES Monday, 14th January Line Dancing Group resumes in the Parish Hall. Tuesday, 15th January Parish Office re-opens Sunday, 20th January - 5.00pm Still Point a Contemplative Eucharist. See notice in Newsletter for further information. Wednesday, 14th February - Due to Waitangi Day Wednesday Communion resumes. Wednesday, 14th February Selwyn Centre resumes. Friday, 8th February Pre-School Music resumes in the Parish Hall. Tuesday, 12th, February Mothers’ Union resumes. Sunday, 17th February Evensong resumes. Wednesday, 20th February Course in Miracles Group resumes meeting at the Vicarage.

SERVICES TODAY 8:00 am Readers: Peter Cotton Jill Benton Prayers Peter Cotton Server: Elizabeth Jollands Chalice: Jill Benton Ann Bone 9:45 am Readers: Gospel: Geoff Hickman Prayers: Clergy Server: TBA Chalice: Liz Smith Nicole Way

St Andrew’s Prayer Circle: We ask that you pray daily for: Week Commencing 23rd December - Brent Nicholson, & Course in Miracles Group

Week Commencing 30th December - Anna Holt & family & the Worship Committee Remember: The Church that prays together, stays together!

Roster Next Week Sunday, 30th December

Christmas 1 8:00 am Sides Duty: Elizabeth Jollands Rona Patterson First Testament: Elizabeth Jollands Epistle: Jill Benton Prayers: Nancy Wormald Server: Rona Patterson Chalice: Elizabeth Jollands Rona Patterson 9:45 am All Comers Roster Sacristan: Rona Patterson Organist: TBC

PEOPLE & things Thank you to everyone who took part in and supported the Service of Nine

Lessons & Carols last Sunday - especially Liz Smith, Suzanne Walton, Brent Nicholson, Clair Stuart, the members of the Choir and Helen Goodwin and Elizabeth Jollands for organising the supper following the service.

Special thanks to our Parish Secretary Annabelle for her commitment to our parish this past year.

Congratulations to Alicja Dryjska who received a class prize at the Kohi School prize giving this week.

A big thank you to our Warden’s Ann Bone and David Wolfenden for their commitment to their roles this past year.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with David Bindon who has moved from the Hospice to Shalom Court Hospital which is opposite St. John’s College.

The Line Dancing Group donated $1000 of Nappies and Baby Formula to the ATWC. These were purchased at a reduced price through Pak N Save.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our appeal for Christmas Presents for the City Mission.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Parish Christmas Party at the Vicarage this year and who helped to make it such a success. Special thanks to Baby & William and those who helped in the Kitchen.

If you would like to be part of a Morning Tea roster in January following the 9.45am service please talk to Liz, Stephen or Kay.

Please note there is no Wednesday Communion Service on the first Wednesday in January. Wednesday Communion services will resume on the 14th February, a week later than usual due to Waitangi Day.

Please note that the Parish Office will be closed between Christmas Eve and Monday, the 14th January. For anything urgent please contact Kay.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES Monday, 24th December: Christmas Carols - 10:45 pm Christmas Eve Service - 11:00 pm Tuesday, 25th December: Christmas Day 8:00 am 9:45 am Family Service.

January Roster Please note that there is an 8.00am Service Roster and an All Comers Roster for the 9.45am Service during January. Thank you to those people who have been on the roster during the past year. Every ministry is important in contributing to the success of our worship.

Rosters for 25th December: Christmas Day

25th December

8.00am Sides Duty: Margaret Wilson Nancy Wormald Gathering: Stephen Baxter Epistle: Peter Cotton Gospel: Stephen Baxter Prayers: Nancy Wormald Chalice: Margaret Wilson Nancy Wormold

9.45am Sides Duty: Liz Smith Gathering: Stephen Baxter Epistle: Annabelle Hale Gospel: Camilla Needham Prayers: Jennifer Copeland Server: Jennifer Copeland Chalice: Liz Smith Camilla Needham Organist:: Brent Nicholson Sacristan: Margaret Baker

Rosters for 24th December: Christmas Eve

24th December

11pm Welcomers: Jill Benton Kay Brightley Sides Duty: Rona Patterson Carols: TBA Gathering: Stephen Baxter First Testament: Jenny Ingram Gospel: Ros Rundle Prayers: Roz Edwards Server: Helen Goodwin Chalice: Jill Benton Rona Patterson Organist: Stephen Baxter Sacristan: Helen Goodwin

St. Andrew’s Kids’ Club Holiday, Before & After School Care

Please encourage any parents who you think

might be interested in our programmes to visit

our website: www.standrewskidsclub.org

Prayer of Confession Leader: O God, who promised a child, your Messiah, our Saviour, the day has almost come. It is the day you chose and is not of our choosing. O God, in the excitement of the day, we fret, wondering if we are ready. It is the promise of tomorrow. We look for something new to wear, to read, or to add to our life. Yet we are not ready to change our lives or wear your love. Forgive us. (Silence) O God, slow us down. Help us to be amazed at your love and in awe of your gift to us this Christmas. Absolution Priest: The Good News is that we are a forgiven people, restored, Beloved by God and free to love. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. All: Thanks be to God. Priest: In the decision to repent, pardon and peace are yours. All: Thanks be to God!

STILL POINT- A CONTEMPLATIVE EUCHARIST

SUNDAY 20TH JANUARY, 5.00 PM

FOLLOWED BY WINE AND CHEESE This is a service inspired by a monthly service at

St Luke’s Mount Albert Come and see if this is something for you - silence, reflection and Taize chants

as part of the worship. Talk to Kay

THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY Advent 4 - Preparing for Christmas

Call to Worship Leader: We are a people of Love. Let us share God’s love in word, action and thought. All: We are a people of Joy. May the joy of faith-filled living ever give us peace. Leader: We are a people of peace. The peace of God sustains and comforts. All: Let us give thanks to God for love, joy, peace and hope as we worship together this day. Opening Prayer Leader: O God, who loves us with a perfect love, we confess our failure to love you and to love other people. You gave us your very self in Jesus, yet we hesitate to give generously even of our possessions. Fill us with your love this Christmas that our lives may be a true reflection of Christ’s love for the world. Advent Candle - Lighting (Please Kneel or Sit) Leader 1: The celebration of Christ’s birth draws closer. Leader 2: Our Advent journey has taken us from the call in the wilderness to the wonder of God’s love, shown in the birth of a Holy Child. People: “Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. Leader 1: “Immanuel,” God with us, is indeed Good News! Leader 2: God’s love is amazing. God’s love is life-giving! People: “Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. Leader 1: We light the first candle, reminding us of the way of hope. (Light the Isaiah candle). Leader 2: We light the second candle, reminding us of God’s way of peace. (Light the candle for John the Baptist).

Leader 1: We light the third candle, reminding us of God’s way of joy. (Light the Joseph candle). Leader 2: We light the fourth candle reminding us of God’s way of love. (Light the Mary candle) People: “Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. Leader 1: May the love and light of this holy time be ever with us. Leader 2: Let us sing of Advent hope, peace, joy and love. Sung Response All: Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; set your minds on things eternal, for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descending comes our homage to command. King of kings, yet born of Mary, once upon the earth he stood; Lord of lords we now perceive him in his body and his blood - he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food. Rank on rank the host of heaven stream before him on the way; as the Light of light descending from the realms of endless day vanquishes the power of evil, clears the gloom of hell away. At his feet the six-winged seraphs, cherubim with sleepless eye, veil their faces in his presence as with ceaseless voice they cry: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord most high!