Collect
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and forever. Amen
Epistle: Romans 15. 4 – 13
For 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 promise 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 the joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is the word of the Lord
Psalm 72. 1 – 7, 18 – 19
1. Give the king your judgements, O God, and your righteousness to the son of a king.
2. Then shall he judge your people righteously and your poor with justice.
3. May the mountains bring forth peace, and the little hills righteousness for the people
4. May he defend the poor among the people, deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
5. May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another.
6. May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like the showers that water the earth.
7. In his time shall righteousness flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
18. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things.
19. And blessed be his glorious name forever. May all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in thebeginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Gospel: Matthew 3. 1 – 12
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 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 on 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”.
Intercessions
Please pray for those who are unwell: And we give thanks for the lives of those whose anniversary occurs at this time: Jonathan Copping, John and Sylvia Stuart,
Jean Musgrave, Wendy Packwood, Martin Smith, Jonathan Adrian Griffiths,
Aidan O’Farrell, Lindsay and Madeleine Spencer, Sheila True and Kate True
and Callum Joyce
Please pray for those who’s anniversary of death occurs around this time:
Peter Baker, Joseph Greenhalgh, Celia Riggs, Hilda Knowles, Les Rushton, Penny Brain, David Jones, Frank Kerrigan and David Linklater.
Gift Aid
If you are a UK taxpayer, All Saints, at no extra cost to you, can receive from the Chancellor of the Exchequer an additional 25% of your gift. Just use the yellow Gift Aid envelope and write your details on it. Thank you so much.
All people who are in good standing with their own church are welcome to receive communion.
If you would prefer to come to the altar for a blessing you are welcome to do so. Please bring your service booklet with you so the chaplain knows you do not wish to partake in communion.
A warm welcome to you if you are visiting us today. Please join us for refreshments in the parsonage grounds after the 11am service
Please join us in the garden after the service for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
Christmas raffle tickets are still available for our Grand Draw to be held during the Christmas Car Boot on Saturday 7th December. Cost of tickets 5 for €4 or individual tickets for €1 each. Tickets available from any member of the Church Council.
A Christmas Quiz will be held on Wednesday 18th December starting at 18.00. A team is to consist of 6 members. This is a charity fundraising event with all proceeds being given to Santa Rita. Entrance will be €2 per team member and a raffle will be held. Bring your own food.
The Epiphany Lunch will be held on Tuesday 7th January at Hotel Masaru in La Paz. Start time 13.00 for 13.30. Tickets priced at €17 available from Wendy Sanderson or any member of the Church Council. A raffle will be held.
Following the success of last year´s poinsettia appeal we will be setting aside Sunday 15th December as “Poinsettia Sunday”. We would be grateful if you would donate a poinsettia to the church as part of the Christmas decorations. The poinsettias will be placed on the altar during the service and then redistributed on Monday throughout the church. Thank you.
The Carol service will be held on Thursday 19th December. This is a change of date as we are inviting the children from St Andrew´s school to join us again. It will start at 6.30pm.
Reyes Bartlett will be performing 2 concerts in the church on Friday 20th and 27th December. Details to follow in next few days.
Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Recessional Hymn – God has spoken by his prophets
Sung to the tune of “Ode to Joy” – (Beethoven)
God has spoken by his prophets, spoken his unchanging Word;
each from age to age proclaiming God the one, the righteous Lord!
In the world´s despair and turmoil one firm anchor still holds fast,
God is on his throne eternal, He alone the first and last.
God has spoken by Christ Jesus, Christ the everlasting Son,
brightness of the Father´s glory, with the Father, ever one:
spoken by the Word incarnate, God, before all time began,
light of light, to Earth descending, Man, revealing God to man.
God is speaking by his Spirit speaking to the hearts of men;
in the age long Word declaring God´s own message, now as then.
Through the rise and fall of nations one sure faith is standing fast:
God abides, his word unchanging, God the first and God the last.