Sunday  13thth  December

Third Sunday in Advent

 

« Lift up your voice with a shout. “Here is your God!””

 

Isaiah 48

 

 

Good morning everyone and a very warm welcome on this third Sunday in Advent when we

are reminded of John the Baptist who prepares the way for the coming of Christ. Today also is

the festival of Saint Lucy, who is Lucia which is the Latin word for light.

Christ our light, whose Advent we welcome, comes into the world to dispel the darkness, heralded by  the prophets, and John the Baptist

 

Opening  Hymn: 401 On Jordan’s Bank

 

Confession:

     Lord let me hear the call of your prophet John the Baptist,

      That I may truly repent and be converted.

      Let what is crooked in me become straight,

      let what is rough become smooth,

      and what is empty be filled;

      through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

First reading: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11

 

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her

 that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for,

 that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling:

"In the desert prepare the way for the Lord;

make straight in the wilderness  a highway for our God.”

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah,  "Here is your God!"

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him.

See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

 

Hymn around the Gospel:  Emmanuel

 

Emmanuel, Emmanuel,

His name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us,

                                         His name is called Emmanuel.

                                                                                                        

Gospel  Reading. John 1: 19-28

 

Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ.[“

 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"  He said, "I am not."

 "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."

Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'

Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

 

 

Offertory Hymn:  317  Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining

 
Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:
Sung responses can be found on page 8 in the yellow service booklet.

 

If you would like to receive blessing at the altar rail you are very welcome, and if you would like a special prayer or a prayer for healing, please indicate that to the priest   when he comes to you.

 

 Hymn during Communion:  470 The Advent of Our King

                                                                              Sung quietly and prayerfully

 

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world, illumine our minds and hearts, and as John the Baptist prepared the way for your first coming, may we prepare ourselves to receive you now as our saviour and lord, that we may walk in your light. We pray this in your holy name, Amen.

 

 

Recessional Hymn  358 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 
 
Friday 18th December Carol service 18.30

Grimaud Village Church

 Followed buy mince pies and mulled wine.

 

 

Here at St John’s
 
Sunday December 20th   

18.00 Festival of Lessons and

Carols by candle light. 

Followed by mince pies and mulled wine
 
 


                  Christmas Morning  25th December

                                     10.30 

                   Celebration of Christmas Communion

                                  with carols.

                                                    

 
Epiphany Sunday January 3rd 2010

10.30 Holy Communion to celebrate the

          coming of the Wise Men.

 

Epiphany Sunday Lunch.

Anne and Ben invite you to their home to celebrate the Epiphany. Please sign up at the back of the church. Cooks are needed for a beef casserole please ask Anne for the recipe all expenses will be reimbursed. There will be a charge to cover the cost of the meal. If the numbers are too great the meal will be held at  St John’s.

 

 

Shirley and Cynthia, have made some beautiful Christmas cards. These are available on the drinks table for a donation to church funds so if you have run out at the last minute there is no need to panic!! Buy them today

 

St. John’s Church                      The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

Avenue Paul Doumer                                                04 94 95 45 78

www.sjevar.com                                     beneaton@orange.fr