Advent is a time of intentional anticipation, of preparing ourselves for the coming of the Christ child. It is not a few weeks of wrapping and baking for a one-day event on the 25th, but a preparation for the coming of the Christ Child into our lives.
Advent is a difficult time, when we as Christians try to ignore the societal pull toward the glitzy, shiny promises of advertising’s ideas of the season.
We are challenged to become comfortable in the waiting, in the discipline of spiritual preparations. Jesus will not enter our lives through our decorated doors, but through our calm, receptive hearts. Dec. 25 will come and go, no matter how prepared we are, but true Christmas will only come when are hearts have made Christ’s path clear and level.
This Advent, may we find the patience and strength to remain focused on the time of preparation, celebrating the anticipation and rejoicing in the promise we have been given.
WORSHIP TIMES
SUNDAY
Russell 9.30am
Binscarth 11.30am
Birtle 2.00pm
MONDAY
Roblin 7.00pm
CHRISTMAS EVE
Based on conversation with the Wider Parish Council, the Christmas Eve services will be held at the following times on 24 Dec.:
4.00pm Roblin
7.00pm Birtle
9.00pm Binscarth
11.00pm Russell
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
01 Dec: Advent Begins
10 Dec: Community Choral Festival (Russell)
15 December (Advent 3): Lessons and Carols Festival
24 Dec: Christmas Eve services
No bible studies between Christmas Eve and Epiphany
29 Dec: All-Points Worship: Roblin, 11.00am. Potluck lunch to follow
05 Jan: Epiphany
05 Mar: Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins)
SCRIPTURE FOR WORSHIP
01 Dec Isa 2.1-5 Ps 122 Rom 13.11-14 Mt 24.36-44
08 Dec Isa 11.1-10 Ps 72.1-7,18-19 Rom 15.4-13 Mt 3.1-12
15 Dec Lessons and Carols
22 Dec Isa 7.10-16 Ps 80.1-7,16-18 Rom 1.1-7 Mt 1.18-25
24 Dec Isa 52.7-10 Ps 98 Heb 1.1-12 Jn 1.1-14
29 Dec Isa 63.7-9 Ps 148 Heb 2.10-18 Mt 2.13-23
05 Jan Isa 60.1-6 Ps 72.1-7,10-14 Eph 3.1-12 Mt 2.1-12
12 Jan Isa 49.1-7 Ps 40.1-12 1Cor 1.1-9 Jn 1.29-42
19 Jan Isa 9.1-4 Ps 27.1,5-13 1Cor 1.10-18 Mt 4.12-23
26 Jan Mic 6.1-8 Ps 15 1Cor 1.18-31 Mt 5.1-12
02 Feb Isa 58.1-12 Ps 112.1-10 1Cor 2.1-16 Mt 5.13-20
09 Feb Deut 30.15-20 Ps 119.1-8 1Cor 3.1-9 Mt 5.21-37
16 Feb Lev 19.1-2,9-18 Ps 119.33-40 1Cor 3.10-11,16-23 Mt 5.38-48
23 Feb Isa 49.8-16a Ps 131 1Cor 4.1-5 Mt 6.24-34
02 Mar Ex 24.12-18 Ps 2 2Pet 1.16-21 Mt 17.1-9
05 Mar Joel 2.1-2,12-17 Ps 103.8-18 2Cor 5.20b-6.10 Mt 6.1-6,16-21
09 Mar Gen 2.15-17, 3.1-7 Ps 32 Rom 5.12-19 Mt 4.1-11
