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19 December 2013

December PlainsSpeak Newsletter

ADVENT


     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



 

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