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Jesus said, “No one more important than John The Baptist has ever been born; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he”. Amen. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
The third candle is lit and this response is used, Jesus is the light of the world. A light no darkness can ever put out.
Advent candles tell their story as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory, ‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness on that Day.
Prophet voices, loudly crying , making pathways clear,
glimpsing glory, self denying calling all to hear.
through their message, challenged shaken,
hearts awaken: God is near!
John the Baptist by his preaching and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching news of hope restored:
Keep your vision, strong and steady
and be ready for the Lord
The Parish prays for:
Our thoughts and prayers are asked for Maurice Finney, Sarah Lewis, Hannah, Felix Meikle, Peter Wake, Pat Charsley and Bridie Hutchinson.
We celebrate the birthdays of Mark Simons, Adrian Ball (17), Alexander Causton (18) and Daniel McKinley (21).
Gift Aid: If you are a taxpayer, please maximise your giving in the Offertory Plate by using the Gift Aid envelopes provided.
St Mary’s notices can be sent to the Parish Office at (info@stmarysmoseley.co.uk), or by phone: 0121 449 2243 (mornings) by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Voicemail messages can be left at any time. Also see http://www.stmarysmoseley.co.uk.
St Anne’s notices can be sent to Revd Rosemary Donovan at info@st-annes-moseley.org.uk, or by phone: 0121 449 1071 by Thursday. Also see http://www.st-annes-moseley.org.uk.
St Mary’s has a loop system for the hard of hearing, in the centre block of seats. Turn your hearing aid to the “T” setting.
Our groups finish today until the New Year. Many Thanks to everyone who has helped this term.
In the coming weeks especially enjoy:
| Date | Time | St Mary’s | St Anne’s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun-16-Dec | 10:00 a.m. | Children’s Nativity Play | |
| Sun-23-Dec | 10:15 a.m. | Crib Service | |
| Mon-24-Dec Christmas Eve |
10:00 a.m. | Christingle Making | |
| 5:00 p.m. | Christingle Service | ||
| Sun-6-Jan | 10:00 a.m. | Epiphany Worship |
Please pick up your rotas from your pigeon holes. Also will all members of St Mary’s please check their pigeon holes regularly. Many Thanks
Please save all those stamps over the festive season and place in the box at the back of St Anne’s. Jenny Allen will send them off in the New Year
St Mary’s PCC — Monday 7 January, 2008 at St Anne’s.
All welcome, please support. Please visit www.b-cent.com/promote and play the game.
For more info contact Rosemary (449 1071)or Eric (449 1610)
On Saturday 22 December at 9:00 a.m. we will be decorating the church. Gifts of greenery welcome.
On Monday 24 December at 10:00 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. we shall be making christingles at St Mary’s. Young people over the age of nine years please come and help if you can.
You are again invited to make donations of money to provide communal gifts for residents in each of our care homes. Please give your gift to Cathie Carey (449 2506) or to the church wardens. Deadline: TODAY.
As regular contributors to the above, which helps people in deprived areas including Birmingham, parishioners are invited to place a donation in the collection box at the rear of the church next to the Christmas Tree Poster.
A special Christmas appeal will be made next weekend.
There will be a retiring collection after all of our Christmas services and instead of sending lots of cards please sign the beautiful card designed by Fred Burrows and put the money to Charity.
Liz Blakey wishes to thank everyone who helped deliver these throughout Moseley.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery — Free. 5 December — 4 January. See web site for details
| Service | First Reading | Second Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Isaiah 35:1-10 | Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 |
| Evening | Isaiah 5:8-end | Acts 13:13-41 |
| Time | St Mary’s | St Anne’s |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion Celebrant & Preacher: Revd Rosemary Donovan |
|
| 10:00 a.m. | Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Revd Jeremy Dussek Children’s Group presentation written by Jennifer Holloway, A more traditional approach Hymns: 196,334,519,466,307 Anthem: Sleepers Wake (Bach) |
|
| 10:15 a.m. | Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Revd Rosemary Donovan Hymns: 192,557,482,532,520 |
|
| 6:30 p.m. | Evensong Officiant: Revd Joan Griffin Preacher: Jonathan Hodgson Hymns: 196,519,491 Anthem: The Record of John (Gibbons) |
Festival of Lessons and Carols (with mulled wine afterwards) |
| Day | Time | St Mary’s | St Anne’s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon-17-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Morning Prayer | |
| Tue-18-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Holy Communion | |
| Wed-19-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Morning Prayer | |
| 12:00 noon | Holy Communion and Meditation | ||
| Thu-20-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Morning Prayer | |
| Fri-21-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Morning Prayer | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Moseley C of E School Carol Service | ||
| Sat-22-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Morning Prayer |
| Time | St Mary’s | St Anne’s |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Sung Eucharist | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Crib Service | |
| 6.30pm | Festival of Lessons and Carols | |
| Christmas Eve | ||
| 5:00 p.m. | Christingle Service | |
| 11:30 p.m. | Midnight Mass | Midnight Mass |
| Christmas Day | ||
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Festival Eucharist | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Festival Eucharist | |
See also: Calendar of Future Events
| Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-17-Dec | 12:00 noon | Lunch Club Christmas Dinner at St Anne’s Parish Hall |
| Tue-18-Dec | 8:00 p.m. | Advent Antics — The Inn Crowd meets at the Fighting Cocks Pub, Alcester Road. This week’s theme is ‘Power’. |
| Sat-22-Dec | 11:00 a.m. — 12 noon | Carol Singing at the Farmer’s Market |
It seems fitting that the new Church year comes when the earth has almost reached its darkest point. It gives us a real sense of the bleakness when cold and lack of light can lead to fear and longing for hope. John the Baptist came as the herald of the light, and urged us to be ready, to be prepared for its arrival.
Whatever our darkness is, we, too, must make ready for the coming of the light. In the ancient days it was the infant sun’s first rays which heralded hope for the people of the land. They could rest in the promise of new life from the soil in the months to come. For us, the ray of hope is a new-born king at Christmas, whom we will recognise fully as the resurrected King of Glory at Easter.
Not only the land but the spirit knows the great cycle of death and life which Jesus both embodies and promises. And it all begins, not with trumpets and fanfares, but the austere and dedicated voice of John crying in the wilderness, urging us to make straight the way. There will be new life in the dry places, the desert and the parched land will be glad — the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen