THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
December 22 , 2024
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTION.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS
The season of Advent where we have been preparing ourselves from the Coming of the Lord is drawing to a close. What does it mean for us to welcome and receive Christ at His Coming? Paul’s Letter to the Philippians speaks about joy, patience, prayer, supplication with thanksgiving and peace beyond all understanding. This is spiritual life, and this is what we are given to experience every time we come together for the Liturgy. All of this is grounded in our acceptance of the testimony St. John the Baptist gave concerning Jesus in today’s Gospel lesson. He is no run of the mill prophet, but rather the Lamb of God who in his death on the Cross takes away the sin of the world.
THE LESSON : PHILIPPIANS 4. 4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
THE GOSPEL : JOHN 1.19-29
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Eli′jah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Eli′jah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
PARISH LIFE NOTES
FAMILY READ ALOUD OF CHARLES DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL takes place today at 4.30 p.m. in the Lower Hall.
STEWARDSHIP UPDATE. We are pleased to announce that we have surpassed our stewardship goal. To date, we have received pledges totaling $132,780, exceeding our target of $130,000. If you have not returned your pledge form yet, please do so as soon possible.
CHRISTMAS OFFERING. The Christmas Offering Envelopes will be given as Christmas Gift to the Rector. Other cheques/ cash offerings or e-transfer towards this gift should be marked, “Christmas Gift to the Rector.”
2025 DONATIONS PLANS. Please let Blair know if you would like to change how you donate next year. Envelopes are available for weekly and monthly donations. Monthly Automatic withdrawals can be set up for your bank account. Or you can donate any time via e-transfer. Thanks.
HELP NEEDED: NURSERY VOLUNTEERS Our nursery is in need of more volunteers. With only 3 helpers, we’re finding it difficult to cover all 4 Sundays—and sometimes even the 5th Sunday in the month. Your time, even just once a month, would make a big difference in providing a loving and safe space for our children. We truly appreciate your support and thank you for considering this important opportunity to serve. If you can help, please contact Yvonne at the office at 306-522-6052 or email
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. MARY’S
DECEMBER 24, CHRISTMAS EVE
4.30 p.m. Carols Around the Crib Family Service
9:00 p.m. Holy Communion with Carols of Christmas
DECEMBER 29, SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
10.30 a.m. Morning Prayer with Carols of Christmas
JANUARY 5, FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
10.00 a.m. Morning Prayer
10.30 a.m. Holy Communion and Carols