THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
December 24, 2023
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTIOR.
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 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 HOLY 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
MEMORIAL SERVICE for Min Ring will take place on Friday, January 5 at 11.00 a.m. May she rest in peace and rise in glory!
YEAR END APPEAL. This past year insurance premiums for St. Mary’s have tripled, and maintenance and repairs on our beautiful, beloved church building exceeded our anticipated budget, leaving us with a significant deficit for our year end. Please consider making an extra offering. All financial offerings must be marked December 31 in order to be receipted for the current year.
2024 ENVELOPES. Boxes of weekly and monthly donation envelopes will be available soon. If you would like to change how you give, please send Blair a note and he will make the appropriate arrangements. Weekly and Monthly envelopes are available as well as electronic donations through e-transfer and Pre-Authorized Debit Agreements.
CHRISTMAS OFFERING. The specially marked yellow Christmas offering envelopes are available for you to contribute to the Christmas gift to the Rector. Cheques should be made out to Revd. Claude Schroeder.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Christmas Eve 4.30 pm ‘Carols around the Crib’ Children’s Service
8.00 pm Holy Communion with Christmas Carols
Christmas Day 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion