THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE ADVENT
November 24, 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
Today is the Sunday Next Before Advent, which serves as a “bridge” between the long season of Trinity and the end of one liturgical year, and the beginning of a new year and the season of Advent. This day comes to us a signal for the renewal of our love, our desire for holy things, to share our faith, and the stirring up of our wills. The Epistle lesson lays out the ground for our hope for the future, and our Gospel lesson presents us with the invitation to “come and see” how this hope is being actualized in the here and now of our lives.
THE COLLECT
STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LESSON : Jeremiah 23:5-8
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when men shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land
THE GOSPEL : John 1:35-45
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’. He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’
PARISH LIFE NOTES
CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS to Carter, who renewed the vows of his baptism and received the laying on of hands with prayer Bishop Helene at a service of Evensong and Confirmation last Sunday.
2025 PLEDGE FORMS are being gathered in and offered up in prayer at the Offertory today. If you have forgotten to return your pledge form, please mail it in the office as soon as possible.
OPERATION ANDREW
In today’s Gospel lesson, Andrew heeds the call of Jesus to “come and see.” Having come to Jesus and seen Him for who He is, Andrew goes and finds Peter and shares with him the Good News: “We have found him for whom we have yearned.” As we enter into the season of Advent, where we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Birth of the Coming One,” and in anticipation of St. Andrew’s Day, this Saturday, (Nov. 30) you are invited to write on the card included in today’s bulletin, the names of family members , friends, neighbours you would like to see come into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ . These will be prayed for throughout this season of Advent at St. Mary’s. You will have opportunity to invite these and others “to come and see” by attending the Christmas Lessons and Carols Service on Dec.20.
EVENING PRAYER FOR THE FEAST OF ST. ANDREW will be held this Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
RECTOR’S BOOK CLUB “Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One Story Universe “meets today in the lounge at 12.15, and the mid-week meeting will take place on Wednesday at 10.30.
THE INTERCULTURAL POTLUCK SHARING CIRCLE meets on Wednesday , November 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Upper Hall.
CALLING AT ST. MARY’S BAKERS. Let’s put all your talent to work for the St. Nicholas Christmas Market Bake Sale on Saturday Dec. 7th, 2024.All types of baking and preserves are welcome! Please make your favorites but if you need suggestions, the baking table can include cakes, cookies, tarts, breads, muffins, pies, squares, jam, jellies and pickles etc, etc. Use your imagination!! Have fun! Special Baking like nut free, gluten free, lactose free and sugar free (diabetic) are all sought after and well received. If you choose to make this baking, please include an ingredient list, and clearly wrap and mark your baking with its specialty. Please bring your baking to the church on Friday Dec 6th any time after 10am. Thank-you. Please contact Sandy or Sharon and let them know what you are bringing. Happy Baking!
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer: Tuesday to Friday at 8.30 a.m.
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
Holy Communion: Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.