“ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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COLLECT: journey to meet the One who is coming: strengthen our weak hands, make firm our feeble knees, and open blind eyes to the dawning of your kingdom, so that our hearts may rejoice as we behold the majesty of our God. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
Archbishop Justin Welby: Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell: Archbishop of York.
Today’s Bible Readings
Third Sunday in Advent: Advent III
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35: 1-10
Psalm: 146 ( A.P.B.A. page 377)
New Testament Reading: James 5: 7-10
Gospel: Matthew 11: 2-22
Prayers For The World And The Church
For The World: We pray for a right spirit of peace and cooperation to overcome the spirit of hatred, bitterness, and division in all countries. We pray for relief of suffering of innocent victims in countries troubled by conflict and unrest. We pray for the continuing civil unrest in China. We pray for those citizens in The Ukraine as they prepare to endue a very bleak freezing winter with no heat for warmth. We pray for the civil unrest in Peru. For those starving in Sri Lanka.
(We continue to pray for the unrest between Ukraine and Russia.)
Our Country: We continue to be mindful of those townships and communities that continuing to face flooding in the inland parts of New South Wales.
World Wide Anglican Community: The Anglican Church of Kenya: for the Archbishop, bishops, clergy and people.
The Anglican Church of Australia: For the Diocese of Gippsland: Richard Treloar- Bishop; clergy and people.
Our Diocese: The Parish of Beaudesert Ken Spreadborough - locum priest; and people.
Diocesan Schools: for all Diocesan Schools as the Summer Break begins. That the summer break may be a time of refreshment and relaxation from school studies.
Defence Force Anglicans: We pray for the Army Archdeacon and his work in partnership with the Anglican Bishop to the Defence Forces in pastorally caring for the chaplains of the Australian Defence Force.
Our Parish: As we come to the end of the year, we give thanks for the ministry of all the parish groups; and for the various groups end of year gatherings at this time.
Our Community: We pray all schools in our community, both private and state as they commence their summer break. May the summer break be a time of refreshment and relaxation free from school studies.
Other Denominations Within Our Community: The Scarborough Presbyterian Church and The Seventh Day Adventist Church: for the ministers and pastors and congregations of those denominations.
Those Seeking Healing: Sherryl, Ken, Clare, Anita, Noah, Dorothy, Julian
Those Mourning: For those who mourn the death of a loved one at this time.
Departed:
Years Minds: Ian Woolford (12/19) Stan Hoyes 13/09)
Next Week’s Bible Readings
Fourth Sunday in Advent : Advent IV
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-16
Psalm: 80: 1-7, 17-19 (A.P.B.A. page 307)
New Testament Reading: Romans 1: 1-7
Gospel: Matthew 1: 18-24