PEW SHEET 1st January 2017

EPIPHANY – Christmas begins on Christmas Day 25^th December and the feast continues for twelve days until Epiphany on 6^th January. Because Epiphany falls on a Friday in 2017 the church has moved its celebration to Sunday 1^st January; it’s not until Epiphany that our nativity scene is joined by the figures of the wise men. The Gospel of Matthew’s account of the visit of The Magi speaks simply of ‘wise men from the east’; later the number has become fixed at three probably because of the three gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh. These wise men have also been named – Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

In Western churches, the Epiphany (manifestation) became an occasion to celebrate the visit of the wise men that travelled from the East, following a star to visit Jesus. The importance of their visit is that the Messiah was manifest to the Gentiles. The longed for saviour is not a saviour for the people of Israel alone but for the entire world.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS  
Studying the Bible with others is a great way to develop our faith and our fellowship. In 2017 Bible Study groups will be continuing across the parish –

• The Yarram Group ‘Coffee Connect’ led by Linda Bowden
• The Won Wron Group led by Elaine Wright
• The Port Albert Group to be led by Rev Jo

The Gospel of John – The Way to True Life a Life Guide Bible Study by Douglas Connelly; there are a number of these booklets available for group or personal study $10 per copy. If you are interested please speak to a Bible Study Leader or Rev. Jo


Crossley House Holy Communion resumes Monday 11.00am, 23^rd January
St Elmo's House Holy Communion resumes Monday 11.15am, 30^th January
Midweek Holy Communion will resume Wednesday 10.30am, 1^st February

PEW SHEET 18th December 2016

ADVENT FOUR -

Immanuel; Hebrew for “God is with us”, the name of a child whose birth is symbolic of God’s guiding and protecting presence. (Isaiah 7:14; 8:8 and Matthew 1:23) In ancient times people believed that knowing someone’s name gave you power over them. but it had to be the person’s true name, the name that expressed who they really were. Emmanuel or Immanuel (both spellings are found in Holy Scripture) conveys the truth of God’s promise to us that God will never leave us, through good times and bad God is always closer to us than breathing. God shares our struggles, our loneliness as well as our joy and delight.

Traditional Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday 18^th December  7.30pm at Holy Trinity

This Traditional evening of readings and carols was first begun by the Dean of Kings College in Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, to involve the people of Cambridge in the great sweep of salvation history. The Nine Lessons begin with the story of Adam’s fall, moving through the prophet Isaiah to the annunciation and birth of Jesus. The church always looks fabulous for this event with candles and festive lights. The evening will conclude with sparkling refreshments. We hope you will join us for this very special night.

Celebrate Christmas with us:

CHRISTMAS EVE - 

7.30pm CHRISTINGLE at St John’s, Port Albert
Members of the Port Albert Community have been busy decorating the windows at St John’s for this special family friendly service.
11.30pm MIDNIGHT MASS at Holy Trinity, Yarram
A delightful service of light followed by a bit of Christmas Cheer

CHRISTMAS DAY - 

9.00am Holy Communion as Holy Trinity, Yarram

PEW SHEET 4th December 2016

ADVENT WEEK TWO

THE JESSE TREE – a Jesse Tree was originally a two dimensional representation of the family tree of Jesus tracing his ancestry from Jesse of Bethlehem, the father of King David. Its origins date back to the Medieval Period when many people were illiterate. The Jesse Tree was a kind of teaching aid to help people understand that Jesus was the fulfilment of the prophesy suggested by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. ‘A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.’ (Isaiah 11:1) The Jesse Tree can also be used as a type of Advent Calendar to which a new symbol is added either day by day or week by week. Each symbol helps tell the story of salvation history from creation until the birth of Jesus. We have assembled some 25 Jesse Tree symbols on the tree in the foyer at Holy Trinity. You are invited to turn them over to discover their meaning. For example: Joseph and his coat; A tent and camel; A lamb with a pennant. Each card includes a commentary on the Bible reading, questions for reflection and a short prayer.

DURING ADVENT -

Rev. Jo will host PRAY AS YOU GO at The Black Ram Agar Room on Wednesdays 11.30am PAYG is a simple time of reflection using the daily readings.

EVENING PRAYER DURING ADVENT – you are invited to join Rev. Jo for Evening Prayer 6.00pm each night at Holy Trinity, Yarram.

Yarram Combined Churches Community Christmas Carols – Regent Theatre Sunday 11^th December 7.30pm please make plans to attend. If you would like to offer assistance with taking up the offering, giving out programs, or reading the scripture please speak to Rev. Jo

Parish Council Meeting 7^th December 4.00pm at the Rectory

TODAY St John’s Congregational Meeting following our 9.00am service

Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday 18^th December  

7.30pm at Holy Trinity

This Traditional evening of readings and carols was first begun by the Dean of Kings College in Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, to involve the people of Cambridge in the great sweep of salvation history. The Nine Lessons begin with the story of Adam’s fall, moving through the prophet Isaiah to the annunciation and birth of Jesus. The church always looks fabulous for this event with candles and festive lights. The evening will conclude with sparkling refreshments. We hope you will join us for this very special night.

Christmas is Coming – there are number of Christmas Catalogues from various mission agencies on the Mission Table including: Tear Australia, Christian Blind Mission, Bible League International, and Anglicare Victoria.

Koorong Christmas Catalogue includes lots of good ideas for family and friends

Anglicare invites us to purchase gifts for their annual Toy Appeal. You might consider the following: Lego blocks, arts and crafts materials, board games, baby blankets, educational DVD’s, books, clothing, sports equipment, jewellery, gift vouchers, 2017 diaries.

Anglicare asks that all items donated are new and unwrapped. Most gifts given are for younger children so please do not forget to consider gifts for teenagers.

Please place your gifts under the tree today until Sunday 18^th December.