The Venerable Rob Sutherland CSC
The Venerable Rob Sutherland CSC and Reverend Angela McNeill and the congregation at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church at Moggill invite everyone to join us in worship on the Third Sunday of Advent 15 December 2024
Sentence
Third Sunday of Advent
Do not fear. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love. Zephaniah 3.16–17
Last Sunday's Reflection from the Venerable Rob Sutherland CSC
Dear Friends,
As we continue in Advent with Christmas, the celebration of God coming personally into the world, fast approaching, there seems to be much to do before we get there.
Last Sunday’s readings were about the ‘end of the world’ or the end of our time in the world and Jesus warning us to be ready, ready for God to rescue, to save us, to bring us home when the end comes. This week of Advent in our world certainly seems to be about the end of the year and all of the many, many things that need to be done or that are happening and for which we need to be ready before the end of the year comes.
Much at the end of a year is celebration; school concerts and swimming carnivals and dance and music recitals and the end of the school year and many celebrations or parties but each of these brings pressures. There are so many things to do before the end of the year including planning for next year.
From a parish perspective, with Parish Council we are putting together plans and a budget for next year to finalise at our PC Meeting on 15 December. Before that I have meetings with Bishop John Roundhill, with The Rev’d Rod Fisher from Brisbane West Uniting Church and with The Rev’d Deb Bird from Kenmore parish. I have some ideas, activities and possible visits to discuss with each of them. I’m also hoping to meet with Cr Greg Aderman to discuss possible grants to help maintain our building. As always, your prayers that we will in these meetings listen to God’s wishes would be appreciated.
From a personal perspective, I have a paper to finish writing before Christmas; I’m planning to be away on leave for the two Sundays after Christmas and I also officially will be discharged from the Army (after 51 years) in January – freedom.
Now, back to Christmas, the Nativity play for Christmas Eve is coming together well. We still have plenty of room for more young participants, so if you have friends or family that you would like to be involved please speak to me as soon as possible. We have things for those who just turn up on the night to do but I can write specific parts for people if we know in advance that they will be with us.
My late breaking news is that I tested positive for COVID on Friday (I have only mild symptoms headache, and very low energy) so I won’t be with you all this weekend and probably not on Monday night – my thanks to Angela for stepping in to take over.
Grace and peace and hope,
Rob
8 December 24
This Week at St Michael and All Angels
- Wednesday 11 December 2024
- 8.30am Morning Prayer and Bible discussion
- Sunday 15 December 2024 - Third Sunday in Advent
- 8.30am Holy Communion *
- 10.00am Parish Council
- Wednesday 18 December 2024
- 8.30am Morning Prayer and Bible discussion
- Christmas Services
* Advent IV – Sunday 22 December - Holy Communion 8.30am.*
* Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24 December - Family Service with Nativity Play 5.00pm.
* Christmas Day – Wednesday 25 December - Holy Communion 8.30am.*
*Also known as The Eucharist or The Lord's Supper or Lord's Table
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Christmas Giving
We have received numerous ‘Christmas Giving’ opportunities and I have discussed these with Parish Council. Our view is that the most useful and direct thing we can do is to continue to support the organisations that we have supported through our ongoing fundraising and particularly CAREFORCE Pantry operated through Inala Parish. During Advent we will have a separate offertory plate for this purpose. Cash donations will be passed on before Christmas .