Baptism of our Lord
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a liturgical bridge that connects the Christmas season to Ordinary Time. During the Christmas season we pondered the Incarnation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple, and Epiphany. Today, we see Jesus manifesting himself to the world as he began his three years of public ministry through an act of deep solidarity with the fallen human race.
John the Baptist had been preaching in the desert and offering a baptism of repentance. John’s baptism was not the same as our baptism today. Instead, it was only a sign of one’s willingness to turn away from sin and turn toward God. Jesus, of course, had nothing to repent of as he was sinless. But that didn’t stop him from freely choosing to receive the baptism of repentance. He chose to unite himself with fallen humanity, taking upon himself our own sins and suffering their consequences. He humbly allowed himself to be identified as a sinner in need of repentance. This was done out of love for us and out of his longing to become one with us so that we could become one with Him.
This week's Sunday service is at 9.30am.
Sunday's Music
CANTOR EUCHARIST - Cantor: Maisie Hubert
Prelude: Suite du Deuxième Ton [Trio] – Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (1676-1749)
Hymns: Processional Crown him with many crowns
Gradual We have a gospel to proclaim
Offertory Joyful, joyful we adore you
Post Communion Jesus shall reign
Setting: Christ Church Mass – Philip Matthias (b. 1954)
Psalm: 29 TiS 17
Anthem: How brightly shines the morning star!
Motet: The sinless one to Jordan came
Postlude: Suite du Deuxième Ton [Caprice sur les Grands Jeux]
– Louis-Nicolas Clérambault
Vale
With sadness we record the death of Gwen Sampson, long-time parishioner of St Andrew's, aged 101. Gwen was with us on Christmas Eve.
Her funeral will be in the church on Tuesday 14 January at 11am.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
New courtyard
The hoardings between the new courtyard and the Garden of Remembrance have been removed and the construction of the final piece of the cloister joining the church to the Parish hall is being completed. We trust it will be finished for our Australia Day service.
Australia Day - Sunday 26 January @ 9.30am
Returning services and groups
The following groups will resume in February 2025:
Kids Church (2 February)
Lectio Divina (3 February)
English Coversation Group (4 February)
Coffee + Chat (5 February)
Chinese Morning Prayer (6 February)
Choral evensong (8 February)
Chinese New Year
Shabbat meal in February
For your diaries and for booking using the link below, the Parish is invited to a Shabbat meal on Friday 28 February at the Central Shule (in Greek: synagogue) in South Caulfield, just off Hawthorn Rd. The Parishes of Gardenvale, Middle Brighton, Brighton Beach, Hampton, Moorabbin and Beaumaris will join together for this event.
The purpose of the occasion is to build bridges of understanding and friendship. To work together through education and relationship building as we work towards social cohesion and jointly fight against Antisemitism.
We plan to join members of the Shule at 6pm for:
an introduction
orientation in this modern synagogue constructed in 2012
candle lighting and
an understanding of what Shabbat means.
The service begins at 6.30pm and is in Hebrew, led by a Chazzan (cantor) and 12 male choir voices. The Rabbi will address us in English. Jewish custom is that men have their head covered in the Synagogue. Kippahs will be provided. Dress is smart casual. It is preferred that ladies wear skirts/dresses rather than trousers (if possible).
Following the service, we will move to the Hall and make kiddush (sanctifying the Shabbat with wine) together with challah (platted loaves) and sample traditional Jewish Sabbath foods. There will be a 3-course meal with wine with the challah.
There will be a member of the Central Shule community at each table.
Please join us by registering for the evening here.
Rosters
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