Leonardo da Vinci did not think this was a rude gesture for John the Baptist to be making – pointing to Christ. This week we continue our Gospel readings about John the Baptist. Are you a witness or an interrogator? Find out this morning.
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Our video services have concluded for the year now that the COVID-19 restrictions allow us 200 people in church. It’s great to see so many returning after a long break. I will reassess the need for this or some form of video or streamed service in February so let me know if you are still self-isolating and would like the video services to continue after the school holidays.
The bilingual zoom services will conclude next Sunday, Advent 4.
Children’s Christmas Service
5pm Christmas Eve
We have a great service planned for young children on Christmas Eve with carols, stories, dancing, and art by our own Mitchell Toy, to tell of the nativity of Jesus. Please pass this on to all those with young ones. Bookings can be made on our website.
Christmas services
Register here
If you can’t manage the registration, then you are welcome to ring me on 0421 321 321.
Our four choral lay clerks will be singing at the 8pm and 11.30pm services on Christmas Eve. Bookings are available for a seat inside, or come with a rug and sit in thebgrounds. The Service of Carols & Lessons with be broadcast from the church.
War Memorial Grand Organ
Sadly the organ is failing our organists who can no longer rely on it to do what they instruct it to do. This may be the last Christmas with live organ music before it becomes inoperable, in which event we will have to be satisfied with piano accompaniment. Despite our SOS Appeal for funds, the St Andrew’s Music Foundation is short some $270,000 of the cost of rectifying the organ, so we will be unable to repair it once it fails. Our current financial position precludes us borrowing money and, although we have applied for grants, none have been forthcoming.
So come along this Christmas and enjoy the organ music whilst we can.
Op Shop Christmas trading
The Op Shop had an excellent week of sales and their remaining trading days pre-Christmas are:
· Wednesday 16 December 10am -3pm
· Thursday 17 December 10am -3pm
· Saturday 19 December 10am-1pm then closed.
· Reopening in January (date to be advised)
Op Shop welcomes interesting bric-a-brac and clean clothing donations. If unable to deliver to the shop this week during open hours, please hold until the Op Shop reopens in January.
Memorial Garden seating
New seating has been installed in the Garden of Remembrance. One seat has been funded in memory of Andrew Riach in whose name one of the old broken seats had been dedicated. We are unable to contact any relatives of the people remembered through the donation of the other old seats, so if anyone would like to donate the cost of a chair and plaque, there are three other seats available. They each cost $775.00 and the plaque will be likely an additional $200.
Fr Jan’s Christmas cakes
These can be ordered and collected from the Parish Office on 0411 702 513. If you have ordered a cake, they will be available for collection at church on Sunday, from the office during the week and at the Farmer’s Market next Saturday.
Australian Anglican Church Calendar
The 2021 calendar is available for order - $12 each. Ring Angela on 0411 702 513.
This week at St Andrew’s
click here to see our calendar of services and events
Merry Melodies is returning next year on 11 February – the second Tuesday of each month.
mainly music will recommence next year on Monday 4 February 2021
St Andrew’s Choir returns to church in February and a commitment sheet will be sent to choir parents shortly.
Parish Office
We still have no phone so please ring Angela on 0411 702 513.
Parish Council
This week the new Parish Council members meet via Zoom. I have appointed Philippa McKenna as a Parish Council member, which brings the number of councillors to 11 for 2021.
