This Sunday we will welcome our new Priest-in-Charge Rev Gary Tognola. To assist Rev Gary in getting to know each and every one of us, would you please wear your name badge if you have one.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES –
Sunday 24th December – 8.30am Advent 4
Christmas Eve Services – 6.00pm and 11.00pm
Christmas Day Service – 8.30am
No Service on Wednesday 27th December
Sunday 31st December – 8.30am First Sunday After Christmas.
Here are the Notices for this Week
Health and Safety Notice – If you feel you may be contagious with cold and flu symptoms, please refrain from attending church activities. All parishioners are encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices and respect others personal space.
Scams – A reminder to be wary of scams which have been happening again. No one connected with leadership in the parish will ever contact you and ask you to share your financial details or ask you to buy something on our behalf like a gift card.
Commissioning – Rev’d Gary Tognola will be commissioned at St. Peter’s by Bp. Bill Ray tomorrow Saturday 9th December at 5.00pm as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Bribie Island.
Catering for Commissioning – If you would like to assist towards catering expenses, you are very welcome to give a cash donation in an envelope marked “Commissioning Donation” and place in the giving box in the Narthex.
Volunteers for Christmas Services – We are looking for volunteers to do welcoming, readings, LA and AV for the Christmas services. If you are able to help, could you please put your name on the list in the narthex.
Singing Group – Singing Group is now in recess until Monday 29th January
Help Wanted - There is a vacancy on the Cooinda cleaning roster for another man to assist Jeff Eustace to take a place on the roster. If you can help with this, please contact Frankie on 0407 544 259.
Empty Christmas Tree – This will be the last Sunday to donate gifts for the Empty Christmas Tree. Gifts may be wrapped with the appropriate age on a tag and left under the tree. Please, no pre-loved toys as this may be the only gift the child receives. Final day for collection will be Wednesday 13th December before 11.00am. Anglicare for Children & Families Caboolture are very grateful for our ongoing support.
Christmas Cards – AMUA have Christmas cards available to purchase from a box in the Narthex. Cost is $5.00 for packet of 10 or 50 cents each. A money tin is provided in the box. Brenda Allardyce.
Christmas Bowl Appeal – The Christmas Bowl is an ecumenical appeal which provides practical support to communities experiencing dreadful hardship and suffering. Giving envelopes are available in front of the collection box in the narthex or you can give online to actforpeace.org.au/christmasbowl.
Neighbourhood Centre Christmas Closure Dates – The Neighbourhood Centre will close from Friday 22nd December at 12.30pm and reopen on Tuesday 2nd January.
Containers for Change - Glass wine and spirit bottles (150ml up to 3L) are now eligible for 10 cent refund in Queensland. The Queensland Government has given wine and spirit manufacturers until January 2027 to display the 10-cent refund marking on their labels. During this grace period eligible glass wine and spirit bottles can be returned for a refund without the 10-cent mark. Please bring in your empty wine and spirit bottles as well as your usual donations.
AYCF – Young Adult Retreat 16 - 18 February 2024 at Glendalough Outdoor Education Centre at Peregian Beach. Open to young adults aged 18 – 30 years as well as those who have recently graduated high school in 2023. For more details contact AYCF www.aycf.org.au
Installation of New Archbishop - Archbishop-elect Jeremy Greaves will be installed as Archbishop of Brisbane at St John’s Cathedral on Saturday 16th December 2023 at 10.30am.
Donations - There is a box of envelopes in the narthex (with a pen) for use by anyone wishing to give money in the giving box for specific reasons e.g. Retiring Collections, payment for attending a function, purchase of items such as calendars, etc. Please, please write on the envelope what the money is for, your name and the amount. This will greatly assist the counters to distribute the funds to the correct account.
Here are the Readings and Prayer Points for this week.
Readings for this Sunday – (Advent 2) Isaiah 40.1-11; Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3.8-15a; Mark 1.1-8.
Collect for this Sunday – Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Birthdays this Week – Susan Shaw (14th), Wendy Rollason (16th).
Prayer Requests – Vivienne Bourne, Linda Peterson.
Continuing Prayer List – Elva Woods, Kaye Bush, Phillipa Booth, Anne Dowd, Janice Shield, Krista-Liisa Pulkkinen, Elizabeth, Nicholas & Blake Kubler.
Online Sunday Worship – If you would like to watch a full Eucharist, visit YouTube and search for St John’s Cathedral Brisbane.
Churchwardens’ Contacts -
Greg Rollason – 0431 598 560 Email – greg.rollo@bigpond.com
Margaret Peterson – 5497 6978 Email – jeff.marg.peterson@bigpond.com
Di Thatcher – 0409 846 471 Email – di@thatcher.com.au