Sentence for the Week

A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel: God with us. Matthew 1:23

Collect for Reflection

Living God, you called your people out of Egypt and gave them the covenant; prepare our hearts to hear your call, so that we may receive with joy the gospel of your Son and be your faithful people, now and for ever. Amen 

 Now also read these related verses (text below):
First Reading Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19
Second Reading Romans 1:1-7
​Gospel Matthew 1: 18 -25

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE OF LOVE
The first Advent candle represents our call to hope.
The second Advent candle represents our call to peace.
The third candle represents our call to joy. Today we light the fourth candle which speaks of love.  God of love and surprises; may we love one another, embracing your generous spirit and ways of justice. Give us perseverance to bring love to the world in word and in action. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Household Prayer​ :  Morning
Lord, You inclined your ear and heard my cry, and lifted me when I was low. Strengthen me for service as I carry your light to the world.
AMEN.

Household Prayer : Evening
God of the night watches, guard me from torment, release me from distress. Call me close to you and kiss me with your favour that I may rest secure in you.
​AMEN.

Praying this week for....

• everyone in the parish of St Johns: Wardens, visiting Clergy, parishioners - for protection, strength and wisdom to follow God's will;
• Our Diocese: Bishop Steven Benford and his wife Lorraine; Vicar General, Venerable Jan Clark; We pray for St Matthew’s in Dunedin and their co-Vicars, Barbara and Francis Noordanus; Port Chalmers and their Priest Assistant Rev’d Rose Scott; for all involved in Hospital Chaplaincy work, Hospice and the Order of St Luke.
  
• Special Mission: New Zealand Anglican Missions Board; Today we pray for the youth of our Province – Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; for all who lead children and youth ministries, especially for good resources, energy and leaders who will equip and encourage all young people in the church.
  
• Southland Archdeaconry: Archdeacon Keith Gover; We pray for the Parishioners of St Andrew’s, Western Southland and their Priests Rev’d Leah Boniface and Rev’d Wayne and Jean Soper.
• that we be always willing to share whatever we have with those less fortunate than ourselves in our community.

        Reflection question:  
In Romans 1:1–6, Paul defines himself according to (1) who Jesus is (promised through the prophets), (2) what Jesus gives (grace and apostleship), and (3) why Jesus is for all people (to foster faith). How do those qualities and gifts inform your own definition of self? How might you amend, or more greatly appreciate, your own self-image and the image you have of others because of Jesus?

Isaiah 7:10-16
New International Version
​10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d] 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

Psalm 80:1-7
New International VersionPsalm 80[a]For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
    shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
    come and save us.
3 Restore us, O God;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.
4 How long, Lord God Almighty,
    will your anger smolder
    against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
    you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us an object of derision[b] to our neighbors,
    and our enemies mock us.
7 Restore us, God Almighty;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

Romans 1:1-7
New International Version1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25
New International VersionJoseph Accepts Jesus as His Son18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.