The Anglican Parish of Masterton
V
Our Mission: “To
estry Vision /
Primary Goals
Love Others As Jesus Loves Us”
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Know and Incorporate our Bicultural Heritage
Develop a “Discipleship in Christ” Parish Culture
Reach the Last, the Least and the Lost
Services in The Anglican Parish of Masterton
St Matthew’s, Masterton
Weekly, Sundays 8am and 10am. Thursdays 10am.
Choral Evensong, 3rd Sunday at 7pm (5pm Winter)
(Please note this is subject to change, please see ‘Coming Events’).
St Andrew’s, Fernridge
Second, fourth and fifth Sundays of each Month, 10am.
St Alban’s, Taueru
First Sunday of each month, 9.30am.
St Francis of Assisi, Bideford Third Sunday of each month, 9am.
21st December 2014 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sentence: You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up.
Isaiah 45:8
God of all hope and joy, open our hearts in welcome, that
Your Son Jesus Christ at His coming may find in us a
dwelling prepared for Himself; who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen
8am Hymns - Hymns Old and New
48 At the name of Jesus (vs 1,2,5,6)
469 O come, O come, Emmanuel
Today’s Readings
2 Sam 7:1-11,16; Rom 16:25-27: Ps 89:1-4 (p299); Luke 1:26-38
Sunday 10am St Matthew’s - Children and Youth Service Readings
Lev 19:9-10; 1 John 4:7-8; Matt 25:35-40
* Please remember in prayer those Christians and Jews who are being persecuted for their
faith at this time. Pray that their faith will remain strong and God will give them good courage.
* Christmas eve and day services - pray for good numbers to come and hear the good news
of our dear Saviour's birth.
* Pray for peace and safety over Christmas and the holiday season in our nation.
* Remember missionary's and those serving as aid workers far from home and family at
Christmas.
“Then Mary said, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to
your word” Luke 1:38 NKJV
As you have probably noticed, we have some beautiful new flowers in St
Matthew’s Church. The parish would appreciate any “Christmas gifts” to help
with the payment of these. Please put your gift in a clearly marked envelope
with the Sunday collection or see Kat in the Parish Office. Thank you!
Lost in Translation
Some things just don’t lend themselves to be modernised.
A case in point is the well-known Carol “Twelve Days of Christmas”. We often sing the Kiwi
version; “a Pukeko in a ponga tree…..”
But I was made aware of its origins just this week. Apparently when the Roman Catholics of
England became isolated in King James reign, and were not allowed to practise their faith
openly; this song became a sort of coded faith statement or catechism.
The True Love represents God, and the Me represents Christians
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
The 2 turtledoves are the Old and New Testament.
The 3 French Hens stand for Faith, Hope, and Love.
The 4 Calling Birds are the Four Gospels.
The 5 Gold Rings recall the First Five Books of the OT.
The 6 Geese a-laying stand for the Six Days of Creation.
The 7 Swans a-swimming are the Seven Fold Gifts of the H/S.
The 8 Maids a-milking are the Eight Beatitudes.
The 9 Ladies dancing are the Nine Fruits of the Spirit.
The 10 Lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
The 11 Pipers piping stand for the Eleven Faithfull Disciples.
And the 12 Drummers drumming? Well they represent the Twelve Points of Belief In the
Apostles Creed!
And here we just thought it was a song, but back in history, without free speech, many
continued to proclaim their faith.
Which begs the question: Do we?
Steve 
www.mastertonanglican.org.nz/vicar
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the
Parish Family! Thank you for your faithful service
and support. Steve and Leonie.
Christmas Services
Sunday 21st December, 7.00pm - Nine Lessons & Carols and Bicentenary of the 1st
Christian Mission in New Zealand by Samuel Marsden. Followed by a light supper (a small
plate would be appreciated).
Christmas Eve, 11.00pm - Midnight Christmas Eve Service with Eucharist
Christmas Day, 9.00am - Christmas Day Service with Eucharist
Christmas Eve, 8.30pm - “Midnight Mass” by candlelight with cake and bubbles in the
paddock.
Christmas Day, 9.00am - Christmas Day Service with Eucharist
Sunday 21st December, 6.00pm - Carol Service
Christmas. We celebrate and rejoice as believers the birth of our
Saviour, Lord and King. Jesus is a Jew. Let us pray for the Jews that
they would believe too and know Him as their long awaited Messiah.
Significantly, Hanukkah, their Celebration of Lights and Christmas coincide this year.
Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel!
Community Christmas Lunch, Christmas Day
Masterton Town Hall, 11.30am onwards
If you can help in any of the following ways, please contact the
MCC office:
Donations - Christmas wrapping paper, lollies, meringues,
Christmas puddings. Cash donations are eligible for a tax
donation rebate receipt.
Time - volunteering to help decorate and set up the Town Hall on
Christmas Eve, or assisting with the meal, entertainment, or
cleaning up on Christmas Day. Volunteers briefing meeting:
Monday 22nd December, 5.30pm at Masterton Community Church!
For more information, please contact Caroline at Masterton Community
Church, tel 377 1598 or email [email protected].
Regular House Groups & Meetings:
Monday:
Women’s Group 10am
In recess until February 2015
Tuesday:
Discipleship Group 2pm
In recess until 2015 (date to be advised)
Wednesday
Inside/Outside
Discipleship Group
In recess until February 2015
In recess until February 2015
Thursday:
Midweek Service
Gardening Group
Discipleship Group 4pm
Discipleship Group 7pm
10am in St Matthew’s Narthex
In recess, date to be advised. 8:30am every Thursday.
In recess until 2015 (date to be advised)
In recess until 8th January 2015.
Friday:
Prayer for the Parish
11:30 to noon in the Prayer Room at St Matthew’s
Saturday:
Raptorous Youth
Men’s Breakfast
Women’s Breakfast
In recess until February 2015
In recess until February 2015
In recess until February 2015
Sunday:
Prayer for the 10am Service
Crèche at St Matthew’s
SundaY CluB at St Matthew’s
Isora at St Matthew’s
9:30am every Sunday, open for anyone at St Matthew’s
During the 10am Service
In recess for school holidays, restarting 8th Feb 2015
In recess until 2015 (date to be advised)
Contacts:
Vestry & Portfolio Holders:
Vicar: Rev Steve Kimberley 377 3020 (res)
Vicar’s Warden: Edwin O’Hara 377 4625 (res)
People’s Warden: Mike Arcus 378 2036 (res)
Associate Priest: Rev Merv Jones 377 4709 (res)
3706368 (wk)
Priest Assistant: Rev Liz Greville 370 8274 (res)
Rev Ted Dashfield: 377 0418
Vocational Deacon: Rev Christine Ellis 377 5089
Raptorous Youth: Contact Kat Sprowson 027 773
0102 or Gareth Palmer 022 108 4661
Kids Club: Leslie Palmer 377 4185
Prayer Line Contact: April Bamford 377 5026
OAC: Steve Wilson 377 5174
Edwin O’Hara - Treasurer/Admin/Finance and
Vicar’s Warden
Mike Arcus - Outreach/Mission, People’s
Warden
Steve Kimberley - Worship
Gill Bruwer - Prayer/Education
Pam Bruere - Prayer/Education
Michelle Holloway - Pastoral Care
John Whitehead - Property
Doug Whitcombe - Property
Parish Office - 35 Church Street, Masterton
Anglican Parish of Masterton Phone: 06 370 8589
St Matthew’s, St Andrew’s,
St Alban’s and St Francis
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: P.O. Box 588, Masterton, 5840
Website: http://www.mastertonanglican.org.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MastertonAnglican