Feast of the Epiphany 8 January 2023 - 8am Eucharist (BCP) 10am Sung Eucharist (Livestreamed via YouTube) - Squarespace
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Feast of the Epiphany
8 January 2023
The Madonna, Richard Campbell, c. 2018
8am Eucharist (BCP)
10am Sung Eucharist
(Livestreamed via YouTube)
FROM THE LOCUM PRIEST
Locum letter this week borrowed.
The history of Epiphany- I was sent this recently by a friend in the UK. The words are
not mine, but I thought helpful this week.
In the West, Christians began celebrating Epiphany in the 4th century and up until the
19th century, it was more important than Christmas Day. The date celebrates both the
three kings' (or three wise men's) visit to Jesus shortly after his birth and also Jesus'
baptism by John the Baptist.
According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three wise men — Melchior, Caspar and
Balthazar — followed the star of Bethlehem across the desert to meet the baby Jesus,
offering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The gifts were symbolic of the importance of Jesus' birth, the gold representing his
royal standing; frankincense his divine birth; and myrrh his mortality.
The word 'Epiphany' comes from Greek and means 'manifestation'. It celebrates 'the
revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ'. The six Sundays which follow
Epiphany are known as the time of manifestation; the last Sunday of the Epiphany is
celebrated as Transfiguration Sunday.
Festivities for the ancient Christian feast day vary around the world, from swimming in
icy waters to exchanging presents, fireworks, and parades. In many countries the day is
a public holiday.
In the Spanish speaking world, Epiphany is known as dia de los reyes (the kings' day).
In Mexico, crowds gather to taste the Rosca de Reyes - Kings' bread. In other countries,
a Jesus figurine is hidden in the bread — or in the galette, in the case of France's fête
des rois.
As recently as the 1950s, Twelfth Night in Britain was a night for wassailing.
Wassailers, like carol singers, go from house to house singing and wishing their
neighbours good health.
The Drury Lane Theatre in London has had a tradition since 1795 of providing a
Twelfth Night cake. The will of Robert Baddeley made a bequest of £100 to provide
cake and punch every year for the company in residence at the theatre on January 6. The
tradition still continues.
2
10 facts about the Feast of the Epiphany
1. The three kings (Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar) represented Europe, Arabia
and Africa respectively.
2. Hundreds of years ago, roast lamb was traditionally served at Epiphany in
honour of Christ and the three kings' visit.
3. Whoever finds the small statue of a baby Jesus hidden inside their slice of the
Rosca de Reyes throws a party on Candlemas in February.
4. In some European countries, children leave their shoes out the night before to
be filled with gifts, while others leave straw for the three kings' horses.
5. According to Greek Orthodox Church's traditions, a priest will bless the waters
by throwing a cross into it as worshippers try to retrieve it.
6. In Bulgaria too, Eastern Orthodox priests throw a cross in the sea and the men
dive in - competing to get to it first.
7. In Venice, a traditional regatta that started as a joke in the late 70s has been
incorporated in the celebrations of Epiphany Day.
8. In Prague, there is a traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany at
the Vltava River.
9. In New York, El Museo del Barrio has celebrated and promoted the Three
Kings' Day tradition with an annual parade for more than three decades.
Thousands take part in the procession featuring camels, colorful puppets and
floats.
10. The day's activities involve singing holiday carols called Aguinaldo’s.
In Australia we go to the cricket, watch the tennis, relax and gear ourselves for the new
year and go on holidays.
Shalom Ray
The weeks ahead
Monday – Friday Morning prayer via Zoom at 8.30am
Wednesdays 10am Eucharist followed by coffee and chat time
Sundays’ 8am, Book of Common Prayer and 10am Sung Eucharist with Hymns
3Notices
1. Food collection. Our food collection will continue throughout the year for St Marks
and Christ Church St Kilda. Each week we will bring them to the Altar at the offertory.
2. Flowers. I am sure we have all been pleased to see flowers in the church over
Christmas. Thanks to all who donated funds and or flowers. We have some funds
left from the Christmas donations which we are planning to use over the next few
weeks, but we need some volunteers to assist. Any volunteers?
3. Offering. Each Sunday we now have commenced to bring up your gifts and the
donated food during the singing of the hymn at the offertory. If you are accustomed
to giving to the Church’s mission in this way, please be prepared. From 2023 we
will recommence the Offertory procession including all the above but also the bread
and wine.
4. Rosters. Rosters for December /January have been emailed out. Please arrange a
swap if you are unable to be present on the day rostered.
5. TODAY After 10am join us for a sausage sizzle. No coffee or tea but plenty of water,
Clergy availability during the interregnum
Father Ray will be in the parish 3 days per week. If any form of pastoral care is needed,
please phone the Parish Office (03 9866 4434), where you can be put in touch with an
available contact. Father Ray’s direct number is 0419 371 613.
Staying COVID-safe at Christ Church
Given the prevalence of Covid in the local community at present, the Anglican Diocese
of Melbourne asked all parishes to implement suitable health protocols to ensure the
health and safety of each congregation. At Christ Church, we have implemented the
following: we recommend the wearing of face masks during all services; the offering of
Communion in one kind only (the bread).
Please also understand that the church doors need to be left open for ventilation, even
in colder weather, which means you may want to “rug up” to attend church. If you are
unwell, please remain at home and watch the live-streamed service.
St Martin’s and Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project
Standard toiletries for women and men, laundry and cleaning products are continually
needed. Food stuffs wanted include: - rice, dates, long-life milk, tea, coffee, cooking oil,
sugar, honey, jam (especially red !) Note that tinned food gifts are not required at this
time.
Please leave your donations of these items at the back of the Church on Sundays. For
further information, please contact the Parish Office.
4GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
We gather in this sacred space on the traditional lands of the Kulin nations,
and we respectfully acknowledge the current and past elders
of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples.
All stand when the entrance bell is rung
Hymn 119
Words of welcome.
The order of Service begins on page 119 of the Prayer book.
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
O God,
by the leading of a star
you manifested your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles:
mercifully grant, that we, who know you now by faith,
may after this life be led to the vision
of your glorious Godhead;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COLLECT FOR A NEW INCUMBENT
Bountiful God, give to this parish a faithful pastor
who will faithfully speak your word and minister your sacraments;
an encourager who will equip your people for ministry
and enable us to fulfil our calling.
Give to those who will choose, wisdom, discernment and patience,
and to us give warm and generous hearts, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
All sit
A reading from the book of Isaiah 60.1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
5and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
For the word of the Lord,
Thanks be to God
The Psalm is read. Please say by alternate verses Psalm 72.1-7, 10-14
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.
6For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
A reading from the New Testament, the book of Ephesians 3.1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles
for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to
me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote
above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my
understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not
made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and
prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the
same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was
given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints,
this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of
Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages
in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich
variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly
places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in
Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence
through faith in him.
For the word of the Lord,
Thanks be to God
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 2.1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from
the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the
Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When
King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling
together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the
Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been
written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time
when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search
diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may
also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there,
ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the
place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped they were
overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his
mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-
chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another
road.
This is the Gospel of the Lord,
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
All sit
Sermon – Father Ray
The creed page 123
The Prayers for the Church page 124
Greeting of Peace page 126
Hymn 142
The Great Thanksgiving page 127
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE page 143
Hymn 442
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Giving to support CCSY
If you would like to make a gift to support the Worship, Ministry
and Mission of Christ Church, you may also do so via the QR code
below, or by bank transfer to:
Parish Giving Account BSB: 703 122 Acc: 0500 4644.
8Rosters This Sunday 8/1/23 Rosters Next Sunday 15/1/23
8am Eucharist (BCP) 8am Eucharist (BCP)
Sides Sandry Ivory, TBA Sides Peter Fraser,
Reader Reader Kim Bong
10am Sung Eucharist 10am Sung Eucharist
Sides Judy Wilkinson, Caroline Travers Sides Greg Reinhardt, Ric Elliot
Readers Michael Kirwan, Marilyn Hope Readers Tim Lucas, Judy Wilkinson
Intercessor Greg Reinhardt Intercessor Winsome Clark
Servers Servers
Crucifer Sarah Curtis Crucifer Chris Roper
Acolytes Andrew Smith, TBA Acolytes Garry McCarthy, Lawrence Lian
No Morning tea No Morning tea
THIS WEEK AT CHRIST CHURCH
Morning Prayer runs on Zoom on Monday to Friday at 8:30 am. All are welcome to
join this short daily office. Please use the link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84956050988?pwd=aW5SeENacS82S25hb0dKZnlpYmtpQT09
Meeting ID: 849 5605 0988
Passcode: 508943
Wednesday 10 am Eucharist
Readings for next Sunday, the Second Sunday of Epiphany
Isaiah 49.1-7, Psalm 40.1-14, 1 Corinthians 1.1-9, John 1.29-42
9Prayer Intentions for this Week
If you would like the clergy to pray for someone you know during daily prayers,
please email their name to ccoffice@ccsy.org.au. Those added to the prayer list in this
way will be prayed for, for two weeks. If you would like them on the list for longer,
please re-submit their names after a fortnight.
World & Nation: The war in The Ukraine; civil unrest and violence in Indonesia, Iran,
Afghanistan, Myanmar. We pray for victims of domestic violence, social isolation;
children whose parents are unable to care for them or young people who don’t
survive to learn how precious life is.
Church: Anglican Parish of Banyule (Denise Nicholls, Jonathan Lopez); The Diocese of
Grafton (Bp Murray Harvey, Clergy & People); Archdeaconry of Geelong (Jill McCoy);
Parish of Christ Church, Lancefield; The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma);
Community: Aged Care facilities in our area - Local Elderly Citizens Centres, Cities of
Stonnington and Melbourne Home Help Staff.
Special Need: Patricia, Trish, Eleanor, Felicity, Tilly, Robin, Faith, Jim, Clara. We pray
also for Kenneth Page who died on 2 January after an illness, whose funeral will be in
the coming week.
Year’s Mind: 8th Eileen Wilhalmena Doreen Barker, 9th Ross Anthony Veal, 11th Sophie Alexa
Officer, Cedric Henry Burnett, Trudy Kennedy, Alison Helen Somerville, Andrew David Sydney Jones,
12th John Francis Stuart Crow, 13th Alma Jean Sumpter, Sulay Swarray, 14th Guilford Maish Bell,
Henry Henty Sutton, David John Hamer, Angela Cousens, Max Edward Thompson,
10PARISH CLERGY
The Revd Canon Dr Ray Cleary, Locum Tenens
ray@theclearys.com.au
0419 371 613
The Revd Emily Fraser, Associate Priest
efraser@ccsy.org.au
Vision AUTHORISED LAY MINISTER
Christ Church South Yarra is a vibrant and Kim Bong
inclusive Anglican church called to experience
and express God’s love in worship, fellowship, MUSIC MINISTRY
and service. Michael Fulcher
Director of Music
Mission Siegfried Franke
Sharing God’s love for the world, we aim to be Parish Organist
a community of hospitality, education, and
outreach that: PARISH OFFICE
• invites everyone to experience God’s Jacquelyn James, Administrator
generosity 03 9866 4434
• nurtures and matures Christian faith and ccoffice@ccsy.org.au
ministry www.ccsy.org.au
• brings the Gospel to our neighbourhood PO Box 8 South Yarra 3141
and beyond Office Hours: Tuesday -- Friday, 9am-1pm
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Values
Our life together is shaped by: Christ Church is fitted with a
• liturgy and music of the highest quality hearing aid induction loop. Please
• scriptural teaching that challenges and use ‘T’ switch on hearing aids.
encourages
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
• our care for people and for the earth
________________________________________________________________
Toilets are located facing the south
Are you new to Christ Church? side of the church, adjacent to the
Would you like to make contact, school flagpoles: go out main
church door and around the
or to get involved? driveway to your left.
Please email you details below to
ccoffice@ccsy.org.au, and we will endeavour to be ___________________________________________
in contact this week. Scripture texts are from the New Revised Standard
Version of the Holy Bible, © 1989 by the Division of
Name: ___________________________________ Christian Education of the National Council of
Churches of Christ in the USA and are reproduced
Phone: ___________________________________ herein with permission. The rite for the Eucharist is
from A Prayer Book for Australia, © 1995 by The
Email: ____________________________________ Anglican Church of Australia Trust Corporation and
is reproduced with permission. Hymn texts are
Address: __________________________________ reprinted under OneLicense #A-620458.
__________________________________________________
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