Newsletter 5-November-2017

"What Should I do?" 
Matthew 23:1-12
Joshua 3:7-17; Psalms 107:1-7, 33-37; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
 
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Matthew 23:1-12 New International Version (NIV)
 A Warning Against Hypocrisy
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. 8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
NEXT SUNDAY: 12th November 2017
Next week’s theme: Be ready 
Focus Scripture:  Matthew 25:1-13
Other Readings:Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Prayer Points for: Brenda Ryan for good health; Families, Children and Leaders for Mainly Music Ministry please; George Morrison and family with the sudden death of his daughter, Fiona.
Blessings during this sacred time of All Hallows, All Saints, and All Souls - a thin place in the turning of the year.
May you take time to remember and give thanks for all who you carry in your heart, for all who encouraged you along the way, and for all that is to come.
Thanksgiving Sunday 29 October.THANKSGIVING ENVELOPES 2017 are still available on the foyer table. If you would prefer to make your thanksgiving offering by direct credit please put ‘Thanksgiving’ as your reference. This year’s thanksgiving offerings will go towards refurbishing and freshening-up the upstairs hall which is badly needed. This is the environment in which our Mandarin language services are held. So if you can please give generously.

 

In particular we wish to:

Install blinds  $1,500
Improve the sound system  $1,000
Install heat pump $6,000
Paint  quote to come
Replace the vinyl flooring 
   Hall $11,684.00
   Stairwell $5,715.00

As always we will be giving 10% of the money raised to a cause outside St Johns. This year the Leadership Team have decided to support CCSM – The Chinese Churches Support Mission. This is close to the hearts of our Mandarin Brethren. Murray Cameron who is often here to speak at services upstairs works for CCSM.

 Moderator 2018-2020 Assembly The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to inform you that it will be bringing the name of Rev Taimoanaifakaofo (Fakaofo) Kaio to the General Assembly in October 2018 for election as Moderator of the Assembly, for a period of two years from the 2018 General Assembly through to the 2020 General Assembly.


President and Vice-President Elect for the Methodist Church NZ Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa are: Rev Setaita Kinahoi Veikune and Ms Nicola Grundy be President Elect and Vice President Elect to be inducted at Conference 2018 in Christchurch.

Real Life with John Cowan:- 7.30pm Sunday nights on Newstalk ZB John Cowan’s guest this Sunday night (5 November) will be motivational speaker, Jake Bailey. Diagnosed with Burkitts non-Hodgkinson lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer in 2015, Jake Bailey captured the world with his speech as head boy Christchurch Boys’ High School.

Commons Auckland – “Healing our Divided Nation” Monday 16 November, 7 -9 pm. Greenlane Christian Centre, 17 Marewa Road, Greenlane. Commons is a live learning experience that challenges attendees to stay curious, think well, and advance good in our communities. During this two-hour live event, attendees hear fast-paced global and local talks educating them on how to thoughtfully engage their city and cultural moment. Join us to learn and consider how to advance good in Auckland.

INSPIRE/PREACH – Ecumenical Lay Preachers Meeting – Saturday 25th November 9.30am – Noon. The Methodist Church Offices, 409 Great South Road, Auckland. This is the beginning of a new venture for Lay Preachers in our area. The Lay Preachers License requires that Lay Preachers are involved in continuing education and the organisers intend to make it a practical and memorable occasion for all Lay Preachers whatever their experience. RSVP 18th November This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Decorate the Church for Christmas. We need as many people as possible to come and help put up and decorate Christmas Trees, other room decorations and the light ‘strings’ around the building. The more people we have the quicker it is and the more gets decorated! Tuesday night, 28 th November from 6-9pm, please come and help :).


Christmas Carol Singing. Yes we will need you to join the two carol singing opportunities we are planning for this Christmas. Sunday afternoon 10th December and Tuesday night 12th December. More details closer to the time – but please put these dates into your diaries :).


ROSTERS December 2017 and January 2018 Your assistance is needed for the smooth running of services over the festive season and summer holidays. Please see the sheets in the foyer and place your name on the dates you would be available and willing to serve.