Newsletter 23-November-2014
The parable of the final judgment draws together key images used throughout the scriptures. Shepherd, ruler, judge, and cosmic culmination test the perceptions of those who hear. This passage has been used to identify those who are in and those who are ultimately out of the arena of God’s effective will, not part of God’s kingdom. Is it possible that there is no place beyond the arena of God’s activity, and that one celebrated with such joy, by psalmist, prophet, and in the letter to the Ephesians, judges in completely unexpected ways?
NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 30 November 2014
Theme: “Waiting – Finding Meaning”
Focus Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9
Other Readings: Mark 13:24-37; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Prayer Points:- Please pray for: Margaret Morrison’s ‘recovery and successful surgery and a good outcome’; Ron Ashton, and Christine Lewis’ family on the death of their dad.
CHURCH NOTICES AND EVENTS:
Advent - dancing into the Promise:- This year St John’s Worship Committee has chosen to replace the 48-hours of prayer that we traditionally hold towards the end of November with a time of directed meditation and prayer that you can undertake in your home. You are invited as a St John’s church member to participate in this activity between December 8 and December 14, the second week of Advent. Each day during this week you are invited to set aside approximately 20-30 minutes at a time that suits you to sit quietly to contemplate the messages of Christmas, to consider the material we have provided as a stimulus for meditation and to respond to the prayer focus for the day. Resource material will be available on Sundays November 30 and December 7.
Children’s and Youth Leader:- Leadership Team believes we need to share with everyone the possibility of an application for this part-time position. We will let everyone know if it moves beyond an expression of interest. As a reminder to us all, the decision was taken to offer this position on a financial faith basis. The Thanksgiving Offering of about $ 3000.00 means we have a start of funding, and we have a regular giver tithing a proportion to the faith offering. I think our supporting this starts with our prayers for the Leadership Team in their decision making. Blessings Lorraine
Christmas Fellowship Lunch:- 12 noon Ara Tai Café, Half Moon Bay, Friday 5 Dec. Please put your name/s on the list in the Foyer. PLEASE ALSO BRING A PRESENT COSTING NO MORE THAN $2.00 (unwrapped). So put your thinking caps on. We will put them in the All Saints Food Basket. Doesn't have to be food though. Loas Toung
60th Jubilee - St Columba at Botany:- When: Today, Sunday 23rd November at 10am. Where: 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany. Join this service of celebration followed by a shared lunch. All welcome! More details here 
St Andrews Big Band:- Swinging and Jingling a celebration of a popular swing and classical hits along with a few jazzed-up festive favouries. 2 Performances Sat 13 December 3pm and 730pm St Andrews Church Centre 11 Vinvent Street Howick, ph 5354403 Tickets $10
Real Life with John Cowan:- This Sunday night (16th November) John's guest will be former Governor-General, Hon. Dame Silvia Cartwright.
Inspirational TV:- Inspirational TV:- Sometimes our choices can strongly affect others. Jesus reminds us in the gospel that these choices will be with us at the last judgement. What is your choice? Ponder on this as you watch this week's clips. See www.inspirationaltv.net
FAMILY BARBECUE:- The Leadership Team has decided to hold a "Family Barbecue" before Christmas. The "Family" we have in mind is the community who use our buildings through the year - Kindergarten, Mainly Music, our Korean friends etc. etc. and all their families. We want to make a time to meet them, get to know them, thank them for the rent they pay us and in an informal setting be the Gospel. No preaching - just invite them to our Christmas services. To make this work it is vital that you, the congregations of St Johns, are there to be the hosts. Bring your own family. The date and time is the afternoon of the first Sunday in December, Sunday the 7thof December at 4pm. Put it in your diary and pray for a fine day.
- Helpers needed - set-up from 3pm
- Servers - salads and soft drinks
- Supervisors for children's play
- Hand-out flyers for our Christmas services
- Clean-up
Also donations, salads, sausages will reduce costs
Talk to Bob W. Thank you
Pilgrim Productions is pleased to tell you they are presenting the much loved Christmas Operetta, Amahl and the Night Visitors, for two nights only in December. More details on the flyer . This short (just one hour) musical story is suitable for the whole family and they offer it for the Christmas season as we get ready to celebrate Christ’s birth. They warmly invite you to bring this production to the attention of your parishes.
Transpose - the colour games:- When: Saturday 6th December 12-6pm. Where: Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura. More details: www.transpose.org.nz
News on our Website:- The St John’s website (www.stjohnsbb.org.nz) has attracted considerable interest from the community. Steven Chaplin, who designed the website, has provided us with the details of the number of times each of the main web pages have been viewed by internet visitors. Have a look some time soon. You can read all recent sermons at your leisure!
| Web Page | No. of Hits | Web Page | No. of Hits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Leadership | 766 | Facilities | 459 | |
| Mainly Music at St Johns | 588 | Youth Group | 457 | |
| Our History | 581 | Giving | 446 | |
| Little Acorns & Children's Church | 565 | Our Vision | 444 | |
| Pastoral Care | 533 | 4eva @ 6 | 419 | |
| Groups using St.Johns | 489 | Home Groups | 411 | |
| Weddings | 475 | Newsletter 02-Mar-2014 | 404 | |
| Facilities | 459 | Baptism | 400 | |
| Sermons | 392 | Regular Services | 394 |
