Newsletter 21-December-2014

Today's Theme: “Great Reversals”
Focus Scripture:Luke 1:46b-55
Other Readings:2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Luke 1:46-55 (NIV) Mary’s Song
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

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NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 28 December 2014
Focus Scripture: Luke 2:22-40
Other Readings: Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7

 

Prayer Points:- Please pray for: Margaret Morrison’s successful radiotherapy treatment; Ron Ashton, Cory Melville (Jeannine’s Son) with the continued recovery for his leg wound. Dick and Judy’s Grandson Joel with a fall and stitches in his chin

 

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 for a week. Each day during this week you are invited to set aside about 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 is available on the foyer table.

 

Christmas Offerings this year will be sent to the Auckland City Mission. This is all cash offerings received on Christmas Eve and Day will be forwarded to them. This is from their website: “The Auckland City Mission relies on the generosity of the Auckland public to continue providing our increasingly stretched services to those Aucklanders that need them the most. By making a donation to the Auckland City Mission you are helping to ensure that we can continue to help those Aucklanders who have no one else to turn to and are in desperate need of help, now.”

 

Holiday Programme 2015:- As part of January’s Holiday Programme we are going to Auckland Zoo. To save costs we would like to take the children by car. Are you able to assist us in providing transport please? Contact Jeannine: 534 2305.

 

Mobility Carparks:- Anyone needing a mobility carpark is welcome to drop in and park in the courtyard outside the main church doors. Please ask if you need someone to drive you out.

 

Thank you from Christine Lewis and family for your kind thoughts, prayers and expressions of sympathy over the loss of her father.

 

Real Life with John Cowan:- This Sunday night 21 December) John's guest will be Samuel Marsden & Chief Ruatara, as told by Keith Newman

 

Inspirational TV:- Inevitably "festive greetings" and "happy holidays" give way to "MERRY CHRISTMAS" because Christmas is awesome. A simple, irresistible fact. Merry Christmas to you and your family! This week on www.inspirationaltv.net : Christmas videos. 

 

 State of St John’s financial position at the 30/11/2014 Comments (November):-

• Offerings for the month of November were above Budget by $301.00.
• Offerings for the five months [year to-date] are above Budget by $1,589.00

November 2014	Actual	Budget
EXPENSES	$13,306.37	$16,374.00
INCOME	$14,139.91	$13,881.00
SURPLUS or (DEFICIT)	$833.54	($2,493.00)

For the year to date (excluding Thanksgiving) our income exceeds expenditure by $189.00.