Newsletter 14-December-2014

“Children’s Church Christmas Worship”
Luke



Thanks to our Children’s Church for their presentation of the Christmas story today.

Jesus came to live with ordinary people like you and me. He came to teach us how to live useful, productive, God-based lives.

It is a tradition for us to give gifts at Christmastime. The gifts are a token of our love for one another. The infant Jesus was God's way of giving mankind the gift of love. Let us praise God and thank him for Jesus, the child who brings love into our life every day of the year.

NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 21 December 2014
Focus Scripture: Luke 1:46b-55.F
Other Readings: Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

 

Prayer Points:- Please pray for: Margaret Morrison’s ‘recovery and successful surgery and a good outcome’; Ron Ashton, Nessie and Andrew Crawford with the death of Andrew’s sister. Cory Melville Jeannine’s son with his bad injury to his leg at school.

 

CHURCH NOTICES AND EVENTS:

 

St. John’s Christmas Service Cast
In order of appearance

News Reporter – John

Angel – Shulamite
Mary – Amanda
Joseph – Daniel

Hotelier – Josie
Prime Minister – Ency
Star – Mia

Foreign Dignitaries
New Zealand – Maria
China – Jeromia
Philippines – Maggie

Army Band – Christopher, Emmanuel, Syesha, Rojeff, Johnson
News Reporter – Gloria
Shepherds – Kieran, Isabel, Sophia, Leon, Robert, Sarah, Seykra
Flight Attendant – Rojeff

Chorus – all cast

Backstage crew / Leaders
Karen, Kyra, Jamie, John, Gloria, Hanna

Music by St. John’s Youth Band

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.

 

BARBECUE – THANKS:- A big thank you for all who helped with the Family Barbecue – the men who brought their barbecues and cooked, the ladies who served cold drinks, tea and coffee, the people who contributed food and drink, the young people who supervised the littlies and above all, everyone who was welcoming and hospitable. I thought we had a good day and we were a great team.
Bob Williamson

 

Carol singing:- Tuesday 16 December - meet in car park at 6pm. Bring a plate for supper. Any questions please contact Judy McDonald.

 

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

 

Christmas Calendar for St Johns sharing December!
  • Tues 16th 6:00 pm : Carol Singing, a delightful and fun evening, bring a supper plate
  • Sun 21st 9:30 am : Worship
    7:00 pm : Blue Service
  • Weds 24th 7:00 pm : Family Christmas Eve Service
    10:30 pm : Carol Singing
    11:00 pm : Worship on Christmas Eve
  • Thurs 25th : 9:30 am Worship on Christmas Day
  • Sun 28th 9:30 am : Worship

 

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.

 

Real Life with John Cowan:- This Sunday night (14 December) John's guest will be the mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel

 

Inspirational TV:- As the Christmas season unfolds we face choices. Does Christmas present an opportunity for prayer or shopping? Possibly both. The choices we make may define our year ahead. This week on www.inspirationaltv.net