Newsletter 16-November-2014

Today's Theme: “Forgiveness”
Focus Scripture:Genesis 50:15-21, Matthew 18:21-35
Other Readings:Psalm 90:14

Genesis 50:15-21 (NIV) Joseph’s Promise to his Brothers
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: `This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

---

NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 23 November 2014
Theme: “Reign of Christ”
Focus Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
Other Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100, Ephesians 1:15-23

 

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:

 

FOR SALE:- Chris Skinner's new CD, A NOBLE WORK. $25. Available from Loas

 

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

 

FAMILY BARBEQUE
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 7^th of December at 4pm. Put it in your diary and pray for a fine day.

We need people to help:-
• Barbecue cooks (and the loan of barbecues)
• Salad and soft drink servers
• Tea and coffee servers
• People to supervise and play with children.
• Cleaner-uppers.
• Donations - sausages(pre-cooked), salad, soft drink

If you have any ideas or can help please talk to me or any of the Men's Home Group members. Thanks: Bob Williamson.

 

Assembly Week Volunteers:- A thank you to all of our church helpers that assisted with Assembly week. On the column in the foyer is a letter of thanks from the organisers.

 

Real Life with John Cowan:- This Sunday night (16th November) John's guest will be singer-songwriter and musician, Brooke Fraser

 

Christmas Fellowship Lunch:- 12 noon Ara Tai Café, Half Moon Bay, Frid. 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

 

Message of Thanks:- There is a message of thanks and also photos of the Garden art purchased with the kind donations from everyone for Janetta and Brian on the column in the foyer.

 

Inspirational TV:- Inspirational TV:- There are givens in each of our lives. What we make of these givens is up to ourselves. We can choose to have a glass half full attitude or a glass half empty attitude. What is your choice? Ponder on this as you watch this week's clips. www.inspirationaltv.net  

 

“Navigating the Health System” continues this month with Where from Here, Part 2, on Tuesday November 18^th, downstairs in the Café at Howick Presbyterian Church, (St Andrews Church Centre) 11 Vincent St, Howick from 10am – 12.30pm. Our guest speakers will cover Enduring Power of Attorney and Advanced Care Planning, with plenty of time for questions and answers. Morning tea included. No cost but donations always welcome. (Coming up on December 2nd is Preparing for Bereavement.) Bookings essential – to secure your place, ring the Age Concern office on 279 4331 ext 800 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Night of Miracles - New Lynn - St Austells presents a cantata performed by the St Austell’s choir. When: Saturday 22^nd November at 7.30pm. Where: 35 Margan Ave, New Lynn. Tickets: $15 Adult or children $10 RSVP to 09 827 9177 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the 16^th.

 

100 year Celebration - Otahuhu - St Andrew’s Community Presbyterian Church. When: Sunday 30th November at 11am. Where: 18 Station Rd, Otahuhu. More details here .

 

60th Jubilee - St Columba at Botany. When: Sunday 23^rd November at 10am. Where: 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany. Join this service of celebration followed by a shared lunch. All welcome! More details here .

 

Pilgrim Productions is pleased to tell you they are presenting the much loved Christmas Operetta, Amadl and the Night Visitors, for two nights only in December. More details on the flyer here . 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 6^th December 12 -6pm. Where: Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura. More details: www.transpose.org.nz

 

Church Decoration for Advent:- Please put it in your Diary now for Thursday 11^th December from 4pm to decorate the church for our Advent/Christmas season. All are welcome, just turn up on the night, many hands make light work. We will more than likely have a break for dinner, so that we still have some energy to get the creative juices flowing. We will remind you all nearer the time through another notice and also during "Our Life Together", Thank you Jeannine

 

Thanksgiving offering update:- Thank you to everyone who donated to this wonderful project this year of saving for a Child and Youth Leader. We have received a total of $3075.00.

 

Christmas and Thanksgiving donation:- Leadership Team this year have decided the $307 (10% of the Thanksgiving offering) and also the cash donations from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will go to the Auckland City Mission.