Newsletter 02-November-2014

Today's Theme: “God-Revealing Life”
Focus Scripture:Matthew 23:1-12
Other Readings:Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, 33, 37, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Joshua 3:7-17 (NIV) Crossing the Jordan River
And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: `When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'" Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD--the Lord of all the earth--set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap." So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

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NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 9 November 2014
Theme: “Keeping Faith”
Focus Scripture: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Other Readings: Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

 

Prayer Points:- Please pray for: Margaret Morrison’s prayer request for ‘recovery and successful surgery and a good outcome’, Ron Ashton, and Christine Lewis’ father for recovery from a car accident.

 

CHURCH NOTICES AND EVENTS:

 

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

 

FAMILY BARBEQUE
The Leadership Team has decided to hold a "Family Barbeque" 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.

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.

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

 

Real Life with John Cowan:- This Sunday night (2^nd November) John's guest will be the lead singer of The Seekers, Judith Durham

 

Remembering Parihaka 7:30 - 9pm Monday 10 November, St Marks Church Pakuranga. All Welcome: Join the Justice and Peace Group as we remember the non-violent civil resistance of Maori Christians at Parihaka to government confiscation of their tribal lands in 1880. Theirs is an important example of Christian non-violence as humanity continues to struggle today with violence and war. www.caritas.org.nz/resources/remembering-parihaka

 

OUR HOUSE:- This Monday 03 November 9:30am. Thank you so much for the group last month we had 10 people which was an amazing turn out. Our Windows are in desperate need of some love after all the wind we have had this winter so we would love a great group again to help Alan. Thanks so much.

 

Inspirational/Anglican TV:- This week on www.inspirationaltv.net  “In feeding the hungry and giving others hope with our words, we prepare them for understanding Jesus; as seen on www.inspirationaltv.net.

 

MECOSS is pleased to invite you to the last Howick and Pakuranga Community and Safety Network meeting for the year. Join us to share information about your organisation and meet up with other like-minded people in the community. Thursday 13^th November 10am – 12pm Howick Children and Youth Theatre, 29 Granger Road, Howick For more details please see the flyer on the column in the foyer.

 

Age Concern Counties Manukau invites you to a Spring into Safety seminar on Thursday 6^th November, 10am – 12 noon at St Hilda Community Hall, 3 Wakelin Road, Beachlands. This session will look at various ways to keep ourselves safe at home & out in the community. A range of topics will be covered, with plenty of time for questions & answers with useful information to take away. Morning tea included. No cost but donations always welcome. Bookings essential for catering and resource purposes - 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.

 

“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.