Newsletter 14-September-2014

Today's Theme:“Reasons for Thanksgiving”
Focus Scripture:Exodus 14:19-31
Other Readings:Exodus 15:1-11, 20-21

Exodus 14:19-31 (NIV)
¹⁹ Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, ²⁰ coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. ²¹ Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, ²² and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. ²³ The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. ²⁴ During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. ²⁵ He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."²⁶ Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen." ²⁷ Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. ²⁸ The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen--the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. ²⁹But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. ³⁰ That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. ³¹ And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

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NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 21 September 2014
Theme: “Reasons for Thanksgiving:2”
Focus Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15
Other Readings: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16

 

Prayer Points:- Please pray for: Ron Ashton with his cancer diagnosis, those with winter illnesses, Shelia Simmons for back pain. The kindergarten has a number of children going off to school so they need prayers for their role to increase again.

 

CHURCH NOTICES AND EVENTS:

 

NOTICE OF AGM:- The AGM is today Sunday 14 September 2014 immediately after the service.

 

ALPHA:- Please pray for those attending and the leaders.

 

Thanksgiving Sunday 2014:- This year our annual Thanksgiving project is to start growing a fund that will enable us to employ a Children and Youth Leader. This has always been on our hearts and although Stephen helped out for a few months – we have not had anyone in this position since Steph finished. We have worked, advertised etc but to date we have not made an appointment.

The Leadership Team decided this year to lift this ministry out of our regular annual budget and to approach the need for funds in two ways. 1. That we dedicate this year’s Annual Thanksgiving Appeal to the establishment of a “seed fund”. 2 That we ask for specific donations to be dedicated to this ministry on a regular basis – like we did when we first employed Steph.

We are committed to investing in our Children and Youth ministry by employing someone who can be dedicated to this specific ministry and when we employ someone we will need your continued support to maintain it. Please consider giving thanks – and growing our CYL fund. Thank you, Lorraine, the Leadership and Finance Teams.

 

The Office :- Jeannine will be away on leave from Thursday 4 September Until Tuesday 16 September. If you are able to help out with keeping the kitchen clean and emptying the dishwasher or answering the phone please call in.

 

4eva@6: 28th September:- On this Sunday night at 6 pm we are hosting a prayer and healing service. This is our regular 4eva@6 service time but with representatives from the Northern Presbytery to lead us. The Moderator Rev Roy Christian and Rev Sandra Warner lead the Presbytery Team who have offered this ministry to churches within the Northern Presbytery bounds.

We would invite your support in attending, in praying for it, in sharing this ministry opportunity with those who you believe God is calling to come and be present. Thank you, Lorraine.

 

Honouring Age Celebration:- On Sunday 19^th of October we will celebrate the annual ‘Honouring Age Service’ for senior members of our congregation which will be followed by inviting those who qualify to participate in a special morning tea. Of course our usual morning tea and social time will be available for all those who do not yet qualify to attend this celebration. A letter of invitation to attend this special event has been mailed to qualifying congregation members this week. Please RSVP to the office 534 2305. For further information please phone Peter Hancock at 535 5355.

 

Election:- A letter from the Archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa with regards to the general election is on the column in the foyer. If you would like the email link to this please email the office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I can forward it on to you.

 

Life with John Cowan:- This Sunday night (14th September) John Cowan's guest will be political editor for One News, Corin Dann

 

Inspirational/Anglican TV:-Work/life balance isn't something for other people, it's for you! It's the beginning of your fulfilling future. To watch these videos in full screen, click the bottom right hand corner of the video twice. All the best for a great week.

 

The City of Auckland Singers will be preforming at St Andrew’s Centre, 85 Queen St, Waiuku on Sunday 14^th September at 2pm. Entry is $5 which includes afternoon tea.

 

“Navigating the Health System” continues this month with Where from Here, Part 1, on Tuesday September 16th, downstairs in the Café at Howick Presbyterian Church, 11 Vincent St, Howick from 10am – 12.30pm. Our guest speakers from Senior Line and Nationwide Health & Disability Advocacy Service and will do a short presentation on their services, (including Health Passports) with plenty of time for questions and answers. Morning tea included. No cost but donations always welcome. (Coming up in October is the Independent Living Service.) 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..

Warning - don't go fishing with Moses!!!