Newsletter 03-August-2014
Some blessings, like Jacob’s mysterious wrestle, come out of struggles; and some blessings, like the feeding of the 5000, are a result of struggles. Yet all of God’s blessings are good news, even if they result from bad circumstances. This does not mean that bad things happen for a reason, or that God creates such hardship so that we can search for God’s grace and blessing. Rather, in our struggles and hardships, God will always be with us providing and sharing a blessing. How might we help others, who are in times of struggle, experience God’s blessing?
NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 10 August 2014
Theme: “Broken Relationships”
Focus Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Other Readings: Matthew 14: 22-33; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Romans 10:5-15
Prayer Points:- Please pray for: Ron Ashton with his cancer diagnosis, those with winter illnesses, Shelia Simmons for back pain and Alan Busfield whose health is deteriorating.
CHURCH NOTICES AND EVENTS:
Great News for 3 of our Younger Leaders! Each year, the PCANZ Church, Knox Centre offers six music scholarships to encourage and equip young musicians and vocalists in the conduct of public worship. Each scholarship consists of an expenses-paid two-day workshop on music and worship at the Knox Centre (Dunedin), plus a cash grant. The next music and worship workshops will be held on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th November, to coincide with the Samstock music festival, which runs from the evening of Friday 28th until midday on Sunday 30th November. We decided to submit three applications: Joshua Wong, William Francis-Dittmer and Eileen Jolly applied – and all three were accepted! YES!!!
Nominating Team Notice:- We need two people to serve on the Nominating Team for the Church. This year Janetta Mandeno and William Francis-Dittmer are standing down. The Nominating Team has the responsibility to listen to the congregation, to pray and to bring forward to the congregation the names of people willing to serve on the Leadership Team. Please pray for the right people to be willing to serve and then pass the names to Lorraine or Joan Rutherford or Alan Vickers.
Congregational Meeting Notice:-A congregational meeting will be held immediately after worship on Sunday 10th August to elect two people to the Nominating Team.
ALPHA:- is this for you? Can you bring someone and walk with them through the course? Starting August 3 @ 11:45 with lunch. Please pray for people to come and the leaders both spiritual and practical to serve.
End of year AGM:- With this fast approaching can all Team Leaders please forward their reports to the office as soon as possible for preparation of the AGM document. Thanks.
Life with John Cowan:- This Sunday night (3rd August) John Cowan's guest will be motivational stylist, Lisa O'Neill
Inspirational/Anglican TV:-“In the mid-year hustle and bustle of getting things done at school and work, take stock. Take the time to focus on what is important, not what we think is important, there is abundance for all. This week on www.inspirationaltv.net: life is like coffee, rest a while (also playing on our Facebook page) and Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus feeds five thousand.
AGM:- Hi everyone we are currently in the process of putting together the AGM document and would like anyone who has photos of any events within the church to please forward them to the office via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or drop in the original and I will scan and return to you. Thank you Jeannine
Sunday 3 August RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM & WORLD PEACE, Muslim & Christian perspectives You are invited to listen in on a conversation about some big issues for today. Presenters: Dr Ali Boorooni – Islamic scholar, Ahlulbayt Foundation of NZ, Matthew Blaine Hand – International Director of Lutheran Mideast Development. 1.30pm at Islamic Ahlulbayt Foundation Centre, 27 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga Heights
Tuesday 12 August, Electoral Forum St Mary’s in Holy Trinity Cathedral 7:30pm. Hear from all the political parties.
