Newsletter 20-July-2014
Jacob sets out from Beersheba and is journeying alone. With night time approaching, Jacob takes a stone and places it under his head; he lies down to sleep. While asleep, Jacob has a vivid dream. In the dream, a ladder appears leading Jacob to an awesome encounter with God. In contrast to how Jacob tricked Isaac into blessing him, God extends a generous gift of hope and blessing. It is interesting and important to note that this encounter marks a point of transition in the Genesis narrative, and in the life of Jacob. Up until this point, God has been described as something apart from or other than Jacob. So, it seems fitting that God introduces Himself to Jacob: “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac” (28:13). This event results in a transformation in Jacob’s life. When he wakes up after the dream, he immediately proclaims God’s awesomeness.
NEXT WEEK:
Sunday Worship: 27 July 2014
Theme: “Hard Promises”
Focus Scripture: Genesis 29: 15-28
Other Readings: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52; Psalm 105: 1-11,45b, Romans 8:26-39
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:
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.
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 (20th July) John Cowan's guest will be entrepreneur, speaker and author; Derek Handley
Howick Baptist Healthcare
- would appreciate the help of Volunteers to help with the following duties:
- Drive Minibus or assist with Minibus Outings (on either a regular or casual basis),
- Drive or assist patients to/from hospital appointments (on an as-needs basis),
- Piano Players (alternate Wednesday mornings or when available),
- Flower Arrangers (rostered once a month),
- Gardeners (anytime),
- Bed makers (9:30-10:30 any day).
We have a number of other duties available too if there is nothing on this list that is suitable for you. If you are interested in these duties or generally just interested in volunteering here, please feel free contact me on 538 0827 anytime and I can give you more information. I look forward to hearing from you. Kim Thwaites Volunteer Co-Ordinator - Howick Baptist Healthcare
Lunch @ Te Tui Café:- 30 July @12:15 please sign up on the sheet in the foyer. Thank you. Loas.
FROM THE MANDENOS (in Palmerston North):-
Hello to all our church family at St Johns. Our new home is everything we hoped for and have already had two little girls sleep over last weekend and many visits in between. I (Janetta) went to transfer my membership for the gym from Auckland to Palmerston North yesterday so I am slowly finding my way around the city. We are going out shopping for furniture today as the house is two and a half the size of our wee town house, so there are a few empty spaces and rooms to fill. Brian's trip to work early morning takes him 6 minutes from home and that is right in the CBD....."yay".....we do notice the cold weather though, so have to wear a few more outer garments when we go out, but it is winter after all and all the country has had terrible weather this week. We have some beautiful walking tracks starting at the end of our cul-de-sac and a lovely swing park for the grandchildren. Hope none of you have had any adverse effects from the big storm which hit the north earlier this week. Think of you often and would love a visit if you are down this way. xxxx blessings Janetta & Brian
“Caring for our World” PresCare Art and Writing Competition:- Further details are on the column in the foyer with entry forms if your children would be interested.
Inspirational/Anglican TV:- This week on www.inspirationaltv.net: role model for boys, the little hunger and the big hunger and, Matthew 13:24-43 parables weeds, mustard, yeast
LUNG SURVEY:- Are you a non-smoker aged 50-100 and interested in taking part in a study looking at the effect of age on our lungs?
- Auckland Hospital together with the Department of Bioengineering at Auckland University is looking to develop a model of the lung as it ages. They need volunteers who are prepared to undergo one day of lung tests at the Green Lane Medical Centre. They would like to hear from volunteers who
- are aged 50-100 with no known lung disease
- are able to lie flat for a CT scan
- have never smoked
Contact Dr Clair King on 021 943 271 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
John Copping, a 90 year old member of our congregation, recently participated in this survey. He wants to encourage anyone 50 and over and who has never smoked to go for this assessment. It is well worthwhile. John found Dr King a very caring and considerate doctor. She was very patient and took time to answer any questions he asked her about health matters affecting the lungs. The large scale Auckland-wide survey will study how our lungs change with age. It will cover 100 people over a 2 year period. The findings from the survey are to be used to build a mathematical model of the ageing lung. It is hoped that this will enable doctors to better distinguish between normal ageing lungs and diseased lungs. By taking part in the survey you will be supporting valuable research that could ultimately benefit all New Zealanders. More than that: if you are 50 and over, want to keep fit and are nearing retirement, or actually retired, this is a golden opportunity to have your lung function evaluated by a very experienced respiratory physician. Talk to John if you want to hear about his experience of the survey. Better still, phone or email Dr King.
