Newsletter 09-September-2018

‘Mission’
Exodus 3:1-12
Psalm 125

Exodus 3:1-12
3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.” 4When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Here I am.” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey – the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”11But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”12And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

Next Sunday: 16 September 2018
Next Weeks Theme: ‘The Concerns of God’
Focus Scripture: Mark 8:27-38
Other Readings James 3:1-12; Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19


Prayer Points for: George Morrison, Brenda Ryan and Mary Hall for good health. The Nominating Team and process of discerning members for the Leadership Team.


Newsletter Information Note for the Parish from the Leadership Team
I want to bring several matters from the Leadership Team to your attention for the Annual General Meeting and ask for your prayerful consideration.
1. The Leadership and Finance Teams are supporting an addition to our administrative staff in this year’s budget. We have budgeted for 5 hours a week paid Mandarin ministry support. It is an extension of the administrative support given to the congregation by Alison Stanton. While most of Alison’s work supports St Johns Parish as a whole, she does work to specifically support the English speaking fellowship. We believe by extending the administrative support specifically for our Mandarin Fellowship we are seeking to redress this imbalance. We will be presenting a motion to the AGM asking for congregational support for this.
2. We will be bringing an update of the Leadership Team’s working on the 5 year strategic plan.
3. We will be bringing a motion that we change what has been a choice made year by year of a Charity recipient for our Thanksgiving and Christmas Special donations to being fixed to our chosen charity for 5 years. We are asking for suggestions / nominations for that Charity from you, and that these be given to the Leadership Team for the November 6th 2018 meeting.
Blessings Lorraine

Annual General Meeting
St Johns AGM Sunday 9 September following our Sunday Service


Christmas Cakes @ $59 In support of the Friends of the Anglican Trust for Women and Children. Order Forms for a Ruth Pretty Christmas Cake are available from on the notice board in the foyer.



COFFEE and CHAT

Come and join us in our new monthly drop-in venture – COFFEE and CHAT. Spend time with other members of our church family – and bring a friend.
Our next get together is on Tuesday 11 September in the church foyer from 10am - 11.30am. If you need a ride please phone Alison in the office (534 2305).
A gold coin donation would be appreciated.



Want to try something new?

Know some-one who would like to try something different?


AFRICAN DRUM
and
DANCE WORKSHOP
@ St. Johns

15 September 2018
10 am - 3 pm


See details opposite


THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
30 September 2018

If you do not have a Thanksgiving envelope there will be some available on the table in the foyer. Please write your giving number on the front of the envelope. If you offer your thanksgiving via direct credit please ensure you reference ‘thanksgiving’ when making the payment.