Newsletter 29-April-2018
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes [a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
NEXT WEEK: Sunday 6th May 2018
Next Weeks Theme: 'Loving Friends'
Focus Scripture:John 15:9-17
Other Readings: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6
Prayer Points for: Brenda Ryan and Mary Hall for good health; someone to pick up the ministry of looking after our IT system; Someone to be our Financial Coordinator for our St Johns Finance Team, more students for the English Language classes held at St Johns (we need a minimum of 12 students) please.
Leprosy Boxes are due. Please bring your box in for Joan to collect. Thank you :) If you’d like to know more about this ministry please talk to Joan.
Thank you to all who stayed after worship last week to complete a survey for our Parish Review.
On Sunday 6th May the Review Team of Ms Dylis Davies (Convenor, Methodist), Ms Jackie McGeorge (Methodist), Rev Michael Berry (Anglican, Archdeacon) and Rev Kevin Findlay (Presbyterian) will visit St Johns. As many of the team as possible will attend worship. They will then want to meet with anyone from St Johns who would like to talk to them, they will meet with the Leadership Team without Lorraine, and they will meet with Lorraine on her own. They will also use the tradition Uniting Congregations Aotearoa New Zealand (UCANZ) parish review process and include a look at our last Annual Report, our financial reports, and property.
Our visiting guests will stay for lunch and this is a further opportunity for you to talk to them. Please stay for lunch, remember it is a pot-luck or bring and share arrangement, and tuck a bit extra in for our guests.
Thank you.
for the year ended 31 March 2018 are ready for collection. They will be available from a box on the table in the foyer.
Real Life with John Cowan 7.30pm Sunday nights on Newstalk ZB John Cowan’s guest this Sunday night 29 April will be Rob Waddell. Rob Waddell is a New Zealand rower, yachtsman and more recently chef de mission for the NZ Team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Rob won world titles in 1998 and 1999, and capped his career with an Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to rowing. And has served on the Athlete Commission of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
New Books in Library. We have received two complimentary books written by Donald Philips from the Methodist Trust Association published by the Wesley Historical Society: “Held in Trust” and “A Future Realised”. They are on the table in the foyer, if you’d like to borrow them.Bible In Schools or CEC (Churches Education Commission) need a helper for Pigeon Mountain Primary School. It is a Year 2 class on Wednesday mornings 9-9:30 am for the last four weeks of each school term. They will provide training and resources. Please contact Lorraine if you think you may be able to help. Please pray for this ministry.
‘Is Religion really bad for Science?’ Saturday May 5th 9-4pm, $20/10 (includes lunch) At Maclaurin Chapel, University of Auckland.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2045572012397748/
*Keynote address by Prof Peter Lineham; with other engaging Christian academics and thinkers. Register (for catering): Nicola Hoggard (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Methodist Festival of Song – Sunday 20 May, 7 pm at Pitt Street Church
The festival of song is a significant event for the whole Methodist family across the Auckland region. The Festival Service will include hymns both old and new, and choral singing, hopefully along with other musical contributions.
