Newsletter 22-April-2018
John 10:11-18 New International Version (NIV)
11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
NEXT WEEK: Sunday 29th April 2018
Next Weeks Theme: 'Love Abides'
Focus Scripture:John 15:1-8
Other Readings: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21
Prayer Points for: Brenda Ryan and Mary Hall for good health; Dorothy Peiris who has fallen and hurt her back; someone to pick up the ministry of looking after our IT system; Someone to be the Financial Coordinator for the St Johns Finance Team.
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.
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.
This Sunday, 22 April, we will be handing out a survey for all those at worship to fill in please. This is the Methodist Church requirement for the Parish Review. The replies will inform the basis of our parish review report. Please be prepared to spend some time following worship to complete the survey. This will be the only opportunity given to us to complete the survey. The survey has been translated into Mandarin for our Mandarin congregation.
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.
There are copies of the UCANZ Part B on the table by the pigeon-holes for anyone interested in submitting a response to numbers 1 to 6 and 8. Please submit any responses to Alison in the office so that we can follow the correct process
LUNCH Sunday 6th May. 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, thanks. Lorraine
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.
Real Life with John Cowan 7.30pm Sunday nights on Newstalk ZB John Cowan’s guest this Sunday night, 22 April will be former Silver Fern netballer, Adine Wilson, who has spoken publicly for the first time about the experience of breaking her neck in December 2016.
Because You ASKED for it 11am Tuesday 24th April BOTANY: St Columba Presbyterian Church... See foyer notice board for more details. Daytime Concert series.
Watch this space
A mothers and daughters High Tea event at Waipuna.
Celebrate Mothers Day together.
Costs and timing to follow.
Organiser - Amie (Mandarin Congregation).
‘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.)
