Thought for the week
Thought For The Week 13 July 2025
Today’s ‘lesson’, from Luke 10: 25-37, the Parable of the good Samaritan, seems especially appropriate for the times we are living in. There seems to be a lot of division, lurking just under the surface of polite conversation. We see this in large scale global events like the war in Ukraine and the Israel/ Palestinian […]
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Thought for The Week 6 July 2025
Welcome to our services today. It is lovely to be back among familiar faces after a 10-day break on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Many thanks to Steve McCoy and Grant Holland who preached in my absence and Steph and team who handled the sung worship and Lois Shipley for keeping an eye on pastoral […]
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Thought For The Week 29 June 2025
I love music. I’m not a musician by any stretch of the imagination but greatly appreciate and enjoy it. One song that has stuck with me from when I was young was ‘Prepare Ye The Way ‘ from the musical Godspell (1973). From a gentle start it winds up into a well-known rock anthem. Calling […]
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Thought For The Week 22 June 2025
Ate Marie / good morning and a warm welcome to all, I hope that your week has been a good one and that the cold winter weather and shorter days have provided you the opportunity to hunker down in a warm place take time to relax and read a good book or maybe you prefer […]
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Thought For The Week 15 June 2025
Welcome to our service today. It’s Trinity Sunday, a day when traditionally the Church has celebrated the God who is revealed as 3 in 1; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We probably don’t lose much sleep over trying to figure out how God can be one (monotheistic) but at the same time made up of […]
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Thought For The Week 8 June 2025
Tēnā koutou katoa “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to […]
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Thought for the Week 1 June 2025
Today we are reflecting on a cracking story from Acts 16; Paul and Silas in prison. A hallmark of the gospel of the kingdom of God is that it brings freedom to those who embrace the message of Christ, and this story demonstrates 3 kinds of imprisonment and how the Holy Spirit brings freedom. First […]
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Thought For The Week 25 May 2025
We welcome to our service today Barbara Sampson who will be sharing the word with us. Barbara is a Spiritual Director and retired Salvation Army Officer and yesterday led a group of around 30 people for a contemplative prayer day here at St Stephens. It was an enriching time drawing near to God in quiet […]
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Thought For The Week 18 May 2025
Is anyone else noticing the year going quite fast? Or is it just me? We are almost halfway through, and I feel like the year has only just started. This could be because of the increase busyness I’m experiencing, especially after the luxury of having a full-time colleague and an intern sharing the ministry load […]
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Thought For The Week 11 May 2025
Welcome to our service today. I have just returned from a busy 3 days in Christchurch and Rangiora attending the Alpine Presbytery gathering and a special dialogue meeting hosted by current Moderator Rose Luxford and previous Moderator Hamish Galloway, looking into the divisive issue of sexuality, biblical morality and leadership. This issue has dogged our […]
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