Thought for the week
Thought For The Week 7 July 2019
All organisations require effective governance to ensure they have a healthy framework from which to carry out their core purpose. This applies to large publicly listed businesses, schools, hospitals, clubs and churches. Our church is governed by the Parish Council who are responsible to ensure every aspect of our communal life runs smoothly and in…
Read MoreThought For The Week 30 June 2019
Last weekend Brent, Helen, Joy, Andrea and myself attended the annual Alpine Presbytery retreat in Hanmer Springs. As good Presbyterians, we are used to getting together to do “business”, although I’m not always entirely sure what the means. The retreat is different. There are many things that happen over a short space of time. There…
Read MoreThought For The Week 23 June 2019
Welcome to our services of worship today. At both sites we are looking at the transformative power the gospel of Jesus has on those who encounter it. This is demonstrated in dramatic fashion when Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee and encounters a demon possessed man. Jesus demonstrates his power over all the forces that…
Read MoreThought For The Week 16 June 2019
There’s an unsung group in our church- you might have heard of them- the Missions group. This small group are responsible for the Eatwell initiative, Buy and Supply table, monthly offerings and Mission Project towards various projects, cooking demonstrations in Kowhai Kindy and the knitting project making children’s beanies and gloves for our community. Hanan…
Read MoreThought For The Week 9 June 2019
My greetings to you on this day of Pentecost. A day of celebration and new life and new hope. It is wonderful to be worshiping among you again after what has been a very difficult few weeks for me, personally. The surgery on my nose and throat has been a real success, and though I’m…
Read MoreThought For The Week 2 June 2019
Welcome to our combined service for Ascension Sunday, the day we celebrate Christ’s ascension to heaven one week before Pentecost. The focus leading into Ascension is often on Christian unity, following Jesus prayer that we ‘be one as he and the Father are one’ (John 17:11). So, it is appropriate that we come together on…
Read MoreThought For The Week 26 May 2019
We welcome Rev Shona Bettany to both our services today and look forward to what she will bring from God’s word. I have been in Auckland over the weekend for National Assessment Weekend where candidates for ministry have their call affirmed (or otherwise) before entering the training system to become ordained leaders and ministers in…
Read MoreThought For The Week 19 May 2019
Welcome to our services of worship today, I’m so glad you have taken the time to spend in worship and contemplation of the scriptures. Our scripture lesson this week tells the story from Acts 11 of Peter being led to a Roman Centurion’s house to share the good news of Jesus with this gentile who…
Read MoreThought For The Week 5 May 2019
“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.” – Acts 9:43 This week one of the great heroes of our faith passed away. Jean Vanier was the son of a rich and powerful French-Canadian family who volunteered for the British…
Read MoreThought For The Week 5 May 2019
Welcome to our services of worship today, we are so glad you have taken time out of your weekend to join together in worship of our risen saviour. Have you noticed that our community has become more ethnically diverse lately? Originally there were only birds here. Then came humans from Polynesia (Maori) and then Europeans…
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