Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! We celebrate the resurrection, with Wendy taking us through "The Colours of Sunday", a Scripture Union presentation on responses to the Resurrection account. We also had three visitors help out with the music group which gave a strong music group for a significant celebration!
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On the Sunday before Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem with a great crowd rejoicing over him but some were not happy about this. What was happening? What do we learn from this?
Today we start to tell the story of Easter. The focus is on the meal at Bethany, but this is a sweet relief in the midst of the gathering threats against Jesus life. Here the sisters and brother, Mary, Martha and Lazarus express their thanks to Jesus for restoring Lazarus to life. Here Mary pours out her precious perfume to honour Jesus. How do we honour our Lord?
Mothering Sunday has its 16th century roots in people returning to the church where they were baptised. By 19th century, servants were given that Sunday off to go home and the maids would gather spring flowers as they walked and take a posy to their mothers. We honour our mothers, the churches where we as individuals were raised in the faith, the Parishes that planted this parish. Peter in his sermon honours the commitment and love of mothers and shows how Jesus said that our Christian relationships will be of the same nature and character.
In his sermon, Peter Lloyd concludes:
"What these passages tells us is two things. "1. God will be unremitting in His task to drive sin out of our lives. Please don’t expect the Divine Surgeon to leave any vestige of the cancer called sin in your life. He cannot and must not FOR YOUR SAKE. His love for you is too great to leave it there. "2. Be assured that you will meet mercy and grace all the way in your journey with Him. It does not mean that mercy and Grace will be pleasant. It does mean that if there is pain God the Holy Spirit will not let it be there any longer than it must." Join in to follow the whole sermon. (The printed version is available in the Sermon Blog.) Notice: The Lenten Series continues this Wednesday with part two. See below for details.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 9:28-36; Philippians 3:17-4:1]
Today our main reading is the account of the Transfiguration. Why does this come in Lent? Perhaps because Lent is a preparation for Easter and the Transfiguration tells who Jesus is, and gives us confidence that He is working in us to sanctify from glory to glory and offers a foretaste of future glory. See below for notices of: March Mission Month | Hope Project Deliveries | Palm Crosses. Service video
Notices
Hope Project Deliveries
It is coming up to Easter and that is the time for the Hope Project booklets to go out. Can you help with delivering to an area near you? Sign up in the foyer or let Ian know if you would like to combine walking with delivering. Palm Crosses Sylvia is making palm crosses for Palm Sunday. If you would like to help let the office know and we can give you instructions and Sylvia is a friendly teacher! Sunday morning service for the first Sunday in Lent. Look out for the powerful intercessions for the Ukraine. See below video for notices: Lenten Study, Hope Project deliveries, Giving for relief in Ukraine. Notices
Join us for Part 3 of 3 in the series on The Resurrection. Today's theme is "Resurrected and Transformed". Those who are alive when Christ returns will be transformed and ascend to meet him in the clouds.
Welcome to our morning worship from 20th February. If you missed the service this is your place to be involved. The preaching is part of a three-week series on the Resurrection as we explore chapter 15 of First Corinthians.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle (Gospel: Luke 6:17-26)
Please join us as we reflect on the resurrection of Jesus and the dead 1 Corinthians 15:1-20.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle (Gospel: Luke 1:67, 76-79)
Today we reflect on the Treaty of Waitangi on how the gospel has guided their feet into the path of peace in many occasions.
Liturgy led by Lorraine and Peter Lloyd. [Gospel: Luke 4:21-30]
Join us as we continue on the Gospel of Luke 4. Why did the people of Nazareth went from being impressed to wanting to throw Jesus off the cliff? What did he say that invoked such a contrast of emotions? Will we reject Jesus because of his impossible dream too? What does it mean for us to follow Christ? Gospel and Sermon from 22:02
Preacher: Anne Aspden (Gospel: Luke 4:14-21)
Third Sunday of Epiphany we hear from Luke how Jesus returns to Galilee in the power of the spirit and how the news about his spread throughout the countryside. Jesus showed kindness and generosity, so should we, to our neighbours.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11]
Jesus' first sign displayed his glory. The use of the spiritual gifts is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. When we use them are we like pots of water now holding the wine - transformed and showing God's presence?
As we continue through Epiphany celebrating the revelation of God in Christ, we focus today on the Baptism of Jesus. John the Baptist said the purpose of his ministry was to reveal him to Israel. Have we received that revelation ourselves?
The sermon starts at 15:59. We were blessed with a prophecy after communion - it can be heard at 56:22. It reads: Fear not, I am God. I hold all things in my hand. It is mine; it is my creation that you see about you. Fear not, I have called you by name. You are mine. I will rescue you and redeem you. I have lifted you on high. You are mine – fear not. Fear not for what others fear. Follow me that you may know me, that you may know my love; that you may know my salvation – for I have called you.
This Sunday we observe Epiphany - the celebration of God incarnate in Christ being revealed to the nations.
This is a progressive revelation which still continues. It started with the visit of the Magi. They travelled from afar to find him - what can we learn in our seeking Christ from them?
Here are the two Christmas service talks. At Midnight and 8am, Helen preached while at 10am, Wendy presented the sweep of Advent into Christmas.
The Sunday before Christmas and we hear the full story from Luke 1, the angelic visitations, the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth with John the Baptist and of Mary with Jesus. The overflowing into prophecy of Elizabeth, Mary and Zechariah. The in utero recognition of the presence of Jesus by baby John. Here we find the incarnation and its purpose. Here we hear of the place of birth prophesied 700 years before.
First Sunday back after lock down. Our theme is joy!
Today is the second Sunday in Advent with the theme of Peace. Ian preaches on peace - its source, how we get it, how we allow it to flow through us.
Parents: Here is a resource to help us consider how to have and model Peace in our Homes. On the Children's blog we have two activities for this Sunday and two for the rest of Advent.
Bishop Ross preaches for us today. The general theme for the first Sunday of Advent is "hope." Bishop Ross takes the angle of perseverance needed whenever hope and faith are exercised and needed as we go through this lockdown and the restrictions needed to fight the pandemic.
Parents, there are some children's activities on the children's blog. Three sheets for today but three are for all of Advent: a Jesse Tree, an Advent colouring calendar and a cut-out Nativity. The Jesse tree might be a good daily activity to do with your child(ren). Do watch out for an email about next Sunday's service and how it will be held. Vestry is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the application of the Diocesan policy for how we worship during the Protection Framework or Traffic Light system.
We continue with the series on Ruth today into chapter 3 & 4. Here we find the Redeemer! This is a story of Loving Kindness, Generosity and Redemption.
Once again, our puppeteers portray the story for children of all ages. Then there are some children's activities on Ruth in the Children's Blog.
We continue with the series on Ruth today into chapter 2. Here we find generosity, provision and honour.
Once again, our puppeteers portray the story for children of all ages. Then there are some children's activities on Ruth Chapter 2 in the Children's Blog. 'Traffic Light' Protocols
You may be wondering about what we will do at church once the DHBs achieve a 90% double vaccination target and Auckland moves to the 'Traffic Light' system.
A lot of work is going on at present to draw up good protocols for the Anglican Churches in Auckland Diocese. The Bishop and Diocesan Council have decided that there will be a Diocesan Covid19 Protection Framework for all parishes to follow. They are developing it at present with a thorough process. They have surveyed all clergy and as well as all vestries across the Diocese seeking our views on parish gatherings, services and vaccination status.. Our Vestry had a special meeting last week to answer the questions in the survey. The results of those surveys have been collated and (together with legal and health advice) are being used by the Diocesan Health and Safety Committee to draw up a proposed policy. That policy will then be reviewed by the Bishop and Archdeacons before being presented to the Diocesan Council meeting later this month for final approval. I understand that we will receive the policy at the end of the month and then Vestry is to decide how to implement it in our particular parish setting. Be assured that everyone involved is well aware of the tension between safety (particularly for the immune-compromised) and inclusion.
We start a new series today following the little book of Ruth over three weeks. It is a lovely story of faithfulness and loyalty.
Chapter 1 is told by our puppeteers - watch out for that. Then there are some cool children's activities on Ruth Chapter 1 in the Children's Blog.
Today, Ian brings to a close the series on Psalm 23 as we consider God's name: Yahweh my Portion and my Cup. We find that David had confidence in God for all he needed in this life and an inheritance in the afterlife. In the New Covenant we have the same hope in Christ. As today is All Saints Sunday, the theme from Ps 23 flows into a look at the Communion of Saints and what that means for us.
Parents: There are some children's activities on the Children's blog. Notices:
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May 2024
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