THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 18 November 2018

9.30am St Peter’s

Welcome to our service this morning, particularly if you are visiting Banks Peninsula. Please join us for morning tea in the lounge after the service. Visitors and newcomers are especially welcome.

Today’s Prayer

God of ages, in Jesus you set a corner stone

and a sure foundation; you are the true and living way.

May we stand firm in the face of all that shakes our foundations,

certain in the knowledge of your love.

We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Mike’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

Childlessness has unfortunately afflicted couples who have desperately wanted children down the ages. It still brings immense heartache and grief to many families despite the advances of reproductive medicine. The story of Hannah’s barrenness (1 Samuel 1: 4-20) and how through intense prayer God heard her plea and granted her a son, must have given hope to many Hebrew and Christian women down the centuries. Churches too can face periods of barrenness. New people may come to church because they are seeking something spiritual and something good. But they stay in church because they find a community that they can belong to, and people who become their friends. Today’s gospel (Mark 13:8) refers to the pain of giving birth. Giving birth to new life in our church may not be a comfortable process, and neither will it just happen. As humans we know that giving birth is a process that has many stages and many choices to make along the way. May we be intentional as a church community to bring new people to know God’s love. God bless! Mike

CHEERING FROM THE SIDELINE

“Little Johnny was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother knew that he had set his heart on it but feared he would not be chosen. On the day that the parts were given out, Johnny, rushed home and in excitement told his mother, “Mum, guess what! I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer!” His report card said, “Johnny participates well by encouraging everyone.”

PRAYERS

Please keep in mind those of our parishioners who are unwell and needing our prayers and support.

DON’T GET CAUGHT

The phone scammers are targeting Akaroa again This time they say they are from Spark. Be aware Spark will never phone you. You would initiate any contact with Spark. Just hang up!

COMING UP THIS WEEK

Mon 19 Nov   10.00am Mainly Music – Trinity Hall

Wed 21 Nov   10.30am Prayer Group St Peter’s Lounge                                                                      11.00am Holy Communion

1.30pm Communion Pompallier House

Sat 24 Nov      11.00am Prayer Group – Duvauchelle

Sun 25 Nov       9.30am Trinity All Age Service

11.30am Pigeon Bay

Leader: Mike

Organist: Rachel         Projectionist: Gerald

Prayers: Wendy          Welcomers: Allison and Anne

Sidesperson: Graeme Readers: Clive and Jeannette

Morning Tea: Maryn and Jeannette

Readings: Rev 1:4-8   John 18:33-37

COMING UP SOON

Mon 26 Nov   10.00am Mainly Music – Trinity Hall

Wed 28 Nov   10.30am Prayer Group St Peter’s Lounge                                                                       11.00am Holy Communion

Fri 30 Nov       12.00pm Community Lunch – Trinity Hall

Sat 1 Dec         11.00am Prayer Group – Duvauchelle

Sun 2 Dec          9.30am St Peter’s

11.30am Little Akaloa

 GROCERIES NEEDED

Please remember if you can to bring one or two grocery items to church each Sunday to help those in our community who are struggling to feed their families. The groceries are passed on to Kerry at Heartlands, as she knows where they are most needed. If it is easier for you, it would be just as helpful to buy a grocery voucher from the Four Square and drop it off to Kerry.

POMPALLIER VILLAGE TRUST has a villa for sale.

Two bedrooms, open plan living, new kitchen, new bathroom and new carpet. The villa has been repainted throughout.

Enquiries to Kate 3047228/0273047010

 KIDS-FRIENDLY SERVICE ON 25 NOVEMBER.

The Kid’s-Friendly service on 25 November will include children’s and young people’s activities led by Naomi Gould, a youth worker from Lincoln Baptist Church. Naomi comes to us with lots of experience in children’s work, and the kids will have a great time. Bring your own, your grandchildren, and your friends with children! Lots of thanks to Lincoln Baptist Church for supporting our children’s work so generously.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“The only thing that is constant is change -”

Heraclitus

CONTACTS

Vicar – Rev Michael Baker – phone 304 7051 padre_mike@hotmail.com

Presbyterian Contact – Ken Paulin – phone 304 7012  paulinakaroa@xtra.co.nz

Vicar’s Warden – John McKenzie – phone 304 8022  john.mckenzie@canterbury.ac.nz

People’s Warden –Annette Moore – phone 304 5190 annettemoore244@gmail.com

Newsletter – Kate Clare – phone 304 7228  kate.clare@outlook.com

Webpage – www.akaroachurches.co.nz Sermons are in this site

Bank A/c No for automatic payments:  02 0832 0014464 00