THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 16 December 2018

9.30am St Peter’s

Welcome to our service of carols and readings.

Today’s Prayer

Lord God of the universe,

your prophets of old foretold that you would one day

send your Messiah into the world.

You fulfilled this promise in Jesus Christ.

Prepare us this Christmas, to greet him with joyful hearts;

who is one with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

now and forever. Amen

Mike’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

The words of Max Ehrmann’s beautiful poem, the Desiderata, come to mind during this busy time leading up to Christmas, “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.” I must remind myself that it is important to pace oneself and find the occasional quiet place for refreshment. As I pray the petitions left by travellers visiting St Peter’s, and … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 9 December 2018

9.30am Trinity

11.30am Duvauchelle

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

Today’s Prayer

Gracious God,

John the Baptist prepared your way;

help us hear your word to us;

and give us the grace to respond.

This we ask through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mike’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

It is great to have Rev David and Joy Coster with us today, as David leads our Trinity service. The theme today is about getting ready to return to the Lord and preparing ourselves for the return of God to us. Recently Peter Carrell our Bishop-elect met with the vestry in a very affirming meeting. He mentioned that there was a lot of change happening within the church today. He … Read More »

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 … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 28 October 2018

9.30am Trinity

 Welcome to our service this morning, particularly if you are visiting Akaroa. We would like to especially welcome Bishop Richard and Jackie Randerson who are making their third visit to our Combined Church. Richard will preach at our 9.30 am service at Trinity, and at 11.00 am will lead a seminar in the hall. Please join us for morning tea after the service and stay for the seminar.

Visitors and newcomers are especially welcome.

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, by the loneliness of your suffering on the cross,

be near to all who are desolate, or in pain and sorrow,

and let your presence transform our sorrow into comfort,

and our loneliness into fellowship with you;

for the sake of your tender mercy. Amen

 Mike’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

Once again, thank you for supporting our Fair … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 9 September 2018

9.30am Trinity 11.30am Duvauchelle

We welcome you all, parishioners and visitors, to our service this morning. We are really pleased to have you with us, and hope that you will join us for morning tea in the hall after the service.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Healing God, you speak into the hurting and wounded places;

empower us to speak your vision of wholeness,

and turn us to action in the face of injustice,

that empowered by the Spirit we may be agents of your healing love;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MIKE’S MESSAGE

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

Our first reading today is from the Book of Proverbs chapter 22. Proverbs was something of a manual for living a godly and upright life. Modern scholarship has found similarities to what we hear today with a three-thousand-year-old Egyptian text called Instruction … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 2 September 2018 – 9.30am St Peters

We welcome you all, parishioners and visitors, to our service this morning. We are really pleased to have you with us, and hope that you will join us for morning tea in the lounge after the service.

Message from the Bishop-Elect Rev’d Dr Peter Carrell

Dear Friends, I am delighted to be able to write to you in my capacity as Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Christchurch. Many people have been praying for the election and Teresa and I have received many messages of assurance of prayer from within the Diocese and beyond: we thank you all for your prayers and ask you to continue praying. A bishop’s role is always challenging but recipients of e-Life know that we face significant changes in the Diocese through the coming … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 29 July 2018 – 3.00pm – Trinity – End of Life Seminar

followed by a shared light meal in Trinity Hall

A warm welcome to parishioners and visitors alike.

Please join us in Trinity Hall for a shared meal and fellowship

after the seminar today.

 TODAY’S PRAYER

Father of all mercies, we bless you for our creation. The life we possess is your gift to us all. Teach us to value it and to use it to the full. As we trust you with our life, may we trust you through our frailties, illnesses and our death. When our time comes to tread the dark valley, grant that we may fear no evil, but know that you are with us. This we pray in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.

MIKE’S MESSAGE

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

The Bible … Read More »

The Combined Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula

Sunday 15th  July 2018 – 9.30 am – St Peter’s –  Holy Communion

 A warm welcome to parishioners and visitors alike.  Please join us for morning tea and fellowship in St Peter’s Lounge following our service this morning.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Living God, the prophets faithfully served you, fearlessly speaking your truth; grant us the courage to follow their example, and witness to your truth, that we might live lives worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MIKE’S MESSAGE

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The two stories we hear from scripture today (Amos 7:7-15 & Mark 6:14-29) are about people trying to silence the voice of prophecy. Prophets are unpopular, for they point out sin and injustice to people who are comfortable with the way things are. I have been watching a series on the 1960’s … Read More »

The Combined Church of Akaroa & The Bays

Sunday 1st July 2018 – 9.30 am – St Peter’s – Holy Communion              

St Peter’s Day                                     

A warm welcome to parishioners and visitors alike.  Please join us for morning tea and fellowship in St Peter’s Lounge following our     service this morning.

TODAY’S PRAYER

God of grace, your Church is built on Peter’s faith,

grant that we like him forgiven and restored,

may overcome our weaknesses and serve you without wavering

now and forever. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

MIKE’S MESSAGE

There is a tradition, that goes back to the early church, of dedicating churches to the care and patronage of a saint. Today is the patronal festival of Saint Peter – one of the first disciples, a … Read More »

The Combined Church of Akaroa & The Bays

Sunday 24th June 2018 – 10.30 am – Trinity – Morning Worship    

followed by our mid-winter combined lunch.                                       

A warm welcome to parishioners and visitors alike.  Please join us for our mid-winter lunch in Trinity Hall following our service this morning.

PRAYER

God who speaks in silence; help us to wait in quiet patience.

When you seem absent, grant us the faith to know you are there,

and you wish to bring all you have started in us to fulfilment;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MIKE’S MESSAGE

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

A warm welcome to you all on this weekend closest to the shortest day. Despite the wet and overcast weather, winter is an opportunity for socialising and … Read More »