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 2 December 2018

9.30am St Peter’s

11.30am Little Akaloa

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

God of hope,

when Christ your Son appears

may he not find us asleep or idle,

but active in his service and ready.

This we ask through Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

Mike’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

Today is the beginning of Advent and we welcome Eileen MacRae and Glen Leeder as they bring their son Jackson to be baptised. Our Gospel reading tells us to be awake and aware of what is happening around us, and how close the return of Christ is. Baptism reminds us that we have a spiritual aspect to ourselves, that we are ‘children of God’, and that Christ … Read More »

Sermon for St Luke’s Patronal Festival: 21.10.18

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

St Luke is one of my favourite saints. He was a physician, he was a loyal companion to Paul, and he is the patron saint of doctors and healing.

I believe that a sense of healing and seeking wholeness, and offering care and support are key values to what the church is. And St Luke particularly in his gospel – emphasises the unconditional Love of God the Father, and the compassion of Jesus Christ to the poor, the disabled, marginalised and those considered sinners in his culture and religion.

He is also the patron saint of Icon writers, because tradition has it that he painted the first icon of Mary and baby … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS
Sunday 4 November 2018
9.30am St Peter’s, Akaroa
11.30am St Luke’s, little Akaloa
Welcome to our services 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
Almighty God, we are your saints, each of us is a unique part of the church. Today we give you thanks for all your saints – holy and ordinary, living and past who together make up the mystical body of Christ.
Give us grace to grow in virtue and to seek you daily;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Mike’s Message
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Today is All Saints Sunday, when we remember and give thanks for all the saints of the church. It easy only to think of the saints as those whom the … 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 14 October 2018

9.30am St Peter’s

11.30 Duvauchelle

We welcome you all, parishioners and visitors, to our services 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.

TODAY’S PRAYER

God of the possible, and the impossible;

when we come to you with questions

and struggle with your answers,

grant us faith in believing as we await

the treasure from heaven,

which is your promise;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.  Amen.

MIKE’S MESSAGE

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

We often turn to the Bible for comfort. When we are distressed and hurt we seek words of compassion from God. Hebrews 4:12-16 says that God’s Word (Logos) is “living and active” and sharper than a scalpel. God’s word cuts to the truth of who we are – often bringing … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 7 October 2018

9.30am St Peter’s

11.30 Little Akaloa

 We welcome you all, parishioners and visitors, to our services 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.

Welcome

While Mike Baker is at a Franciscan retreat, we welcome Rev Glenda Hicks back to Akaroa and thank her for taking our services today.

CHURCH FAIR – TWO WEEKS TO GO!

Trinity is filling up fast with items for the fair. Contributions of special food, wine and toiletry items for the baskets to be raffled would be welcomed and can be left in the kitchen at St Peter’s. If you would like to drop anything off, please phone Rachel (304 8920), as both Trinity and St Peter’s lounge are being kept locked. … Read More »

The Combined Anglican and Presbyterian Churches of Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Sunday 25th March 2018 – 9.30 am – St Peter’s – Holy Communion

Palm Sunday

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.

THE COLLECT

God of the journey, you travel with us along paths both rough and smooth;  as we celebrate your Son’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem

travel with us into Holy Week, that through your Holy Spirit we may witness to the depth of your passion                       and be ready to rise into the fullness of Easter Day through Jesus Christ Our Redeemer. Amen

MIKE’S MESSAGE

Holy Week begins today on Palm Sunday. It is the journey of Jesus to the cross. This year we have been … Read More »

The Combined Anglican and Presbyterian Churches of Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Sunday 18th March 2018 – 11 am – Garden Service

Rodney & Alethea Laredo’s home – 85 Grehan Valley Road

Welcome to our “service with a difference” this morning. It is great to have you with us, and we hope you enjoy being part of our Banks Peninsula Church family

THE COLLECTGod of Light and Love, you come into the world not to condemn but to redeem; enter our lives again, with your love, bringing new life, eternal and abundant, so we your servants may show light and love to others. Through Jesus Christ Our Redeemer.  Amen

WHY DID JESUS DIE?

Tuesday morning’s home group had another stimulating discussion this week. Here is a controversial but thought-provoking quote from the sermon by Rev Richard Bonifant which we studied.

“The notion of peace is incredibly threatening to … Read More »

The Combined Anglican and Presbyterian Churches of Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Sunday 25th February 2018 – 9.30 am – Trinity – Morning Worship

                                                           11.30 am – Pigeon Bay

A warm welcome to parishioners and visitors alike.  Please join us for morning tea and fellowship in Trinity Hall following our service this morning. The Parish Council meeting will follow morning tea.

Please hand in your questionnaires today.

THE COLLECT 

Servant God, grant us opportunity, give us willingness

to serve you day by day; that what we do

and how we bear each other’s burdens,

may be our sacrifice to you;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

Amen

MIKE’S MESSAGE

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In today’s gospel, Jesus says “If any want to become my followers, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” Prior to this he has explained that he must suffer, be rejected and killed, … Read More »