The Combined Anglican and Presbyterian Churches of Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Sunday 1st October – St Peter’s – Holy Communion – 9.30 am
Bishop Richard Randerson’s seminar on Euthanasia at 11 am

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 seminar will follow in St Peter’s.

THE COLLECT
God of all authority, enable us to hear your call and do what you ask of us. Forgive us for judging others, help us to embrace the outcast and the downtrodden. Transform our lives so that everything we do may proclaim your generous love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

MIKE’S MESSAGE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We welcome this morning Jackie and Richard Randerson to our 9.30am service, and look forward to Richard’s facilitation as we grapple with the topic of euthanasia at the seminar later this morning.
Our reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians holds one of the keys to understanding what our God is like. In Christ, God emptied himself of his divinity, to become human – and to take on the form of a slave. This is at the heart of the virtue of humility… whereby we are called to always be mindful of the needs of others. Jesus also gives us a model of ‘servant leadership,’ in that while he was our Messiah he took on the form of a servant – even humbly washing his disciples’ feet.
As Pip and I will be away over the next two weeks, there will be no Wednesday Communions until the 18th October. Also, next Sunday’s service at Duvauchelle is cancelled – instead please consider coming to the 9.30am service in Akaroa. God bless! Mike

COMING UP THIS WEEK
Monday 2nd October
10 am Mainly Music takes a break for school holidays
Wednesday 4th October
10.30 am Prayer Group – St Peter’s lounge
Thursday 5th October
4 pm Outreach Meeting – St Peter’s lounge
Saturday 7th October

11 am Prayer Group – St John’s –Duvauchelle

Sunday 8th October

9.30 am St Peter’s
Leader: Chrissy
Organist: Mary F
Sides Person: Mary
Prayers: Marie
Welcomers: Annette & Jeannette
Projection: Simon
Readers: Mary & Noelene
Morning Tea: Anne P & Mark
Readings: Exodus 20: v 1-4, 7-9 Matthew 21: v 33-46

COMING UP SOON

Monday 9th Oct No Mainly Music – School holidays
Wednesday 11th Oct Prayer Group – St Peter’s lounge
Thursday 12th Oct CPC meeting – 4 pm – St Peter’s lounge
Saturday 14th Oct Prayer Group – Duvauchelle – 11 am
Sunday 15th Oct Holy Communion – St Peter’s – 9.30 am
Guest Leader: Rev Kirsty MacDonald

REPORT ON COMMUNITY LUNCH
A large and enthusiastic crowd attended the Community Lunch held in Trinity Hall on Friday. Church working-bee attendees and overseas visitors swelled our numbers and we also had a great deal of local support and welcomed back our friends from Pompallier House. Huge thanks to Wendy and her team for their great organisation and service. Thanks to Shane and Kerry from Akaroa Village Inn for the donation of chocolate bars as quiz prizes. There are but two ‘community lunches’ left for this year so encourage your friends to come along for a time of fellowship and free food on Friday 27th October.

ALPHA MEETING REPORT
We held the first of the regular Alpha meetings last Wednesday at Chrissy and Kim’s new home. There were 11 guests, of whom over half were not from our two churches. Everyone enjoyed a great meal, good company and a good discussion. Next week’s topic is Why did Jesus die? and it will be the last opportunity for new people to join in. If you or your friends miss out, never fear, there will be another Alpha next year!
One of the key parts of Alpha is hospitality, and each evening begins with a meal for the guests and team. We would be grateful for offers of help with the food. If you could help once or twice during the course, please contact Fiona on 304 7012.

EMAIL ADDRESSES
Those parishioners who have Vodafone, Paradise, Clear or iHug as your email provider, please let Kate know your new email address at: kate.clare@outlook.com

THE FIRST CUCKOO OF SPRING
The Shining Cuckoos have once again returned to Banks Peninsula! The first cuckoo call was heard at Le Bons Bay on 28th September – a little later than last year. We will be ringing the bell at St. Peter’s, Akaroa to celebrate the arrival of the Shining Cuckoos, heralding the start of Spring, at 1200pm on Wednesday 11th October. All welcome. Light refreshments provided.

FREEZER MINISTRY – MEALS REQUIRED
We are delighted that many of our frozen meals have been delivered to those in need. We now have only one left in the freezer at Trinity, so would appreciate some home-cooked and frozen supermarket meals to replenish our stock. Casseroles and soup can be put in ice cream containers (there is a supply next to the freezer). Please label them with contents and number of servings, and write the details in the notebook on the freezer. If anyone is able to cook a meal, or you know someone who is unwell or under stress and would appreciate a cooked meal, please contact Wendy on 304 7151 or Rachel on 304 8920.

PRAYER GROUPS
Prayer groups are held on Wednesday morning 10.30 am at St Peter’s, and Saturday morning 11 am at St John the Evangelist, Duvauchelle, to pray for the life of our Banks Peninsula parish, and any other concerns, large or small. Everyone is welcome, and those attending on Wednesdays may like to stay on for the 11 am service of Holy Communion afterwards.

PARISH FAIR 18TH NOVEMBER
We are now into Spring, and the garden beckons. Please remember the plant stall at the Church Fair. Time to spot those extra plants which could be potted up for sale so they have time to grow into saleable plants to help us bolster our combined Churches’ funds to enable us to be more effective in the community. Also, as you are Spring cleaning, please remember the White Elephant stall at the Fair and give us your unwanted items. Contact Allison on 304 8708 for more details.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller

Vicar – Rev Michael Baker – phone 304 7051 or padre_mike@hotmail.com
Presbyterian Contact – Ken Paulin – phone 304 7012 or paulinakaroa@xtra.co.nz
Newsletter – Chrissy Smith – phone 424 3592 or chrissyakaroa@gmail.com
Webpage – www.akaroachurches.co.nz