Parish Newsletter 5 March 2017
The Combined Anglican and Presbyterian Churches of Akaroa & Banks Peninsula
Sunday 5th March 2017
9.30am St Peter’s – Holy Communion
11.30am Little Akaloa
A warm welcome to parishioners and visitors alike. Please join us for refreshments and fellowship in the St Peter’s lounge following our service this morning.
MIKE’S MESSAGE
Dear brothers & sisters in Christ
Today is the first Sunday in Lent, and our first reading this is set in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve are told by God to eat freely in the garden, except of the tree of ‘the knowledge of good and evil’. They, however, are tempted because “it was to be desired to make one wise.” (And who does not want to be wise?) They take the fruit because the serpent tells them they will be like God. (And who deep down does not want to be like God, independent, self-sufficient and not reliant upon a power greater than themselves?) At the end of the day, the Genesis story shows us that it is not a desire for wisdom, but our lack of desire for fellowship with God, or to humbly accept his love and care for us that is the source of sin.
Today, we are also remembering in our prayers the church in the Philippines. We are reminded of Celia who is a sugar farm worker and mother of one. She works on a big sugar plantation in Central Luzon in North Philippines. She says that her daily wage does not feed her family, and because of farm mechanization, she is only employed two days a week. She therefore has to earn extra income doing other things. Along with 5,000 other farm workers, she is hoping to be given some land on their huge sugar plantation to grow some food for her family. Unfortunately, government support for farmer-beneficiaries is slow. We pray for social justice for Celia and many like her. God Bless! Mike
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Monday 6th March
10am Mainly Music – Trinity Hall
Tuesday 7th March
10am Alpha Course – Ken & Fiona Paulin’s “Why and How should I read the Bible?”
Wednesday 8th March
11am St Peter’s Lounge – Holy Communion
Thursday 9th March
5pm Combined Parish Council – St Peter’s Lounge
Next Sunday 12th March
9.30 am Trinity
Leader: Mike Organist: Kit
Welcomers: Graeme & Maryn
Sidesperson: Clive Projection: Ken
Prayers: Simon
Readers: Rachel & Pip
Morning Tea: Kath & Maryn
11.30am Duvauchelle
COMING UP SOON
Monday 20th – Friday 24th March
‘Beating the Boundaries’ – Mike’s pilgrimage around Banks Peninsula
Sunday 26th March Outdoor Service and Picnic in Ken and Fiona Paulin’s garden
Friday 31st March Community Lunch – Trinity Hall at 12 noon
Sunday 2nd April Harvest Festival and St Peter’s AGM
Thursday 6th April Outreach Group meeting – St Peter’s at 5 pm
REPORT FROM OUTREACH GROUP
Outreach is for all of us! We can plan it, but we can’t do it all without your help.
Community Lunches. These have restarted for 2017 under Wendy’s leadership and are going well. Delicious soup was provided last week by L’Hotel. We need more helpers to go on a roster, and also names of any people who could be invited. Anyone is welcome, especially those who are housebound and would enjoy the company. We also need church members to come along and talk to the guests.
Freezer Ministry. Frozen home-cooked meals are ready and waiting. We need people to think about those in our community who might appreciate a meal. Someone who is unwell, perhaps, or has a sick wife or husband? A death in the family? Anywhere where a little gift of a meal would be appreciated.
Youth Ministry. We have thoroughly investigated the 24/7 Youth Work Scheme and had good talks with the Area School. We have concluded that it is not the right programme for us in Akaroa and are looking at other models and possibilities. Meanwhile, Mainly Music is going well with Wendy and her team.
Appointment driving. We are looking at a scheme whereby drivers would take patients to Christchurch for medical appointments at no cost. The Health Centre confirms that there is a need. If this goes ahead, we will be appealing for drivers to do the occasional trip to help someone out.
Sunday Outreach Service. In the near future, a Sunday morning service will have an Outreach theme, and be followed by a question and answer
Christians against Poverty. Following Nicky’s great address last Sunday, we are keeping in touch with CAP to find out when training will be for any who would like to take on some of this work.
MAINLY MUSIC – EVERY MONDAY DURING TERM TIME
Mainly Music is held at 10 am in Trinity Hall. Any queries, please phone Wendy Weir on 304 7151
SERMONS ON WEBSITE
Have you missed any of Mike’s sermons? A reminder – you can now download them off the church website – www.akaroachurches.co.nz
MAINLY MUSIC – EVERY MONDAY DURING TERM TIME
Mainly Music is held at 10 am in Trinity Hall. Any queries, please phone Wendy Weir on 304 7151
SERMONS ON WEBSITE
Have you missed any of Mike’s sermons? A reminder – you can now download them off the church website – www.akaroachurches.co.nz
SONGS OF PRAISE
The BBC TV programme “Songs of Praise” screens each Sunday on Shine at 10.30 am, and is repeated at 7.30 pm. It is a wonderful blend of old and new hymns sung in churches around the UK, as well as some interesting interviews.
GROCERY DONATIONS
Please remember your grocery donations each week. Items are donated to Heartlands for those in our community in need.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps.” Luke 9:23
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 (03) 325 6244 or kimsmith@ihug.co.nz
Webpage – www.akaroachurches.co
