NETWORK NEWS

ST PETER’S ANGLICAN CHURCH

MERCURY BAY LOCAL SHARED MINISTRY

DECEMBER 2016

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

“TO KNOW AND MAKE KNOWN THE LOVE OF GOD”

DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVICES AT ST PETER’S

Sunday 4 th December

Presider:

Gospel and Reflection

CAROL SERVICE

Liturgist: Gillian Reid

Readings

Sunday 11 th December

Presider: Megan Means

Gospel and Reflection

HOLY COMMUNION

Liturgist: Sharon Short

Nicky Hewlett

Sunday 18 th December

Presider: Megan Means

Gospel and Reflection:

MORNING WORSHIP

Liturgist: Maxwell Reid

Edith Thompson

Sunday 24 th December- 8.00pm

Presider: Megan Means

Gospel and Reflection:

HOLY COMMUNION

Liturgist: Nicky Hewlett

Gillian Reid

Sunday 25 th December- 8.00am

Presider: Megan Means

Gospel and Reflection:

HOLY COMMUNION

Liturgist: Megan Means

Megan Means

Weekly Service Roster

If you swap a duty with someone else – reading, chalice bearer, prayers etc, as well as changing it on the roster by the door please would you let the Liturgist for that Sunday know as they may not check the alterations during the week. This will make it much easier for them when putting the service together. Many thanks.

As always if you have travel plans please let Maxwell know before the rosters are finalized. Once the roster is finalized you must organize your own swaps if you can’t do a duty you are rostered for.

LEARNING ABOUT OUR EUCHARIST:  (Part 7)

From Michael Godfrey, Vicar of Christ Church, Whangarei

AFTER THE SERMON … WHAT?

The readings speak to us of ‘the story of the people of God’, and the sermon should break open the word, throwing us links between the ancient world and our own. As the sermon comes to an end the work is not complete.

It is not a time to rush. It should at this point be obligatory to introduce into the liturgy a time of silence: has the sermon touched you? Has it failed to touch you? Either way here is an opportunity to be still in the presence of God, away from the clutter of words and noise and more words that is our world. God’s ‘voice’, an inaudible guidance perhaps of your thoughts in the silence, may just get a look-in if we allow forty or sixty seconds of stillness, of silence. Be still, for the presence of the Lord …

Liturgical silence though is not the absence of noise. If a child is playing and making noise, that’s okay—put away that glare which could well ensure the parents of that child never return. Silence is about you … about pausing momentarily, and opening your consciousness to God. 

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"What is the true meaning of Christmas?"

Answer: The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only

Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to

save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

The real Christmas story is the story of God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He

loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8).

Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping

Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate.

The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His

only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

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FOOD BASKET – don’t forget your donation to the Social Services Food Basket. This is a very worthy cause, and there

are people in Whitianga who are really struggling. Let’s put a bit of Christmas cheer into the basket this month.

PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS

As we look back over the year just gone, it has been a good year to the extent that we have put good thoughts, good words, and good deeds into it. None of

what we have thought, said or done need be wasted. Both the good and the bad experiences can be profited by. In a sense, the past is not entirely gone. The

results of it, for good or evil, are with us at the present moment. We can only learn by experience and none of our experience is completely wasted. We can

humbly thank God for the good things of the year that has gone.

***************************God our heavenly Father, when the thought of you wakes in our hearts, let its awakening not be like a startled bird that flies about in fear. Instead, let it be

like a child waking from sleep with a heavenly smile.

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Christ our Morning StarO Christ, our Morning Star, Splendour of Light Eternal, shining with the glory of the rainbow, come and waken us from the greyness of our apathy, and renew in

us your gift of hope. Amen.

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You made us for yourself oh God and our hearts are ever restless till they rest in you.

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DOG AND PARENTS DAY

On Sunday afternoon November 6th the seven dogs of the congregation took their owners out to Rings Beach for a fun afternoon of running around, receiving a special pet blessing, and relaxing while their owners had a shared lunch together. All the dogs agreed they had a really good time, and would be happy to repeat the event - especially Samtoo who spent most of the afternoon hopefully chasing rabbits. One thing was certain; Samtoo slept like a baby all night after his busy afternoon and did not demand a walk after his tea. A couple of photos give an idea of the day.1. Dogs and owners on the beach.2. Dogs and owners posing for the requisite family photo.

Samtoo worn out after all his rabbit chasing..

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINEDear Santa,

Please send me a big fat bank account and a slim body.  Please don't mix them up like you did last year

***************An actor had been out of work for 15 years because he always forgot his lines. Then one day he got a phone call from a director who wanted him for a big part

in a play. All he had to say was “Hark! I hear the cannon roar! After much worry the actor decided to take  the role. Opening night arrived, and while he waited in the wings, the actor muttered to himself “Hark! I hear the cannon roar! Hark! I hear the cannon roar! The time for the entrance finally came and as the actor made his appearance, he heard a loud booooom! He turned around and said,

“what the hell was that?”**********************

A presser in a tailor shop arrived one morning wearing a good sized diamond ring. One of the tailors noticed the sparkler and asked about it.

“My mother-in-law gave me a thousand dollars before she passed away. She said that when she dies, I should buy a beautiful stone. So I did!

*******************************A man, late for an important meeting, was searching desperately for a parking

spot in a crowded lot. Looking up to the sky he entreated “Lord if you find me a parking spot, I promise to start going to church again.” The words were barely

out of his mouth, when a spot opened up right in front of his car. The man looked back up, “never mind I found one.”

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The following motions were passed at the SGM held on Sunday November 13th, to be forwarded to our Bishops and Arch Deacon.

That the Diocesan Council be requested to disestablish the Mercury Bay Local Shared Ministry as at 31 December 2016:

Moved Brenda Taylor/Seconded Rev. Gillian Reid. Carried

That Diocesan Council be requested to form the Mercury Bay Mission District as at 01 January 2017:

Moved Dr. Maxwell Reid/Seconded Dawn Schibli. Carried

That the Council of the Local Shared Ministry Unit become the Governing Body of the Mission District as at 01 January 2017 until the 2017 AGM:

Moved Rev. Janet Fisher/Seconded Jim Hargreaves. Carried

Accept the Mission and Ministry Plan for January 2017 – December 2019:

Moved Nicola Hewlett/Seconded Prof. Kevin Pringle. Carried

Approve the Budget for 2017:

Moved Brenda Taylor/Seconded Rev. Gillian Reid. Carried

That Nicola Hewlett be recommended to the Bishop to be appointed as People's Warden as at 01 January 2017.

Moved Rev. Gillian Reid/Seconded Dawn Schibli. Carried

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On the 13th November we celebrated Jan’s 80th birthday with a shared lunch. Photos below Jan cutting the cake

with Gillian and Nicky.

EVENTS FOR ST PETER’S IN DECEMBER

Prayer Group 10.30am 1st and 3rd Mondays unless otherwise notified. This is held at Dawn’s house

Combined Churches Evening Service

No more this year. Back in January

Combined Churches Prayer Meeting

Wednesday 7th December 10.00am hosted by us at St Andrew’s.

Knit for Purpose Next meeting, Friday 2nd December, at St Patrick’s church, Campbell St. 10am to 12 noon. Come along for fellowship, morning tea & completed items bragging

Ministry Support Team TBDChurch Council Sunday 11th December, 9.00 am at St

AndrewsAnglican Service at the Continuing Care Unit

At 11.00am on Wednesday 1st December – Please come along and join in the singing or help hand out books.

Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth,even that fades away. Go for someone who makes yousmile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day

seem bright.

website: wwwanglicanchurchwhitianga.org.nz Wordpress: www.localsharedministry.com Facebook: Local Shared Ministry Diocese of Auckland NZMercury Bay LSM contact person: Nicola HewlettPh. 8665115 Email: hewletts@xtra.co.nz

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Don’t cry because he’s gone, smile because he was here.

When I am gone, release me, let me go, I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears, be happy that we had some years.

I gave you my love. You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I travelled alone.

So grieve a while for me if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part, so keep the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life goes on.So if you need me call and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear all of my love around you

soft and dear.And then when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a

smile and say, “Welcome Home”

Farewell Alan. You have been a joy and delight to be a part of our church family. We will miss you. Go with  God.