NOTICES...
This month:
August Events:
Tuesdays 4 & 11th 7pm Diocesan Webinars showing in Hub for all.
Wednesday 12th 11.30am Women’s Fellowship AGM
Sunday 16th 2pm Concert – organist and Lutheran Bishop Mark Whitfield celebrating women composers
Tuesday August 18th 5.30pm Family Meal/evening
Wednesday August 19th 2.00pm Afternoon Tea for recently bereaved
Sunday 23rd 8am services resume
Plus we plan to host an evening where we will have four speakers for the two referendums – details to follow soon
The Office is open on Tuesday mornings with Beverley Torr and Diane Miers.
On Friday mornings with Chris Hutchings
Please email Val at vjriches@tlook.com if you would still like to receive a Service sheet of the Sunday service
The newsletter can be opened as a PDF from the Weekly Service Sheets page and can be requested to arrive in your email box by filling in the form in the Subscribe to Newsletter page.
Donation Receipts.
Are available at the back of the church now
Regards
Rodney McKenzie
St Matthews Treasurer
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This month:
August Events:
Tuesdays 4 & 11th 7pm Diocesan Webinars showing in Hub for all.
Wednesday 12th 11.30am Women’s Fellowship AGM
Sunday 16th 2pm Concert – organist and Lutheran Bishop Mark Whitfield celebrating women composers
Tuesday August 18th 5.30pm Family Meal/evening
Wednesday August 19th 2.00pm Afternoon Tea for recently bereaved
Sunday 23rd 8am services resume
Plus we plan to host an evening where we will have four speakers for the two referendums – details to follow soon
The Office is open on Tuesday mornings with Beverley Torr and Diane Miers.
On Friday mornings with Chris Hutchings
Please email Val at vjriches@tlook.com if you would still like to receive a Service sheet of the Sunday service
The newsletter can be opened as a PDF from the Weekly Service Sheets page and can be requested to arrive in your email box by filling in the form in the Subscribe to Newsletter page.
Donation Receipts.
Are available at the back of the church now
Regards
Rodney McKenzie
St Matthews Treasurer
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
August 9th, 2020
Dreaming Big
Readings: Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28 Psalm 105:1–6, 16–22, 45b Matthew 14:22–33
Sentence: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Psalm 105:3
Collect: Liberating God, we raise our voice with thanksgiving and praise for the presence of your spirit that is continually at work among saints and sinners, bringing into being the hope of your love and justice for all creation. Amen.
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Dreaming Big
Readings: Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28 Psalm 105:1–6, 16–22, 45b Matthew 14:22–33
Sentence: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Psalm 105:3
Collect: Liberating God, we raise our voice with thanksgiving and praise for the presence of your spirit that is continually at work among saints and sinners, bringing into being the hope of your love and justice for all creation. Amen.
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Focus
This week we move from Jacob's dreams to the problems the dreams of his favorite son Joseph cause among the siblings. The brothers decide they can get even with him by killing him, but Rueben decides they should just throw him in a pit, but then they end up selling him to some Midianites. And so, the stage is set for Joseph's dreams to come true...and for God's dream to be realized through his people.
How are we embracing God's dream for our world?
Are we letting jealousies and fears keep us from dreaming big?
Prayer: God help us to remember and work for your dream for our world. May we not give in to fear, but work for justice and peace. Amen
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This week we move from Jacob's dreams to the problems the dreams of his favorite son Joseph cause among the siblings. The brothers decide they can get even with him by killing him, but Rueben decides they should just throw him in a pit, but then they end up selling him to some Midianites. And so, the stage is set for Joseph's dreams to come true...and for God's dream to be realized through his people.
How are we embracing God's dream for our world?
Are we letting jealousies and fears keep us from dreaming big?
Prayer: God help us to remember and work for your dream for our world. May we not give in to fear, but work for justice and peace. Amen
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REGULAR EVENTS
- Rhythm and Dance,
- Choir practise (postponed at the moment),
- Selwyn Centre,
- Community prayer,
- Fri Cuppa & Op Shop.
Kia ora koutou
Thank you for your continued prayers for the work of Anglican Action / Mahi Mihinare. We are so appreciative of you holding up this work before God and for engaging your congregations with the wider work of our church.
Ethos cafe is an important part of our justice focus. It provides employment and training opportunities for men and women who are seeking to integrate into society. It provides great food and coffee to fuel courageous conversations on issues of justice. It hosts informative and challenging events. At the moment it is leading the charge in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa in environmental responsibility - definitely a justice issue. Towards this end, Ethos has stopped offering single-use paper cups, and instead offers a Mug Library and glass jars with lids for takeaway drinks.
They write "Public support for this initiative has been amazing, but we are unable to keep up with the demand for jars. Should you have any spare glass jars with fitting lids, then we would gratefully receive and upcycle them. Craigs Jam Jars (375 gram) are an ideal size, but bigger and smaller jars are also welcome."
Ngā mihi nui
Peter
Specific Prayers for this week
- That the men and women in hospitality training might know new opportunities opening up for their future.
- The cafe staff might continue to reflect God's generous welcome and hospitality to all.
Give thanks
Thank you for your continued prayers for the work of Anglican Action / Mahi Mihinare. We are so appreciative of you holding up this work before God and for engaging your congregations with the wider work of our church.
Ethos cafe is an important part of our justice focus. It provides employment and training opportunities for men and women who are seeking to integrate into society. It provides great food and coffee to fuel courageous conversations on issues of justice. It hosts informative and challenging events. At the moment it is leading the charge in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa in environmental responsibility - definitely a justice issue. Towards this end, Ethos has stopped offering single-use paper cups, and instead offers a Mug Library and glass jars with lids for takeaway drinks.
They write "Public support for this initiative has been amazing, but we are unable to keep up with the demand for jars. Should you have any spare glass jars with fitting lids, then we would gratefully receive and upcycle them. Craigs Jam Jars (375 gram) are an ideal size, but bigger and smaller jars are also welcome."
Ngā mihi nui
Peter
Specific Prayers for this week
- Pray for
- That the men and women in hospitality training might know new opportunities opening up for their future.
- The cafe staff might continue to reflect God's generous welcome and hospitality to all.
- Pray for our friends and families in Victoria. Pray that they obey the lockdown rules and stay safe.
- Pray for us to take the time to be informed about decisions that are being made as we come up to the General Election.
- Pray for those who are unwell, especially those close to us.
- Pray for those who mourn the loss of a loved one.
Give thanks
- For the freedom we are experiencing in New Zealand as much of the world still struggles with Covid 19.
- For the leadership in St Matthew’s and the smooth way the AGM went.
Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful, and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise. Mature prayer always breaks into gratitude. —Richard Rohr
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Please give careful thought to your support through donations:
As we are aware our normal church services are not allowed to happen – and that may be true for a few weeks still. Many people gave donations regularly through envelope system or cash in the plate. No doubt you are aware that the handling of paper (such as money) is a high risk activity.
Even when we can start meeting together again the giving of actual money may not be allowed. Consequently, if you are able to make your donations through internet banking it would be very much appreciated. You could use your name or your envelop number for reference and our recorder will include it with your total giving. Our bank account details are
St Matthew’s 02 0368 0027228 00
As we are aware our normal church services are not allowed to happen – and that may be true for a few weeks still. Many people gave donations regularly through envelope system or cash in the plate. No doubt you are aware that the handling of paper (such as money) is a high risk activity.
Even when we can start meeting together again the giving of actual money may not be allowed. Consequently, if you are able to make your donations through internet banking it would be very much appreciated. You could use your name or your envelop number for reference and our recorder will include it with your total giving. Our bank account details are
St Matthew’s 02 0368 0027228 00
