NOTICES...
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.
The Church has normally by now issued the annual donation receipts to enable you to claim your tax credit for your charitable giving.
The process to prepare these requires a number of people to have access to the office and the church computer.
We are working through the logistics of getting these prepared within the current restrictions imposed on us, and we will get them to you as soon as we can.
Don't worry you won't miss out on your tax credit, as you or your accountant has up to 4 years to make the claim.
If you are collating your information for your accountant, just put a note in with your papers to say that the St Matthews Receipt is still being prepared. They can prepare the income tax returns without it, and they can prepare your tax rebate claim once you have all your receipts.
Regards
Rodney McKenzie
St Matthews Treasurer
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Be strong Be kind!!!!
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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.
The Church has normally by now issued the annual donation receipts to enable you to claim your tax credit for your charitable giving.
The process to prepare these requires a number of people to have access to the office and the church computer.
We are working through the logistics of getting these prepared within the current restrictions imposed on us, and we will get them to you as soon as we can.
Don't worry you won't miss out on your tax credit, as you or your accountant has up to 4 years to make the claim.
If you are collating your information for your accountant, just put a note in with your papers to say that the St Matthews Receipt is still being prepared. They can prepare the income tax returns without it, and they can prepare your tax rebate claim once you have all your receipts.
Regards
Rodney McKenzie
St Matthews Treasurer
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
Be strong Be kind!!!!
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May 31st, 2020
Spiritual Understanding
PENTECOST
Readings: Numbers 11:24-30 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b John 20:19-23
Sentence: Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22
Collect: Holy Spirit, who came as wind and flames of fire, fan into life the gifts and abilities of people everywhere; unite us in a creative love that includes others, celebrates differences, and brings glory to God. Amen.
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Spiritual Understanding
PENTECOST
Readings: Numbers 11:24-30 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b John 20:19-23
Sentence: Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22
Collect: Holy Spirit, who came as wind and flames of fire, fan into life the gifts and abilities of people everywhere; unite us in a creative love that includes others, celebrates differences, and brings glory to God. Amen.
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Focus
Pentecost scriptures describe so well the breadth and depth of what being a child of God is all about. This was a powerful and overwhelming experience that reached across barriers of culture, gender, and social standing, and even history. This was not the first time the Spirit of God was instilled in humans, nor would it be the last.
Do we allow for each person's gifts of the Spirit to be shared and used within our communities of faith?
When have you felt the Spirit moving you to action?
Prayer: Spirit of God, move us to action - to life giving action that will witness to your presence in the world today and every day. Amen
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Pentecost scriptures describe so well the breadth and depth of what being a child of God is all about. This was a powerful and overwhelming experience that reached across barriers of culture, gender, and social standing, and even history. This was not the first time the Spirit of God was instilled in humans, nor would it be the last.
Do we allow for each person's gifts of the Spirit to be shared and used within our communities of faith?
When have you felt the Spirit moving you to action?
Prayer: Spirit of God, move us to action - to life giving action that will witness to your presence in the world today and every day. Amen
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From Love to the World
Monday May 25th Numbers 11:24-30
Introduction to Prayer: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being (Psalm 104:33).
Response to Scripture: May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 104:34).
Q: How do you respond when someone with no official status takes on roles without permission?
Prayer– Lord, help me hear your voice even when it comes from unexpected places.
Tuesday May 26th Acts 2:1-21
Q: How do we, in the church today, reflect the radical inclusion of the prophet and of the day of Pentecost?
Prayer–Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Wednesday May 27th 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Q: From whom in your life have you learned something about God, even though they were very different from you?
Prayer– God of variety, help me to see and value the gifts brought by those of your children who are not like me.
Thursday May 28th 1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Q: Are there things you feel you can’t do or say in church because you fear the response you would get?
Prayer – Creator God, help me to value each and every part of your body here on earth, and give special honour to those who may be undervalued.
Friday May 29th 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Q: How should we balance the need for structure with the need for freedom in the life of the church?
Prayer – God of love, help me to strive for the gifts you offer, and above all help me to ground them in a life of love.
Saturday May 30th John 20:19-23
Q: Where, or to whom, has Jesus sent you?
Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me to hear your words of sending, to receive your gift, and to go into your world with the gospel.
Sunday May 31st – Pentecost / Whitsunday Psalm 104:24-34,35b
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Monday May 25th Numbers 11:24-30
Introduction to Prayer: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being (Psalm 104:33).
Response to Scripture: May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 104:34).
Q: How do you respond when someone with no official status takes on roles without permission?
Prayer– Lord, help me hear your voice even when it comes from unexpected places.
Tuesday May 26th Acts 2:1-21
Q: How do we, in the church today, reflect the radical inclusion of the prophet and of the day of Pentecost?
Prayer–Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Wednesday May 27th 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Q: From whom in your life have you learned something about God, even though they were very different from you?
Prayer– God of variety, help me to see and value the gifts brought by those of your children who are not like me.
Thursday May 28th 1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Q: Are there things you feel you can’t do or say in church because you fear the response you would get?
Prayer – Creator God, help me to value each and every part of your body here on earth, and give special honour to those who may be undervalued.
Friday May 29th 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Q: How should we balance the need for structure with the need for freedom in the life of the church?
Prayer – God of love, help me to strive for the gifts you offer, and above all help me to ground them in a life of love.
Saturday May 30th John 20:19-23
Q: Where, or to whom, has Jesus sent you?
Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me to hear your words of sending, to receive your gift, and to go into your world with the gospel.
Sunday May 31st – Pentecost / Whitsunday Psalm 104:24-34,35b
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REGULAR EVENTS
These are on hold until the Covid-19 lockdown is over.
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These are on hold until the Covid-19 lockdown is over.
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Specific Prayers for this week
Give thanks
- Pray for the continued lack of new Covid 19 cases, and that hospitals will be able to catch up with surgeries and other needs of sick people.
- Pray for all those who are unwell and in need of help at this time.
- Pray for share milker’s and other farm workers as they settle into new places as the new season arrives.
- Pray for those who mourn the loss of a loved one.
Give thanks
- For the rain that waters the farmland.
- For the new things we have learned because of the lockdown period.
- For Pentecost and the Holy Spirit who leads us to be closer to Jesus.
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
