NOTICES...
This month:
September Events:
September 20th Concert – United Youth Orchestra from Hamilton with Conductor Yoshiki Tatsumi.
https://www.facebook.com/United-Youth-Orchestra-132518860157640/
We are not allowed to serve drinks or food under the umbrella of the church. Thus all events that revolve around hospitality have been cancelled until we are back in Level one.
Until we return to level one Raewyn is prepared to meet families at the Op Shop if they need to buy some clothes. She has made her phone number available on the door.
Contact Val Riches 027 4448286 if you have any questions or concerns
Our magazine Loaves and Fishes is being printed at the moment – if you are happy with an email version rather than a printed one please let us know asap – by emailing janicegthorne@gmail.com
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.
Loaves and Fishes can be opened on the Loaves and Fishes page
Donation Receipts.
Are available at the back of the church now
Regards
Rodney McKenzie
St Matthews Treasurer
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
This month:
September Events:
September 20th Concert – United Youth Orchestra from Hamilton with Conductor Yoshiki Tatsumi.
https://www.facebook.com/United-Youth-Orchestra-132518860157640/
We are not allowed to serve drinks or food under the umbrella of the church. Thus all events that revolve around hospitality have been cancelled until we are back in Level one.
Until we return to level one Raewyn is prepared to meet families at the Op Shop if they need to buy some clothes. She has made her phone number available on the door.
Contact Val Riches 027 4448286 if you have any questions or concerns
Our magazine Loaves and Fishes is being printed at the moment – if you are happy with an email version rather than a printed one please let us know asap – by emailing janicegthorne@gmail.com
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.
Loaves and Fishes can be opened on the Loaves and Fishes page
Donation Receipts.
Are available at the back of the church now
Regards
Rodney McKenzie
St Matthews Treasurer
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
September 20th, 2020
Wilderness/Outback Sunday
Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2-10 Psalm 18:6-19 Matthew 3:13-4:2
Sentence: He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19
Collect: Loving God, we thank you for the wild, beautiful, eternally changing world that is always beyond our understanding. In the wilderness, help us to find wonder and awe, to mourn when the land calls us to mourn, and to rejoice when it calls us to rejoice. Amen.
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Wilderness/Outback Sunday
Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2-10 Psalm 18:6-19 Matthew 3:13-4:2
Sentence: He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19
Collect: Loving God, we thank you for the wild, beautiful, eternally changing world that is always beyond our understanding. In the wilderness, help us to find wonder and awe, to mourn when the land calls us to mourn, and to rejoice when it calls us to rejoice. Amen.
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From Love to the World
Monday September 14th Exodus 16:1-36
Introduction to Prayer: Sing, O people, sing praises to our God.
Response to Scripture: May God’s wonderful love be told forth.
Q: From what do you need to be set free, and what stops you trusting that God can transform your life?
Prayer– Pray for the courage to trust God and share life with your neighbour.
Tuesday September 15th Philippians 1:1-11
Q: What is one thing you could do this week to encourage other people and affirm their Christian faithfulness?
Prayer–I give thanks, O God, for the faithful and caring people in my church.
Wednesday September 16th Philippians 1:21-30
Q: Is Paul’s claim that faith in Christ is worth dying for too extreme? How can you affirm that faith in Christ is central to your life?
Prayer– Gracious God, give me the courage to witness to you even when it is hard.
Thursday September 17th Matthew 19:1-12
Q: How have attitudes to marriage and divorce changed over time?
Prayer – Pray that you may let go of things that have held you for too long.
Friday September 18th Matthew 19:13-30
Q: How, and why, do we explain away Jesus’ teaching about possessions in today’s reading? What needs to change?
Prayer – Heavenly Father, help me to break the web of desires that cut me off from you.
Saturday September 19th Matthew 20:1-16
Q: Solidarity means valuing others as much as we value ourselves. In what ways do you, or could you, demonstrate this?
Prayer – Pray for the generosity of spirit that celebrates good fortune for your neighbour in need.
Sunday September 20th Psalm 105:1-6,37-45
Q: How do you express thanks for “the wonderful works [God] has done” in your life?
In your prayers remember the lands and people of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
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Monday September 14th Exodus 16:1-36
Introduction to Prayer: Sing, O people, sing praises to our God.
Response to Scripture: May God’s wonderful love be told forth.
Q: From what do you need to be set free, and what stops you trusting that God can transform your life?
Prayer– Pray for the courage to trust God and share life with your neighbour.
Tuesday September 15th Philippians 1:1-11
Q: What is one thing you could do this week to encourage other people and affirm their Christian faithfulness?
Prayer–I give thanks, O God, for the faithful and caring people in my church.
Wednesday September 16th Philippians 1:21-30
Q: Is Paul’s claim that faith in Christ is worth dying for too extreme? How can you affirm that faith in Christ is central to your life?
Prayer– Gracious God, give me the courage to witness to you even when it is hard.
Thursday September 17th Matthew 19:1-12
Q: How have attitudes to marriage and divorce changed over time?
Prayer – Pray that you may let go of things that have held you for too long.
Friday September 18th Matthew 19:13-30
Q: How, and why, do we explain away Jesus’ teaching about possessions in today’s reading? What needs to change?
Prayer – Heavenly Father, help me to break the web of desires that cut me off from you.
Saturday September 19th Matthew 20:1-16
Q: Solidarity means valuing others as much as we value ourselves. In what ways do you, or could you, demonstrate this?
Prayer – Pray for the generosity of spirit that celebrates good fortune for your neighbour in need.
Sunday September 20th Psalm 105:1-6,37-45
Q: How do you express thanks for “the wonderful works [God] has done” in your life?
In your prayers remember the lands and people of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
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Focus
This Sunday we are contemplating the wilderness as a place of spiritual sustenance, a place that teaches us who we are. Perhaps like Jesus, when we journey into a wilderness, either physically or spiritually, it can be a time of self-discovery.
How have you experienced/understood the last few months, have they been a wilderness time?
How has hope shown up in seemingly hopeless times?
Prayer: May the wilderness spaces in our lives be times of growth and understanding of who we are and whose we are. Amen
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This Sunday we are contemplating the wilderness as a place of spiritual sustenance, a place that teaches us who we are. Perhaps like Jesus, when we journey into a wilderness, either physically or spiritually, it can be a time of self-discovery.
How have you experienced/understood the last few months, have they been a wilderness time?
How has hope shown up in seemingly hopeless times?
Prayer: May the wilderness spaces in our lives be times of growth and understanding of who we are and whose we are. Amen
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REGULAR EVENTS
- Rhythm and Dance,
- Choir practise (postponed at the moment),
- Selwyn Centre,
- Community prayer,
- Fri Cuppa & Op Shop.
Specific Prayers for this week
Give thanks
- Pray for the people in countries where Covid 19 has been overwhelming and hospitals are overflowing, and people are dying.
- Pray for the people in New Zealand who have Covid 19, especially those in hospital. Pray for their recovery and the slowing down of new cases.
- Pray for our friends and family who are unwell, especially Carole and Lynda.
- Pray for those who mourn the loss of a loved one, especially Ron Jones and his family in the loss of Shirley.
- Pray for the Cursillo Ultreya (gathering) to be held on Saturday.
- Pray for the United Youth Choir and their concert here on Sunday.
Give thanks
- For the daily signs of spring, especially the colourful iris’ and other spring bulbs.
- For our government’s stance on preventing the spread of Covid 19.
- For those among our church family who go out of their way to care for others.
- For our church leaders, especially our Bishop Phillip and Archdeacon Terry
- For the leaders in our own parish – especially our clergy, vestry and synod reps.
- For the times that we have a God moment in our ordinary daily lives.
- For each other and the stories we share together.
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
