NOTICES!
We are back in Level 2! Please remember to log in wherever you go and keep up your hand hygiene and keep your distance from others!
Reports for AGM will be at Part Two on March 14th Please get them to Janice for creating into a booklet.
Coming up…
Ash Wednesday 17th February 10am Communion and imposition of ashes at St Matthews
7pm – we are joining the Roman Catholic congregation. This will now be in their church so that we can alternate our hosting this week ….. Please support this event – a great opportunity for wider fellowship. Because of Level 2 there will be no refreshments.
World Day of Prayer Service at the Baptist Church, March 5th 9.30am
March is looking like an exciting month – mark your diaries:
March 5th 9.30am World Day of Prayer Service at the Baptist Church
March 7th Ven Stephen Black (Diocesan Ministry Officer) guest preacher
March 14th after service – receiving reports – AGM part two
March 20th Vestry and Ministry Team Day at Hutchings
March 21st 2pm Organ concert
March 28th Palm Sunday and Parish meeting after church with Bishop Phillip and Ven Sue Burns
Bishop Phillip will be with is for the service. Important meeting as we talk with the Bishop about the future opportunities for rural ministries. There will be a shared lunch after this meeting instead of on Easter Day (which is the first Sunday of the month)
If you have any concerns please contact
Val Riches 078880878 or 027 444 8286
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
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We are back in Level 2! Please remember to log in wherever you go and keep up your hand hygiene and keep your distance from others!
Reports for AGM will be at Part Two on March 14th Please get them to Janice for creating into a booklet.
Coming up…
Ash Wednesday 17th February 10am Communion and imposition of ashes at St Matthews
7pm – we are joining the Roman Catholic congregation. This will now be in their church so that we can alternate our hosting this week ….. Please support this event – a great opportunity for wider fellowship. Because of Level 2 there will be no refreshments.
World Day of Prayer Service at the Baptist Church, March 5th 9.30am
March is looking like an exciting month – mark your diaries:
March 5th 9.30am World Day of Prayer Service at the Baptist Church
March 7th Ven Stephen Black (Diocesan Ministry Officer) guest preacher
March 14th after service – receiving reports – AGM part two
March 20th Vestry and Ministry Team Day at Hutchings
March 21st 2pm Organ concert
March 28th Palm Sunday and Parish meeting after church with Bishop Phillip and Ven Sue Burns
Bishop Phillip will be with is for the service. Important meeting as we talk with the Bishop about the future opportunities for rural ministries. There will be a shared lunch after this meeting instead of on Easter Day (which is the first Sunday of the month)
If you have any concerns please contact
Val Riches 078880878 or 027 444 8286
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
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It’s with great sadness that we acknowledge Anne Connolly-Munt and Allan King's planned departure for the bush and peace of Northland. They have both contributed in so many significant ways in our parish – they will be missed, such as Anne with her music, organizational skills and baking and Allan with his practical skills and vestry.
Anne Connolly-Munt has her mobile scooter for sale She says “Can’t bend my knee enough to use it at present and have barely used it for the past three years. It is a good model and comes with a cover. I would like $2,000 for it or near offer. It was valued at $7,000+ when I purchased it.”
Anne Connolly-Munt has her mobile scooter for sale She says “Can’t bend my knee enough to use it at present and have barely used it for the past three years. It is a good model and comes with a cover. I would like $2,000 for it or near offer. It was valued at $7,000+ when I purchased it.”
February 21st, 2021
Signs of Promise
Readings: Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10 Mark 1:9-15
Sentence: Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4
Collect: God, who has created all things, draw us into a closer relationship with you. When life’s waters threaten to overwhelm us, help us to trust that you are with us at all times. Re-orient us away from our poor choices and help us to choose life with you. Amen.
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Signs of Promise
Readings: Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10 Mark 1:9-15
Sentence: Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4
Collect: God, who has created all things, draw us into a closer relationship with you. When life’s waters threaten to overwhelm us, help us to trust that you are with us at all times. Re-orient us away from our poor choices and help us to choose life with you. Amen.
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From Love to the World
Monday February 15th Genesis 9:8-17
Q: In the light of today’s reading and commentary, what are the good things that God has done for you?
Prayer– Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God you are very great.
Tuesday February 16th Psalm 25:1-10
Q: Which of today’s verses resonate strongly with you today? Why is waiting for a clear word from God (v.3) often difficult? Praise God for being mindful of you always.
Prayer – Lord God, you are gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
Wednesday February 17th Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Q: “Return to me with all your heart” (v.12). What does this mean for you in Lent?
Prayer– O God, walk with me in my Lenten journey this year.
Thursday February 18th Isaiah 58:1-12
Q: What part does justice and mercy play in your life?
Prayer – Lord, I cried for help and you answered, saying, “Here I am” (Psalm 58:9).
Friday February 19th 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Q: To whom can you be an “ambassador” for Christ today?
Prayer – God’s song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
Saturday February 20th 1 Peter 3:18-22
Q: Have you been baptised? If so, write down what you know about the circumstances, and what it means in the light of today’s reading. If you meet in a group, discuss!
Prayer – Loving God, I praise you for your glory shown in Christ!
Sunday February 21st Lent 1 Mark 1:9-15
Q: Why do you read about Jesus baptism on the first Sunday in Lent?
In your prayers remember the lands and people of France, Germany, and Monaco.
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Monday February 15th Genesis 9:8-17
Q: In the light of today’s reading and commentary, what are the good things that God has done for you?
Prayer– Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God you are very great.
Tuesday February 16th Psalm 25:1-10
Q: Which of today’s verses resonate strongly with you today? Why is waiting for a clear word from God (v.3) often difficult? Praise God for being mindful of you always.
Prayer – Lord God, you are gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
Wednesday February 17th Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Q: “Return to me with all your heart” (v.12). What does this mean for you in Lent?
Prayer– O God, walk with me in my Lenten journey this year.
Thursday February 18th Isaiah 58:1-12
Q: What part does justice and mercy play in your life?
Prayer – Lord, I cried for help and you answered, saying, “Here I am” (Psalm 58:9).
Friday February 19th 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Q: To whom can you be an “ambassador” for Christ today?
Prayer – God’s song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
Saturday February 20th 1 Peter 3:18-22
Q: Have you been baptised? If so, write down what you know about the circumstances, and what it means in the light of today’s reading. If you meet in a group, discuss!
Prayer – Loving God, I praise you for your glory shown in Christ!
Sunday February 21st Lent 1 Mark 1:9-15
Q: Why do you read about Jesus baptism on the first Sunday in Lent?
In your prayers remember the lands and people of France, Germany, and Monaco.
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Focus
Water and God's promises are key themes in this week's passages. As we move from Epiphany to Lent, we are looking at passages about new beginnings, about trusting God to be there through the good and the bad.
As Jesus comes out of the baptismal waters, the Spirit comes as a sign of promise and presence. God is with Jesus as he begins his new ministry.
What signs of promise have you seen or noticed?
Are you looking to begin a new journey in Lent to a closer relationship with God?
Prayer: We remember our baptismal waters and pledge to renew those promises made and to draw closer to you O God. Amen.
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Water and God's promises are key themes in this week's passages. As we move from Epiphany to Lent, we are looking at passages about new beginnings, about trusting God to be there through the good and the bad.
As Jesus comes out of the baptismal waters, the Spirit comes as a sign of promise and presence. God is with Jesus as he begins his new ministry.
What signs of promise have you seen or noticed?
Are you looking to begin a new journey in Lent to a closer relationship with God?
Prayer: We remember our baptismal waters and pledge to renew those promises made and to draw closer to you O God. Amen.
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REGULAR EVENTS - All closed until the end of Level 2
- Rhythm and Dance
- Community prayer
- Fri Cuppa & Op Shop.
SPECIFIC PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
GIVE THANKS
- Pray for our journey through Lent. May it bring us closer to God.
- Pray for our community, especially the police, ambulance workers and fire department as they look after us in times of trouble.
- Pray for those who are sick, especially Lynda, Harold, Caleb, Robert, Roy, and Malcolm and others we may know.
- Pray for those who are mourning the loss of a loved one, especially if they are overseas and we can’t gather with them..
- Pray for the lands and people of France, Germany, and Monaco.
- Pray for our young people preparing for baptism Ella, Holly, Levi and Stephanie
GIVE THANKS
- For the new members on vestry Lynn, Melanie and Murray and for their willingness to serve, and for the work of those who have stepped down Allan, Colin and Margaret.
- For the rain which has filled our water tanks and watered the land.
- For relationships that offer us inspiration and freedom.
- For those special people in our lives who have shown us love.
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:
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
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
