NOTICES
SPECIAL EVENT!
Saturday 3rd 9am
Ordination for Henare Paa Waaka to the Diaconate at the Kai-a-te-mata Marae. Please let our office know if you want to attend so we can RSVP by Dec 1st - Val.
This Sunday December 4th 4pm ‘Following the Star’ - Inter church celebration of Christmas with a Walk of witness starting at the Catholic Church and concluding at our church at 5pm with our Community Carols.
GREAT NEWS … our fair has made over $6000. Fantastic!! Big thanks to Melanie an ALL who helped in so many ways.
The money given earlier in the year has fully covered the AV system which is working well and particularly appreciated at funerals. THANK YOU TO ALL.
If you would like communion brought to you in your home please don’t hesitate to contact one of the clergy or Margie. It is a joy to be able to offer it to you during the Christmas season.
SPECIAL EVENT!
Saturday 3rd 9am
Ordination for Henare Paa Waaka to the Diaconate at the Kai-a-te-mata Marae. Please let our office know if you want to attend so we can RSVP by Dec 1st - Val.
This Sunday December 4th 4pm ‘Following the Star’ - Inter church celebration of Christmas with a Walk of witness starting at the Catholic Church and concluding at our church at 5pm with our Community Carols.
GREAT NEWS … our fair has made over $6000. Fantastic!! Big thanks to Melanie an ALL who helped in so many ways.
The money given earlier in the year has fully covered the AV system which is working well and particularly appreciated at funerals. THANK YOU TO ALL.
If you would like communion brought to you in your home please don’t hesitate to contact one of the clergy or Margie. It is a joy to be able to offer it to you during the Christmas season.
Vicar: Val Riches 078880878 or 027 444 8286
Lance 027 555 3286
If you have a key to the church or Hub please let Chris Hutching know so he can update the register hutch5@xtra.co.nz or 889 7170
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.
Lance 027 555 3286
If you have a key to the church or Hub please let Chris Hutching know so he can update the register hutch5@xtra.co.nz or 889 7170
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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The original St. Matthew's was dedicated 31st May, 1895. It was replaced by the new building in 1959.
Read more on the About us page.
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Read more on the About us page.
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December 4th, 2022
Advent 2 - Playing Pretend
Readings: Isaiah 11:1–10 Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 Matthew 3:1–12
Sentence: He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; Isaiah 11:3-4
Collect: God of imagination and all creation, help us to broaden our minds to see your desire for your Kin-dom. Open our hearts to allow us to live in harmony with all your people, and with all Creation. Let us imagine and live into your possibilities. Amen.
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Advent 2 - Playing Pretend
Readings: Isaiah 11:1–10 Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 Matthew 3:1–12
Sentence: He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; Isaiah 11:3-4
Collect: God of imagination and all creation, help us to broaden our minds to see your desire for your Kin-dom. Open our hearts to allow us to live in harmony with all your people, and with all Creation. Let us imagine and live into your possibilities. Amen.
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Preparation for Sunday from “Love to the World”
Isaiah 11:1-10
Question: What shoots and branches of God’s realm can you identify?
Prayer: Ordinary God, open our eyes and ears to the power of your work in our time.
Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19
Question: In what ways does worship help you enter into the paradox of celebrating new life in Christ and seeking it at the same time?
Prayer: God made present in Christ, speak to us of your will for our lives in our time and context.
Matthew 24:36–44
Question: In what ways do you experience the tension of living between the already fulfilled and the not yet come about?
Prayer: Living God, may we heed the urgency for the fulfilment of your promised realm; and act, in all things, as it is already here.
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Isaiah 11:1-10
Question: What shoots and branches of God’s realm can you identify?
Prayer: Ordinary God, open our eyes and ears to the power of your work in our time.
Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19
Question: In what ways does worship help you enter into the paradox of celebrating new life in Christ and seeking it at the same time?
Prayer: God made present in Christ, speak to us of your will for our lives in our time and context.
Matthew 24:36–44
Question: In what ways do you experience the tension of living between the already fulfilled and the not yet come about?
Prayer: Living God, may we heed the urgency for the fulfilment of your promised realm; and act, in all things, as it is already here.
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Focus
Isaiah is clear about the power of God's Spirit and God's intent for shalom for all creation. Now God's Spirit is promised in the transformation of creation that the prophet envisions as coming through a righteous ruler and a peaceable kingdom. God's vision of peace takes form in the psalmist's prayer for a just ruler. In the Matthew reading John calls the people to repentance as they seek integrity between God's vision of shalom and their daily lives. So too in Romans we are to welcome one another just as Christ welcomed us.
Where do we see signs of shalom in our world, and in our communities?
How do we seek justice for all?
Prayer: May we notice signs of Hope and transformation and shalom present in our everyday lives in the week ahead. Amen
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Isaiah is clear about the power of God's Spirit and God's intent for shalom for all creation. Now God's Spirit is promised in the transformation of creation that the prophet envisions as coming through a righteous ruler and a peaceable kingdom. God's vision of peace takes form in the psalmist's prayer for a just ruler. In the Matthew reading John calls the people to repentance as they seek integrity between God's vision of shalom and their daily lives. So too in Romans we are to welcome one another just as Christ welcomed us.
Where do we see signs of shalom in our world, and in our communities?
How do we seek justice for all?
Prayer: May we notice signs of Hope and transformation and shalom present in our everyday lives in the week ahead. Amen
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SPECIFIC PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK
- Pray for Dairy owners, especially in our cities, who live in fear of robberies and violence; for the youth who are resorting to this activity and for law-makers and police having to find answers and how to deal with the perpetrators who commit these crimes.
- Pray for Henare Waaka as he prepares for his ordination to the diaconate this weekend.
- Pray for those who are sick, especially Lynda, Michael, Elaine, Sarah-Anne and Stuart.
- Please pray for the men and women recently released from prison. As they cope with the many changes as they transition into society, seek to re-establish relationships, and work towards new goals.
- Pray for those who are facing their first Christmas without their loved one.
- For the people who make positive changes in our communities.
- For the hope and peace we have when we know that God is with us always.
- For the opportunity to walk with people from other churches this afternoon as we “Follow the Star’.
- For Sue and Helen ordained last Sunday.
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.
With cheque's no longer being accepted at a lot of banks, please consider Direct Giving for your donations to St Matthews Church, BNZ Morrinsville 02 0368 0027228 00.
We rely on your giving for all our expenses. We are a registered charity and so tax can be claimed back. When you are in the service you can use one of our purple cards to put in the offertory plate in recognition of the donation.
Any questions – please talk to our treasurer – Rodney McKenzie
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.
With cheque's no longer being accepted at a lot of banks, please consider Direct Giving for your donations to St Matthews Church, BNZ Morrinsville 02 0368 0027228 00.
We rely on your giving for all our expenses. We are a registered charity and so tax can be claimed back. When you are in the service you can use one of our purple cards to put in the offertory plate in recognition of the donation.
Any questions – please talk to our treasurer – Rodney McKenzie
