Focus News

Sunday 25 April 2021

FOCUS NEWS St Martin’s & St James Anglican Church

stmartinsstjames.church

Together cultivating a culture of mission, discipleship & regeneration Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to St Martin's St James.

Together on the Easter Journey All Service information is also on www.stmartinsstjames.church Welcome, we’re glad you are here. This week we gather in worship, adoration and praise giving thanks for God's goodness. Then as a "sent" people we go "out" to love and to serve the Lord. You will find the notices, sermons and teaching series on our web site. We love having babies, children, and young people here with all of our other ages and stages. Welcome :-) ANZAC Day— A Poem – by Eleana Preston, aged 11.

April 25th, a long time ago, You went to battle at dawn. Many lost their lives that day; Together we will mourn. More than that though, We will march and remember those brave people, For they went to war and battled on; They fought for our freedom then. Through the darkest nights and the longest days, Through muddy grounds you go. You marched on and looked behind, And you saw the poppies grow. We will wear one on this day, To remember your courage – so strong, We want you to know that in our hearts, Your memory still lives on.

Living towards Eternity (Philippians 3:15-21) In the Lord’s prayer we pray the line: “Your will be done on earth as in heaven.”

What does it look like to live from the perspective of heaven towards earth? We find help to understand this from Paul’s letter to the Philippian church where he reminds them that their citizenship (and ours) is in heaven. While we are confronted daily with the brokenness and dysfunction of the world, we are also called to look to the example of God’s kingdom to show us the true reality of how the world is meant to be. Paul urges those whom he has discipled to look at his life to see how they are to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom. This means that the way that we live should reflect the maturing process we have undergone as Jesus’ disciples.

A few questions to ponder: 1. Who is discipling you and how has your life changed because of their Our Purpose . . . To make Christ known 1 Agents in our communities!

St Martin’s & St James — the Soul

influence?

2. What difference does it make to you to consider the challenges you face through the lens of heaven’s perspective rather than earth’s?

3. How does being a citizen of heaven make you feel about the future? morning

today’s

today’s

BIBLE READINGS Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 John 10:11-18 Philippians 3:15-21 SENTENCE There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved' (Acts 4:12) COLLECT - Prayer: Alleluia! Eternal God, humanity is made in your image; you call us by name, help us to always recognize your voice and to respond willingly, that we might witness to the resurrection. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

COMMUNION and PRAYER All are welcome around the table to receive Communion. If you would like prayer or ministry, people will be available at the front of the Church during and after Communion to pray with you.

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Prayer Rhythms: Please continue to pray. Prayers can be found on https:// pray-as-you-go.org/ or the NZ Prayer book is a good resource.

Sunday Services  8.30am Holy Communion  10.30am Family Service Monday Night Prayers: 7pm. Prayers for the church and the world and for healing, join us in the Neave Room. (no prayer experience needed) Wednesday Communion Service: Resumes 5 May 2021, 11am, morning tea at 10.30am. At St Martin’s. Alpha Prayer course: Wednesday at the 11am service two weekly.

Tuesday 27 April —Crosstrax deadline: 10am, please submit all articles to adm1_sprang@xtra.co.nz.

Wednesday 28 April—Vestry meeting: 7.30pm, Thompson Lounge Saturday 8 May—Working Bee: 9-11am at St Martin’s.

Sunday 2 May—A baby shower: for Jamie and lily. In the Thompson Lounge at 2 pm please bring a plate to share .There is a few things they still need if you would like to contribute toward a gift please contact Catharine McNeill 2

021 0236 5492 or 339 8577. Also please rsvp to Catharine by April 30th.

GIVE THANKS FOR 

For our many Volunteers who faithfully use their talents and time in ministry at St Martin’s and St James.

PRAY FOR 

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Parishioners with special concerns: Avril Harper, Heather Gilmore, Don Giblin, Gwen Ragg, Lorraine Bennett, Mary Rowe, Maxine Carlsen, Ruth Dickison, Victoria Askin.

School of Good Soil: Discipleship Training Groups Our Mission Partners and Projects: The Dunbar Family (Cambodia) Vocatio: a Missional Community to over fifty young adults in the diocese.

NOTICES Giving Receipts – will be available to collect from church services next Sunday 2 May 2021. If you use the envelope giving a supply will also be with your receipt. We have been renewing our Stewardship ‘time’ and ‘talents’ given/shared in the parish (the blue form if you have yet to complete one) and now is a good time to also renew your ‘tithe’ giving. A commitment to your giving donation can be through the envelope (cash only) or AP (automatic payment by bank) systems where you have a designated number so that an annual receipt can be generated for an IRD refund. See Sharon Rees for a form or envelopes. Parish Directory – a revised edition is being prepared and you are asked to check the A4 draft copy on the Welcomers Desk at church to indicate your information is correct (tick) or list the changes needed. Please check your contact details and also any listings in the group details for leaders/co-ordinators on the first few pages. The Seasons of Growth:St Martins Church on Wednesday 28th April, 7-9pm, for 4 weeks. Journals $25 per person. The Seasons for growth course that it starts this Wednesday for four weekly sessions subject to numbers. Coordinated by Jo Smith City Mission.

RSVP revsampsonnz@gmail.com. 200 Riccarton Rd: We need garden and outdoor furniture, compost bins, compost for the vegetable garden. If you can help please contact Bill and Jane. Offertories/payments: Please note cheques are being phased out please use alternative ways for payments. Prayer Ministry & Prayer Requests: Prayer requests can be left in the prayer box in the church or sent or text to the confidential prayer chain on 029 776 1782 or stjimschurch@gmail.com. The Kingdom Table: Thompson Lounge. E-life: see the Anglican e-life at: http://anglicanlife.org.nz/publications/e-life/. St Peter’s Quiz night: Friday 7th May, 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Being Mother's Day that weekend this will provide something of a theme and you are invited to make a point of inviting mothers to come along. Admission of $10 a head, $5 3

for school students, byo refreshments and a multi-prize raffle. Come along with a creative team name (6 per team) and register on the list at the church door..

Groups & Regular activities: Please contact the organiser for Covid –19 level changes. Monday: Strength and Stretch Classes: 6.30-7.15pm, $5 per session, $45 per ten week term. All welcome, St M’s Gym, contact Village Health 338 8595. Tuesday’s: Craft Group: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month. 1.30-3pm, Neave Room. Contact Helen Williams 3389336. Wednesdays: Breadline: Foodbank is open from 9.30 to 11am. Items in need spaghetti, sandwich spreads, noodles. St Martin’s Church Office. Mainly Music: Term time 9.45am, Neave Room. Contact Ted or Jenny 03 322 9541. Fridays during term time—Church of St Martin’s Playgroup: 9.30-12pm. Enquires to Cindy or via the facebook page.

CHURCH CONTACTS Ministers Rev Sampson Knight: Tel: 021 335 168 | E: revsampsonnz@gmail.com Rev Victoria Askin: Mob: 022 126 7885 | E: vicaskin@hotmail.com Youth Minister Tom Johnston Tel: 027 862 9232 | E: tom.johnston11@hotmail.com Church office: Tel: 338 4062 Hours: Contact staff directly or email: sprang@xtra.co.nz 50 Lincoln Road, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024 Website: stmartinsstjames.church, facebook.com/ stmartinsstjames , twitter.com/stmartinstjames Bible resources: rightnowmedia.org

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday   

8.30am Traditional Anglican Communion 10.30am Family Service 10.30am Kid’s Church

YOUNG ADULTS: contact Victoria for more details.

HARVEST RANGATAHI (YOUTH): https://stmartinsstjames.church/youth  

Harvest Stags (Basketball) – Gym: Seniors - Wed 3:30pm-6pm, Juniors Thursday 4-5:30pm Harvest Thursdays – 7-9pm: Thursday: The Loft

BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS: Account Name: Riccarton Spreydon Anglican Parish. Account Number: 02-0820-0264343-000 Reference: Name and envelope or AP number CYPSO (Children and Young Persons Safety Officer): Please advise Patrick Baker (021 0263 6939) if there are any concerns regarding our children and young people. Police Vetting: Chris Thorne (021 239 4091). Health and Safety: Please advise Velda Kelly (348 4350) of any Health and Safety concerns you become aware of on our premises.

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