Focus News

Sunday 2 May 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.

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 :-) Working Bee: Saturday 8 May,9am - 11am at St Martin’s St James. Work will include grounds and a clear out inside buildings. A wee job for everyone.

Mostly light work needed  School of Good Soil: This week a group from the ‘Good Soil’ have been away in St Arnaud at a ‘Learning Community’. The purpose of this is to support and resource both our people and our church on the journey of discipleship (formation), mission and regeneration. In this we learn to build a discipling culture and catalyse missional momentum. Gatherings take place every six months over a period of two years. One of the things that makes a ‘LC’ so impacting is that it’s designed to be done in teams or three or six – because missional discipleship is always done together.

Bible Study John 10:11-18 There are many responses to Jesus. Some are curious, some argue and deny his power, some stand on the sidelines and avoid him altogether. However, in the midst of those responses, some understand how he has changed them and their response is worship. They might not know much, but they know that they have been changed by the power and presence of Jesus.

1. What imagery does the Bible use to describe God’s relationship with his people? Read Psalm 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; and Isaiah 53:6. What does this tell you about your relationship with God? 2. Even though there are sheep from other folds, what does Jesus say about the unity of the sheep as they follow the shepherd? How many flocks? How many shepherds?

Our Purpose . . . To make Christ known 1 Agents in our communities!

St Martin’s & St James — the Soul

3. Why is it important for the sheep to know the voice of the shepherd? What can happen when the sheep do not recognise the voice of the shepherd?

Pray the following prayer every day this week. “God, with your help, I will follow wherever you lead me. I will surrender my plans for life to your plans for my life knowing that you know me, care for me, and will provide for me. I give myself to you this week. Amen.”

Clergy Annual Leave: Rev Victoria Askin will be away from May 2 until May 15. morning

today’s

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BIBLE READINGS Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 23 John 10:11-18 1 John 4:7-21 SENTENCE God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them (1 John 4:16b) COLLECT - Prayer: Gracious God, you call us your own and love us beyond measure; in the rising of your Son we are made a resurrection people, free us from the old ways, make us faithful disciples, so that we can share with others what you have freely given to us. 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: 11am, morning tea at 10.30am. At St Martin’s. Alpha Prayer course: Wednesday at the 11am service two weekly.

Sunday 2 May—A baby shower: for Jamie and Lily. In the Thompson Lounge at 2pm 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 2

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

Thursday 6 May—AAW meeting: 1.30pm , Thompson Lounge.

Saturday 8 May—Working Bee: 9-11am at St Martin’s.

Sunday 30 May—Family Fun Day: See Azaria & Victoria for more details.

GIVE THANKS FOR 

The many folks who volunteer their time and skills to assist with secretarial tasks in the parish office.

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.

Prison Team members Bill Thorne and Bill Jermyn as they prepare for ministry in the Men’s Prison next Sunday.

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

NOTICES Giving Receipts – (with apology) will now be available to collect from church services next Sunday 9 May 2021. If you use the envelope giving a supply will also be with your receipt. 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. 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. Mother's Day theme. Admission of $10 a head, $5 for school students, byo refreshments and a multi-prize raffle. Bring a creative team name (6 per team) and register on the list at the church door.

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Memorial Service for HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Sunday 9 May, 5pm, The Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street. Please RSVP to admin@christchurchcathedral.co.nz 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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