St. John’s Presbyterian Church
A member congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand
Minister : Rev Dr Colin S. Marshall, +64 21 750 362, colin@stjohns.org.nz
422 Mt Albert Rd, Mt. Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone : +64 9 620 6609
Email: office@stjohns.org.nz
Advent (the 4 Sundays before Christmas)
John the Baptizer appeared and called people to what they should have already been doing … preparing their heart, mind, spirit and lives for the coming of the Messiah. Most however were unprepared … as they will be at Jesus’ return.
If there are ways that we are able to help you please contact the Minister (021 750 362) or, for parishioners, also feel free to contact an elder.
It is excellent to see the high vaccination rates in our region. When in-person services do resume they will also be online. To attend live, if you are over 12 years of age, you will need to produce evidence of full vaccination. This protects our family and community.
If you want to know more about the virus and vaccination please see the excellent video made by Chris Puli’uvea (below). Chris is an immunologist at the Auckland University. Feel free to share with those you know and those who have questions about vaccination.
Worship Services: 10am Main English Service online, 1pm Eun-Chong Korean Language Service on line. Services will remain online at present but are being reviewed by the Leadership.
The Op Shop is not open until advised – including for all workers. The Wednesday Community Meal on Wednesday nights 6-7pm is unavailable until advised. Worship practices, Children’s Church, Youth Group & Young Adults groups are not able to meet live – online events to be advised. The Saturday morning children’s group is online at 11am.
Pray that this situation doesn’t last long, that our country’s leadership continue to make good decisions and take practical care of those around you, particularly those you know that might be lonely. Video/online, phone calls and emails to the alone and isolated are much appreciated.
Please, if you are at all sick, have a cold or flu symptoms stay home – you will be able to join us online for services and study groups. Please use a mask in public places. If you have other risk factors that impact your health please consider seriously the risks and seek medical assistance. We love to see you and want to be able to for a long time!
This Week Check out …
Promise Keepers Men’s Devotions
This week’s favourite Children’s Christian Action Song for the songs we’ve been exploring on Saturday mornings …
A Poem from the BBC (thanks Francis)
Mainly Music
Mainly Music runs from about 9:30 -11am on Fridays, during the school term, in the church lounge. Morning tea starts from 9:30am onward with the music and movement programme starting about 10am for littlies and caregivers. This is followed with a playtime with the various toys available for the group ending around 11am. Cost: $4 per session or a term concession can be purchased.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Have you checked out this week’s new ENGAGE material for family prayer and faith activities at home?
The following have been shared with thanks to Allen:
Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum, who we have had the privilege of hosting on a number of occasions, has released a free gospel presentation from a Jewish Messianic perspective. He provides some wonderful insights that are well worth us thinking and praying about this week. Enjoy!
Ariel have a number of online courses you might be interested in at https://www.arielcourses.com/
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Reflection on Philippians 4:4-9
This morning in our Men’s 4×4 we reflected on the great words of the apostle Paul to the Philippians. We also reflected on our earlier discussion that routines and how we approach the various situations we face is critically important. Underlying these is the spiritual-mental approach we take to any challenge. Paul encourages us to begin with thanksgiving. What is it that we can be grateful for today? We know from mental health advisers today that what is known as the ‘gratitude-attitude’ attitude can make a significant difference to our mental well being. Can you start and end the day identifying and thanking God for 10 things for which we can be grateful? Thereafter focusing and thinking on the good, the positive and the best role models we have seen (especially in Jesus) is also critically important!
Hey folks – don’t forget your physical fitness in this lock-down period – yours, your kids, your family. Physical fitness, as well as a goal in itself, is also one of the keys to good mental and spiritual health. We are blessed that here are so many options to help us around – from TV led exercise every morning, to multiple on-line options to simple things we can do at home. Make sure you are able to get out once the lock-down is over!
Site Notes
The buttons above are updated for ZOOM meetings automatically. When you come on for your meeting simply click the appropriate button. If meetings overlap there will be additional buttons.
We can now access the web page from two domains either http://www.stjohns.org.nz or http://www.stjohnsnz.org
COVID-19 Update and the Church
Key message: Wash hands, keep in touch, pray heaps! Encourage someone today! Love like Jesus.
In these various levels of shut-down, as church, we adapt. The church is far more than bricks and mortar, it is the unity of the people of faith who love the Lord. Today we are blessed that there are many ways that we can join together to share, encourage and worship via electronic means … even from great distances. If you are part of this community and have any specific requests for assistance then please contact the Minister (021 750 362) and we will see what can be arranged. Also keep up with the Ministry of Health advice … there is lots of mis-information on the web so be aware of what the official advice is. Keep safe – history (esp. 1918) shows that additional virus waves are frequently far worse than the initial wave as people become complacent.
Click here to view the Ministry of Health web site for advice
Notices
From the Treasurer re ANNUAL RECEIPTS These have been processed and distributed. If you have any questions or need a receipt please contact the Treasurer directly.
Sunday Night Bible Study 4pm – Online ZOOM meeting at 4pm from the link above – you are welcome to join us.
Community Chatroom – A Wednesday 2pm Zoom meeting is available from the buttons above for general discussion and catching up with each other.
Prayers
There is a lot to pray for and about at this time…
- Students doing exams at the moment
- The health of our parishioners, family and friends
- Those caught up overseas and struggling to get home
- People who are doing it tough – especially businesses and those struggling with staffing issues
- Please email Kate or the Minister if you have any specific prayer requests.
Groups
For our active regular groups click on the appropriate button at the top of the screen from 10mins before they start.
Alternatively you can phone in on 09 884 6780
FRIDAY 7am Men’s 4×4 Group – Yes guys now @ 7am! Via Zoom.
FRIDAY 7:30-9pm Ladies Fellowship Second Friday of the month ZOOM Meeting.
FRIDAY 7:30pm Home Group – via Zoom.
SUNDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY 4pm – Weekly via Zoom.
Click on the first button at the top of the screen from 10mins before 4pm.
Alternatively you can phone in on 09 884 6780
Congratulations!
The final in-person service we were able to achieve before the lockdown was the marriage of Alice Hansen and Andrew Mumford. While it was small, for obvious reasons, and people who had flown in from all around the world were either quarantined or unable to make it, it was still a wonderful occasion.
Our hearts go out to Katherine and Harry who had to have their wedding postponed at the last moment due to work requirements and quarantine but we will look forward to celebrating their turn in due time.
Alice and Andrew … happy even to do paperwork! Praise God!
Sermons
Sermons:
PDF sermon copies can be downloaded here:
Engage @ Home
New Children’s Church material coming soon …
And some awesome worship from Hillsong for kids! Have a look at their site for multiple options :
Banking Details
We have been asked to put up our bank details so people can contribute to the Lord’s work. Thank you for your generosity. Please do not compromise your, or your own family’s, wellbeing but prayerfully consider what is appropriate.
If you would like a tax receipt please include appropriate details (name, email, address etc) so our Treasurer can send you a receipt.
Account Name:
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Account No :
12-3033-0617107-00
Resources
The parish Minister is available to meet with you on-line if you want to catch up, with yourself, or with a group. Txt meeting request time/day to 021 750 362.
* Great PARENTING resources …
Resources from Focus on the Family NZ
* Materials for children (and their parents!)
Primary Level
Khan Academy
NZ National Geographic for kids
Reading skills
Have fun with Dr Suess
Maths and Reading skills
Favourite stories
American site with stacks of resources!
Try out some of these helpful links …
Bible Gateway
The Parenting Place
Radio Rhema
Hope@Home – Christian movies (req payment)
Northern Presbytery Youth
Find safe games for your children and young people: https://taminggaming.com/
