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
Update Friday 25th December 2020 – Greetings everyone and Merry Christmas! We pray you have a good Christmas as we remember that God so identifies with us that God came amongst us in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. As we ride the ups and downs of life He promises to walk with us as we give our lives over to Him. The God who loves us, knows us, in all our strengths and weaknesses from the moment of our birth to time of our death. He knows because He has experienced the best and worst of this world. Best of all, as we walk with Jesus, He opens up vistas we had not thought possible. In this world and the next our hope always has been and is, in Jesus. So celebrate Christmas as God’s coming amongst us as one of us. Our hope is in Him. The great Good News of course is that everyone can have a personal relationship with Jesus and our Loving heavenly Father. Out of difficulty good can triumph. Have a blessed Christmas season and briong love and joy to others around you.
DECEMBER SERVICES
27th 10am (Sun) Morning Worship – Waiting and Rejoicing
JANUARY
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st Sun 10am Worship
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!
All weekly groups are now in summer recess until February.
The Op Shop is currently closed reopening February 2021.
In the midst of challenges it is wise to take a moment to reflect on all the things that we can be grateful for. When the world is in chaos, inner calm is ever more important. In John 14:27 Jesus promises us His peace. This is a peace that surpasses understanding. His peace is with us wherever and in whatever, situation we arrive at. When we are peaceful we are able to reflect and appreciate.
The 10am St John’s 10am English service is online. The 1pm Korean service is on-line.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Reflection …
Have you checked out this week’s new ENGAGE material for family prayer and faith activities at home?
ALPHA is now running on Friday at 7:30pm. Contact Colin if you are interested in joining us.
We all love a piece of appropriate opera … thanks Frances for this one … enjoy and laugh!
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!
Chatroom:
Our chatroom with the Minister is online for anyone to join us at 2pm (NZ time) on Mondays and Wednesdays when the red CHATROOM button is active.
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
Awesome …
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 6pm – Online ZOOM meeting at 6pm from the link above – you are welcome to join us.
Community Chatroom – 2pm Zoom meeting available Wednesdays for general discussion.
Prayers
There is a lot to pray for and about at this time…
Please pray for our friends and colleagues overseas, particularly those struggling to travel, get home or experiencing impact from COVID19. Pray for those of our community on the front line including… Medically: Jo, Katherine, Rachel. Working in pharmacies: Alice, Kevin … plus others you will know about.
* Give thanks that Reg & Sophie and family got home safely from India.
* Pray for the New Life Foundation and those in Africa where resources and leadership are limited.
* Pray for families, together for extended periods in an unusual ways … particularly for those with younger children .
* 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 10am.
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 6pm – Weekly via Zoom.
Click on the first button at the top of the screen from 15mins before 6pm.
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
This week’s Sunday sermon:
PDF sermon copies can be downloaded here:
Engage @ Home
Check out this great material Rebecca has put up for us. We will try to refresh this material each week. The powerpoint runs as a video with about 5 secs on each page so resize and pause it as you need.
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/
Relax: fun stuff…
Fun stuff to do at home … check these out … Fun At Home