Weekly Notices - 28 July 2024
This week as we look towards our God who feeds us eternal life through the Body of His Son Jesus Christ, I encourage us all to be aware of those who are struggling through these frosty days and cold nights, ignorant and unaware of the Hope that God gives us.
So often we hear about the homeless just down the road from our beautiful, warm homes – but choose to ignore them. So often we walk past individuals or small groups begging on our footpaths – and we ignore them.
Many of these people, we need to remember, are on the streets and under bridges through no choice of their own – and we ignore them.
Through reaching out to these lost and lonely people, we are able to build God’s Kingdom here on earth. Our challenge is to look beyond the filth in which they sit, beyond the unshaved faces of despondency, beyond the wretched bedding upon which they must lie, and take ownership of God’s love for us in giving us His Son, and share the wonderful Bread of Life which we so freely enjoy!
Like the saying goes: “Love a life, love God!”
May God bless St Aug’s as we touch the lives of the rejected and lost.
Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
Today’s service
Theme: “God who feeds us and makes us one body, one spirit”
Sentence: ‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven,’ says the Lord. ‘Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ John 6:51
Collect:
Loving and all-seeing God,
teach us to be open with you about our needs,
to seek your support in our trials,
to admit before you our sins,
and to thank you for all your goodness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer
Amen.
Readings: Ephesians 3: 14 – 21 & John 6: 1 – 21
Parish News
Centennial Weekend - 12th & 13th October
Please diary this event which will start with tours and a Variety Concert on the Saturday and a Combined 10am Service on the Sunday followed by lunch at the Takahe Restaurant.
Tickets for this luncheon will be available in the next couple of weeks.
Vestry
Please hold Vestry in your prayers as its Vicarage Working Group journey through the sale and purchase of a vicarage. Open Homes are now beginning to take place, so please also pray for Leni & I as we battle to keep the home tidy.
Diocesan Prayer Community - Reminder
The Diocesan Prayer Community has been operating since March this year. This Community identifies the issues which challenge our Diocese (and parish!) and join each other in praying for those issues.
At the Special Synod a few weeks ago, I discovered that other parishes have embraced this concept, and parishioners have enthusiastically signed up to be part of this Community. I urge us all to deeply consider signing up to pray with others from other parishes! We receive regular updates and forms of encouragement from our Archdeacon of Regeneration & Mission, and it only takes a few minutes of our time each day or week.
Please let the Vicar know if you’re interested. If you want a copy of the flyer in last week’s newsletter, please contact the office.
Our People, Our Place
A few weeks ago, we all received forms to fill out as part of our “Our People, Our Place” drive. Several of you have responded, and these stories are now displayed at the back of the church. Several interesting reads if you are keen to get to know someone more intimately. We look forward to receiving more of your stories!
St Aug’s & Beyond…
Bell Ringers
The Christchurch Handbell Ringers are looking for new members. Many of you will recall an event or occasion where you had the pleasure of watching this very special group of musicians. Over the years, like many other groups, their numbers have faded, and they are desperate for more people to join them. They gather for practices every alternate Friday at 1:30pm in Dallington, and all they ask is that you have a reasonable knowledge of music. Please contact Andrew Cox.
Living Faith Conference
PRAY DISCIPLE INSPIRE - Bring your parish team and join us for the 2024 Living Faith Diocesan Conference! With Guest Speakers: Elanor SANDERSON, Dallas HAREMA, Grant NORSTWORTHY
This will be a great opportunity for spiritual growth and encouragement as we hear from inspirational leaders who canhelp us grow in confidence in our faith and get better at making new disciples. There will also be a Q & A discussion panel to address your questions.
This conference is for everyone - younger, older, exploring faith, new to faith and the seasoned Christian.
So bring a friend, join a group and register!
Tickets $40/pp, see Jo Ashton Martyn for these, or, scan the bar code on the poster below for this event at the back of the Church, or visit www.bit.ly/LivingFaithConference
Helpful info
Giving
Online Giving - “Green” Tokens (trial) for the Offertory Plate
Hey lovely people, now that the majority of you donate ‘on-line’ we have created green tokens for you to place (if you wish) into the offertory plate. These tokens will then be blessed at the front of the Church along with any other cash/envelopes. If you would like to join those who give regularly online, you can find all the details you’ll need on the Giving Page.
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.