Weekly Notices - 8th Sept 2024
This week, we hear from the Rev Ron Hay about Jesus, the Bringer of Joy. What a lovely theme for us to walk with, especially at this time of changing seasons and the brightness of Spring! And we imagine the absolute joy of the deaf man who Jesus healed as He journeyed to Decapolis; a changed season in a totally unexpecting gentleman!!!
On the flip side, we go into our Diocesan Synod this weekend, conscious of the outcomes of the recent Royal Commission of Enquiry on the abuse and neglect of children, young people and adults in the care of the State and faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950 and 1999. At Synod, our Bishop, Peter and Archbishop Justin Duckworth will be presenting a formal apology to the victims of abuse, on behalf of our church. I ask you all to hold any victims of abuse you may know in your hearts and prayers at this poignant time. “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light.”
You will notice too, in your Saturday Press, the Death Notice of the late John Gleave, a well loved and respected member of our parish family of several years. John’s funeral will be held here in St Aug’s next Thurs, 12th Sept at 2pm and you are all invited to join me as we bid farewell to a faithful servant of this place.
May God Bless St Aug’s
Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s service (Sept 8th)
Theme: ‘Jesus the Bringer of Joy’
Sentence: So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of Liberty. James 2:12
Collect:
O God the strength of all who believe in you,
increase our faith and trust
in your Son Jesus Christ,
that in him we may live victoriously,
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Readings: Isaiah 35: 3-6,10 & Mark 7: 31-37
Parish News
Should anyone be keen to share stories of the late John Gleave at his funeral next week, please see Kofe. She is also putting together a brief homily for John, and would appreciate any information you might have regarding his life.
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 are available from the Parish office.
Our organist Loki and friends (on trumpets) play a short snippet of the Grand March from the opera Aida by Verdi on 18 August 2024
Missing Communion Chalice
One of our Communion chalices has gone walk-about, and this is a plea to anyone who may have seen it, to contact the Vicar please. On this note, I encourage all those rostered on as Communion Assistants at each of our respective services to please be a little more careful when packing our Communion vessels away. I do appreciate the work you do; however, it has been noticed that on the odd occasion, the vessels have been left sitting on the credence table instead of being washed and put away.
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.
Do consider signing up to pray with others from other parishes. You will 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.
Our People, Our Place
Do keep those wonderful “Our People, Our Place” profiles rolling in!
St Aug’s & Beyond…
City Mission ‘Food Bank’
We have recently heard that the City Mission ‘Food Bank’ is VERY short of supplies as it struggles to feed the needy over this winter. So please, if you are able, do donate (non perishable) food into the City Mission food basket at the back of the Church. Grateful thanks!
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.