Weekly Notices - 16th February 2025
I hope you have all had a wonderful week of reflection and walking with Christ. Please continue to pray for our dear church and its surrounds as we look at ways to grow our faith and impact the community around us.
On the night of Tues 11th Feb, our church building was broken into and sev eral items were taken including all our Communion Silver and our Altar Brass ware, Priests Wafers and our stock of Communion Wine. Also taken was our Eagle Lectern – although I struggle to see how and why!!
We do now, live in a culture of horrendous crime and social invasion and alt hough parameters are in place with regard to Police Reporting, Insurance Claims and the like, it is still gut-wrenching to think that anyone could forci bly enter one’s domain and just take what is not theirs!
What really hurts is the way our societal culture has allowed our way of think ing to change so drastically, that anyone off the street can just walk in to God’s sacred space at any time and absolutely desecrate the holiness of His Temple, and consider it acceptable!
Please continue to hold our church close to your hearts and keep praying for the sanctity of our premises as we try our best to walk and talk the Good News of God’s Kingdom here on the Hill.
God bless you all; God bless St Aug’s!
Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s service (16th February)
Theme: “Good News for the Poor”
Sentence: Blessed are you when people hate you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
Luke 6:23
Collect:
God of the hungry, make us hunger and thirst for the right, till our thirst for justice has been satisfied and hunger has gone from the earth. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings: Psalm 1 and Luke 6:17-26
Parish News
· Please note that while Paula is away and Ciru recuperating, the parish office will NOT BE manned as normal! So if you have any urgent requirements, please feel free to contact your Vicar on 020 4132 6302.
· Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday, 5th March. If your Homegroup will need copies of the Diocesan Lent Study, please let the office know. $8 a copy.
· We are seeking help to be able to regenerate our weekly service rosters, and desperately need folks who can help with:
* Communion Assisting
* Welcoming (and Offertory collecting)
* Sacristy duties (setting up the altar each week)
* Brass cleaning
* Morning tea
* Sound desk operating
Please let the parish office know if you feel this is a ministry you could be involved in. These are vital areas which need to be filled is our Sunday services are to run smoothly.
Please remember to use our Diocesan Prayer for Regeneration: As the kotuku gently rests upon the tree, come and rest upon us Holy Spirit as we pray for the regeneration of our Diocese… Everliving God, through your Spirit you constantly renew the whole crea tion; bring regeneration to your Diocese of Christchurch, grant us cour age to grow disciples of Jesus, give us vision to reach young people and their families, and strengthen us to create vibrant communities of faith. All this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
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.
Helpful info
Giving
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.