Weekly Notices - 1st Dec 2024
The First Sunday of Advent always focuses our attention on the future. It’s a theme that runs through today’s gospel (Luke 21:25-36) and the entire Season of Advent.
Many of you know that the word advent comes from the Latin word meaning “to come.” So something or someone is coming to us in this season.
We most often think of what’s coming as Christmas and the birth of Jesus. And it is, but I also think it is bigger and more than that.
In today’s gospel Jesus speaks of the “‘Son of Man Coming in a Cloud’ with power and great glory.” I think that’s a metaphor for the future. I’ve recently begun to think of Advent as the coming of our future, and a time when we prepare, as best we can, if we can, for that future.
Our last Day of Giving has brought in almost $50,000!!! An absolutely awesome effort by you all at a time when purse strings are tight and financial demands are crazy! I am so thankful for your hearts of giving, and as I write this, Vestry has got a clear path to start work on our flat roof to ensure that those leaks never bother us again! That, I think, is our preparation for the future of this church!!!
May the Advent Spirit of anticipation allow us all to look forward as One People, in One Place, worshipping our One God!
God bless St Aug’s ~ Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe
This is rather late notice, but we are desperately seeking helpers to decorate our church Christmas tree please!!! With Advent rapidly closing in on us, we need our church decorated for our Christmas celebrations ASAP.
If you are keen to help beautify our spiritual space for the commemoration of the most wondrous birth in history, please let the office or the Vicar know.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s service (1st Dec)
Theme: ‘Be watchful for the Son of Man.’
Sentence: ‘Stand up and raise your heads; your redemption is drawing near.’ Luke 21:28
Collect:
Come, O come Emmanuel,
you are the way, the truth and the life;
Come, living Saviour
come to your world which waits for you.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen
Readings: 1 Thessalonians 3: 9 – 13 and Luke 21: 25 – 36
Parish News
This is rather late notice, but we are desperately seeking helpers to put up our church Christmas tree please!!! With Advent rapidly closing in on us, we need our church decorated for our Christmas celebrations ASAP.
If you are keen to help beautify our spiritual space for the commemoration of the most wondrous birth in history, please let the office or the Vicar know.
Annual Day of Giving, your Vestry would like to ask that you please prayerfully consider a contribution, over and above what you regularly give.
Please spend a few moments reading and digesting our Treasurer’s write-up. We desperately need our roof repairs done, and are in dire need of funds to carry this out.
Our People, Our Place
Do keep those wonderful “Our People, Our Place” profiles rolling in!
Loki and Friends Play Verdi
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
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.
St Aug’s & Beyond…
Handel’s MESSIAH Saturday 7 December, 7.30pm Christchurch Town Hall with the CSO
Dr John Linker Music Director
Sarah Jane Rennie Soprano
Margot Button Mezzo Soprano
Patrick Power ONZM Tenor
Samuel McKeever Bass
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.