Weekly Notices - 9 February 2025
We relay our thanks to Bishop Peter and Teresa for visiting us, preaching to us, celebrating and sharing food with us on Sunday 2 February. Much appreciated.
Key points from Bishop Peter’s sermon at the combined service at St Columba’s Church.
In our gospel reading, Simeon and Anna are waiting for the Lord to come to the Temple (as predicted by Old Testament prophecies, including our reading from Malachi).
Not everything about the meaning of the Good News of Jesus (as briefly touched on by Simeon and Anna) is explained in the gospels. We find explanations in the epistles, including our reading from Hebrews, which could be summed up as, God likes us enough to become like us through Jesus Christ, who dies and rises again to defeat death and to set us free from the fear of death.
Unfortunately, in our world today this good news is opposed, ignored and rejected. A challenge for us believers is keep faithful to the end (which is a great theme in Hebrews).
One consequence of disinterest in the Good News, in Aotearoa New Zealand, is that we have fewer people wanting to gather in church to celebrate what God has done for us through Jesus. Lower church attendance is hitting many churches hard, including in this parish.
Following the conclusion of Les’ ministry, now is the time to look carefully at the wisest, most sustainable future of our mission and ministry in this parish, including the best kind of property we could have for the Hornby area.
As we move forward through the next months and we ask some big questions, I am very hopeful that we will be able to appoint an Interim Priest to journey with us.
+Peter.
Today’s service
Sentence: You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up. Isaiah 45:8
Prayer of the Day: Praise and honour to you living God; your coming will be like a thief in the night, like lightning flashing across the sky. Grant that we may be ready, and our hearts answer, Come Lord Jesus. Amen.
Readings: St Columba’s & St Paul’s: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 & Luke 5:1-11, St Saviour’s: Psalm 34 v1–9 (CEV) & Ephesians 5 v 15–20 (CEV)
Parish News
Service 9 February 2025
St Paul’s West Melton - 9am, St Columba’s Hornby - 10.30am, St Saviour’s - 5pm with a Prayer and Praise Service.
Community Fun Event: Saturday 15 February at St Columba’s Church, 452 Main South Road.
Come and join in the fun of a garden party and bbq with a bouncy castle and other games. 11am-3.30pm
There will be a cake stall so baking, pickles, and jam would be greatly appreciated as well as help on the day. Please see Gina for details.
Come and join in the fun at St Columba’s Church for a fun day with an afternoon tea and a bouncy castle for the kids.
Time 4 U: Tuesday 18 February 2025
St Columba’s Church Hall - 1.30-3pm. Guest Speaker is Rob Wooley and antique collector
Parish Monthly Prayer Meeting at St Saviour's Church - 9:15am on last Tuesday: 25 February 2025
Anglican Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton & Beyond…
Prayer for the Regeneration of Our Diocese
As the kotuku gently rests upon the tree, come Holy Spirit and rest upon us as we pray for the regeneration of our Diocese.
Silence
Everliving God, through your Spirit you constantly renew the whole creation; bring regeneration to your Diocese of Christchurch, grant us courage 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
News from around the Diocese
See Anglican e-life: http://anglicanlife.org.nz/publications/e-life/
Helpful info
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.
Recycling
Used batteries can be placed in the boxes in each church or taken to Mitre 10
Soft plastics can be dropped off at participating store locations. This is any plastic you can fold up in your hand.
Pastoral Care
Need meals or other in-home pastoral support? Please contact the Parish Pastoral Care Co-ordinator.
In-Home Communion
If parishioners can't attend church but would still like to have communion, this can be brought to you at your home or rest home. Please get in touch with the Home Communion Co-ordinator to organise this.
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.
