Mirrors, looking and seeing.

Greetings, friends, members and supporters of our church at Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay, Orere Point, Conifer Grove, Takanini, and in the southern part of Auckland – and beyond. The Peace of Christ be with you! Let us Pray We give thanks, today, God, that we have all been created in your image, and are loved and precious. We give thanks for all those, who bring love, healing and care for others, Irrespective of what they look like. And for all who work to overcome barriers, and build relationships of peace, hope and understanding. In Christ’s name. AMEN Mirrors A couple of weeks ago, Sandy and I visited my brother David and his family in Sydney. While there, we visited a number of galleries showing work for the Sydney biennale, including work by the French/American artist Louise Bourgeoise at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. I took this photo of Sandy and me standing in front of one of Bourgeoise’s huge mirrors – shaped as the kind of ‘vanity mirror‘ you might find in someone’s bathroom. The artist might be asking us questions about the place of mirrors in our lives – and how much time we spend in front of them! Perhaps all mirrors provide something of a distorted image – they reverse what we are looking at – for example. The quality of mirrors has improved a great deal since ancient times – in the days when only the wealthy could afford the polished stone or metal that would give them some impression of what they looked like. It is hard to imagine living our life without ever seeing a clear image of ourselves.   Mirrors in Scripture We have a sense in scripture that mirrors give us only a fleeting or distorted or incomplete, view of reality. In the Book of James (1:22-24) we find this interesting reference to a mirror: 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. And these words that Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.   Let us Pray We pray today, dear God, For all those who feel undervalued. and for those who are made to feel bad because of their appearance, background or social standing. Help us, we pray, to live out our faith, Affirming that you have created us, and “crowned us with glory and honour” (Psalm 8) Help us too, to celebrate together, the richness and beauty of your creation. In Christ’s name. AMEN   Our Notices The Clevedon Men’s Group will meet again on Wednesday – dinner at 6.30 pm on Wednesday, May 1, at the Papakura Food Court. All are welcome. https://www.broadwayfoodco.nz/ Community Lunch. Our next lunch will be held this Thursday May the 2nd at the Clevedon Church lounge. 12 noon. A shared lunch. All welcome. A good time to catch up.  Cottage Café. All welcome to join us at Cottage Cafe this Friday 3rd May 10am to 12pm (at 5 Kawakawa-Orere Rd) A place to meet and have a chat, great coffee and home baking. No charge although coin donations will be gratefully appreciated.  Tuesday Morning Home Group. Ardmore 10 am. All are welcome to join with this very friendly and welcoming group for prayer, discussion and Bible readings. Please contact Bev Sutton for details: 027 3107 421 Tuesday Evening Ladies Bible Study meets during the school term in locations in Ardmore and Conifer Grove. 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. If you would like to find out more, please give Geraldine Oosterbeek a call on 027-2704-904 Prayer Circle Requests. For anyone who is seeking prayer for any concern or situation: prayercircle.clevedonpresy@gmail.com or text: Cath at 021 349 417, Elaine 022 071 7201, or Nikki 021 973 799   AA - every Thursday at 7.30 pm at the Clevedon Church lounge. Friendly and supportive. For anyone with alcohol or drug problems.  https://aa.org.nz/    Sunday Services and activities: Clevedon Church Sunday morning service at 10 am. Join us in person or watch the live stream on our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxBzxjBb3xU8ra2NHwvD_9A (The service can also be viewed at any time afterwards.) Prayer before the Service. Join us at 9:15 am every Sunday in Martin's office to pray for the church and community.  St Aidan’s Takanini (23 Walter Stevens Drive, Conifer Grove,)  Sunday morning service at 10 am Playgroup - Every Monday and Tuesday morning in the school term.  Contact Brenda at 021 657 178. Men’s group. Tuesdays at 7 pm in the Church lounge. A time of sharing, fellowship, prayer and study together. Wednesday Communion service 9.30 am. All welcome Women's friendship and study group. Evening group, Wednesday, 7 pm.  Day group, Friday 10 am. Contact Lorraine Richmond at 027 476 1169 Know your Bible Women’s study group. Thursday 12.30-2.30 pm. Contact Susanna Ph. 027 450 1926  Kawakawa Bay The service is held in the Community Hall each Sunday at 9.30 am. Thank you for your prayers and generous support of our church and its mission. Martin Plan Ahead Concert for Charlotte.  Many of us have enjoyed Charlotte’s generous musical contribution to our Sunday worship at Clevedon.  Charlotte is moving to Brisbane to further her studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. She will be hosting a fundraising concert at the church to help with expenses and will be joined with Joel Amosa, Breony Bearman and Kay Shacklock. Together they will entertain you with an array of music that will be good for the soul. The concert is on Sunday the 19th of May at 1:30pm.

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