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,
for those who proclaim Good News in dangerous places,
strengthened by their faith in you.
We give thanks for all your saints,
who bear witness to your love,
by bringing healing and hope to others.
In Christ’s name.
AMEN
Evangelists
Walking through Onehunga on Saturday I encountered what would have once been called ‘street corner evangelists.’ It was a group of mainly young people who stood on the footpath holding signs. They had set up a (very) loudspeaker through which a young woman gave her testimony, reminding everyone how much God loved them – along with a sense of urgency in terms of making a Christian commitment.
Passing motorists would have seen the signs, but I needed to pause in my walk to hear what the young woman was saying.
The messages brought by the young people would have likely intruded into the Saturday routines of those who passed by – maybe bringing a moment of pause and consideration - certainly, it did for me.
It seems, though, that most of the research around evangelism suggests that conversation, an invitation to church, and actions that testify to our Christian faith, are among the most powerful ways to witness to the Gospel message.
Proclamation
Proclaiming God's Kingdom, and acts of healing, almost always go together.
9 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic.
One of the things we discover in the earliest church, is that evangelism and proclaiming the Good News often came at great cost to those first missionaries. Paul, in Acts 20 reminds us:
20 I did not shrink from doing anything helpful, proclaiming the message to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 as I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, as a captive to the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. 24 But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.
Let us Pray
We pray today, Lord,
For those who long to hear Good News.
For those who have endured pain for too long,
and for those who have lost hope, or purpose.
We pray for all people in places of threat or danger.
Strengthen, we ask, those saints of today,
who bring hope and healing.
Guide us in the ways of your Kingdom.
In the name of Jesus,
AMEN
Welcome to our Notices
We are holding our next Men’s group dinner at the Broadway Food Court in Papakura https://www.broadwayfoodco.nz/eateries tomorrow night, Wednesday the 13th of March at 6.30 pm
Russell’s Car collection. This is a unique opportunity to view Russell Vincent’s extraordinary private car collection. This Saturday 16 March at 9.30 am. 806 North Road, Clevedon. (Please RSVP to martin@clevedonpresy.co.nz) Note: For Health and Safety – if you are coming, take care with the fences on the farm – they are electrified!
Come along to the Cottage Cafe this Friday 15th March 10 am to 12 pm (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. There will also be a Trading Table of goodies for sale so bring along those gold coins to help support our Overseas Mission
Easter - Good Friday 29 March 10 am and Easter Sunday 31 March 10 am. Singers and musicians keen to be involved, please see gina.sanders@xtra.co.nz
Youth Group. Clevedon Youth Group Friday, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at 87 Settlement Road, Papakura. This term, we're joining forces with the Youth Groups from Papakura East Presbyterian Church and Drury Presbyterian Church. Games, devotions, small group discussions, and, of course, food! Bring your friends. The group is open to all Year 7 – 13 young people. To find out more, or if you need a ride, please contact Paia on 027 724 2100.
HATCH – our community dinner and church continues this Sunday. All welcome. Please let Mathilde know if you are coming. mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz
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: beverleySutton@xtra.co.nz
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 (note the change from Friday)
Kawakawa Bay
The service is held in the Community Hall each Sunday at 9.30 am.
Plan ahead
ANZAC Day: Martin, Sarah Park and Gina are again coordinating the 2024 service on Thurs 25 April, at 9.30 am. 2-part service, with singers and musicians, sought for the ceremony in the Hall and general volunteers. See Roundup or Gina for full details.
CVMFT Sunday Serenade Sun 07 April 1.30 pm: “Fools and Angels” - A journey through time discovering musical and dramatic moments of the intrepid, the cautious and the downright crazy” featuring past CVMFT scholarship winners and more. Go to CVMFT.org, or see Gina
Thank you for your prayers and generous support of our church and its mission.
Martin
2368.5342
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