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
God of abundant love,
We give thanks for the different ways we experience abundance:
The love of family and friends;
the beauty we encounter in nature, art and music.
We give thanks for the people and experiences that enrich our lives,
And for the love we find in You.
AMEN
Abundance
From time to time I become especially aware of the abundance in my life – and aware too of what a privilege it is to have these experiences.
Early last Monday morning I went out fishing – and within just a couple of hours I had caught enough fish for two dinners and a lunch:
And then I came back and harvested this amazing crop of bananas – so many that we have given most away to friends and neighbours.
I don’t have an expensive boat, and the bananas grew entirely on their own accord, but I do have a sense that such simple things provide a deep richness of experience – an experience that seems to me, fewer have access to.
Joy and Abundance
The visions of abundance, the affirmations of joy, and the sense of celebration are themes that run deeply through our Scriptures.
Psalm 16 reminds us that:
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
And from our encounter with the abundance God provides, we find this teaching from 2 Corinthians 9:7-9
7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written,
‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’
Let us Pray
Gracious God, we pray today,
for all who feel depleted.
For those who have so little, that they are consumed with the anxiety of just getting through the day.
And for those who are consumed with the anxiety of safeguarding the wealth they have accumulated.
Help us, God, to live lives based on the knowledge of your love,
and to give thanks each day for the blessings we enjoy.
Enable us to share our abundance with others,
And in doing so, give witness to our faith in you.
In the name of Jesus, we pray.
AMEN
Our Notices
Love Grace Handbag Appeal. Our Family Ministry is supporting this appeal in memory of Grace Millane, and in support of victims of domestic abuse. A collection box for new, or, almost new, handbags and the items to put in the handbags, can be found in the Clevedon church foyer. (Please see poster attached for more information)
A huge thanks for the donations we have received to help subsidise the Parenting Course. These funds will be used to assist those attending the course.
Youth Group. Clevedon Youth Group - this 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. Join us every Friday for 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 at 5pm. All welcome. Please let Mathilde know if you are coming. mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz
Cottage Cafe is back for 2024 this Friday 16th February 2024, 10 am to 12 pm at the Cottage (5 Kawakawa-Orere Rd). Come and enjoy great company, Coffee and home baking. No charge although gold coin donations will be gratefully appreciated. There will also be a trading table of goodies for sale with all proceeds going to Overseas Missions
Men’s Breakfast. Our friends at Papakura East Presbyterian Church – 87 Settlement Road, (along with Drury) have invited us to be included in their semi-regular Men’s Breakfast. The first Breakfast of the year will be Saturday 24th February at 8:00 am. The speaker will be Howard Morrison, the National Director of Mobile Mission Maintenance (MMM). All men welcome to hear about who they are, and what they do. Gold coin donation.(Please RSVP to office@pepc.org.nz)
Alpha. Explore life, faith and meaning – at our Alpha Course. You & your friends are invited to join us at Clevedon Presbyterian Church on Monday evenings at 7 PM. We'll enjoy hot drinks and scrumptious desserts before we start our session. Email for more information: mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz or call (09) 292 8061. We are looking forward to seeing you there! (Please can you let Mathilde know if you plan to be there)
Men’s Group. We continue with a discussion on the Biblical concept of ‘hope’. How do we think about and hold onto hope within the complexity of our lives – and all that is happening in the world? All men are welcome at 7.30 pm each Wednesday in the Clevedon Church lounge.
Clevedon Artistic and Musical Adventures each Monday at 4 -5.30pm in the Church. An open group for 5-18yr olds exploring singing, music, art, drama and more. All welcome (modest koha); For more information: see Gina (gina.sanders@xtra.co.nz)
Community Lunch at Clevedon. The first of these will be on Thursday, March the 7th.
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/
Pastoral. A graveside memorial service will be held at Clevedon this Saturday at 1pm for Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Daphne Shaw. Daphne has deep roots in the Clevedon community. She was the highest-ranking female officer during her final years of long service as a senior nurse for the NZDF.
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. Friday 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.
Plan ahead:
Easter - Good Friday 29 March 10 am and Easter Sunday 31 March 10 am. Singers and musicians keen to be involved, please see Gina
ANZAC Day: Martin, Sarah Park and Gina are again coordinating the 2024 service on Thurs 25 April, at 9 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
Mailing Address
3 Papakura Clevedon Road, Clevedon, Auckland
2334.5342
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