Romance, movies and the dignity of work - plus lots of notices

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!

We give thanks today, Lord,

For all those, whose often, ‘invisible' work,

makes such a difference to our enjoyment and well-being.

For shop workers, drivers, those who work on our roads and rail,

and countless others, who work in sometimes difficult and unpleasant conditions.

God, we give you thanks too, for the ways that you work in our lives,

bringing us hope, healing and encouragement.

In Christ's name, we pray,

AMEN

Yesterday, Sandy and I went to the movies. With only two of us in the theatre, I tried to convince her, that, out of a sense of romantic fervour, I had booked out the whole place just for the two of us.

(I took this photo before the movie started - standing right in the front - you can just make out Sandy - and the closest I will ever get to making it onto 'the big screen'')

Okay, it was 1.20 on a Monday afternoon, and the movie was in Japanese (with English subtitles) and the subject was a portrayal of a middle-aged man who dedicated his working life to cleaning Tokyo’s remarkable public toilets.

But ‘Perfect Days’ is a beautiful film - directed by Wim Wenders - and quite accurately described as ‘A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.’

(I did lose a little credibility when, just as the movie was about to start, four others came in and sat behind us.)

More than 100 years ago, the sociologist Max Weber talked about the work ethic which he identified as being deeply embedded in the worldview of protestants and Calvinists (Reformed and Presbyterian) in particular.

The basis of the view was that hard work and frugality were thought to be two important applications of being a steward of what God has given us.

Exodus 20:8–10 reminds us to:

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.”

And in Proverbs 6:

How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? ¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,  a little folding of the hands to rest, ¹¹ and poverty will come upon you like a robber,  and want, like an armed warrior.

The film, and our Bible readings, remind me again of how easy it is to take for granted all those who work ‘behind the scenes’. The cleaners, the drivers, the shop workers – and so many more, whose often low-paid work is indispensable for our health and wellbeing.

God, we pray today for those who long for a sense of purpose and fulfilment in their lives.

We pray for those who are in jobs that they do not enjoy,

and for all who are treated poorly by the people they work for.

We pray for all who have their dignity or value diminished by others, because of the work they do.   

We pray Lord, that as you love us, we can witness to that love, in the care and affirmation we provide to others.

In Christ’s name, we pray,

AMEN

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 this 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)

Youth Group. Clevedon Youth Group is back for 2024, 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. All welcome. Please let Mathilde know if you are coming. mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz

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.

Community Lunch at Clevedon. The first of these will be on Thursday, March the 7^th.

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 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

The service is held in the Community Hall each Sunday at 9.30 am. 

Russell’s Car collection. A very special and unique opportunity to view Russell Vincent’s extraordinary private car collection. Saturday 18 March 9.30 am. 806 North Road, Clevedon.  (Please RSVP to martin@clevedonpresy.co.nz)

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

PS. Sandy sent me this interview with Marilynne Robinson -  she is one of America's foremost novelists, a church-going Christian, and is about to publish a commentary on Genesis