Seeing at a distance.Notices. Podcasts

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 the kindness of strangers.

For those who give to another with no expectation of a return,

and for those who even put their own safety at risk to help others.

Every good gift comes from you, Lord (James 1:17)

And so we thank you for all acts of kindness, goodness, sacrificial love and care.

In the name of Jesus.

AMEN

At the start of last week, Sandy and I had a few days out at our place on Great Barrier. Mainly to mow lawns and prune the hydrangeas! (It was too windy for fishing).

One of our great pleasures is walking along the 2km-long Medlands beach which is just a short distance from our place.

The beach never feels crowded, but outside the holiday season, you can often find yourself completely alone on the beach.

Sometimes you do see a figure or two walking along – and it is only when they get a lot closer do you recognise them as a neighbour – or a visitor to the island.

Some of the stories of Jesus’ appearance after Easter have this similar feeling about them. We hear about a distant figure that we don’t recognise, and then something brings him closer – something happens - and we realise that he is there with us. And maybe he has been there all the time, but we just didn’t see him, or recognise him.

I have always enjoyed hearing this story from John 21:

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

Loving God,

We pray today for all those who long for a sense of comfort, safety and security.

We pray for those who are fearful of the world outside,

and for all who seek shelter from attack.

Prince of Peace, help us, we ask,

to be people of peace,

and to be a source of encouragement and hope.

In our homes, communities and world.

In Christ’s name.

 AMEN

Cottage Café. All welcome to join us at Cottage Café at the Bay, this Friday 19th April 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.  There will also be a Trading Table of goodies for sale so bring along those gold coins to help support our Overseas Mission

Movie Night! This Friday the 19^th 6.45 pm The Case for Christ - by Lee Strobel.

The promotional material reads “The Case for Christ is an award-winning investigative journalist - an avowed atheist - who applies his well-honed journalistic and legal skills to disprove the newfound Christian faith of his wife... with unexpected, life-altering results. True Story. “

Here's the link to the trailer: https://youtu.be/rhe8KhSxWGo?si=Y0MuI1Gup7eFuoyd

The church will be open 6:45PM for everyone to grab a cuppa and settle in for a night at the movies. Movie will start at 7PM. Please RSVP to mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz or call the office at PH 2928061

The Clevedon Men’s Group will meet again after the school holidays – dinner at 6.30pm on Wednesday May 1, at the Papakura Food Court. All are welcome.

ANZAC Day at Clevedon: On Thursday 25 April, at 9.30 am - at Clevedon.  A 2-part service, with singers and musicians, sought for the ceremony in the Hall and general volunteers. Please contact Gina if you can help. gina.sanders@xtra.co.nz

ANZAC Day at Orere Point will be celebrated at 10 am at the hall.

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. Thursday 12.30-2.30 pm. Contact Susanna Ph. 027 450 1926 (note the change from Friday)

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

Over the last few years I have discovered the great learning opportunities provided by podcasts. While some discernment is often required in deciding what to listen to, in my experience they provide access to some great thinkers, scholars and commentators.

Bruce Clarke, at our Men’s Group, shared some of his favourites:

“here’s a few recommended podcasts definitely worth checking out to further one’s Bible knowledge, learn about philosophy and religion and generally broaden theological perspectives and knowledge. The Podcasts can be streamed direct from their sites or from most streaming platforms, for example: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, PodBay.fm etc. “

Ron Paterson recommended this podcast to me on Sunday:

Recorded in the Taylor's home against a backdrop of sounds created by a nine-children family, Studs, Alice and Bob discuss aspects of a white family living in a predominately African-American amidst an exodus of the white, Christian community. Includes a performance of "Onward, Christian Soldiers" by the family around their piano, and "Jesus Loves Me" by two of the children.