Just thinking…
It is a year since the terrible shootings in Christchurch which killed 51 people – the worst act of terrorism we have seen in our dear country. Brian Krum, national team leader for the Baptist Youth Ministries, has written this prayer. Let’s come before God with these words as we remember and reflect on this tragedy.
Lord, as our Saviour who stands with all in the midst of loss and tragedy,
We pause to remember this horrific event.
In our shock and confusion, we come before you,
In our grief and despair in the midst of hateful racism,
In our sense of helplessness in the face of violence,
We lean on you.
For the families of those who were killed we pray.
For the shooter, we place him in your hands.
For the survivors we pray for their physical, emotional and invisible wounds.
In the name of Jesus, give them peace, give them rest, and give them the emotional, medical, legal and financial support needed for healing.
For the communities that lost members—their anger, grief, fear—we pray.
For our churches striving to show your love and be your light in the darkness, we pray.
In the face of hatred, may we always claim love, Lord.
May we love those who are strangers and those who are friends.
May we love those who we agree with and understand,
And even more so, Lord, those who are different from ourselves.
Lord, have mercy.
Heal our sin-sick souls.
Give us the eyes, heart, hands and feet of Jesus.
And bring healing Lord.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Him,
Murray
This Sunday 15 March…
GROW Camp... This Sunday is our second day of Grow Camp. 'Church' is still happening, but with a different format, so come along! Gather in the auditorium at 10am as usual and you will hear about the different seminars or workshops you can choose to attend.
COVID-19 Prevention
You can take some simple steps to help stop the spread of diseases like COVID-19. Avoid close contact with people with cold or flu-like illnesses. Cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and dry them thoroughly: before eating or handling food, after using the toilet, after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses, after caring for sick people.
mainly music
mainly music for young children is every Tursday at 10am in the church. Newcomers are welcome.
Kids Programs This Sunday
Spark is our program for older preschool to year 2 kids, led by Margaret Stewart.
Blaze is for kids in years 3-5, led by Olwyn Dickson.
Ignite is for young people in years 6 and above, led by Grace & Elisha.
eCamp Fundraiser
eCamp is getting closer and closer which means we are continuing to fundraiser. This Sunday we start our fundraising wall! It’s a cool and easy way to donate towards Ignite and eCamp. Basically, just take a numbered envelope and the number on the front is how much you donate. For example if Murray takes number 75, he is planning to donate $75! So get amongst this fundraising and help us get our young people to camp!
Leisure for Pleasure
Next Tuesday, 1pm in the church lounge. There is friendly company, card and board games, quizzes, music or bring your own handcrafts. With afternoon tea to follow. All are welcome!
Ignite Youth Group – Tidy Kiwis
The next Ignite Youth Group will be on Friday 13 March. We will be making the youth room tidy. It is time to rearrange the room and we need your creativity! More details to come.
Men’s Breakfast
Men’s Breakfast Saturday 7 March. Our speaker will be Stan Yee. Stan will talk about Henry Jackson-Yue, the second Consul to New Zealand from Nationalist China, and the hardships of the early Chinese, and how they were helped by the Rev Alexander Don in the gold mining days of the 1880s in Roxburgh. Share a cooked breakfast, coordinated by chef supremo Lindsay M. We'd love to see you there. Please consider inviting a friend.
Film Group
Film Group will meet next Tuesday, 17 March, at the Lido Theatre. Please be at the theatre at 5.35 to collect tickets for “Military Wives”, screening at 5.50. Contact the church office to register.
Young Adults Group
The Young Adults Group are going to be having a BBQ on Thursday 19 March at 6:30pm to catch-up and plan for the year. If you are interested in joining our YA Group, contact the office.
Home Groups
Wednesday Night Home Group
Home Group at the home of Paul and Ruth Ungemuth every second and fourth Wednesday at 7:30pm. Each week we share in supper, do a bible study and pray for each other. Will begin on Wednesday 13 February. Contact the office for more information.
Thursday Morning Home Group
Home Group in the church lounge on the third Thursday of the month at 10am. After morning tea we do a bible study and pray together. Contact the office for more information.
Young Adults Home Group
Every Thursday evening at 7:30pm. Please email the church to be added to the Facebook page, and check Facebook for updates of what we have going on. We'd love for you to join us!
