Quotes about peace:
Weekly Newsletter – 4 December 2016
One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant
goal that we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that
goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
METHODIST PARISH OF
TE AWAMUTU, PIRONGIA, OTOROHANGA
Church address: 261 Bank Street, Te Awamutu
We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace
the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.
William Gladstone
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong
to each other.
Mother Teresa
Let us not accept violence as the way of peace. Let us instead begin
by respecting true freedom: the resulting peace will be able to
satisfy the world's expectations, for it will be a peace built on
justice, a peace founded on the incomparable dignity of the free
human being.
Pope John Paul II
Notices for next Sunday's bulletin to Lynn please
Phone 07 871 3554 or email [email protected]
PARISH STEWARDS
June Higham
Nynke Piebenga
Colin Pinkerton
07 872 7719
07 871 9595
07 8713554
CHURCH OFFICE 07 871 5376
Te Awamutu Methodist Church Website
http://www.methodist.org.nz/find_us/waikato___waiariki/te_awamutu
From the Gisborne Herald November 18
Allan Hall
Whenever there is a calamity such as an earthquake, tsunami, tornado or
other similar event, some people refer to these events as an Act of God.
That expression has significance in law because it refers to an event for
which no person can be blamed. You cannot sue anyone for causing the
event. But I recall my law lecturer referring to the term Act of God as ‘that
untheological expression’. And so it is.
I suggest that the term Act of God in reference to an earthquake or the
like is contrary to my understanding of God whose qualities are shown in
love, compassion and simple acts of kindness.
Peter Beck was Dean of Christchurch when the two earthquakes hit that
City. "The earthquake is not an Act of God," he said. "It is the earth
doing its thing. The Act of God is the love, care and assistance given to
one another as a consequence of the earthquake".
Dean Peter Beck was correct.
A loving God does not cause earthquakes but the qualities of God, love,
compassion, care and so on, are shown by each one of us as we respond
to the needs of others. These for me are acts of God.
I think this puts it pretty well - don't you?
Lynn
Lectionary Readings for this week:
Isaiah 11.1-10 The prophet promises a New King from the line of David
who will have the Spirit of the Lord with him. This king will bring peace and
justice and through him all nations will come together.
Psalm 72.1-7&18-19 A prayer for the king, that he will live long and rule
with justice. Written by (king) David for Solomon but with Messianic
overtones.
Romans 15.4-13 Paul prays that followers of Jesus will live in peace and
quotes today’s passage from Isaiah about a descendant of David bringing
hope and ruling the nations.
Matthew 3.1-12 John the Baptist preaches and baptises in the desert. He
doesn’t temper his language when confronted with the hypocrisy of the
religious leaders. He announces that someone is coming who will baptise
with the Holy Spirit.
Services for the next few weeks:
Dec 4
Advent 2
Rev Anne Griffiths
Communion
11
Advent 3
Lynn Pinkerton
18
Advent 4
A service of Christmas music chosen by
June. Thankyou to those who are making
this special service happen.
Christmas Eve: We are invited to join the Presbyterians for
drinks and nibbles at 6.30 prior to a
service at 7.00pm.
Christmas Day: We are also invited to join the
Presbyterians for a Christmas Day service at
9.30am. This warm and enthusiastic invitation is a
wonderful opportunity to come together with our
Presbyterian brothers and sisters.
This month's Parish Council meeting will be Tuesday 13th, so
not long since the last one but not too close to Christmas.
Prayers for Others:
- Continuing prayers for all who are affected by the
earthquakes and for all who are helping and
supporting in so many ways. We pray for
contractors working long hours on roads, unstable
hillsides, unsafe buildings and damaged services.
We pray for all who are reaching out with a listening ear, a
compassionate word, a shoulder to cry on or spare beds to sleep in.
A note from Rev Jo: I have a moving date - Dec 12.
Through this next week it would be great if anyone could come and
give me an hour or so to help me prepare for the move. The
removal firm will pack the furniture and breakables but there will be
many other packing and other tasks which I would really appreciate
some help with.
Jo 8706224
Christmas Choir
The choir meets at 4.30 pm on Monday afternoons to practise the
Christmas music for the service on 18 December.
Next Sunday:
Following the service on 11 December
there will be a Parish lunch at the home
of Lynn and Colin, 73 Pirongia Road.
Please bring food to share and come
along to this pre-Christmas gathering.
Have you looked at the Advent poster on our noticeboard?
We give thanks for ‘Immanuel, God With Us’. Where else do you see
‘God With Us?’ Thank you Judith for your creativity here.