SENTENCE: For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert ... and
the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing (Isaiah 35:6,10).
The PARISh of Hornby, Templeton and
West Melton
COLLECT: God of the unexpected whose ways are not our ways, open our ears to the
prophets you send that we might hear your gospel and act on it through Jesus Christ our
Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and always. Amen.
UPDATE FROM THE GARAGE SALE
Thank you to those who contributed in any way to the success of our recent garage sale. A
total of $2133.10 was raised. Praise the Lord.
St Columba’S, Hornby; St Saviour’S, Templeton;
St Paul’S, West Melton.
Welcome to our services today.
Morning tea will be served in the church halls following the services
11 December 2016
TIME FOR YOU BREAKUP
The Time for You break up was held on Tuesday 6th December. Almost 40 people sang
Christmas carols, ate a yummy lunch, exchanged gifts and watched (then sampled) as Nova
cooked Christmas treats. The day was enjoyed by all those who attended.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Almost 30 men gathered on Saturday 3 December to eat breakfast and listen to Ben Carr
talk about his life ministering to men in Prison and the friends made. Ben Carr is 95 years
old. If you wish to know any more please ask one of the men who attended.
CHRISTMAS TREE
The Christmas tree is now up at St Columba’s for those who wish to put
unwrapped gifts for City Mission under it. These will be collected after
each service and taken to City Mission before Christmas. Let us help make
Christmas a better day for those who are alone and in need of company.
Advent 3
It's been an interesting week in New Zealand politics with Prime Minister John Key
deciding to step down. "This is nothing left in the tank," he said. To us that seemed very
sudden but he had obviously been weighing up for a while the toll on himself and his
family and so made a very brave decision.
The Gospels just prior to coming of our Lord Jesus Christ are also full of sudden events and
decisions. Can you imagine having the Archangel Gabriel suddenly appearing before you
with a message from God? How would you handle it?
I have the impression that these archangels are rather big imposing characters (and then
there is the small issue of them having wings). Would you and I be like Zechariah,
somewhat terrified, and doubting that God could do what the angel said he could and
would? (Luke 1:11-23).
Why is it that the women, Elizabeth and Mary handled the situation so much better? I'm
sure some of you may have some thoughts on this. What we do know is that Elizabeth
rejoiced that God had looked with favour on her (Luke 1:24-25).
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Our purpose is to increase the community’s awareness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
and to encourage and support people in their relationship with Him.
Parish Phone: 349 7311
Website: hornbyanglican.org.nz
Priest in Charge: Rev Les Memory
Phone: 348 7378
Mobile: 021 138 8278
Assistant Priest:
Rev Ray Salisbury
Assistant Priest:
Rev Barry Williams
Phone: 347 2080
Mobile: 027 533 8853
Bishop’s Warden: Adrianne Mehrtens
People’s Warden: Gina Bolton
Parish Pastoral
Care Coordinator: Gina Bolton
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 349 8555
Phone: 942 7800
Phone: 942 7800
There is a great Advent hymn, "On Jordan's Bank the Baptists Cry" about the role of John
and the 'press release' of the coming ministry of the Messiah. John spent around 30 years
in relative obscurity but these were not wasted years. It was a time of preparation which
required much prayer.
In a sense that's where we are as a parish. Looking back to the manger but also looking
forward to Jesus coming again. Many of us do things quietly behind-the-scenes and this is
what knits parish ministry together. Please pray that the Lord will draw people into our
three churches not only for the Christmas services but that the year ahead will be a year of
growth both numerically and spiritually.
Les
There is a prayer ministry at most services should you require prayer.
To put your prayer requests on the prayer chain please contact
Wayne Clark on 980 8390 or the Office: 349-7311.
THIS WEEK’S DIARY
Sun 11Dec
9:00am
Holy Communion, St Saviour’s
Leader: Judy Furness
9:30am
Holy Communion, St Paul’s
Leader: Penny Ure
10:30am Holy Communion, St Columba’s
Leader: Rosemary Brady
7:00pm Memorial Service at St Columba’s
Mon 12 Dec 7:30pm
Life Group Shirley Watson
Tues 13 Nov
Wed 14 Nov 7:00pm
Vestry at St Saviour’s
Thurs 15Dec 9:30am
2:00pm
Devotions & Staff Meeting
Prayer at St Paul’s
Fri 16 Dec
TODAY’S READINGS::
Isaiah 35: 1-10
James 5: 7-10
Matthew 11: 2-11
NEXT WEEK’S READINGS:
Isaiah 7: 10-16
Romans 1: 1-7
Matthew 1: 18-25
.MEMORIAL
SERVICE
Our annual Memorial
Service will be held at
7pm tonight at St
Columba’s. Come along
and light a candle for
those you have lost and
wish to remember.
Sat 17 Dec
Sun 18 Dec
9:00am
Holy Communion St Saviour’s
Leader: Kathy Watkins
9:30am
Holy Communion St Paul’s
Leader: Denise Williams
10:30am Holy Communion St Columba’s
Leader: Adrianne Mehrtens
18:00pm West Melton Community Carols
and Barbecue at Preston Downs
.
WEST MELTON COMMUNITY CAROLS
West Melton community carols will be held on Sunday 18th
December commencing at 6pm with a free barbecue followed
by the carols at 7pm. This will be held at Preston Downs if fine
and in the Community Centre if wet.
OFFICE CLOSURE
The Parish office will close at Midday on Friday 23rd
December and will re-open at 9:00am on Tuesday 17th
January.
WOODCOTE
A small group gathered
on Wednesday night and
had a great time singing
carols with the residents
of Woodcote. They
welcomed us and sang
the carols with great
enthusiasm. We then
went into the dining
room for coffee and
Christmas cake. It was a
most enjoyable evening.
MISSION OUTREACH
The money raised through missions this month is being given to the Nelson Diocese to
help the Anglican Churches of Ward and Kaikoura. If you wish to donate to this project
please tick missions on your giving envelope and the amount or put it in an envelope
and write “Earthquake Response” and the amount. Today will be the last Sunday.
Each church has a box to collect non perishable items to be given to Christchurch City
Mission for Christmas. If you are able to donate an item it would be most appreciated.
The boxes are in the office at St Columba’s and in the church at St Saviour’s and St
Paul’s.
If your church has a Christmas tree you are welcome to place unwrapped gifts under it
for delivery to City Mission. These will be collected after each service
Blessings
Denise Williams.
Adventing in "The Bethlehem Chronicle "
From our Bethlehem Chronicle correspondent.
SHEPHERDS TO BE "REPLACED".
Mr. Joel Bartholomew has this morning applied to the Agricultural Labour Union for a
complete new staff of shepherds. Mr. Bartholomew fired all his old shepherds after his
sheep were left alone on the hillside last night after the shepherds came into town with
wild stories about seeing "angels" and hearing voices.
"I don't think hearing voices and singing in the sky is a good enough reason for leaving the
sheep to the wolves and other predators and I had no alternative but to replace them until
I get to the bottom of this matter", he said.
The union has insisted that the shepherds actions in doing what they thought was right,
because God had told them to do it, was covered under the "freedom of religion" clause in
the union contract and that Mr. Bartholomew could not arbitrarily terminate their
members rights. "We will be investigating this manner" said Daniel Bar Joshua of the
Union, "and if the angels were really telling us of the Messiah's birth then we are proud
that they chose our members first rather than telling the employer."
A PRAYER FOR THE THIRD WEEK IN ADVENT
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us recall his coming as a tiny baby in weakness and humility,
may we be reminded that one day he will come in power and glory.