| Sunday, 20 November 2011 | |
 |
The year that was... (Alan Jamieson) |
 |
Korean Faith Community (Juan Withington) |
 |
Pizza Church (Daphne) |
 |
The year that was...(Alan Jamieson) |
 |
Andy Carpenter |
WELCOME
Kia Ora Spreydon whanau.
A big welcome to our services today, where we will look back on the year that was … it’s been an incredible year, and in a lot of ways one not to be repeated! Today we want to take stock, look back, and say a big thank-you to the Lord for His grace through what has been a trying and exhausting year for all of us. It’s been wonderful to see God’s handiwork in people’s lives, and especially to see so many people stepping up to be fantastic neighbours and servants to those around them. The events of this year have been an opportunity to show our true colours, and I think they have been great colours. So although today was initially put down in the 2010 calendar as “Vision Day”, hopefully we will all be inspired and encouraged by the stories of "the year that was", and God’s provision and presence through it.
I’m aware that November is often a time that is hard for mental health issues, leading into the Christmas season, and especially this year with the delayed effects of trauma from the earthquakes. Let’s continue to be prayerfully aware of those around us, and give each other the grace we all need.
On that note, I’m excited about Christmas! Our Christmas events will kick off with a Decemberance service on Thursday December 1 at 7pm in the Auditorium, for anyone who has lost loved ones in this or previous years. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge and remember in a quiet candle-lit service that someone special who has died.
It was so sad to hear this week of the murder of a young Cashmere High school girl in Barrington Street – the street I live on. It is a painful reminder that the Kingdom has not yet come fully, and creation is groaning, yet also that God calls us to be involved in bringing His Kingdom in our community. I’m so grateful that we have Youth Workers in Cashmere High – our prayer is that they will bring a healing balm at this time.
See you next week for Baptism Sunday!
Duane
PRAYER
For emergency prayer needs phone Les Yetman 942 1172. He will alert the prayer chain to your need.
Come and pray for Kylie and for the Overton family on Tuesday 22 November 7.45pm at 8 Petworth Place, Westmorland. Contact Mike
& Jenni 338 1668 for more info.
LIFE TOGETHER
Mercy Basket. We have started putting together Christmas boxes and need tinned veges, baked beans & spaghetti, long life milk, jellies and creamed rice to complete the orders. Thanks again for all your wonderful support as you donate food each week and for the many gifts you have already given for families this Christmas.
Baptism Sunday. On Sunday November 27 we will have the last “Baptism Sunday” for the year. Contact Di Sargent 027 5147259 or speak to any of the pastoral staff if you would like to know more..
Spreydon multi-ethnic lunch (SMEL) Sunday November 27, 12.45pm at Ken & Maewyn's garden property, 7 Rose St, Hoon Hay. Please bring your family and friends and some ethnic food to share. Contact Ken & Maewyn 338 8078 or kenmoore@paradise.net.nz for more info .
Cracroft-Westmorland Neighbourhod Potluck lunch at 1pm next Sunday November 27, at 4 Thirlmere Lane, Westmorland. Contact Janelle 339 2945 janellebutcher@xtra.co.nz or Rose 339 6136 rosemary.france@xtra.co.nz for more info.
The library will be closed from Monday December 5, during the Christmas Grotto and re-open in January. You may return books to the Info Centre on Sundays. We are looking for people to assist on Sunday mornings next year between the 9 and 11am services. Contact Mike or Sue 981-5049.
No choir practice on Monday night this week.
Christmas Eve Kids’ Choir! All school-aged children are invited to join the Christmas Eve choir to sing at the 5&7pm services. Practices will be 10am-12 noon on December 10 and 17. On Christmas Eve we’ll start at 3.30pm and provide tea for the children between services. Contact Michelle for more details michelle@spreydon.org.nz.
‘Art of Conversation’ Games. Try your hand at these fun and inspirational card games in the café after the morning services today. All Ages, Children’s and Christian versions are available to play or purchase from Alison Mountfort 981 1650.
Want to hang out with fellow Spreydon Young Adults and nut out the God-stuff? Come to the Young Adults’ Camp on November 25 - 27! It’s at Okains Bay, $35 – pay by Wednesday November 23. Fill out a registration form at Reception or the Info Centre. Questions can be fired towards Tim (tperry@spreydon.org.nz) or Amy (asmit@spreydon.org.nz).
For Christmas Eve we need small drinking glasses to hold tealight candles as part of our Christmas Art Installation. If you have some you can donate, please leave at Reception or Info Centre on Sundays. Enquiries to michelle@spreydon.org.nz
God In Business. Spreydon and Grace have a fantastic line up of people to chat on this theme. Wednesday November 23, 7am to 8:15-ish in the Café. Investment: $10 per person to pay on the day, or prior to 06 0821 0579 769 00. RSVP office@grace.org.nz or 379 8463 by 12 noon Monday November 21, for catering purposes
Single Mums Support would appreciate donations towards Christmas pamper packs for our Mums. Donations of any lotions or body treats - moisturizers, face masks, lip balms can be dropped off at Single Mums’ Office, 235 Lyttelton St or left at Reception. Thanks. Evelyn and Alley 338 0158.
COMMUNITY MINISTRY
SHARP Trust’s End of Year Musical – ‘SHARP Factor’. Our SHARP children will provide a delightful evening of dance and music on Wednesday November 23 at Spreydon Baptist Church, 7 – 8.15 pm. Free entry and supper provided. All welcome. Contact Fiona fkenneally@spreydon.org.nz or 338 4163 ext 219 for more info.
Christmas Grotto. Please talk with people at the sign up boards or contact Linda 960 6329, 021 960 653 or rahills@paradise.net.nz if you can help in any of these ways:
1.Entertainment for the queues.
2.Very basic painting (flat boards with roller) and somewhere dry to paint and store them. We will drop boards off and pick them up.
3.An extra freezer for the café during grotto time.
4.Baking for the rest homes: slices, biscuits, Christmas cakes and mini Christmas pies.
5.People to help welcome people to the grotto, chat with them and keep an eye on everything inside. Please sign up in the foyer today.
GLOBAL MISSION
Newsletters from Diane Goodman, Morag Paton, Steve & Wendy Tripp and Julian & Claire Doorey are available today in the foyer.
OTHER
For sale - great Christmas gifts. ‘I saw love today’ is an anthology of spiritual writing about love and life by 40 submitters from around NZ, including Joan Davidson and Jo van den Bogaert. Available today at Info Centre, $20 each, or see Joan or Jo for more details.
Can you help billet some out of town pastors for our Leadership Network Conference Nov 29 – Dec 1? Those living within walking distance of Spreydon Baptist Church would be ideal, but all offers appreciated. Please contact Kerrie kvanwoerden@spreydon.org.nz or 338 4163 ext 233 for more details.
Middleton Grange School Fiesta November 25, 5-8pm. Come along for food, bargains and fun! 50 Acacia Avenue, Riccarton. Contact Robyn Bosma 358 0551 for more info.
GLOBAL MISSION
Steve & Wendy Tripp
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
“The rivers have dropped over 2 metres in the past 4 weeks allowing life for many to return to normal. However, many are now even more trapped under the persistent burden of debts accumulated during the floods. They need to borrow money to eat and to pay for healthcare as sickness increases due to poor water and sanitation or simply not enough food.
It’s been really moving to see over $18,000 donated to support the victims of the floods in the areas around Phnom Penh. We have helped with over 20,000 kg of rice, plus fish sauce and noodles. Most of the donated funds have come from Christchurch, a city that has seen its own fair share of tragedy. I believe it’s a sign that people are giving not out of pity but out of a sense of solidarity in suffering. It’s a sign of shared humanity and being able to communicate that to local people has been quite powerful.”
Spreydon has given $3000 to the appeal.
COMMUNITY MINISTRY
SHARP Trust (Spreydon After School and Recreation Programmes)
2011 has been a year of ups and downs for everyone – SHARP included!
Larissa Emmerson (our After School Programme Coordinator) is now jet setting around the world for the next couple of years. We will miss Larissa’s fun-loving nature. Amy Smit is our new After School Coordinator. Please pray for her as she settles into this busy role in our church and community.
Our SHARP Trustees held a vision day last month to reflect on the successes of the past and look forward to the future. Please pray that we can continue to seek God’s will in the future direction of SHARP Trust.
This Wednesday (Nov 23) from 7-8pm in the gym we have our SHARP end of year musical. You are more than welcome to attend. Please pray for a great evening of celebration!
Arohanui - Fiona Kenneally and the SHARP team.
