| Sunday, 4 December 2011 | |
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Glory in the Highest (Alan Jamieson) |
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Korean Faith Community (Guang Taek Jung) |
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Pizza Church (Rodger Vickers) |
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Glad Tidings of Comfort & Joy (Alan Jamieson) |
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Andy Carpenter |
WELCOME
Kia Ora church family
Welcome to our services today, as we continue our Advent series. This time of the year is full of events, celebrations and farewells. Amongst all of the busyness I pray you can set aside some quiet time for you and God to connect.
Next Sunday December 11 Professor Jeff Tallon will be with us. He is one of New Zealand’s leading scientists, based at Victoria University. He will speak in the morning services about how the birth of Christ has split human history, and at night on the topic of the star that led the Magi. Then on 18 December Elgrego will be sharing a family-friendly message in the morning services.
The Grotto opens next Sunday between the morning services. This week the Grotto crew and helpers will be beavering away for long hours constructing this year’s extravaganza. Today is your last opportunity to sign up in the Foyer after the services.
As in other years we are having four services on Christmas Eve. 5 and 7pm will be repeat services with a family focus, 9pm will be a Christmas carol service, and the 11pm service will include communion this year. Alan will be speaking at 5pm, 7pm and 11pm, and Murray Robertson will speak at the 9pm service.
This coming Tuesday night sees the final service for the year of Tuesday Christian Fellowship. They always end with a big party-like service in the Gym. If you have been part of Tuesday Fellowship in the past or have always wanted to come along, then this is the Tuesday to do it, starting at 7.30pm. A great supper is guaranteed!
Included in your newsletter this week is a Home Support booklet, introducing the staff at the Baptist National Office, set out in a devotional style.
Go well,
Di
FINANCIAL GRAPHS
These graphs represent the church operating statement and do not include Global Mission or the Building Fund
PRAYER
For emergency prayer needs phone Les Yetman 942 1172. He will alert the prayer chain to your need.
Please pray for Liz Samuel and Bruce Moore who had surgery recently.
Our thoughts and prayers are with David & Daphne, Glenda & Neil, Carolyn & David and the wider family on the death of Ken Marsden, a loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Come and pray for our people in hard places: Nathan & Bronwyn, Joel & Suzanne, David & Barb on Monday December 5, 7.30pm at 76 William Brittan Ave. Contact Helen 322 8843 for more info.
Spreydon Underground Prayer Meeting. Join us on Monday December 5, 7.30pm at 235 Lyttelton Street to pray for Christians around the world, who are persecuted for their faith. The next prayer meeting after that will be in February 2012. If you would like to receive their monthly newsletter, please email tonykan@xtra.co.nz.
LIFE TOGETHER
Mercy Basket. Forty Christmas parcels have so far been prepared for families within our community. We have spent over $2,000 in purchasing food for these baskets. If you would like to contribute financially to assist us please visit the Info Centre or place your donation in the offering bowl marked ‘Mercy Basket’. We are grateful for all your support this year and for the lovely gifts already left under the Giving Tree. This week we need long-life milk, sugar, rice, pasta and biscuits.
Congratulations to Jono Oxley, appointed Deputy Head for 2012 at St. Andrews College. Jono is the great grandson of Stevie, grandson of Ian & Irene and son of Martin & Sue.
Discovery evening. Are you new to Spreydon? Would you like to know more about who we are and what makes us tick? Then Discovery is for you, running on the evening of December 8, 7.30pm at 57 Rydal Street, Hoon Hay. If you are keen to come or need more info please email Dave on dbates@spreydon.org.nz or ring 338 4163
Christmas: Please contact Michelle for more info on these three Christmas opportunities, michelle@spreydon.org.nz or phone 338 4163 ext 225
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 - 12pm on December 10 and 17. On Christmas Eve we will start at 3.30pm and provide tea for the children between services.
Brass players. We need more brass instruments for our 9pm Christmas Eve services!!
Christmas Eve supper. We are looking for a small team of people to serve supper to our Christmas Eve teams at 10pm in the Cobham Street Hall (in between the 9 & 11pm services).
Gospel Choir is in the Cobham Street Hall from 7 - 8pm on Monday December 12. We are practising for the 9pm Christmas Eve service. All welcome! Contact Anna, annawhitaker23@gmail.com.
Pick up a free copy of this week’s Challenge from the newsletter stands today!
Funded earthquake counselling is available at Arahura Health Centre, Barrington Street. Phone 332 5702.
Support group for people who lost their house in earthquake. Have you had to move out of your home due to the earthquakes? Interested in meeting with others who are in a similar position from Spreydon Baptist? We would like to meet others in a similar position, interested in forming a support group at Spreydon for prayer support, sharing knowledge of insurance and EQC processes and identifying people within the church who might be able to help us. We feel overwhelmed and alone but together we can do something! If interested please contact Sue kingham.sue@gmail.com.
The library will be closed from Monday December 5, during the Christmas Grotto and will 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.
COMMUNITY MINISTRY
Project Esther. Please pray for the team who go to Christchurch Women’s Prison today and for the women who come to the service.
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. An extra freezer for the café during Grotto time.
3. Baking for the rest homes: slices, biscuits, shortbread, Christmas cakes and mini Christmas pies.
4. People to help welcome those coming to the Grotto, chat with them and keep an eye on everything inside.
Please sign up in the foyer today.
OTHER
Art of Conversation Games will be available in the café after the morning services today and next Sunday. $20 per game. Suitable for all ages with children’s and Christian versions of this fun card game. Contact alison@thinklifecoaching.co.nz.
Christmas Concert & Cathedral Fundraiser. The Canterbury Plainsmen and Friends invite you to a Christmas Concert 7.30pm Saturday December 10 at La Vida Centre, 34 Hansons Lane, Upper Riccarton. Cost $20 adult, $15 students & Senior Citizens. Contact Dave Adamson 389 1376 or Rudi Jansen 384 4322.
GLOBAL MISSION
Oasis Family Ministries, Davao City, Philippines.
Judy and Phil McLean write:
“Since we first began this project in 1998, we have found that willing people with a heart for God are one of our best resources. An example of this happened in November. Through Oasis staff networks, we have been able to provide for the local community in three ways.
? A shoe company has pledged to donate 300 pairs of shoes every 7 months for us to disperse. These were taken into schools and the staff of the company had prepared an item for the kids with a Christian message.
? A team from Colorado ran two seminars, one for our youth group and one for the parents. There was a strong move of the Holy Spirit with healing prayer for the sick, both physically and emotionally.
? An American friend is conducting free guitar lessons for young people every Saturday. Being a musical culture, the kids love this."
To learn more about Oasis and view newsletters go to: www.oasisorg.com
COMMUNITY MINISTRY
Cross Over Trust
Cross Over Trust has been supporting children and families for twenty-two years. This year for us, along with everyone else, has naturally been the most challenging one. However, with the help of our church family and our local communities we have been able to continue to support those we work alongside.
As we end our year, we say farewell to Alan Hawkins who has been with us for eight and a half years .Alan has been an integral part of the team with a strong faith in the Lord. We will miss you Al! Amanda Tointon leaves us as she looks forward to the birth of her first baby and Tereia Pokoati, who joined us in 2009, leaves us to join his family in Australia.
Please pray for us as we move into a new and exciting year in 2012. God bless you all for you encouragement and support.
