Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 19 November 2023

Kia ora St John’s whānau,
 
This Sunday we continue our four-week exploration of the faith practice ‘Welcome Others’.

Our Bible reading is Luke 10:38–42.  How do we see Jesus recognise what is ‘good’ and what is ‘great’?
 
There are peer groups for our young people that will start part-way through our worship service.

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If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream:
 
Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759
Passcode: worship
 
The link to join the Zoom worship service is below.

If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#)

This is the link to the printable Service Sheet 

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT…

CHURCH LIFE SURVEY

Dr Margaret Galt will be facilitating a Congregational Forum on the findings from the Church Life Survey – examining and discussing the results for St John’s and for the wider Christian Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the St John’s Centre after the service this Sunday (19th November).

OUTCOMES OF AGM LAST MONTH

•  We appreciate one another as we contribute our time, expertise, and energy to achieve our Church mission.
•  We are challenged to build up our Church and reach out to our neighbours and community to share God’s love to others.
•  We have budgeted for an overall increase in congregational giving of 10% for the coming year, and asked to discern God’s guidance for our personal/household giving.
•  The cost of insurance has become unaffordable and unsustainable. More information is being sought from experts, including the Property Trustees of the National Church, and we will need to consider options including self-insurance.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD

We are having Christmas in the Courtyard again this year on Friday 8 December, 5:00-8:00pm. 
There will be choirs, brass bands, crafts, food and lots of fun.
This is an opportunity to share the joy of Christmas with our city neighbourhood!
If you can contribute in any way, please contact Rob Anderson.

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

You are very welcome to join in these worship services at St John’s…
Scots Christmas Service, Sunday 26th Nov 4:00pm
Fellowship Group Advent Service, Tuesday 28th Nov 11:00am
Combined Churches Advent Service, Sunday 3rd Dec 7:00pm

CAROLS IN PARLIAMENT

This is a wonderful celebration of ‘the reason for the season’, with a range of people from various Christian churches & cultures participating. Dignitaries from foreign embassies, government MPs, city councillors, along with leaders and people from city-wide Churches, schools and community groups, come together on Sunday 10 December at 7pm to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Please note that RSVP is essential for security reasons, by 1 December email: carolsparliament@gmail.com

May the Love of Christ expand our hearts to welcome others.
 
Allister