Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - Easter 2024

Kia ora St John’s whānau,
 
This weekend is the most holy in the Christian year, as we again enter the story of how Jesus Christ has interrupted evil, hatred and even death.

Good Friday Service at 10am
After our worship we share Hot Cross buns in the St John’s Centre.
Easter Sunday Service at 10am
After our worship we have Morning Tea in the St John’s Centre.
 
Many of our young people will be away at Easter Camp this weekend. Therefore, there will be no peer groups on Good Friday, but there will be a peer group time for children on Easter Sunday – including eggs!

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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 Sheets:

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT…

YOUTH EASTER CAMP

We pray for all our young people at the Easter Camp this weekend.  May they encounter God and come to a fresh understanding of the love given for them, hearing the call to follow Jesus.

TREASURER’S UPDATE

End of Tax Year on 31 March
The end of the financial year for tax rebates for donations is 31 March 2024.  If you are thinking of making additional donations and gain the 33% tax rebate in the 2024 tax year, please ensure it is deposited in St John’s BNZ account by 31 March 2024 to be included in your tax receipt.
St John’s bank account number is 02-0500-0021908-000
 
Congregational giving year to date
At the AGM on 29 October 2023, it was reported that congregational giving was 10% below budget, even though the budget had been set at a realistic level achieved in previous years.  For the year to date, giving is 12% below budget. 
The following graph shows monthly giving compared with budget.

BEACH CLEAN UP

On the 7th of April following the morning service we will be having a beach cleanup and picnic.
Starting from the St John's site, those who are able will be walking to Oriental Bay and picking up rubbish as we walk down. We will have a picnic on the beach and spend some time with each other. 
Please bring warm clothes and covered shoes.
This is a way to engage with each other, have a bit of fun and be actively engaged in God's creation by being good stewards.
We will provide you with rubbish bags, gloves and you have the option to wear one of our amazingly bright St John’s t-shirts.

A&J ANNUAL APPEAL

Our goal was to generate additional giving of $6,000 through this annual appeal to support the ongoing work of our friends A & J. The total we have given this month is $6,547.
That’s on top of the Outreach Committee commitment of $4,000 each year and the further matching dollar for dollar all additional donations up to $2,500 per year. As well as regular giving by a number of supporters throughout the year.  Further gifts of support are welcome – as are your ongoing prayers for them.

INSTRUMENTS NEEDED TO PRAISE GOD

Our Youth Band has new members and looking to expand the range of instrumentation. A bass guitar has been generously loaned, and we are still seeking: a keyboard …and a banjo.
We are delighted that an acoustic guitar has been donated for the Sunday morning Music Group!
If you may be able to donate an instrument, please contact the St John’s Office.

Rose Luxford, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, encourages us to connect with the deep meaning of Easter…

The resurrection event of Easter is not just something we remember as a past event, it is a continuing reality which gives us hope today. We live in a world that is in real need of a sense of hope. Individuals, communities, countries alike. There are many who are feeling disconnected, isolated, overwhelmed with the pressures around them and the polarization of society. The Easter narrative has something important to offer in this space. A word of hope into situations of despair. A promise of reintegration after brokenness. A sense of ‘gathering in’ as opposed to separating out. Relationship with the Risen Christ who connects with us on this journey of life  and holds out the promise of fullness of life. In Christ all things are made new.

The Peace of the Risen Christ be with you
Allister