Weekly Notices - 14 December
Blessed Seasons Greetings to you all.
This precious season is being enjoyed by T & I as we really miss this atmosphere in West Africa.
My question to you, is how can you be Truth Bearers about the reason for the season? My thought is to ask you, how can you ask relies/friends questions that will get them thinking?
It’s actually easy as we have 2 simple factual accounts in the Gospels of the birth of Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-11, Luke 2:1-7
How can we tell them a story of the Saint(ly) Greek Bishop who lived in Myra in Turkey. How he was so generous with his wee sack of coins (called wallets today) he used to save children from being sold into slavery because their father couldn’t pay a debt (a typical situation then and, horribly, common in some countries today [India for Example population 1 billion].
Through World Vision instead of wasted presents we all can help rescue children from slavery (We can easily develop a new Christmas tradition).
You can tell how the Dutch language called him Sinta Klaus (Saint NiKlaus), rebranded 200 years ago by American advertisers. How Santa’s red suit is a caricature of a bishop's robe.
We can read the relevant verses to prove our story is true. We can tell them there are 5800 ancient Greek manuscripts that demonstrate the reliability of the Gospels
We CAN make the story real to teens/young adults by pointing out Mary was a virgin and very probably quite a young teen and how engagement in our parents' time was indeed a legal promise to marry.
Pray, think ask and rely on God to give you the words as you have the courage to tell the old but true story of Jesus being sent to save us from our sins.
Blessings, Patrick
Carols in the Park - Templeton Community Carols on the lawn at 50 Kirk Rd, Templeton - St Saviour’s Church Starting at 4.30pm on Sunday 14 December 2025 .
Services across the Parish
Christmas Eve 7 pm, St Paul’s West Melton. Family Service of Carols and Communion
Christmas Eve 9 pm, St Columba’s Hornby. Family Service of Carols and Communion
Christmas Morning 9 am St Saviour’s Templeton. Family Service of Carols and Communion
Combined: On Sunday the 28th of December the Combined Service @St Paul’s, West Melton. Alice Jones (Ross’s better half) will be preaching. 10am
Combined: On Sunday the 4th of January Rev Glenda Hicks will preside at St Colomba’s, Hornby at 10am.
Combined: On Sunday the 11th of January Rev Christine Allport will preside at St Saviour’s 10am, Templeton
Combined: On Sunday the 18th January: Preacher Alice Jones will preach at 10 am St Paul’s, West Melton
Combined: On Sunday the 25th January: Rev Patrick Chrisp will preside at 10 am St Columba’s, Hornby
February 1, 2026, normal service times resume: 8.45am: West Melton, 11am: Hornby, 5pm: Templeton
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
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).
Prayer of the Day: Incline your ear, O God, to our pleading, and by the grace of your coming to us enlighten the darkness of our hearts; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: TBA
Parish News
We wish everyone a good and peaceful Christmas and a relaxing New Year.
Gold and Silver Camp 50 plus: Friday 13 February to Wednesday 18 February 2026. A wonderful for a refreshing holiday in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds with a chance to unwind and be encouraged as we open God's word each morning. For further details talk to Jean or Gina.
Next Prayer Meetings
Templeton will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday mornings of the month -
9:15am: at Jean’s place.
Hornby will be held on Wednesdays mornings -
Wednesday 10.30am, prayer gathering at Bolton's place
Anglican Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton & Beyond…
Prayer for Leading Your Church into Growth
God of mission, who alone brings growth to your Church, send your Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning, wisdom to our actions, joy to our worship, and power to our witness. Help our parish churches to grow in numbers, in spiritual commitment to you, and in service to our local community. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
News from around the Diocese
See Anglican e-life: http://anglicanlife.org.nz/publications/e-life/
Helpful info
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Recycling
Used batteries can be placed in the boxes in each church or taken to Mitre 10
Soft plastics can be dropped off at participating store locations. This is any plastic you can fold up in your hand.
Pastoral Care
Need meals or other in-home pastoral support? Please contact the Parish Pastoral Care Co-ordinator.
In-Home Communion
If parishioners can't attend church but would still like to have communion, this can be brought to you at your home or rest home. Please get in touch with the Home Communion Co-ordinator to organise this.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.
