Weekly Notices - 20 July 2025
It’s National Bible Sunday
Let's look at some books that were hidden from us for the last 400 years.
Sharing testimonies was how the early church first spread the gospel and continues to be vital in your reaching out, stooping down, living creatively and ‘Asking, Admiring and Admitting’ today. Jesus called his first disciples witnesses of his death and resurrection (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8). The word “witness” means one who gives testimony. The early church frequently called themselves “witnesses” as they told of Jesus life & death & resurrection (Acts 1:22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:30–32; 10:39–41; 13:28–31; 22:14–15, 20; 26:15–16).
The Apocrypha ( a loose collection of 14 books) has a number of testimonies from the period 400 BC to 100BC that show God working among his people (There’s no other scriptures that tell us about the people of God than the Apocrypha). The Apocrypha’s stories give us a broader picture of how God has shown faithfulness and steadfast love to his people across the generations and of course He does so today. Reading these testimonies in the Apocrypha can help us identify God’s work in our own lives and in the lives of our families, friends, and neighbours. The Apocrypha reminds us that God is working in all of human history. Yours and Mine too. We read some of these stories in the Apocrypha, but there are many more stories to tell.
What is your testimony? What stories could you tell about how God has worked in your life? When did you last pause to reflect on God’s patient faithfulness to you over the years?
Why not write a few paragraphs about it. Write a short testimony of when why and where God made Himself known to you please.
In His grip, Patrick
Homework for Sunday the 27th.. Please find a book from the Apocrypha and come with questions to ask. The Apocrypha readings are part of the normal scripture readings in the Anglican Cycle of readings that we can use for any day of the week and especially on Sundays.
What a fun night we had at The Gospel Jam on the 11th. buckets from drums, an alternative harp, guitar, keyboard with guest player, African drum, making songs up as we went, even dancing! Thanks Sarah (and T!) for initiating the gathering.
St Paul’s at West Melton had their own review gathering and had a blast, exciting them as they thought through their options for fulfilling their mission to reach out, outreach in their community. 8 of them gathered and were so energised by God's call and the possibilities that they are meeting again in a couple of weeks.
Check out the Bible In Schools ReLaunched at the link https://launchpad.kiwi/
Guest Presenter Debbie Meyer 4pm at St Saviour’s. Debbie is the Canterbury and West Coast co-ordinator and so easy to listen to, she will bring a small video clip for us to watch too.
Combined Parish Service: Sunday 27 July at St Saviour’s, Templeton at 4pm.
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: You O Lord are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in you and I am helped; therefore my heart dances for joy, and in my song I will praise you. (Psalm 28:8)
Prayer of the Day: Watch over your church, O God, with your constant support, and since without you we will surely fall, keep us safe from all harm, and lead us towards all that is good; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: Luke 10 38-42, Isaiah 45 v 18B - 23 Message Bible and Romans 10:5-17 and 15 :1-6
Parish News
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
CRAFT GROUP
Saturday 27th July , 10 am-3 pm at St Columba’s Church Hall. Bring along your activity or just come for a natter. Tea and coffee provided BYO lunch. Gold coin donation to cover costs. Further inquiries to Gina
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.
