Weekly Notices - 21 December
Last letter for 2025 😀
● ONE Xmas Facts 😀 They are recorded clearly in Matthew and Luke, Read and Remember 😀
● Santa Claus Facts! 😊 =Saint/Sinta Klaus, Gift bearing Greek Bishop of Myra. Advertisers add on stuff for $$$
● Separate them for our kids 😊 “Traditions = nice, facts mixed up with Advertisers ideas, anything to get your $
● TWO Looking back, what would we do differently today?
● What have our kids taught their own kids?
● Lets add to the fairy stories the real Truth. Santa was a Saint. Nowt to do with celebrating God’s son Birth Day
● What do we want them to teach them? Jesus says give to strangers and even bad people… Luke 14 v12--24
● THREE How can we raise this with them?...Ask questions…
● Tell them a True Story “Once upon a time a long long time ago in a land that was far far away….”
● Do they realise our kiwi culture molds us to think really only about making ourselves happy, me me me $$
● FOUR Jesus deserves a Birthday celebration and his story to be told and his promise to all who turn to God
● Developing a 12 year old celebration? 😀 After all Jesus was a right little scallywag at that age Luke 2 v41--52
● GOOD NEWS: Jesus is real! All the evidence is there in the New Testament. 5800 manuscripts in the language of the day, plus 10,000 Latin manuscripts verify accuracy of translations into English etc.
● Online: Look up Cliff Knechtle, excellent campus open honest debates, and he’s not boring 😊
Have a blessed Birthday Celebration, Be Truth Bearers, Be sensitive but be Bold & Gentle
In His Grip Patrick and Trusella.
T and I are taking a break from Boxing Day until the Sunday 18th January. Rev Christine 021 168 3856 and Rev Rob Thompson 027 229 1219 are available for funerals
The office is also closed for Christmas and the New Year, please contact the wardens if you have any enquiries.
Christmas 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
Services across the Parish
Combined: Sunday 28 December at St Paul’s, West Melton. Alice Jones (Ross’s better half) will be preaching.
Combined: Sunday 4 January Preacher Rev Glenda Hicks. 10amat St Colomba’s, Hornby—Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2: 1-12.
Combined: Sunday 11th January Preacher Rev Christine Allport . 10am at St Saviour’s, Templeton—Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-38 and Matthew 3:13-17
Combined: Sunday January 18 Preacher Alice Jones. 10 am St Paul’s, West Melton
Combined: Sunday January 25: Preacher Rev Patrick Chrisp. 10am at St Columba’s, Hornby
Normal service times resume: February 1, 2026,
8.45am: West Melton, 11am: Hornby, 5pm: Templeton
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up. (Isaiah 45:8)
Prayer of the Day: Pour forth, we beseech you, O God, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: December 21: Ephesians 6:10-18 & Matthew 1:18-25
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.
