Weekly Notices - 29 March 2026
Palm Sunday is the Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels.
Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honour Jesus Christ as he entered the city. Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week; in Western Christianity, this is the beginning of the last week of the solemn season of Lent, preceding Eastertide, while in Eastern Christianity, Holy Week commences after the conclusion of Great Lent.
Find out more in today’s sermon by Archdeacon Nick Mountfort.
Three Ways You Can Support The Wardens and each other:
The Wardens are now responsible for the leadership of our parish. However, we all need to ‘step up’ and play our part as well.
Can I suggest that we all pledge to do the following;
1/ Pray for our Wardens and the future of our parish.
2/ Support the Wardens in practical ways as needs arise.
3/ Encourage one another especially those who offer to do something new.
Exciting AGM Coming Up!:
Our Parish AGM will take place on Sunday 29 March at about 11.30am at St Columba’s following a combined 10am service led by Ven Nick Mountfort. Far from being a ‘rubber stamp’ meeting it is a crucial time to look back and forward. We take stock of the way the mission of our parish has been carried forward in the last 12 months and give thanks to God for all the good things that have happened. We will also consider the finances of the parish and elect a People’s Warden, Synod Reps and Vestry members. Please pray for our AGM and do your best to be present.
Next week on Good Friday Bishop Peter will be preaching and on Easter Sunday Mark Chamberlain will be at all three churches.
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21:9)
Prayer of the Day: God of transcendence, as an example of humility for the human race, you sent our Saviour to become incarnate and to submit to the cross; grant us the grace to learn from this patient suffering and so to share in the resurrection; through Jesus Christ, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: Readings: Philippians 2:5-11 and Matthew 21:1-11
Parish News
Alpha Course
Started Thursday 12 March at 7-8.30pm at St Saviour’s, Templeton, in the church hall. Snacks and hot drinks provided. Everyone is welcome. If you are interested or have any questions please drop by.
Craft Group
Saturday 28 March , 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. For further information contact Gina
Parish AGM
29 March 2026 after the 10am Combined Service with Archdeacon Nick Mountfort to lead, at St Columba’s Church, Hornby . With a shared lunch to follow.
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
Hope Project Easter 2026
Anyone who wants to take part and deliver booklets is welcome to sign up. This might also be something any home or youth groups could consider getting involved in and they could select a few areas to deliver in or deliver to those areas around the Church.
The project provides an opportunity to pray for the homes, as well as walking the streets to deliver Hope Project booklets. People who register early will likely be able to select blocks that best suit them for a delivery close to or around their own homes.
Information about getting involved as a volunteer and how to select those areas to deliver in from an online map are available by going to: https://alltogether.co.nz/christchurch/ the website also includes the volunteer policies (Safety briefing, delivery and donating).
Additional Information about the project, vision, scope, resources (there are short videos for church promotions, posters) and an online copy of the booklet can be found here at: https://alltogether.co.nz/hopeproject/
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the Hope Project office. admin@shininglights.co.nz
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.
