Weekly Notices - 30 November
This Sunday’s Combined Parish—Healing Service at St Saviour’s, Templeton at 5pm is another invite from Jesus to “Come to me you that are heavy laden” (St Matthews Gospel 11 verse 30) and some of us possibly aren’t even aware we have a load on our heart that needs His healing touch.
Approximately 2,030 years ago Earth and all its inhabitants were about to enter a new Advent-ure. In an ever so slightly similar way we as a parish are about to too. The Baby was coming ready or not.
In our case, the formula for a successful birth has got us accepting the need for considerable changes, because we are willing to put the soul needs of our neighbours and their children before our own preferences and needs. Your Vestry is on retreat this week to sought God's face to be enabled to draw a picture of how 2026 could be for us as a parish.
Last Sunday one worshiper shared with me that the word ‘lukewarm’ applied to them and they were determined to step up in their relationship with Jesus! Another worshiper shared with me that God had spoken to her out of the blue and told her she “was enough”, she, like I strongly suspect most of us, never really feel worthy. God, in telling her this and in her faltering desire to share that with you, is in fact telling us we can be free from the chains of our very kiwi unpretentious humbleness of actually putting ourselves down, no good kiwi wants to sound so proud we are up ourselves.
The Advent of Jesus birth which scared the hell out of Satan, can also be the Advent of our parish being Born again, If we stop thinking of ourselves and determine, really determine to be good and faithful Ingredients.
In anticipation with you and for you,
Patrick
Vestry Update: Penny Ure, Henk Bunnk, and Louise Woolley have all accepted Vestry’s invite to join us as our vestry meetings, at least, until the AGM. They are replacing Justine, Glenys and Paul.
["Dear Sunday Bible Readers and Sunday Prayer leaders, please be prepared to be interrupted by me asking you to stand IF you forget.
And I will do the same if you also don't speak loud enough so all can hear (one day you will thank me for this "instruction" because 99% of us will hear less as our chassis gets rustier😊 And if you are normally sitting up front, it would help dreadfully if you orientated your body so all can hear. Finally lets hear some more passion as you read or talk to our Father appealing to God and making a case for us to say Amen!
During the week Rosemary Brady and I had Holy Communion with 97 year old Lois, and she could teach a few of you a trick or two. Wow to the way she read the Psalm. I do worry that I will accidentally embarrass you by interrupting you, but in the end your hearers needs are definitely a little more important than your blush? 😊 ]
Pledge forms really really needed by your Vestry ASAP. Deadline Tuesday 2nd Dec please, letterbox of the parish will be fine to drop them in
Patrick
All Age Service Sunday 7 December. All are welcome. St Columba’s Church. 452 Main South Road
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
Today, 30 November - Combined Parish - Healing Service at St Saviour’s, Templeton 5pm 30th November. Rev Andrew Allan-Johns will preside.
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 @10am.
Combined: On Sunday the 11th of January Rev Christine Allport will preside at St Saviour’s 10am
Today’s Sentence and Prayer
Sentence: To you O Lord I lift up my soul; my God I have put my trust in you; you are my God my Saviour; for you have I waited all the day long (Psalm 25:1,4)
Prayer of the Day: God of hope, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; so that on the last day when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; 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
CRAFT GROUP
Saturday 29 November , 10 am-3 pm, 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 027 766 5073
Time 4 U
Tuesday 9 December at 1.30pm, St Columba’s Hall. Christmas fun afternoon. Bring a small plate to share for afternoon tea. All welcome.
Contact Gina on 027 766 5073 for more information
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.
