Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 5 March 2023

Kia ora St John’s whānau,
 
We are in the season of Lent as we journey toward Easter.
 
In this season of Lent we are encouraged to spiritually reflect and de-clutter our lives from the things that distract us from knowing God. Although turning from our sin is a serious business, we don’t need to lose our joy!  We remember that God loves us and finds delight in us!

If you want to read the Bible readings before Sunday, they are: Genesis 12: 1-4a and John 3: 1-17
And if you want to hear a weekly Rev’s Ramble on the Bible readings, click here: https://fb.watch/i-AaGxvryP/
 
We have age-specific peer groups for youth and families, commencing part-way through the service.

If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream:
 
Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759
Passcode: worship
 
The link to join the Zoom worship service is below.

If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#)

This is the link to the printable Service Sheet 

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT...

OUR NEW YOUTH AND FAMILIES PASTOR

Hannah North has arrived in Wellington this week and has started in her full-time role at St John’s as our Youth and Families Pastor.  We are so blessed by Hannah’s willingness to follow God’s call as she works to support and lead us in our ministry and mission together. We will be commissioning Hannah this Sunday, and you will have the opportunity to meet her and personally welcome her to St John’s in the City.

SPECIAL CHOIR FOR EASTER

We are delighted to have a special expanded Choir for our Easter celebrations – no auditions necessary!
You are invited to sign-up to be involved in this special Choir and join in the rehearsals over the coming weeks – and you can do this on-line right here:

This link has more information about the days in Easter and the rehearsal times.

Here are links to hear the music the Special Choir will sing:

Crux Fidelis https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Xp13_9Y2I&feature=share
Laudate Dominum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t3m1x8-2Vw
Christ the Lord is Risen Again https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=bAImn2xE7Es&feature=share

A&J ANNUAL APPEAL FOR MISSION SUNDAY 19TH MARCH

The St John’s Outreach Committee encourages everyone to be part of the spiritual and practical support for A&J (a St John’s couple working overseas), by praying regularly and contributing financially to their work with poor migrant workers. A&J speak eight languages between them, so are able to talk to these migrant workers often in their own language. A&J are not paid a salary for bringing hope to these people . Instead they raise most of the money that they need to live themselves.
Last year they concluded their partnership with NZCMS and they work with an organisation working in their same area. This has been a very fruitful development for the work they are committed to, with a close alignment with their new partner organisation in their area.
We also have a part to play in this work. On Sunday 19th March there will be a Retiring Offering (making a donation in the foyer after the service).  The Outreach Committee is committed to give $4,000 each year, and matches dollar for dollar all additional donations up to $2,500 per year. We hope to generate additional giving of $6,000 through this annual appeal. If you would rather use internet banking then use the normal St John’s bank account number (on the website) and put AandJ in the reference.

WHANAU NIGHT DATES

Plans are in place for Whanau Nights this year, with a wonderful team generating these special intergenerational and invitational events. You can put these dates into your diary.

WADESTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Wadestown Presbyterian Church congregation and Presbytery Central have decided that the Church will close in March. There will be a celebration of the long and amazing history with a weekend of events on 11 and 12 March that you might like to participate in – this is one way we can show our love and care for these folk.
On Sunday there is a Celebration service starting at 1:30pm lead by Revs Allister Lane and Chris Purdie.
We may have visitors from Wadestown coming to St John’s in the City, and I invite you to make them most welcome with us.

ORPHEUS CHOIR TICKETS

Tickets for Bach’s B minor Mass on Saturday 29 April are available at discount prices from Linda Van Milligan until the end of March. Prices are $45, A reserve, $40 B reserve, $35 C reserve. Student prices are $20 B reserve and $15 C reserve.  There is also a special discount for Messiah on 2 December. All categories of seating are $35 but they must be purchased by 31st March. 

The Peace of Christ be with you
Allister