Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 13 April 2025

Kia ora St John’s whānau,
 
This Sunday is PALM SUNDAY, celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city.
 
Although this sets the stage for his enemies to condemn him to death, Jesus’ entry in glory anticipates his triumph over death, when he emerges from the tomb less than a week later.

We are celebrating Communion this Sunday, so our children and young people can go straight to their peer groups in the St John’s Centre at 10am.  And around 10:40am will join everyone in the Church for Communion.
At the conclusion of the service we will all share Morning Tea together.

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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09
 
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…

PRAYER WORKSHOP

As part of practicing what it means to PRAY, there is the opportunity to be part of a workshop on Prayers for Others.
This is open to ALL THIS SUNDAY (13th April), after morning tea.  We’ll gather in the Chapel.
Come if you’re curious, there is no obligation to pray in public.

 

BAPTISM

This Sunday (13th April) we celebrate the Baptism of Remy Anderson, son of Jono and Anna, grandson of Rob and Dayle.
You are all welcome to come and be part of this special celebration of faith, 4pm in the Chapel.

 

EASTER SERVICES

Fellowship Easter Service, 15th April 11am

(If the church doors are closed, please enter through the Chapel).
 
Good Friday, 18th April 10am
 
Easter Sunday, 20th April 10am

 

GOOD FRIDAY HOT CROSS BUNS

Continuing the legacy of Betty Robertson, we have a collaboration between Vicky Wood and Tony Hastings to provide Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday for morning tea after the service.
Our thanks to them and their helpers for this generous initiative.

 

EASTER BREAKFAST

You are warmly invited to come and start this day of celebration with Easter Breakfast. 
Sunday, 20th April at 8.30am in the church Centre. 
Suggested koha $5
Love to see you!
Please contact Marg Gilkison by 13th April, for catering purposes. 

 

EASTER CAMP

Our youth are preparing for the Easter Camp at Forest Lakes, so this is an opportunity for us to pray for them to encounter the risen Jesus in a new way at this special time with other youth.

 

SONRISE SERVICE

Mt Victoria Lookout on Easter Sunday 20 April 6.45 - 7.15am.
This year, the service will be led by leaders from Abundant Life Centre on behalf of the Council of Wellington Churches.

 

PRAYER CHAIN

An important commitment to our regular life of prayer as a Church is our regular Prayer Chain. You are invited to be part of this by receiving the list of prayer requests each month, to include in your personal prayer time. Occasionally there will also be an urgent prayer request sent.
Please contact our Prayer Chain coordinator, Gail Higgs-West for any questions, and the St John’s Office to be added to the recipients of the Prayer Chain.

 

TAXATION AND THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR

The Inland Revenue Department has sought public views on matters relating to the charities and not-for-profit sector.
In response, a team from the St John’s Council have recently made a submission.
 
This submission on behalf of St John’s in the City is available to read here:

The IRD’s consultation document:

Recently this Opinion piece was published by the Waikato Times by (self-professed atheist) Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts on churches' social value:

 

MISSIONERS VISIT HOME

Please take these opportunities to hear from A&J.
In April

  • Sunday 27 April – After the morning service and over coffee

  • Monday 28 April 7:30- 9 pm – Talk and Q & A at the Monday night housegroup, 11 Lewer St, Karori

In May

  • Tuesday 27 May at 11 am -  Talk and Q & A at the Fellowship group

 

PUBLIC LECTURE

‘Hope without hiding: Sustaining optimism and courage into the harsh realities of climate change’. Join Professor James Renwick and counsellor Silvia Purdie for a hope-full conversation.
Tuesday 29 April, 5.00-6.30pm. St Peters on Willis, Wellington. Koha entry.

 

CONCERT

Serenades across cultures - songs by Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, Bessa, Fanja Andriamanantena and more, with Lala Simpson (vocals),  Dayle Anderson (piano) and, Jonathan Berkahn (accordion).

 

EVERTON HALL THANKSGIVING

Everton Hall was founded by members of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches with the aim of providing students with secure, affordable accommodation within a supportive community offering the independence and freedom of flat life.
Formally opened in 1976, it was the first hall of residence in New Zealand to be built as self-catering, student flats.
As the governance of Everton Hall passes into the care of Victoria University, we will give thanks for the enduring legacy of Everton Hall in the service on Sunday 4th May.
We are inviting past and present residents, Board members, friends, and supporters to come together in thanksgiving and fellowship.  Please pass on the invitation to others who may be interested.

 

DCM PANTRY RAID - SATURDAY 17 MAY 

On Saturday 17 May 2025, we're organising a big “Pantry Raid” around Wellington. Several cars of children (and adults driving!) will go around Wellington collecting non-perishable food and other items from households. We'd love lots of our St John's whānau taking part - feel free to encourage your friends and neighbours also.
To participate, please sign up using the form below - you can sign up to be a donor household contributing items, or join a collection team that picks up donations around Wellington on 17 May. Or even better, do both! Registration is required for all participants (more details about the event can be found in the sign up form).

 

PARTICIPATING TOGETHER – CAN YOU HELP?

PHOTOS: We want more photos of all we do together as a Church, for use online and in print. Could you help coordinate a collection of photos?
Part of what needs to be organised is permissions for sharing from anyone who is identifiable in the image, and an on-line folder for receiving digital images.
If you’re interested in this opportunity please let Allister or an elder know.
 
FLOWERS: Do you enjoy flowers in church?  The flowers are currently done by a team of 2 - Vicky Wood and Judi Ferguson.
We would like to welcome anyone else who has any interest in flowers in the church to join us. Arrangements do not have to be complicated, and can be supplemented by a huge variety of lovely artificial flowers.
If you have flowers in your garden you are willing to share, or if you would like to contribute to us buying flowers (necessary in winter), please contact Judi or Vicky

 

Mā te wā
Allister

Bulletin(Church Office)