Weekly Bulletin: Staying Connected as a Church - Sunday 22nd December and CHRISTMAS DAY 2024
Kia ora St John’s whānau,
Christmas is less than a week away – and we have a special Carol Service this Sunday!
This Sunday we will sing lots of carols, led by the large Christmas Choir. We will all worship together, so children and young people stay in the full service.
As part of the Advent Koru Candle Lighting, please bring a flower to add to the koru in remembrance of our loved ones who have died.
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#)
These are the links to the printable Service Sheets –
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT…
CHRISTMAS CRAWL
We are part of a new initiative this year to spread the joy of the Christmas story in the days leading up to the excitement of Christmas Day.
Along with neighbouring churches in the city (St Peter’s Anglican, Central Baptist Church, and Wellington Cathedral of St Paul) we are creating an interactive space (in our Chapel) for people of all ages to visit and hear more about what Christmas is really about.
Each church will be open on Saturday 21st, Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th from 11am – 3pm. And the public are invited to visit all the churches, collecting stamps along the way on a special ‘Christmas Crawl’ map.
Thank you to our team of volunteers who will supervise the space on those days. Please come and invite others to experience the story of Christmas!
For more details, and sharing the invitation…
CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE
A kids-friendly celebration for everyone …and inviting others along.
Starts at 6:00pm and will be finished by 6:30pm.
CWS CHRISTMAS APPEAL
Our Christmas Day Service is at the usual time of 10am.
We are dedicating our offering of money on Christmas Day (once again) to Christian World Service (CWS) whose annual appeal is working to Share Climate Hope This Christmas.
The CWS Christmas Appeal has been a tradition in New Zealand churches since 1945 when the first Christmas Bowl appeal was launched to raise funds for post-war reconstruction in Greece. Together we have supported millions of people through conflict and disaster. We have helped them improve their lives and livelihoods. Our donations have funded our local partners to strengthen communities in their efforts to end violence and promote human rights and peace.
There will be special envelopes provided at the Christmas Day service to make a donation; you can put your details on the envelope to receive a receipt from CWS.
OFFICE CLOSURE
The St John’s Office will close over the holidays starting midday Friday 20th December 2024 and reopening the morning of Tuesday 21st January 2025.
During this time there will not be weekly emails, so for any current updates/alerts please check the St John’s Facebook page:
The usual Zoom link for joining the services online will continue.
CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD
Thanks to everyone who contributed to Christmas in the Courtyard 2024. It was a real team effort.
Thanks for the delicious baking that was supplied. Thanks to the many who helped out on the day.
As a result of everyone's efforts $1600 has been donated to the DCM. The DCM has thanked us for the 'epic result.'
Thanks again, 'Team St John's.'
NEW YEAR LUNCH
Come and celebrate the start of a new year on Sunday 12th January 2025.
After the morning service, we would love you to join us for a special New Year Lunch.
Everyone welcome. Delicious food, fellowship and an icecream in a cone!
Koha appreciated.
May God's greatest gift remind you of His endless love this Christmas.
Mā te wā
Allister