Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 21 July 2024

Kia ora St John’s whānau,
 
Is it possible to take social distancing too far?
 
Who are those we keep at a distance?

This Sunday we hear a story of Jesus bringing back someone who had been kept far away from everyone.
 
Our children and young people will go out part-way during the service to a combined Holiday Programme in the St John’s Centre.

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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...

CARE FOR CREATION – PRACTISING THE PRACTICE
LID RECYCLING HUB

Bring your lids to Church each Sunday!
As part of our care for creation together we have set up a lid recycling hub at St John’s in the City. Those lids that can’t go in with the curb-side recycling will be collected at Church and taken where they will be recycled.
✔️ Plastic hinge caps and screw caps lids (any colour)
✔️ Plastic milk bottle caps
✔️ Plastic contact lens packaging without foil
✔️ Yoghurt pot lids
Only 2 & 5  please - clean and dry.

There are lots of fun ways to be practising the practice of Care for Creation in your household.
Here is a link to an activity sheet: 

INSURANCE

With escalating insurance costs, the St John’s Session and Council have explored sustainable options.  A significant amount of research has been done, and the recommendations brought to our Congregational, which were unanimously agreed to. The details are available on the St John’s website:
https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/news

FAREWELL CONCERT

Before he departs to study music overseas, Benjamin Carter is giving a concert in appreciation of his St John’s Church family.
Come and enjoy this concert as we wish Benjamin well for this exciting phase in his life. Sunday 21st July at 1pm in the Church.

FELLOWSHIP GROUP

The Annual General Meeting of St John’s Fellowship Group will be held in the St John’s Centre on Tuesday 23rd July 2024 commencing at 11am.
The Rev Allister Lane will preside during the elections of officers. There will be a shared lunch following the meeting.

PUBLIC LECTURE

‘Portraying the Invisible God: How Early Christian Artists Depicted Christ’ by Professor Robin Jensen.
Tuesday July 23, 7.00 – 9.00pm Public Lecture, All Saints Church, 90 Hamilton Rd, Hataitai.
In partnership with the Theology Programme at the University of Otago, Venn Centre for the Arts brings you a conversation evening with historian of Christian art and architecture Professor Robin Jensen. The New Testament refers to Christ as the image of the invisible God, but it never describes his physical appearance. Professor Robin Jensen will explore how early depictions of Jesus expressed Christian beliefs about his divine and human natures as well as his mission as healer, teacher, and saviour. Whether you’re a practicing artist, or fascinated by the arts, this event offers an excellent opportunity to explore some of the ancient dynamics of Christianity and art-making.

WHANAU NIGHT

Join us for Whanau Night on Sunday 28 July 2024 at St Johns Centre. This family-friendly event focuses on "Restoring our Environment" (Toitu te Taio) with Heads-Hearts-Hands activities around environmental stewardship. This is an excellent opportunity for us as a church to build on our 'Care for Creation' series we've been experiencing on Sunday mornings. 
Please BYO picnic/food to share (who can bring the most environmentally friendly picnic?)

PRESBYTERY GATHERING

August 17th 2024 in Palmerston North. Information and registration at the Presbytery Central website:
http://www.presbyterycentral.org.nz/gathering/

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE

For those who are super-keen, Prof Gaventa will offer a sit-down chat the next morning on Tuesday 20th August:
What is it like to write a Bible commentary?
Those who preach and teach will be interested to hear what is involved. This time will include lots of discussion.
VENUE: the St John’s Centre Hall, starting with morning tea, 10.30 – 12:30pm

ONLINE COURSE WITH MARTYN DAY

Following the outstanding workshop series Martyn Day delivered at St John’s, he is taking registrations for his on-line course Give the Reason.
This course is to help us understand the historical credibility of the Gospels and wider New Testament.  This course ran last year for the first time and the feedback was positive, so it is being offered again in August. The course is run on Zoom so can be joined from anywhere.
The details are available on this website, where you can also register your interest and get full course information sent to you: https://www.shv.nz/give-the-reason-course

CHURCH CAMP

We’re excited to let you know there's a church camp happening this year!
It's at Paekakariki Holiday Park from Fri evening 20 Sept till Sunday 22 Sept.
We’ll be aiming to keep costs down and you can choose to sleep in the lodge, pitch a tent or stay in an onsite cabin (more details will be available at a later stage.)
(FYI - El Rancho/Forest Lakes and Kaitoke were booked for this date.)

CROSS CULTURAL ENCOUNTER TRIP TO INDONESIA

“May we see glimpses of your grace, and may we seek to be a church that gladly works to bring your new community.”
 From the hymn O God, You Tell Us Of A Day by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
 Allister