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It is Christmas, when we celebrate the time when God came into the world in Jesus. For Christmas we explore the birth of Christ from the angle of being invited home. We hope that wherever you are joining this Christmas, you are safe and well. Throughout our Advent journey we have been reflecting on the theme close to home. What we have been reminded of during this time is that home is more just a place to lay our head. Home is a place we are homesick and hope-filled for, it is a place of peace in a strong foundation, it is how much joy we have when a home is a home for all, it is that home is a sanctuary with love. And on Christmas we are invited home. We are invited into this familiar story.
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A reminder to RSVP for Christmas services, and that on 26 Dec, we have an online service and Zoom morning tea afterwards.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Christmas Services
We are grateful that we can hold in person Services this Christmas
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RED Traffic Light for means some necessary changes to ensure that we keep people safe and comply with the guidance from the Government and Diocese. Red limits our capacity to 70 allocated seats, and you will need to book/RSVP by TXTing or phoning Dion on 0211378624. Our capacity is 70 people. You will get ticked off of a RSVP list at the door. You will need to show your "My Vaccine Pass" and scan in with the "NZ Covid Tracer APP" or fill in a contact tracing card.
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If you miss out on a seat, or do not have a "My Vaccine Pass" there are online services listed below. Please RSVP/Book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Once we are full no more places can be allocated. Likewise if your plans change and you can not attend please let us know so we can utilise your seat(s). Please do not attend if you or anyone in your bubble is unwell or awaiting a Covid test result.
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When attending you will need to move to your seats as soon as you have scanned yourself in and had your Covid Vaccine Pass scanned. Please do not congregate in the entrance or outside. We are required to maintain 1 meter social distancing.
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Thanks for your understanding, Dion
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Christmas Eve
Vaccination Certificate Required Services
CHRISTMAS EVE – 5:30pm Pizza and Christingle family service (RSVP required)
CHRISTMAS EVE – 9:00pm Candle lit carols and Communion (RSVP required)
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RSVP/Book a seat by TXTing 0211378624 or via phone 0211378624
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Christmas Day
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Vaccination Certificate Required Service
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CHRISTMAS DAY - 9am - Intergenerational Communion (RSVP required)
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Online
Online Family Christmas – with Lego Nativity goes live 4pm Friday 24th Dec.
Online Traditional Christmas – goes live 7pm Friday 24th Dec.
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While the services go live at 4pm and 7pm, you can view them anytime after that.
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Sunday 26th December
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Online Worship
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Life at Red level @ St Mary by the Sea
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here is our Welcome Back video, explaining what life looks like at Red level.
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We will be at Red Level for Christmas and as such our Service structure will reflect that. There will be in-person Christmas Services as detailed below but these will work within the Government and Dioceses guidance.
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CBA
Help share the joy this Christmas
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Help broadcast the Christmas story on mainstream radio. CBA needs our church's help so that 250,000 ordinary Kiwis, who will not be at church this Christmas, will have the opportunity to hear the Good News on Newstalk ZB. Would you like to find out more? Click the video above. Would you like to support? Click the link below.
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City Mission Collection. BIG THANKS
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On Monday I borrowed my teenager to help with the lifting and drove to the City Mission with all the St Mary by the Sea Auckland Angels collection. It was great to see my car boot full to the brim and extras on the back seats. A Big Thank You to everyone who contributed to this via their reverse Advent Calendar, or a donation to the collection box at the Community Shop.
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NATIVITY PROJECT 2021/re-GENERATION
Monday 29 November to Saturday 25 December
Friends of Holy Trinity Cathedral and ADJust have joined forces to bring this year's Nativity Project to life. When you visit the nativity scene outside Holy Trinity Cathedral, you will have the opportunity to ‘plant’ a native tree and gift it for Christmas through a small donation to Trees that Count. The nativity installation will depict the holy family as natural elements within the entire scene, literally ‘growing’ on the Cathedral forecourt throughout Advent, to be in full bloom at the arrival of Jesus.
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You can visit the instillation on the Holy Trinity Cathedral forecourt from 29 November in a safe and socially distanced manner.
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By 'planting' a tree at the nativity scene outside Holy Trinity Cathedral, you will help create a more sustainable future for Aotearoa New Zealand. For a $10 donation you can gift a native tree now on the registry at Trees that Count. Find out more on our website or here.
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Stay in the loop
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Wednesday Online Zoom Study Groups
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Christmas Scriptures
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Luke 2:1-20, Isa 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14
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Collect
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Son of Mary, Son of God, may we, for whom the heavens have opened never lose that heavenly vision. May we, who like the shepherds, have seen in your birth a new kind of love, witness to that love in our lives. AMEN.
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26th December
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Luke 2:15-21, Numb 6:22-27,Gal 4:4-7
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Collect
Eternal God giver of love and peace, you call your children to live together as one family; give us grace to learn your ways and to do your will, that we may bring justice and peace to all people, in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God now and for ever. AMEN.
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Word for Today and Our Daily Bread
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Community Shop
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Community Shop. It has been an eventful year. We had a Covid lock down in February, moved to bigger brighter premises, re-fitted out the new shop and opened in record time and finally had to endured this latest lockdown and re-opened with all the accompanying restrictions. All of this has been manageable only through the good graces and hard work of our wonderful volunteers. Thank you!
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Thank you to everyone who shops at the Community store, with out you all this hard work would be to no avail. Your purchases not only help support St Marys Church but also go to providing financial support via food vouchers to local schools and to those in need in the local community.
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The Community Shop will close 24th December and re-opens 7th January 2022.
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Please remember that if you are having a sort out over the Christmas break and have a collection for the community shop please wait until we re-open to drop this off. No donations can be left at the shop whilst we are closed.
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Cyber safety.
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There are scams targeting churches where people are emailed, apparently by the clergy, and asked for money to support a person in need. If you receive any email asking you for money, gift-cards or anything similar, please ignore it and delete it. It is recommended you report it to the Police and/or Netsafe. You will never be asked for money or gift cards via email. Please only give money to St Mary by the Sea, via online banking (details below) or EFTPOS at St Mary by the Sea.
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Celebrations
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Happy Birthday to Caitlin Blundell for the 24th December. Wishing you many happy returns of the day.
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Community Garden
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Regular Information
Worship for Jan 2021
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Sunday - 9am - worship from NZ Prayer Book
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Praying for Others
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Please send names for the Sunday Prayer-List by Sunday evening to Tony Nettleton, 027 278 1450 or prayer@stmary.co.nz Names can be sent at other times as required.
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Donations
Online
Vestry would like to encourage you to give to support our ministry. Giving and donations can be made to:
St Mary by the Sea
BNZ Browns Bay 02-0120-0047903-003
Please reference your donation with your surname or giving number.
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EFTPOS
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The EFTPOS machine prints 2 receipts, the first is your copy, the second is printed by selecting MERCHANTS COPY on the screen. This second copy should always be left on the appropriate clip on the notice board. With out the second receipt it is not possible to know what the money was intended for. For Church Giving, you can either keep the first receipt or place it in the DONATION BASKET to go up to the altar for the blessing. Please write your giving number or full name on the second receipt if you want the donation added to your tax receipt.
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Feedback
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Have some feedback? Feel free to email dion@stmary.co.nz
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Subscribing
Contacts
Office
Vicar
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Rev’d Dion Blundell, Office:09 4738183 Mb:021 1378624 Hm:09 4732270
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Priest Assistant
Wardens
Synod Representatives
Vestry Secretary
Vestry Members
St Mary by the Sea
PO Box 89-082, Torbay, Auckland, 0742
168 Deep Creek Rd, Torbay, Auckland, 0630
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Thanks for reading. See you soon!
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The St Mary by the Sea Team
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