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Hi [subscriber:firstname],
this week we hear of Jesus' first miracle in John's Gospel. And it is not a small life changing miracle, rather it is a massive miracle.
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Sometimes one of the big sins we commit is the sin of scarcity, of thinking that there will not be enough. It can be tempting to think that there is not enough to go around; and when we think this we can inadvertently separate ourselves from God's plans. In John 2:1-11 we hear that there will be enough, that the wedding celebration can happen, and as we see and hear this we witness Jesus' first miracle in John's Gospel, all before his ministry officially starts.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Sunday 16th January
In person @ 9am
Today Revd Sapati Tima, Chaplain at Vaughn Park presides and preaches.
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From the 2nd January to Sunday 30th January inclusive there is only 1 In-person Service a week on Sunday at 9am.
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Communion will be offered from the communion rail, with wine and grape juice in individual cups.
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A "My Vaccine Pass: is required in all Traffic light settings.
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Online Services will be available each week.
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Online @ 10am
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Online Worship - Sunday 10am
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Our Money Our Story
Coming February 2022
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We all have a money story, whether we recognize it or not. Perhaps we are living from a story of fear or shame. Or a story that the church is dying and no longer relevant. Or a story that our actions won’t have an impact. Or a story that we don’t have enough. Where might God be speaking a new narrative into the limited ones we have told ourselves?
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This series invites us to discover and tell our money stories in light of God’s money story of liberation and justice. This series encourages us to transform our stewardship practices into more full expressions of who we are and what we believe.
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This theme is intentionally direct—it invites us to name exactly what we’re talking about and not skirt around it. To speak of money is to invite tension into the room. We so quickly want to avoid it. It’s time to reframe this. Money and possessions are one of the most common topics in scripture, and Jesus talked about money more than faith and prayer. Our money story, therefore, is a spiritual story. Thinking about God’s money story should be liberating, inviting, and transformative.
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As we begin the year, we invite you to remember, release, reimagine, and restore your money stories so that you can write the one God is calling you to live into.
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Life at Orange level @ St Mary by the Sea
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here is our Welcome Back video, explaining what life looks like at Orange level.
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There are both in-person and online Services offered. Our Service structure reflects the Government and Diocese's guidance for us.
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Stay in the loop
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Wednesday Online Zoom Study Groups
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These group recommence in February.
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Scripture
16th January 2022
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Isa 62:1-5 - 1 Cor 12:1-11 - John 2:1-12
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Collect
God of Feast and community, Jesus blessed a wedding, and turned water into wine. Let our lives bless you, and our work reveal the wine of your presence. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of 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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Did you use EFTPOS to donate in December?
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Firstly, thank you for all your donations to St Marys.
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In my role as treasurer I have become aware that someone kindly made 2 donations via EFTPOS on the 12th and 19th on the 8am Service but they did not write their giving number on the receipt. If you think this is you please email the office to confirm your giving number so I can add these donations to your tax receipt. If you do not wish these donations on your tax receipt please contact me and let me know.
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For more information on how to make a donation via EFTPOS please see the regular information below or ask one of the wardens or Dion in church.
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Celebrations
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Happy Birthday to Hamish Smith for the 11th January. Wishing you many happy returns of the day.
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Community Garden
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Regular Information
Worship for Jan 2022
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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
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. If you do not want your donation added to your tax receipt please write NO TAX. on the 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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