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this week, as we continue to explore the story of Peter, we sink in the water with Peter, and we contemplate what it is Jesus needs to rescue us from in our journey of Faith.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Funeral - Bill Stoddard
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Bill's funeral will be Monday 4th March, 2pm at St Mary by the Sea. Refreshments after will be at Brown's Bay Bowling Club (entrance on Woodlands Drive)
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World Day Of Prayer. 1st March
The World Day of Prayer is always the first Friday in March. It is the gathering together of individuals Services around the world to share in one adapted Service from a designated country. Services take place at some point during the World Day of Prayer and since it is the same basic service repeated throughout the world during the same 24 hours , it is a World Day of Prayer.
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The country of choice is selected and agreed upon years in advance but this years choice – Palestine seems increasingly fitting and relevant to this time. Over the past several years an ecumenical group of Palestinian Christian women have prayed and reflected together to write the 2024 program.
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This year’s theme is “I Beg You… Bear With One Another in Love,” based on Ephesians 4:1-7. This program calls us to bear with each other in love, despite all difficulties and oppression. The Worship Service shares stories of three Palestinian Christian women, who witness to the power of bearing together in love. Their stories illuminate the experiences of Palestinian women from three different generations. The symbol of an olive tree is used throughout the worship service. This represents the three generations through the trunk, branches, and leaves of the olive tree.
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The Palestinian Christian women who wrote this worship service have invited the world to pray for peace, justice and freedom of religion and freedom of movement.
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Lent Themes
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Our theme this year is Wandering Heart - Figuring out faith with Peter.
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Each of the 6 weeks we explore another aspect of the faith of Peter and how it impacts our life.
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"Jesus sought me" | THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT - Sun 18th Feb
Jesus instructs Peter to cast his nets after an unsuccessful day of fishing, and he catches an absurd abundance of fish. Peter doesn’t feel worthy of this gift, but Jesus calls him to be a fisher of people all the same. The fish represents God’s abundant provision of sustenance and grace, as well as Peter’s shift in vocation and calling—from fisher of fish to fisher of people.
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"Rescue me from danger" | THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT - Sun 25th Feb
Peter walks out in faith on the choppy waters, and Jesus saves him from sinking. The choppy water lines represent the turbulent waters we all walk through on our journey of faith.
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"Praise the mount" | THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT - Sun 3rd March
Peter has a moment of clarity and professes Jesus to be the Messiah. Jesus affirms Peter’s proclamation by saying Peter is the rock upon which he will build his church and that Peter will be given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:19). A mountain peak represents this moment of clarity and affirmation along Peter’s wandering journey.
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"I'm fixed upon it" | THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT - Sun 10th March
In music, the fermata symbol represents a prolonged note or a pause. After learning Jesus would suffer and die, Peter rebukes Christ saying, “this must never happen to you” (Matt. 16:22). Jesus rebukes Peter right back, knowing he cannot yield on his journey of nonviolence and love. The fermata represents how Peter is fixed on how he wants things to go, but Jesus calls him to stop and get behind him.
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"Teach me" | THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT - Sun 17th March
Peter’s posture toward Jesus is that of an open book. He is eager to learn from Jesus all he can glean. In this week’s text, he wants to know all about the nature of forgiveness and grace.
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"Songs of loudest praise" | PALM / PASSION SUNDAY - Sun 24th March
As we find our footing in faith, we share and express our journey with more assuredness and confidence. We can sing loudly, like those shouting “hosanna” as Jesus enters the city.
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"Streams of mercy" | MAUNDY THURSDAY - Thurs 28th March
In a humble, subversive act, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. This act of grace is meant to be emulated and is therefore an unending, overflowing, fountain of mercy for all.
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"Prone to leave the God I love" | GOOD FRIDAY - Fri 29th March
In moments of weakness and sheer terror, Peter denies knowing Christ three times. He chooses the path of self-preservation in the face of violence and death, as many of us would. With his three denials, the cock crows, just as Jesus predicted.
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"And I hope" | EASTER DAY - Sun 31st March
As the sun rises on the third day, Peter holds onto hope as he runs to the empty tomb to see with his own eyes the abandoned linen cloth. With each new day, we hold onto hope for new life and resurrection.
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"Here's my heart" | THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - Sunday 7th April
Peter is a heart-on-his sleeve kind of a guy. When Peter sees Jesus, he puts on his outer garment in reverence, and then dives into the sea, not wasting a second to embrace his teacher, friend, and Messiah who then asks him three times, “Do you love me?”
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Internment Of Jean Coomer.
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Jean's family have asked that we let Jean's many friends at St Marys know that they will be holding an internment service for her at 6:30pm on March the 26th at St Mary by the Sea. They invite Jean's friends to join then at this time.
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Our local World Day of Prayer Service will be held at Long Bay Baptist Church 282 Glenvar road at 7pm on the 1st March.
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First Aid Courses Available at church.
Update:-
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Apologies for the delay in getting back to those of you who have booked this course, I am waiting on filling the last few spaces to make sure we can offer this at an agreed price.
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If you are interested in taking part in this course please let the office know. Expression of interest to office if you want to attend.
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Are you interested in learning some first aid?
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Do you what to be confident in the practical elements of CPR and choking on babies, children and adults, plus use of a community defibrillator?
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Do you know the early warning signs of heart attacks / strokes and what to do for seizures, diabetes?
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Do you want to learn the difference between treating a fall and a collapse?
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We are looking to host a short first aid courses in church. Training would by the company "FirstAid First" to be held on a Monday in church. Because we are commissioning this course the length and content can largely be varied to meet your needs. We are envisaging a 3 hour course with include refreshment for $60 per person. Date to be confirmed but will be on a Monday.
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Email the office office@stmary.co.nz with FIRST AID in subject line to express your interest. Numbers will be strictly limited to ensure participant get the best out of the course.
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Space :- Parenting Space group
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Starting Feb 12th at St Mary by the Sea. This group is for parents / carers of babies born September 2023 - Feb 2024. To register and for more details see the link below.
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Community Shop.
The Community shop is open Tuesday to Saturdays 10am to 4pm. The shop took just over $10,500 in January, a fantastic start to the year. There is still some time to pick up summer clothing to re vamp your wardrobe.
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If you have donations of winter clothing for the community shop please hold on to these until April if possible as we have limited stock room available.
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If you are having a clear out please consider if what you have is suitable for donation. Is it clean, complete and working? We can not take electrical items, baby safety equipment or furniture items due to space limits. Please do not leave donations outside the shop. Items left outside the shop are often damaged by vandals and the weather and become a public nuisance.
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Thank you to everyone for supporting this mission. Now that schools are back and the church office is open more regular hours we are seeing an increase uptake in food support requests.
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I am aware that the current economic climate makes finances more challenging for many so please be mindful of your own budgeting needs. If you are able to add an item to your shopping for donation that would be gratefully received.
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We are currently run out of supplies of pot noodle type meals, maggi noodle type packets sun screen and deoderants
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If you or someone you know is in need of a little extra support at this time via a food parcel please let Dion or the church office know. We can, by arrangement deliver the box if needed. All referrals are confidential. Referrals for food support can be made to the church office via email or telephone message at any time. These messages are checked regularly and a reply can be expected within 48 hours. If you know someone who is struggling to provide themself or their family with food at this time of year please reach out to them to discuss a referral to our food bank. The simple question of 'Can I help?' to start the conversation is often all that is needed.
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Anglican Magazine Now On-line
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As part of the continued commitment to improve sustainability across the diocese the Anglican Magazine has moved to on-line only. You can access and read this magazine by the link below. Enjoy!
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Community Garden
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RAFT Term 1
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RAFT are opening up for their term 1 classes soon. If you are interested in finding out more please contact them. www.raftstudios.co.nz 021 145 2865
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Celebration
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Happy Birthday to Trevor Stafford for the 25th February.
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Happy Wedding Anniversary to Bruce and Jane Rogers for the 1st March.Many happy returns to you all.
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If you have a celebration that you would like to share with the congregation via the newsletter please email the church office on the email below. Please let the office know before 9am on the Tuesday before.
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The Word for Today
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February to April copy is available in the church now.
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Our Daily Bread
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March-May now available in church and at our shop.
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Word for Today and Our Daily Bread
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Both of these can be collected from the Community Shop when paper copies are available.
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Wednesday Service and Bible Study Groups.
Midweek service
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Wednesday 10am- Informal Communion at St Mary by the Sea. Restarts 7 Feb 2024.
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Wednesday Zoom Bible Study
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Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895
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To phone in, call 09 884 6780 and when prompted, enter the Meeting ID: 835 3674 1895. You will then be asked for the passcode which is: 488974
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Online Worship - Sunday 10am
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Scripture
25th February
Collect
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Almighty God, you have called us to serve you, yet without your grace we are not able to please you; mercifully grant that your Holly Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Regular Information
Worship
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Sunday - 8am - worship from NZ Prayer Book
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Sunday - 10am - Intergenerational worship
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Sunday - 10am - Online YouTube worship
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Wednesday - 10am - informal 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 require 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
St Mary by the Sea is a safe space
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Abuse and Harassment are NEVER okay. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If you experience or witness bullying, harassment, discrimination, abuse or any inappropriate behavior, the RIPPLES PROJECT can help you. 0800 627 021. The Ripples service is available 9am-5pm and is free and confidential.
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Contacts
Office
Debbie Rhodes, 09 4738180 office@stmary.co.nz
Church office open Tue to Thur 10am-2pm.
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Vicar
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Rev’d Dion Blundell, Office:09 4738183 Mb:021 1378624 Hm:09 4732270
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Priest Assistant
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Rev’d Jay Smith, 021 1045914 jay@stmary.co.nz
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Wardens
Connie Strong, 027 350 0548, vicarswarden@stmary.co.nz
Mark Van der ham, 021 2711207 peopleswarden@stmary.co.nz
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Synod Representatives
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Auriel Andrews auriel@kinect.co.nz
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Connie Strong, connie1057@gmail.com
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Vestry Secretary
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Susan Haslam, 09 4150073 vestrysecretary@stmary.co.nz
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Privacy Officer
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Auriel Andrews, auriel@kinect.co.nz
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Health and Safety Officer
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Mark Van der ham, v_d_ham@yahoo.co.nz
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Vestry Members
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Bruce Rogers, bj_rogers@xtra.co.nz
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Chris Waddingham, waddinghamchris@gmail.com
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Emmanuel Mosiane, trupzala@gmail.com
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Jenny Cheer, jmcheer@xtra.co.nz
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Kerry Jonas, kerryandrobinj@gmail.com
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Steve Dale, drumstick3000@gmail.com
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Susan Haslam, ejhaslam@xtra.co.nz
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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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