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Lent 2024
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lent begins next Wednesday 14th February. We begin with Shrove Tuesday on the 13th Feb at 5pm for pancakes and then Ash Wednesday on the 14th Feb at 10am for a traditional imposition of ashes and at 7pm we begin our lent theme of Figuring out faith with Peter. Wednesday's theme is "Tune my heart." Please join us for these events.
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This week we have our last section from the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Mark's Gospel where we contemplate what we should say, or not say about God's work in our lives.
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Journeying with you, Dion
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Ash Wednesday 14th February 2024
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For 40 days leading up to Easter we prepare ourselves for the Resurrection. This begins on Ash Wednesday 14th February.
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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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"Tune my heart" | ASH WEDNESDAY - Wed 14th Feb
A tuning fork is used to tune various instruments to a proper pitch so that all the instruments can play together in harmony. We turn ourselves into God, ready to journey with Peter through Lent, Holy Week and Easter.
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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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First Aid Courses Available at church.
Spaces are filling up please send 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 $11,200 in December which is a fantastic effort especially since we were closed the last week on the month. Many thanks to all concerned.
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If you are having a clear out over the holidays 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 hold onto all donations until the shop is open. 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. We remain open for food parcels over the January period. Referrals for food support can come into the 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 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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If you are able please continue to support this mission with your donations.
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We are still low or out of the following items and if your personal budget allows we would be grateful of donations. Weetbix small boxes, deodorant male and female (no spray can please), marmite or vegi mite, Maggi noodles chocolate biscuits, bread wraps.
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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 Debbie know. We can, by arrangement deliver the box if needed. All referrals are confidential.
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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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Grapevine magazine now in church.
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There are a few copies of the Grapevine magazine in the church available to help yourself. If you enjoy this magazine you can follow the instructions provided within to register to receive your own free copy at home. Please feel free to pass a copy of this family based magazine on to family and friends.
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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 New Year. The 10th February marks the start of the Lunar New Year and the year of the Dragon. Wishing everyone a prosperous and peaceful year.
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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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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 on hold until 7th February 2024.
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
11th February
2 Kings 5:1-14
1 Cor 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45
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Collect
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Mighty God, strong, loving and wise, help us depend upon your goodness and to place our trust in your Son. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. 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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