Not something we can do on our own
Faith belongs in a community
It’s been good this past week to have been with many of you. Thank you for making me so welcome.
Thank you too for Anna and Barbara who are so dedicated to making sure the parish continues true to its calling. Thank you for Emmy and her support of the parish using her gifts of administration.
My work is to encourage people with their ministry and gifts not only to the church but out in the community.
I understand that love, compassion and forgiveness are not to be kept as some treasures of the church but are gifts of God to be generously given away in all their fulness to people we encounter.
Maybe in time we will be open enough to notice how God’s gifts are given to us through even the most unexpected people in our wider community.
Have you noticed: Not I but We
Most of our prayer book uses the plural pronoun and not the singular ie. the word we use is "We" not "I", or "our" not "my", or "us" not "me". We see it plainly in the Lord's prayer.
It says "Our father" not "my father". It says "Give us our daily Bread" not "Give me my daily Bread". It says "Forgive us our sins" not "Forgive me my sins".
Church worship is the worship of a community we call the Body of Christ. Its not the worship of an individual. It asks of each one of us to become part of each other and recognise that faith is something we share. Faith is not something we can do on our own. It belongs in community. So it gains a greater strength and depth as we belong than it could ever do if we attempt to be a Christian on our own.
From the Vicar
“May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen” (NZPB p52).
Will we make the choice to live as those who love the way of God and therefore find the depth, refreshment from the true source of life? Or do we choose a life of being blown around in the breeze avoiding the true source of life that provides us with rootedness, security and life?
Isaiah has been called by God to bring the people to account for their actions. They had turned away from God and that was being shown in how they were treating their brothers and sisters. Isaiah recognises his own faults and he is forgiven by God.
Parish Officers
Parish Governance
The executive team of Vicar, churchwardens and treasurer meet constantly on parish business.
Parish Groups
Worship leaders, lay readers, servers, ushers, greeters, flower arrangers, cleaners, counters, intercessors and cup bearers all join together to support the service.
“May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen” (NZPB p52).
Will we make the choice to live as those who love the way of God and therefore find the depth, refreshment from the true source of life? Or do we choose a life of being blown around in the breeze avoiding the true source of life that provides us with rootedness, security and life?
Isaiah has been called by God to bring the people to account for their actions. They had turned away from God and that was being shown in how they were treating their brothers and sisters. Isaiah recognises his own faults and he is forgiven by God.
Community Fair bringing affordable toys, books, china, vintage clothes and more from the Opawa - St Martins Parish.