The St Martins facilities will remain
closed under Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions
Sunday
Service: Many thanks to Rev Anne Stewart and the team from Village Presbyterian Church
(Papanui & Bryndwr) for making this available to the people of St Martins.
There is also a midweek reflection which will be e-mailed to you.
Moderator’s live
streaming of devotions every Sunday at 9am. Go to the Moderator’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/modpcanz/
Watch
Sunday’s service from Beckenham Methodist: the video link/s are available after 11am
from their webpage: www.bmc.nz
Services/Reflections
Want to re-stock your pantry? Sue has the following for
sale:
Bottled – Black Boy Peaches, Pears, Plums,
Peaches, Tomato Puree
Chutneys – Pasta Sauce, Relishes, Tomato Sauce
Jams – Feijoa & Ginger, Feijoa & Pear,
Feijoa & Lemon
Chilli Sauces – some with only a little sugar
in them.
Kasundi – tomato relish
Give her a phone call 960 7657 to place an order.
As we will be in ‘Level 3’ from Tuesday, and you will be able to travel a little
further, Sue will leave your order in her letterbox for you to collect and
leave money there.
Charitable Giving Tax Credit
Our treasurer, Joan Macdonald, will have your receipts available for
you once the COVID19 lockdown is over.
You may have been considering donating your Charitable Giving Tax
Credit to the church. For more information, contact Joan – 337 1648.
Moderator’s Anzac Day Message
Greetings
“Love one another
as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his
life for his friends. You are my friends.” (John 15:12-14)
The words of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ring and echo loudly in our situation today.
In fact, as we all attest to this truth in life, it is the sound
of Jesus’ words that permeate our being as we move from Easter toward Anzac Day. Easter was very different this year, with the
crowds and gatherings, worship and fellowship, meals of fish and bread, communion – all carried out using digital communication.
This is an unprecedented situation due to unusual times affecting the whole world. What stands out for me each and every year
is: “Jesus died on the Cross, for you and I”.
ANZAC Day appropriately follows Easter on our calendar. The underlying theme of the
Cross is echoed by the soldiers that died for “God, King and country”. Their lives, their commitments, their sacrifices were
for you and I, which is commemorated on ANZAC. It is poignant, significant and sacred.
Many lives were lost. We are forever indebted
to the brave men and women who died on the frontier of the battlefields for our freedom, for all that we have. We will
never forget them. We remember and recall ANZAC every year, and we educate our children about this alliance. We will remember them:
they are our heroes, our champions, our “game-changers”.
Today, in our world
and in our country, we have new heroes, champions and “game-changers”. These
new heroes are the many men, women and children who
have stepped up, arisen, “taken the bull by the horns” and made a difference in
the lives of many during the Covid-19 crisis. To all
the essential workers (police, nurses, doctors, firefighters, rest home carers,
orderlies, supermarket workers, chaplains… the list
is long), thank you. Bless you.
Your service for the masses, for our country,
is both courageous and brave. You are valued and
loved, appreciated and cherished. You risk your lives every day against an
unseen enemy – Covid-19. You work is in the same
order of sacrifice as our Lord Jesus on the Cross and the soldiers on the
battlefields. Your lives are on the line every time
you step up and step out. We salute you and keep you and your loved ones in our
prayers. We will not forget you.
Jesus said, “I came
that you may have life, life in all its fullness”. (John 10:10)
Blessings,
Right Reverend Fakaofo Kaio, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of
Aotearoa New Zealand
A Prayer for Anzac Day:
Almighty God and Heavenly Father, whose kingdom rules over all
and in whom there is perfect freedom. We give you thanks at this time for all
who have served in the defence of this country.
As we remember those men and women who served – in the ranks of
our Navy, Army, Air Force, Merchant Navy and Police, we give thanks to you,
gracious God, for their great sacrifices in conflict and in captivity – for the
cause of peace and freedom. In our nation of wealth, prosperity and comfort,
let us not forget the cost of these privileges which we now enjoy.
We pray for peace. Have mercy on our broken and divided world
and banish the spirit that makes for war. We ask that leaders of nations and
governments will pursue freedom, justice and the welfare of all peoples.
We pray for ourselves. In the midst of worldly turmoil and lockdown,
make us yearn for peace – not only with each other – but peace with you through
our crucified and risen Saviour. Trusting in Him for the forgiveness of
our sins, help us to look forward to His kingly return.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the Council: Unite Against Covid-19
Under Alert Level 3 you still need to Stay Home, Save Lives. If you’re going out for fresh air, stay local. Take care of yourselves and stay connected with family and friends over
the phone.
Some takeaway businesses will be open.
If you need welfare assistance,
call the CCC helpline 0800 24 24 11
When walking the dog, keep them on the lead.
Recycling will be sorted again from May – please make sure you only put
recyclables in the yellow bin.
The Eco Depots will be open from Tuesday.
For health advice, contact
Healthline 0800 358 5453. If you are feeling unwell, call your GP before you visit.
Call the free Government Helpline
0800 779 997 (8am-1am) 7 days
a week if you need advice.
Keep an eye on the official website
– Covid19.govt.nz – for updates.
