Important Marches - and being on The Way - plus join us for our Good Friday and Easter celebrations

Greetings, friends, members and supporters of our church at Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay, Orere Point, Conifer Grove, Takanini, and in the southern part of Auckland – and beyond.

God, we give thanks today,

for those who have travelled with us through hard times,

and for the help we have received in making difficult decisions.

We give thanks for those who have set examples for us to follow,

and for those who have challenged us to move on from places of boredom, sadness or despondency or despair.

You, Lord call us to follow you.

Thank you for your Spirit of encouragement and hope.

In the name of Jesus,

AMEN

Three weeks ago I had the pleasure of conducting Lou and Mike’s wedding.

That special moment when I invite the congregation to ‘stand for the bride’ as she enters on her father’s arm, preceded by several very cute flower girls scattering petals before her, as she walked the short distance to the front of the church.

The march, the exchange of vows, the celebration of two new entities coming into being – a husband and wife.

The wedding reminded me that so many of the most important events in life involve the crossing of distances. Physically often – but mentally and spiritually perhaps too – when we make new decisions that we know will change our lives in some way or another.

This Sunday, we call Palm Sunday - we remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem.  Heralded, not with flower petals, but palm leaves laid before him.

There is so much movement over these days:  The journey to the cross on Good Friday; the women excited by their discovery of the empty tomb on Easter day rushing to tell the disciples; the walk to Emmaus where the two grieving disciples discover that the stranger walking with them is the risen Christ – and finally Jesus sending the disciples out to the whole world to tell of the Good News.

The themes of marching, journeying and following – are so deeply part of the Christian identity. We read in Acts that one of the earliest names of those first Christians was people of ‘The Way.’

Though the way might have many challenges – there is also, as we read in John 14, the promise and assurance of arrival:

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ ⁵ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ ⁶ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. 

We pray for those who feel that they have lost their way,

and for all who long for the confidence, strength or opportunity to make new decisions in their lives.

We give thanks that you call us to be people of ‘The Way,’

and that in you we find truth and life.

Good Shepherd, we give thanks for your leading, even through our dark valleys.

and for the promise that you are with us in all we face.

In Christ’s name.

AMEN

St Aidan’s 10 am

Clevedon 10 am

Kawakawa Bay 9.30

St Aidan’s 10 am

Clevedon 10 am

Easter Picnic – Kawakawa Bay 12.30

Rosters. We would love your help at Clevedon with Sunday Bible Reading, serving, welcoming, baking, and the Sunday BBQ. Please see the note from Annemarie at the end of these notices.

Easter - Good Friday 29 March 10 am and Easter Sunday 31 March 10 am. Singers and musicians keen to be involved, please see gina.sanders@xtra.co.nz

If you are willing to read one of our readings for the Good Friday Service at Clevedon – please let Martin know and he will send one out to you. (martin@clevedonpresy.co.nz)

Easter Picnic. Community Easter Picnic, Egg Hunt and Games. Sunday 31st March 12.30 pm to 2 pm at the Kawakawa Bay Village Green (in the hall if wet)  Bring your blanket, food and drink and we will provide the Easter Egg Hunt for the kids!  Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult

The new Clevedon Congregation Phone and Address Directories are available for collection, in the foyer on Sunday morning

Youth Group. Clevedon Youth Group Friday, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at 87 Settlement Road, Papakura. This term, we're joining forces with the Youth Groups from Papakura East Presbyterian Church and Drury Presbyterian Church.  Games, devotions, small group discussions, and, of course, food! Bring your friends. The group is open to all Year 7 – 13 young people.  To find out more, or if you need a ride, please contact Paia on 027 724 2100.

HATCH – our community dinner and church continues this Sunday. All welcome. Please let Mathilde know if you are coming. mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz

Tuesday Morning Home Group. Ardmore 10 am. All are welcome to join with this very friendly and welcoming group for prayer, discussion and Bible readings. Please contact Bev Sutton for details: beverleySutton@xtra.co.nz

Tuesday Evening Ladies Bible Study meets during the school term in locations in Ardmore and Conifer Grove. 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. If you would like to find out more, please give Geraldine Oosterbeek a call on 027-2704-904

Prayer Circle Requests. For anyone who is seeking prayer for any concern or situation: prayercircle.clevedonpresy@gmail.com or text: Cath at 021 349 417, Elaine 022 071 7201, or Nikki 021 973 799

AA - every Thursday at 7.30 pm at the Clevedon Church lounge. Friendly and supportive. For anyone with alcohol or drug problems.  https://aa.org.nz/

Sunday morning service at 10 am. Join us in person or watch the live stream on our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxBzxjBb3xU8ra2NHwvD_9A

(The service can also be viewed at any time afterwards.)

Prayer before the Service. Join us at 9:15 am every Sunday in Martin's office to pray for the church and community.

St Aidan’s Takanini (23 Walter Stevens Drive, Conifer Grove,)

 Sunday morning service at 10 am

Playgroup - Every Monday and Tuesday morning in the school term.  Contact Brenda at 021 657 178.

Men’s group. Tuesdays at 7 pm in the Church lounge. A time of sharing, fellowship, prayer and study together.

Wednesday Communion service 9.30 am. All welcome

Women's friendship and study group. Evening group, Wednesday, 7 pm.  Day group, Friday 10 am. Contact Lorraine Richmond at 027 476 1169

Know your Bible Women’s study group. Thursday 12.30-2.30 pm. Contact Susanna Ph. 027 450 1926 (note the change from Friday)

The service is held in the Community Hall each Sunday at 9.30 am.

ANZAC Day: Martin, Sarah Park and Gina are again coordinating the 2024 service on Thurs 25 April, at 9.30 am. 2-part service, with singers and musicians, sought for the ceremony in the Hall and general volunteers. See Roundup or Gina for full details.

CVMFT Sunday Serenade Sun 07 April 1.30 pm: “Fools and Angels” - A journey through time discovering musical and dramatic moments of the intrepid, the cautious and the downright crazy” featuring past CVMFT scholarship winners and more. Go to CVMFT.org, or see Gina

Thank you for your prayers and generous support of our church and its mission.

Martin

It’s time for Helen to make up the new Roster to cover May – October 2024.

To ensure our church is a welcoming place for all, we have Delightful Duties for:

Cafe (Serving the Tea & Coffee following the service),

Baking (a batch of biscuits or muffins to enjoy with your cuppa);

Greeting (the welcoming face as people arrive at Sunday Service)

Lock Up Duty (Parish Councillor who turns off the lights, heating & locks up after Service & Morning Tea)

BBQ Sausage Sizzler (the lovely aroma of a hot sausage served with bread & sauce emanates from this team)

Please can you let us know if you would be willing to go on the roster, are not happy to continue in your current role, or wish to take on a different duty by 22 March, so we can print the roster in good time.

Thank you for all your efforts.

Regards

Annemarie & Helen

Church Admin Team