 Greetings, friends, members, and supporters of our church in Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay, Orere Point, Conifer Grove, Takanini, and the southern part of Auckland—and beyond.
The Peace of Christ be with you!
Let us Pray
We pray today for older people.
We give thanks for the wisdom that is accumulated over the years,
and for the learning and experiences that build character and resilience.
We give thanks for the presence and blessing of older people in our lives.
And pray for all who care for the frail and vulnerable.
In Christ’s name.
AMEN
Getting Gold
Last week I received this card in the mail. I also received a note from one of my brothers congratulating me "on becoming an OAP." I had to look that up – I have become an ‘Old Aged Pensioner.’
 Apart from getting the card and, with it, the promise of free trips to Waiheke, I am unclear, and somewhat unnerved, about any other benefit of becoming an OAP.
Getting Old in the Bible
Overall, I find it quite heartening that the many scriptures view older age (or ‘being full of years’) as a blessing.
Not to mention the fact that the Presbyterian Church derives its name from the Greek word ‘presbuteros’ – a church ruled by elders. (in those days, literally older, faithful people)
Here are just a few passages of encouragement for all the OAP’s
Not sure I like this one (from 2 Cor 14:16) but:
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
And the promise we find in Joel 2:
28 “And afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Good to know from Proverbs 20:
29 The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their grey hair.
And some encouragement from Psalm 92:
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
Let us Pray
God, please “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90)
Be a healing presence, we pray, in the lives of the elderly who are alone, or feeling abandoned or afraid.
Strengthen and encourage those who are supporting a loved one with dementia,
and help us in our ministry to those whose age has led to poor health and infirmity.
In Christ’s name, we pray,
AMEN
Our Notices
AGM. Our Church AGM is to be held this evening, September 24, at 7 pm at the Clevedon Church. (Supper to follow – please bring a plate if you can!)
This meeting will include a presentation of the proposed building plans, and a motion inviting you to agree to our proceeding to the next stage of the approval process.
To watch a ‘fly-though of the proposed new buildings please click on this link:
We will still need to obtain more certain cost estimates – and agree on this expenditure at a further congregational meeting later in the year)
The motion we will discuss is:
“THAT the congregations of the Parish of Clevedon authorise Clevedon Presbyterian church management to proceed with the final approval application process to Presbytery and the Church Property Trustees, entailing finalisation of full design and costing of the project to allow the project to proceed within Church management cost estimate of $5.0 million”.
(For a full explanation to this motion please see the document attached)
A Memorial for Jeanette Ravoka’s Mum, Annette Hodge will be held Saturday 28th September 10.30am at the Paeroa Co-operating Church, Corner Willoughby & Mackay Street, Paeroa.
Foodbank—The call for food parcels continues from families in need. Thank you for your donations. Our pantry would benefit from tinned tomatoes, ricies, cornflakes, tinned tuna, pasta sauces, coffee, drinking chocolate, self-raising flour, 1kg plastic bags sugar (to foil the ants), 1kg rice, dried pasta, tinned sweetcorn, body wash, muesli bars and biscuits.
Alternatively, we also like to include a Supermarket voucher in the parcels to allow people to purchase fresh items like cheese, butter, meat.
Tuesday Morning Home Group. Meeting in Ardmore. Please contact Bev Sutton 0273 107 421 for directions.
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
Men’s Group meets Wednesday evening 7.30pm in Clevedon Church Lounge. Come along for fellowship, discussion and prayer.
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 Services and activities:
Clevedon Church
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.)
This Sunday’s Reading is from Genesis 15:1-6
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.
Wednesday Communion service 9.30 am. All welcome
Women's friendship and study 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
Men’s group. Thursdays at 7 pm in the St Aidan’s Church lounge. A time of sharing, fellowship, prayer and study together.
Kawakawa Bay
The service is held in the Community Hall each Sunday at 9.30 am.
Playgroup each Wednesday from 8 am in the Community Hall (during the school term)
Thank you for your prayers and generous support of our church and its mission.
Martin
Forthcoming musical events:
CVMFT Scholarships Sun 13 Oct. Applications open for these excellent awards in 3 age-groups across all musical disciplines. For further information: https://cvmft.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CVMFT-Scholarships-Festival-2024-Information-Release-2.pdf
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