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.

The Peace of Christ be with you!

Dear God,

We give thanks today,

for all who work to care for your good Creation.

We give thanks for those who strive to preserve the lives of our endangered species, 

and for all who remind us of the value and importance of caring for our precious flora and fauna.

Help us, we pray, to be good and wise stewards of your Creation,

and to know the truth of the words you speak to us:

“See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.” (Mt:6:28)

AMEN

On Saturday afternoon I joined with the 40,000 or so who marched down Queen Street on the ‘March for Nature.’ Like many people, I love our conservation estate and the access to the outdoors that makes living in New Zealand so special.

There is such beauty about us - beauty that I see celebrated throughout scripture, as the work of our Creator. The march cultivated a sense of hope and celebration, with people joining from all ages and cultures.

The most famous march in Scripture is told in the story of Moses leading the Hebrew people out of the slavery and oppression they suffered in Egypt. Before the march, Moses made numerous protests to Pharaoh, highlighting the cruel oppression of the Hebrew people.

I am sure it is no surprise that our Bible contains many accounts of faithful people raising concerns about the mistreatment of the most vulnerable.

As an example, in the letter of James, chapter 5, we find these passionate words:

5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. ⁴ Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. ⁵ You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

We pray today, Lord,

For all who are silenced by the weight of their circumstances.

We pray for children and all innocent victims of violence and war.

And we pray for those who have lost homes and livelihoods to fire and flooding.

We raise before you, all who are victims of the greed and abuse of the powerful.

Jesus, you are always with us,

strengthen and bless the work of all those who work to bring hope, freedom, justice and reconciliation.

In the name of our loving Creator, we pray.

AMEN  

Pastoral. We have received the sad news that Annette Hodge has died. Before moving away from Clevedon, Annette was a very active member of our church, serving on our Parish Council. She is the mother of Jeanette Ravoka - whose mission work in Fiji we have supported for many years. Please hold Jeanette and her family in your prayers. 

This Sunday 16 June, 1.30 pm – “On Your Bike!” – Jazz and Music Theatre. The cool scene of Jazz and Stage cruises into town with the return of the Max Crook Jazz Ensemble and rising Music Theatre talent. At the Clevedon Church – St Andrews. Refreshments. Koha entrance.  See Gina or contact on enquiries@cvmft.org Ph: 2928047

Foodbank—The call for food parcels continues from families in need.  Thank you for your donations. We need tinned spaghetti & baked beans, tinned tomatoes, tinned tuna, pasta sauces, coffee, drinking chocolate, self-raising flour, 1kg plastic bags sugar (to foil the ants), 1kg rice, dried pasta, jam, and biscuits.

Men’s Group. Come along for fellowship, discussion and prayer. 7.30 pm each Wednesday in the Clevedon Church lounge.

Youth Group. Clevedon Youth Group Friday, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at 87 Settlement Road, Papakura. 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.  Coming Up: Youth Group Bonfire Night at Hunua Saturday 15th June Youth Group Intermediate Movie Night Saturday 22nd June (venue tbc)

HATCH – our community dinner and church continues on Sunday 9^th of June at 5 pm. 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: 027 3107 421

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

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

Playgroup each Wednesday from 8 am in the Community Hall

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

Martin

Right Now Media. We have recently purchased a church subscription for this extensive library of video resources suitable for small groups, teaching and education. Please use this link to take a look at the library for your personal or group use: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/clevedonpresbyterian . We are trialling this subscription to find out how many people might benefit. If you do make use of it could you let Martin know?  (martin@clevedonpresy.co.nz)