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,

You who are the Creator of the heavens and the earth,

we bring you our thanks:

for those who go to dangerous places,

and do difficult things,

as they witness to your presence, love and power.

We thank you for missionaries, aid and medical workers,

and all those led by their faith to confront injustice and oppression.

Bless them and keep them safe we pray.

In Christ’s name, we pray

AMEN

I remember many years ago travelling in a Muslim country and being asked by our guide, about my beliefs. I explained that I was a Christian – which was a completely acceptable answer and led to a fruitful discussion. My travelling companion when asked the same question, replied that he didn’t really believe in anything. Our guide was troubled by the answer and said ‘’Oh so you must be a communist!’’

The writers of the Bible and the leaders of the Reformation affirmed that everyone worships something – or someone.

My wife Sandy, and our daughter Lou Lou, have been enjoying their time in the ancient UK city of Bath. Most famous for its huge Roman bath house – created around the area’s geothermal springs.

Sandy took a photo of the altar – dedicated to Sulis Minerva - venerated as a healing divinity, whose sacred hot springs could cure physical or spiritual suffering and illness. The worship of this deity was widespread at about the time that Jesus lived. Worship incorporated both Celtic and Roman religious practices.  

The most singular and outstanding affirmation in the Jewish and Christian faiths is the assertion that there is only one God. This affirmation set our faith apart from the extraordinary array of gods, and the complexity of the worship requirements associated with Greek and Roman (and in Bath’s case, Celtic) polytheism.

There is a very interesting passage in the Book of Acts, chapter 17, detailing how Paul speaks into this polytheistic world. His famous speech included these words:

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Dear God,

we pray for all whose lives are dominated by the power of other forces or gods.

Those who are consumed with the drive to make ever more money, or accumulate more and more things.

We pray for those who live with an overwhelming sense of fear, or grief, guilt or regret.

Lord, help us to find our purpose in being disciples of Jesus.

To find in worship, loving service and thankfulness,

what it means to live as one of your children.

We pray these things in the name of our Sovereign and Lord,

Jesus Christ.

AMEN

Mid-winter Christmas Dinner. Join our Kawakawa Bay friends for this great time of food and fellowship. 6 pm Friday the 26th of July, Kawakawa Bay Hall. Reserve your place by leaving a message on 092922241 or kkbaychurch@xtra.co.nz 

Alpha – an introduction to the Christian Faith. Join us for this contemporary 8-week video-based discussion series. A terrific way to learn about faith and to discuss any questions you may have. This will be hosted at a home in Clevedon. Starting 7 pm on Tuesday, August the 13^th. Please contact Mathilde if you are interested in coming along. All welcome. mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz

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.

HATCH – our community dinner and church will start again after the school holidays, on Sunday the 28^th of July at 5 pm.  All welcome. Please let Mathilde know if you are coming. mathilde@clevedonpresy.co.nz

Tuesday Morning Home Group. Note the temporary change of venue and contact.  The meeting on the 16th July, is at Ann Shaw’s Home, 51 Monument Road, Clevedon.  Please contact Glenis Munro 027 6060 830

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.)

The reading for this Sunday: Job 14:7-15; 19:23-27

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 (during the school term)

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

Martin

PS: This Sunday night I am heading away to meet Sandy and Loulou in Mexico on the final leg of their expedition. In my 3-week absence, Geoff Neike will be providing these Tuesday reflections. Gary Johnstone and Andrew Hill will be leading Sunday worship at Clevedon – followed by Robyn Brown at her usual time on the first Sunday of August. For any pastoral matters please call the Rev Bruce Graham on 021-027-59339

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)