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!

We give thanks today, Lord,

for our ability to learn and grow in wisdom and knowledge.

We give thanks for curiosity and the drive that leads to discoveries and new understanding.

And we give thanks for our capacity to wonder and respond with awe to the beauty of your creation.

We offer our thanks in Christ’s name.

Amen.

About three weeks ago, we stopped for dinner in Westport on our way to the Karamea start of the Heaphy Track.

Westport is the oldest European settlement on the West Coast and is close to a very old Māori settlement, dating back to the 14th century.

While walking around Westport, I came across the old 'Westport Public Library' building. Interestingly, this library was built in 1904 with help from funds gifted by Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie was a famous, and extraordinarily wealthy, American steel baron who later became a philanthropist, giving away much of his wealth.

A brief look into his history revealed that in 1889, Carnegie wrote an article titled “The Gospel of Wealth,” which called on the rich to use their wealth to improve society. He expressed support for progressive taxation and an estate tax. Carnegie was a member of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Carnegie’s philosophy, known as the "Andrew Carnegie Dictum," was:

In the Bible, the discovery of lost books is described in 2 Kings 22:8, where the high priest Hilkiah finds the Book of the Law in the temple. This book had been lost for nearly 60 years. During that time, we are told that the people had turned to pagan worship.

The rediscovery of the scripture sparked significant religious reform and revival.

When King Josiah heard the news:

“Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes, and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.”

God of wisdom and grace,

we pray for all who lack access to schools, education, or opportunities to learn.

For parents who long for their children to read and write,

and for teachers deprived of resources and opportunities to teach.

Strengthen, we pray, the work of those who bring education to the disadvantaged.

And help us to be sensitive to the needs of those who struggle to learn.

We give thanks that your Word brings light and hope to all.

In Christ’s name.

Amen.

(Please read our letter of thanks at the bottom of our notices.)

Our Clevedon church flyer outlining all our Christmas events is attached to this letter. Feel free to print off and distribute to neighbours and friends. 

Little Ones Christmas Service – help needed. This very special event, which fills the church with children and adults, requires a team of helpers to welcome, serve food and manage the front door – and tidy afterwards! Please let Lynette know if you can spare an hour or so between 2.30 and 4.30 on Sunday the 8th. lynette@clevedon.co.nz  or 021341617

Christmas Food Hampers Each year 80 families are given a Christmas food hamper full of the essential items, plus a few goodies.

¨ Drop items of cans, spreads, toiletries, soft drinks, juice etc. into church foyer

¨ Donate any value towards the purchase of a hamper ($150 a complete hamper)

Clevedon Community Trust account:  12-3031-0089128-00

To comply with our Church Trustee regulations, all our congregations need to formally vote on the motions:

“That the congregation of Clevedon Presbyterian Church approves the demolition of the old cottage at the Kawakawa Bay site and the construction of a new ministry building at a total project cost of no more than $500,000 + GST “

“That the Congregation of Clevedon Presbyterian Church approves the construction of new Early Childhood Education, Family Ministry, and worship facilities on  the Clevedon Presbyterian Church site (as per the plans presented) at a total project cost of no more than $5.41m (+GST)" 

The meetings will be held immediately after each of our services at Kawakawa Bay, Clevedon and St. Aidan’s on Sunday, December the 15^th.

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. The final event for the year will be dinner at the Blue Elephant in Clevedon. 6.30 pm tomorrow night (Wednesday). Please let Martin know if you are coming. (martin@clevedonpresy.co.nz)

 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.

The Reading for this Sunday comes from Joel 2:12-13, 28-29

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.

Sunday Worship: Join us for worship at the Community Hall this Sunday at 9.30 am. Before the service there is a prayer time at 9 am.

Playgroup each Wednesday from 8 am in the Community Hall

CAMA Choir and Gina feature in South Auckland Choral Society’s Christmas Concert on 8 December 2.30 pm. Crossroads Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Papakura.

Dear Friends,

Sandy and I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the farewell you included in last Sunday’s Anniversary Service.

We are deeply appreciative not only by the generosity of your gift but also by the support and encouragement you have shown us over the years. These acts of kindness and faithfulness have been a powerful reflection of the loving and faithful community we have been so privileged to be a part of and to serve.

We will always treasure your witness as followers of Christ and your dedication to embodying that witness in meaningful ways, both within this church and in the wider community.

Please know that our prayers remain with you, asking for God’s abundant blessings on this church and on each of you during this season of joy, hope, and expectation.

With love and gratitude,

Martin and Sandy