The Coming of the Holy Spirit
I enjoy the worship on Pentecost Sunday as we celebrate the birth of the church after the period of Jesus’ life on Earth. This provides us with an opportunity to celebrate and to give thanks to God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all who were gathered on that day. This same outpouring of the Spirit continues today almost 2000 years later. Of course God’s spirit was in and with people from First Testament times but on this day the promise of Jesus was fulfilled that the people would receive an advocate who would be with them for ever.
And so the first Sunday of June we join in celebrating this special day in the life of the church.
The questions therefore must be
- “So what is our response to this gift?
- How much do we value it?
- What difference does it make in our individual lives and in the life of the church today?
- How visible are the outworkings of the Holy Spirit to those who are not regular visitors to our “place of worship?”
These are challenges that constantly face us as we try to make the church relevant to our community today, not compromising our beliefs or values but looking at these through 21st century lenses.
The needs of the people and what they are seeking has probably not changed that much since the time of Christ.
People need to know that they are
- loved and valued as individuals,
- not alone in our world having to bear their loads unsupported.
It has always been and always will be so important if people are to live a full life and fulfil their potential even today.
The reading from the Gospel of John assured us we are not alone and we will not be left as orphans.
To today’s generation living in New Zealand there are probably very few who really know what it means to be an orphan but in previous generations the likes of TB and diphtheria and in some parts of our world today, diseases such as Aids and war and terrorism still leave many children as orphans, isolated and without appropriate care. This is part of the mission of the church to reach out to such people across the globe but also to those who live in our communities who feel lonely, isolated, unsupported, unloved or uncared for.
One of the sad but most rewarding parts of high school teaching to me was to sit with a young person who felt they had no one to share how they were feeling, their deepest fears and concerns, no one who was really there for them encouraging and supporting.
In the reading from John’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we will not be left alone. Yes, we may feel it when we are down and worried often about our loved ones. We need to remember that it is we who don’t recognise God’s presence and not God who fails to see ours. A good reminder to us of this of course is the footprints reading which is so familiar to many of us. God is with us always and I pray that this Pentecost you may become even more aware of this constant presence and allow the Spirit of God to bring you comfort, peace and joy as you experience God with you anew.
Pentecost Blessings to you all.
Jan
Bible Readings in June
June 4
First: Acts 2: 1-21
Gospel: John 20: 19-23 or John 7: 37-39
Theme: Pentecost
June 11
First: Genesis 1: 1-2:4a
Gospel: Matthew 28: 16-20
Theme: Formed by Love
Trinity Sunday
June 18
First: Genesis 18: 1-15 (21:1-7)
Gospel: Matthew 9: 35-10:8 (9-23)
Theme: Compassion
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
June 25
First: Genesis 21: 8-21
Gospel: Matthew 10: 24-39
Theme: God and Sparrows
3rd Sunday after Pentecost
From the Parish Registers
Funerals
Monday May 1: Trevor Lloyd Walden
Wednesday May 3: Eileen Joyce Hansen
Rest Home Services
Palms Rest Home: 10.30am Tuesday June 6
Palms Hospital: 11am Tuesday June 13
Lakeside Rest Home: 10.30am Wednesday June 14
Pukekohe Hospital: 10.30am Wednesday June 21
Possum Bourne Village: 11am Tuesday June 27
Anyone who wishes is welcome to join us at these services.
Mothers’ Union
Wednesday June 7, 10am service in the Parish Lounge followed by meeting. Guest Speaker is John Allen, who co-ordinates the Parish Communal Garden and the Learning to Grow your Own Food programme. All Welcome
Soup and fellowship
With the winter coming on it is a good time to get to know our fellow parishioners and what better way than meeting together in smaller groups for a simple soup and bread/toast lunch? The idea is that we arrange to gather for lunch after a Sunday morning service every couple of weeks or monthly (depending on what people feel is helpful). We are looking for people willing to be hosts and people to make soup. These do not have to be the same people. It would be best if the hosts have an idea of how many people they are expecting, so the guests would be encouraged to sign up in advance. To get this endeavour off the ground, we need a list of those willing to host (along with an indication of the maximum number of guests that they could manage) and a list of cooks who would enjoy making soup.
Anyone who is keen to help please phone: Gael 238-6017 or Jan 238-7723
Parish Op Shop
Would you have three hours once a month to help in the Op Shop? We need more volunteers to help in this worthwhile activity which helps the church to offer effective Pastoral Care in the Pukekohe area. All money received is used for community projects, including the work of Pukekohe Community Action, food parcels etc. We continue to need donations of good quality winter clothing etc.
If you are able to help, please talk to Jan 027 4521366 or Judith 021 213 4804. Thank You
Used Stamps
A message of thanks has been received from the Anglican Board of Missions for the recent parcel of used stamps sent from our parish. In 2016 the Missions Board raised $6700 from the sale of used stamps. Used stamps with a good surround of envelope still on can be left in the church porch at the parish office or given to Joyce Watson.
Movie Fundraiser — This Beautiful Fantastic
Pukekohe Cinemas, Sunday July 30 at 5.30pm Tickets $20
This Beautiful Fantastic is a contemporary fairy tale. This is the only screening of this movie in Pukekohe. The film stars Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey) and Tom Wilkinson (Quartet, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) in the main roles. We will have to sell at least 104 tickets, so we need your help — let your friends and family know early! Our film fundraiser last year was a great success, so here’s hoping we can repeat that.
Review — the Observer says:
A charming, beautifully photographed modern fairy tale about love and gardening, This Beautiful Fantastic is worth seeing in spite of its dumb deterrent of a title. It’s an odd story about some very odd people guaranteed to grow on you. Written and directed with whimsical taste and obvious talent by Simon Aboud, the son-in-law of Paul McCartney, it’s different, gorgeous to look at, and you go away feeling good about life and lilacs.
Tickets can be bought through the Parish Office (238 7228) or Cecily Daroux (238 8411)
Musical Performances at St Andrew’s
Sunday, June 25, 3pm (note change of time) in the Reid Anderson Hall
Hausmusik NZ
Rita Paczian — mezzo & harpsichord
John Green — baroque oboe & oboe d’amore
Polly Sussex — baroque cello & gamba
Sundays July 9 and October 15, 5pm, in St Andrew’s Church
Proposed dates for Handel’s Quire
Women’s Fellowship
A fresh start!!! A new look!!! Thursday June 22, 10.30 am at Petal and Pots for morning tea and discussion of what we would like to do as a group. This is intended as a support group who share outings and discussions. You are invited to join us and discuss what you may like to be part of. If you would like transport please meet at the church at 10.15 am.
A couple of years ago the Women’s Fellowship group moved to the Palms Rest Home. Many of their members were then resident there. The members of the fellowship had a very sad end of 2016 and start to 2017. Many of their members or close family members passed away. As a result the group was considerably reduced. However there is enthusiasm and support for renewing the group and shaping it to be what the members would like it to be. Please ask Sonya Butcher, Maureen Nimmo or Jan if you would like more information.
Special General Meeting
Sunday June 18
Agenda:
Approve the Central Vestry Trust Board Accounts for payment.
Update on any parish business
Disability Sunday
Sandra Gibbons will share her experience of working as the minister in the Auckland Deaf Community. All are welcome! Sandra will be speaking at both services on Sunday June 18 and also after the special general meeting when you will have the opportunity to ask questions and other disability stories will also be shared. This will be followed by a shared lunch.
Special Events in June
Sunday June 18: Disability Sunday, 11am Special General Meeting, sharing from Sandra Gibbons and other stories
Thursday June 22: 10.30am Women’s Fellowship meeting at Petal and Pots. Meet at 10.30 or if you need transport at the church at 10.15am.
Sunday June 25: 3pm Hausmusik NZ Concert in St Andrew’s Church.
Coming up
Sunday July 9: 5pm Handel’s Quire