THE YEAR BEGINS
Welcome to the first Sunday of the church year.
As many of you are aware, the church calendar is not the same as the calendar we use in our normal lives. Rather than beginning with January 1, the church calendar begins with Advent which starts four Sundays before Christmas Day.
Advent is the season when we prepare to celebrate Jesus coming into the world at Christmas and anticipate his return to us at the end of our time. Our altar frontal colour for Advent is purple, the same as the colour for Lent. Both of these seasons are times of reflection and preparation.
After we celebrate Jesus’ birth, the church calendar follows his life
— beginning with Epiphany,
— his baptism,
— his temptations during his time in the wilderness,
— and the beginning of his teaching ministry.
From now until the beginning of Advent 2025, our Sunday readings focus on the Gospel of Luke for most of the Sundays.
Like Lent, Advent is a busy season in the church calendar with many additional special services. We are very fortunate to have the Franklin Community Choir with us for the Nine Lessons and Carols Service on Sunday December 8, when we join with the members of the St Patrick’s Catholic parish and members of the wider community.
During January, our Sunday Services will run as usual. The usual activities that take place in the church complex will restart in February.
We will again be delivering Christmas hampers this year. These will contain our usual items plus a Christmas cake, if the recipient would like one, as well as jellies and hopefully some treats. If you are able to support us with some treats to share between the parcels, these would be much appreciated. We are also short of gifts for some age groups as indicated in the advertisement later in this Messenger.
We are aware that several of our regular people on our rosters are often away over the holiday season. If you would be willing to do a reading or prayers during January, please put your name on the roster in the church foyer for any dates that suit you and we will get the materials to you.
Please do take care during the holidays if you are travelling.
Christmas Blessings to you all. — Jan and Bob
SUNDAY READINGS
Dec 1: First reading Jeremiah 33:14-16; Gospel Matthew 4:18-22
Dec 8: Malachi 3: 1-4; Luke 3:1-6
Dec 15: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18
Dec 22: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-45
Dec 29: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Luke 2: 41-52
REST HOMES AND HOSPITAL SERVICES
Singers welcome to help
Wed Dec 4, 10am: St Andrew’s
Thurs Dec 5, 10.30am: Franklin Village
Tues Dec 10, 11am: Palms Hospital
Thurs Dec 19: 10am St Andrew’s
Tues Dec 24, 11am: Possum Bourne Village
Tues Dec 31, 11am: Possum Bourne Village
REGULAR SERVICES
Every Sunday
8am and 9.30am at St Andrew’s Pukekohe
2nd and 4th Sunday of the month
11.30am St Paul’s Buckland
NOTE: To spread the special Christmas services there will not be Sunday services at Buckland on December 8 or December 22.
BUCKLAND SERVICES
Community Christmas Service on Sunday December 15, 11.30am; Christmas Eve Service at 7.30pm.
1st Sunday of the month
11.15am Nora Brown Hall behind St Andrew’s Church.
Weekdays 10am at St Andrew’s
1st Wednesday of the month — 3rd Thursday of the month
NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
Pukekohe Anglican Church, 7pm, Sunday December 8
Combined service with St Patrick’s Catholic Church & Franklin Community Choir
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP PLEASE?
Pukekohe Community Action would really appreciate receiving small gifts to go with our christmas food hampers this year — or contributions to the food hampers themselves.
As well as gifts for children, we also welcome small pamper gifts for adults. We particularly need gifts for the following age groups:
Boys over 6, girls over 8, teenagers (girls and boys), adult males
Please leave gifts unwrapped so we can determine ages and shether the gift best suits boy or girl, mum or dad. If you can help, we would like gifts to be left at the office at St Andrew’s Pukekohe Anglican Church, 43 Queen St, by Friday December 13.
THANK YOU!
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
Community carol service at St Paul’s, Buckland
11.30am, Sunday December 15
It’s time to celebrate with our families, friends and our community. Sing the good old favourite carols. Share the story of Christmas. And we even get to take home a Christmas decoration. St Paul’s Anglican Church is at 581 Buckland Rd.
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE
7.30pm, Sunday December 15
St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Pukekohe
What is a “Blue Christmas” service?
These services are held in churches around the world to offer a space for people to gather in the lead up to Christmas. They acknowledge that for some, Christmas can be a sad and difficult time due to losses experienced during the year, or because of grief still being worked through. They adknowledge that it is painful having people missing from our Christmas table and celebrations.
We open the invitation to anyone who is remembering the death of a loved one, or who faces a difficult Christmas season for other reasons such as ill health, redundancy, separation, loneliness and so on.
There will be an opportunity to light candles and to hear words of comfort and reassurance. Please do extend this invitation to anyone you know of who may appreciate it — family, neighbours, work colleagues and so on.
We hope to see you at St Andrew’s, 43 Queen St, Pukekohe, at 7.30pm on Sunday December 15.
For more information, contact Jan Wallace on 09 238 7723,027 452 1366 or jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz
THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
The Family Christmas Pageant at the 9.30am service on Sunday December 8 is an opportunity for us all to join in the retelling of the Christmas story.
It is not intended to be a formal or polished performance.
We will try to find a time to get most of those involved together for a run-through before the actual day.
However, this should not stop anyone joining in the service on the day.
If you would like to take part and let Jan know in advance, she can organise a short speaking part for all participants.
To achieve this, Jan will need to know you’d like to be involved by Tuesday December 2. Phone her on 027 452 1366.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
5pm-7pm Monday December 9
With a Very Special Visitor
If you’d like your child or children to attend, please add your name to the list in the foyer or call the office 238 7228. Parents and grandparents welcome.
You will need to provide a resource (preferably under $15) for our visitor to give to your child, and a salad or dessert to go with our sausages. Resources can be safely stored in the box in the office ahead of the day.
OP SHOP CHRISTMAS SALE!!
9am-noon Wednesday December 18, Thursday December 19, Friday December 20, Saturday December 21. Great bargains, including Ladies’ Tops $5 fill a bag and jeans $2. Cash sales only. More details to come.
CONTRIBUTIONS
For those wishing to make contributions to the parish, the account numbers are:
• Parish general expenses including automatic payments: 06-0405-0012157-00
• Restoration of the church: 06-0405-0078359-01
• Pukekohe Community Action (for community out-reach in our community): 12-3023-0071016-00
• Make sure you put your name in the reference field and email Jan at jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz so we can send you a tax receipt. Many thanks in advance for your generosity.
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
THERE IS A DEFIBRILLATOR INSTALLED BY THE OFFICE DOOR
A copy of the Parish Health and Safety Policy, along with the processes required for the implementation of the policy, is available on our website or from the parish office. An evacuation plans are in each area of the church and complex.
Assembly areas are the car park beside the Reid Anderson Hall, by the road in front of the church or on the vicarage lawn depending on the location of the emergency.
St Paul’s Church: Assembly area is by the road at the front of the church.
First aid kits and accident reporting sheets are located:
1. Reid Anderson — In the cupboard over the small hand basin, by the back door in the kitchen.
2. Nora Brown — on the shelf above the microwave. Record sheets are next to the microwave.
3. Parish office — 2nd to top shelf on left side in the back room. The office is locked when unattended. Forms are to be completed as soon as the accident has been dealt with and the form put through the slot by the office door and the vicar or wardens are to be notified. Treatment including resources that are used are to be recorded on the accident sheet.
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SUPERB HAIR MOBILE HAIRDRESSERConvenience — I come to you!
Most aspects of hairdressing (including perms).
Professional service,
Award-winning stylist,
Top products.Text or phone Susan 021 499 194
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DK CONCRETE
Floors/Driveways/Footpaths/Patios etcDaniel Kircher
Ph 021 066 8356
E: kirchaz@hotmail.com
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HALLIWELL’S OF PUKEKOHE
Stockists of fine Quality Leather Shoes81 King St, Pukekohe. Ph 09- 2387686
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PUKEKOHE TRAVEL
Locally owned and operated since 1978Contact Eve Murphy, 89 King St, Pukekohe. Ph 09-237 0013
info@pukekohe-travel.co.nz
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FRANKLIN LONG ROOFING LTD
We cover buildings with the best Colorsteel
in corrugated or styline profiles“Steel Yourself for the 21st Century”Franklin Rd, Pukekohe. Ph 09-238 9249 or after hours 09-238 0027
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PARISH DIRECTORY
Vicar: The Rev’d Jan Wallace 238 7723 Home
238 7228 Office 0274 521 366 Mob
Email: jan.wallace@xtra.co.nz
Vestry
Chairperson Rev’d Jan WallaceVestry secretary Karen StevensWardens Pauline Brown 021 182 3703,
Richard Anderson 021 081 68724
Synod Reps Vicky Mee, Helen HalliwellVestry members Renton Brown,Helen Halliwell, Glenis Kerr, Vicky Mee
Buckland Rep Glen Morse
Parish Ministry Team
Vestry Wardens Pauline Brown and Richard AndersonCommunications Cecily Daroux & Judith TuckerCommunity needs response Jan Wallace & Vicky Mee
Sustainability Pauline Brown, Vicky Mee, Keith GardnerPastoral Care Rev Jan Wallace
Administration
Central Vestry Trust Board Treasurer Ros PhillipsParish Recorder Keith Gardner (Parish Envelope Scheme)Parish Administrator Judith TuckerOffice Hours Monday to Thursday | 9am — 2pmAddress 31 — 37 Queen St, PO Box 338, PukekohePhone 09 238 7228Email address pukekoheanglicanchurch@xtra.co.nzOp Shop 9am — 12 noon on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
PASTORAL CARE
Community Programmes at Pukekohe Anglican Church — Pukekohe Community Action
SPACE for you and your baby
For the first year of baby’s life. Several groups are run each week to keep the age range of the babies within about 3 months. Term time only.The Selwyn Foundation
For the older members of the community
A hot lunch is available for a small charge. Transport can also be arranged. Tuesdays 9.30am.Seasons
An after-school group held at 4pm on Thursdays for children who have experienced a significant loss or grief in their lives. An adult programme runs at various times. Ph 027 452 1366 for information.Oasis Play Group
Music & Coffee group, a natural progression from Space, for preschool children. Mon & Fri, 9.15-11am. Term time only.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday December 8
9.30am: Family Christmas Pageant
Come and join in sharing the Christmas story
7pm: Nine Lessons & Carols with Franklin Community Choir, St Patrick’s Catholic Church and the community
Sunday December 15
11.30am: St Paul’s Buckland Community Christmas Service
7.30pm: Blue Christmas Service: Acknowledging that Christmas can be a hard time, especially when we have people missing from our Christmas table for any reason at all
Tuesday December 24, Christmas Eve
5pm: Family Christmas Story
7.30pm: Buckland Christmas Eucharist Service
10.30pm: Christmas Eve Carols and Mass
Wednesday December 25, Christmas Day
8am & 9.30am: Christmas Eucharist